AFLW Best Players 2026: Best & Fairest Predictions

Two rounds to go, and the race for the AFLW's biggest individual prize is about as tight as it gets.

It’s looking like a three-horse race at the moment, with North Melbourne’s legendary skipper Jasmine Garner, leading the way. Garner is yet to win the Best & Fairest, despite having been actively playing since the competition’s inception in 2017.

Other contenders include Geelong young gun Georgie Prespakis, who has been one of the leading on-ballers all season in 2026.

And former #1 draft pick Charlie Rowbottom, who has been outstanding for the Gold Coast Suns this season as they look to make a deep finals push.  

We’ve taken a look at the who's been tearing the competition apart in 2026 to put together our definitive list of the best AFLW players.Season for our list

For the latest form, stats and AFLW Best & Fairest odds, here's our countdown. So, let's get to it.

Top 10 Best AFLW Players in 2026

1. Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)

2. Georgie Prespakis (Geelong)

3. Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast)

4. Ella Roberts (West Coast)

5. Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide)

6. Kiara Bowers (Fremantle)

7. Olivia Purcell (Melbourne)

8. Ash Riddell (North Melbourne)

9. Isabelle Pritchard (Western Bulldogs)

10. Tyla Hanks (Melbourne)

Keep reading to find out why these 10 rank as the best in the business this season.

10. Tyla Hanks – Melbourne

The Gippsland product is no stranger to this list, finishing third in 2025’s Best & Fairest awards in the AFLW.

The Demons star is averaging close to 26 disposals and more than seven tackles a game and standing out in one of the competition’s top sides.

The scrappy midfielder rarely has a quiet day and is constantly winning possession for the Dees, cleaning up the crumbs in the middle.

The Dees vice-captain is a natural footy player with all the skills to boot.

9. Isabelle Pritchard – Western Bulldogs

The Dogs are 8-2 and Pritchard is the engine room's hard edge.

A very different mid to Hanks, a bigger body and impact player with a similar work rate, averaging nearly 26 disposals and around 14 contested possessions a game.

A strong finish against Melbourne and Geelong, two top-four sides and she could be a dark horse for Best & Fairest in 2026.

8. Ash Riddell – North Melbourne

The reigning medallist is still the competition's most prolific ball-winner.

Riddell won the 2025 award with 23 votes, equalling the AFLW record. This season she leads the league for disposals again, averaging close to 35 a game.

So why only eighth? She shares the midfield at Arden Street with the player at the top of this list and the two have been competing for votes every week.

An out and out gun, Ridell is now one of the most respected mids in the competition.

7. Olivia Purcell – Melbourne

What a season. A ferocious competitor, Purcell has been one of the best players in the AFLW after overcoming a torn ACL in season 2025.

Purcell has been one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition. She's averaging around 30 disposals a game and has dished out more handballs than anyone else this season.

She’s neck and neck with Kiara Bowers, but with the Dees only recording 2 losses in 2026, may have the chance to leapfrog the Freo veteran before the season is out.

6. Kiara Bowers – Fremantle

The 2021 winner remains one of the toughest players to line up against.

Bowers is averaging nine-plus tackles a game, second only to Ebony Marinoff, alongside close to 19 kicks a game.

Fremantle sit eighth at 5-5, which may cost her a vote or two in a few tight losses. But if you want a midfielder who wins her own ball and stops the opposition winning theirs, look no further.

5. Ebony Marinoff – Adelaide

Nobody tackles like Ebony Marinoff.

The 2024 winner is averaging more than 10 tackles a game in 2026, the most in the competition, to go with around 26 disposals.

That's not a hot streak, that's who she is.

The Crows are 5-5 and fighting for a finals spot, a big finish could see her climb, but making up nine votes on the leader in two rounds is a big ask.

4. Ella Roberts – West Coast

Roberts might be the most exciting player in the league right now.

She's averaging around 25 disposals, 14 contested possessions and more than six tackles a game, and she's been a constant presence at every contest. She also finished fourth in last year's count.

The catch? West Coast are 4-6, and players in losing sides tend to find votes harder to come by.

She'd be a popular winner, but she'll need the Eagles to win a few to keep polling.

3. Charlie Rowbottom – Gold Coast

The Suns' midfield bull has been a nightmare for opposition midfields all year.

Rowbottom is averaging more than 32 disposals and 17 contested possessions a game, second only to Prespakis for contested ball, plus close to seven tackles.

Gold Coast are 7-3 and sitting fifth, with Richmond and GWS to come. Both sides sit outside the top eight.

She’s won the best AFLW player award at the Gold Coast three times already and is certainly due for a fourth in 2026.

2. Georgie Prespakis – Geelong

Can a Prespakis win it again?

Her sister Maddy took the award in 2020. Georgie finished runner-up to Ash Riddell last year with 20 votes, and in 2026 she's been even better.

She leads the competition for contested possessions with more than 17 a game, averages around 30 disposals and has been the main reason Geelong are 9-1 and level on points with North Melbourne at the top.

Realistically it should be between her and Garner for the AFLW’s Best & Fairest in 2026.

1. Jasmine Garner – North Melbourne

Garner is one of the AFLW's greats, but the league's top individual award has always eluded her.

That could change in 2026.

The North Melbourne star is averaging more than 31 disposals a game and has kicked nine goals, numbers that very few midfielders in the competition can match. She's been central to a Kangaroos side that sits on top of the ladder at 9-1.

She’s the current market favourite and in our opinion the 32-year-old key forward more than deserves it.  

AFLW Best & Fairest Winners:

2025: Ash Riddell - North Melbourne Kangaroos (23 votes).

2024: Ebony Marnioff - Adelaide Crows (23 votes).

2023: Monique Conti - Richmond Tigers (20 votes)

2022 S7: Ally Anderson - Brisbane Lions (21 votes)

2022: Emily Bates - Brisbane Lions (21 votes)

2021: Kiara Bowers & Brianna Davey - Fremantle & Collingwood (15 votes)

2020: Madison Prespakis - Carlton Blues (15 votes)

2019: Erin Phillips - Adelaide Crows (19 votes)

2018: Emma Carney - Western Bulldogs (14 votes)

2017: Erin Phillips - Adelaide Crows (14 votes)

Odds are subject to change.*