The AFLW Grand Final Best On Ground Medal
The AFLW Best on Ground Medal goes to the standout player in the AFLW Grand Final — the women’s competition’s equivalent of the Norm Smith Medal. Awarded annually since the inaugural 2017 AFLW Grand Final, the medal honours the best player in the year’s signature women’s fixture. Erin Phillips, Daisy Pearce, Madison Prespakis, and others have all earned the recognition across the competition’s foundational years and beyond.
The History: AFLW Grand Finals
The AFLW Grand Final has been held annually since 2017:
- 2017: Adelaide Crows defeated Brisbane Lions, won by Adelaide
- 2018: Western Bulldogs defeated Brisbane Lions
- 2019: Adelaide Crows defeated Carlton
- 2020: Adelaide Crows defeated North Melbourne (no Grand Final due to COVID; minor premiers awarded)
- 2021: Brisbane Lions defeated Adelaide Crows
- 2022: Adelaide Crows defeated Melbourne Demons
- 2023: Brisbane Lions defeated Melbourne Demons
- 2024: Brisbane Lions defeated North Melbourne
The AFLW Best on Ground Medal has been awarded each year. The voting system uses a panel of former AFLW players and women’s footy identities, similar to the AFL Norm Smith voting structure.
Erin Phillips’s Grand Final Era
Erin Phillips dominated AFLW Grand Final ceremonies in the early years. Her best-on-ground performances in Adelaide’s 2017 and 2019 premierships established her as the women’s competition’s signature Grand Final performer.
Recent AFLW Grand Final Best on Ground Recipients
- 2024: Brisbane Lions Grand Final BOG winner
- 2023: Brisbane Lions Grand Final BOG winner
- 2022: Adelaide Crows Grand Final BOG winner — Erin Phillips contender
- 2021: Brisbane Lions Grand Final BOG winner
- 2019: Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows)
- 2017: Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows)
Trivia for the Pub
- The AFLW Best on Ground Medal is awarded in the AFLW Grand Final.
- It has been awarded annually since 2017.
- Erin Phillips is the most-recognised early-era recipient.
- Voting is by a panel of AFLW senior figures.
- The medal is presented in the post-match Grand Final ceremony.
- The award is the women’s equivalent of the AFL Norm Smith Medal.
- Adelaide Crows have multiple AFLW premierships.
- Brisbane Lions are recent multi-time AFLW premiers.
- The 2020 AFLW Grand Final was cancelled due to COVID; minor premiers were awarded the title.
- The AFLW Grand Final has been hosted at multiple venues including the MCG, Marvel Stadium, and various club home grounds.
The Rumours
The persistent rumour: renaming the AFLW Best on Ground after Erin Phillips or another foundational figure. Has been canvassed; no formal renaming yet.
The other rumour: integrating AFLW Grand Final ceremony with the AFL ceremony. The two are kept separate.
The Verdict
The AFLW Best on Ground Medal is the women’s competition’s signature Grand Final individual honour. From Erin Phillips’s foundational dominance to the modern era’s diverse recipients, every AFLW Grand Final has produced its standout performer. Long live the AFLW Grand Final’s signature award.
The award also captures the broader story of AFLW’s growth. From the inaugural 2017 fixture (with limited media coverage and modest crowds) to the modern AFLW Grand Final (with prime-time TV coverage, major venue presentations, and substantial crowds), the Best on Ground Medal has tracked the competition’s professional maturation.
For AFLW players, winning the Grand Final Best on Ground is career-defining. The recognition combines on-field excellence with the highest-stakes possible — the women’s competition’s biggest single match. Recipients are positioned for future captaincy, leadership roles, and post-playing career opportunities.
The AFLW’s continuing growth means the Best on Ground Medal’s prestige is also growing. As the competition has expanded to 18 teams, the talent pool has broadened, and Grand Finalists now come from across Australia. The 2017–2019 Adelaide era was succeeded by Brisbane’s recent premiership run; future eras will surely produce their own dynasties.
