AFLW's best and fairest Emily Bates to stay with Brisbane Lions

Emily Bates has declared she is staying with the Brisbane Lions, turning down big offers from AFLW expansion clubs.

After winning a third Lions best and fairest award on Wednesday night, and amid speculation she would be snapped up elsewhere, Bates confirmed she would remain with the club.

Hawthorn, one of four new teams entering the AFLW next season, reportedly put a massive deal in front of the 26-year-old.

«We have a sisterhood here with the girls and we are on the brink of something pretty special here if we keep the group together,» Bates said in her award acceptance speech.

«At the end of the day, I play football for team success … I see that happening in the next few years here and that's what informed my decision.

»I think the grass isn't always greener on the other side. It's green where you water it."

Retaining Bates is a massive boost for the Lions, who won the 2021 premiership but were knocked out in this year's preliminary final by Melbourne.

The Lions have been one of the most consistent teams since the inaugural AFLW season in 2017, finishing in the top three in four of their last six campaigns.

Brisbane is not the only club dealing with off-season player movements. Carlton was dealt a massive blow earlier this month when former league best-and-fairest title winner Madison Prespakis and young gun Georgia Gee were snapped up by Essendon.

«The introduction of four new expansion clubs was always going to create a significant challenge in terms of being able to retain your players,» Carlton's general manager of women's football, Brett Munro, said at the time.

«The reality is that some of the offers being made in regards to player movement this off-season are very significant.

»That has its positives for the AFLW