Fremantle midfielder Aish McCarthy has capped off another standout AFLW season, claiming Fremantle’s AFLW Fairest and Best for the 2025 season
Fremantle midfielder Aish McCarthy has capped off another standout AFLW season, claiming Fremantle’s AFLW Fairest and Best for the 2025 season on Thursday night at the Esplanade Hotel, after polling 221 votes across 12 games.
Just 15 votes separated first and third, with All Australian midfielder Gabby Newton finishing runner up, polling 215 votes and Club great Kiara Bowers rounding out the top three on 206 votes.
Two-time All Australian Mim Strom (198 votes) and star defender Emma O’Driscoll (185 votes) rounded out the top five.
Players are allocated zero-to-five votes based on their performances from five of Fremantle’s coaches, meaning a player can earn a maximum of 25 votes in one game for a dominant performance.
Aish McCarthy and Gabby Newton after the Round 5 RAC Derby win
Key forward Áine Tighe was recognised by her teammates as she took home the Players’ Award, which acknowledges a player who best reflects Fremantle’s values and trademark behaviours, set out by the playing group at the start of the season.
Voted on by all departments at Fremantle, recent retiree Phil Seth received the Best Clubwoman Award and was deemed as the ultimate role player by her teammates and coaches throughout her career.
Young defender Indi Strom took out the Best First Year Player Award, following a breakout debut season where she cemented her place in Fremantle’s best 21 and played every possible game in 2025.
The Club also celebrated three outstanding careers with the induction of Laura Pugh, Ebony Antonio and Kiara Bowers as new Fremantle Football Club Life Members.
Pugh has been a key pillar of Fremantle’s backline since 2019 and celebrated her 75-game milestone in 2025, while Antonio and Bowers are two of the Club’s inaugural players, shaping and leaving a legacy in purple.
Senior Coach Lisa Webb praised McCarthy’s consistency, bravery and grit she showed in 2025, crediting her professionalism and influence on the playing group.
“From being runner up last year, to winning our Fairest and Best this year, Aish continues to show how much of a workhorse she is, and is so important for our side,” Webb said.
“Aish thrives on big moments, is willing to play any role for the team and gives her absolute all every week.”
“Once again, her inside work was incredible, but to see her kick eight goals across the season just shows her impressive ability on the outside to be able to finish it off.
“For this to be her second season at Freo and perform the way she has, it’s a testament to the hard work she puts in, and the way she trains and recovers throughout the entire year.”
“I’m so pleased she’s being rewarded for all the hard work she’s put in and we’re extremely lucky to have her.”
Webb said Newton’s second-place finish reflected her strong and consistent campaign, which was built off a well-rounded and uninterrupted pre-season.
“Gabby had a terrific season – she came into the year after a really solid pre-season and it set her up beautifully,” Webb said.
“She impacts in every area of the game, midfield, forward, and even supporting behind the ball. She’s such a calm, composed player, and she’s always making everyone around her better.
“She’s a real connector in our group and embodies what we stand for as a Club. The younger players gravitate to her, and she leads in such an authentic, team-first way.”
“Not only is she extremely skilled, but her football intelligence is also unmatched, and that shows every time she steps on the field.”
For Bowers, it was a busy evening, finishing third in the vote count and becoming a Life Member of the Club.
“If anyone can go away for a year to give birth to their child and then return like they never left and finish third in the Fairest and Best, it’s Turbo – she’s incredible,” Webb said.
“She just never drops her standards, and all her teammates will attest to the fact she continues to drive our contest work, pressure and the way we want to play each week.
“Her life membership is incredibly well deserved as well; she’s given so much to this Club and the impact she’s had on myself, her teammates and this Club is unmatched.”
Top 10 Leaderboard
- Aish McCarthy – 221 votes
- Gabby Newton – 215 votes
- Kiara Bowers – 206 votes
- Mim Strom – 198 votes
- Emma O’Driscoll – 185 votes
- Hayley Miller – 166 votes
- Indi Strom – 144 votes
- Laura Pugh – 143 votes
