Brisbane Lion Emily Bates on what inspired her to a career-best season and AFLW best and fairest

Newly crowned AFLW best and fairest Emily Bates says she used previous award winners — including two-time champion Erin Phillips — as inspiration in taking her game to the next level.

«I've always idolised the players who have won this award,» Bates said on the red carpet after the awards on Tuesday night.

«I've been doing running sessions and thinking about Erin Phillips, [thinking], 'Would she give up now? No, she wouldn't.'»

Bates was among the favourites to take the award after being named the AFL Coaches' Association (AFLCA) player of the year, and after a season which saw her average upwards of 21 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five clearances and six tackles a game.

Nonetheless, the 26-year-old, who won the count by a solitary vote over Crow Anne Hatchard, said her victory had come as a genuine shock.

«The fact I was even in the conversation earlier in the week was astounding to me,» she said.

«It was such a close count, and I had quite a slow start, so I thought I was out of it. I [even] texted a few friends saying, it was all hype, don't worry.

»So the fact I actually won is even more astounding."

The Brisbane Lion was a popular winner among the Melbourne-based crowd after what was a trying season both personally and collectively.

With numerous COVID-19 outbreaks at most clubs, season six of AFLW saw the playing cohort deal with a range of challenges including last-minute changes to the fixture and mid-week games, all balanced alongside work and other responsibilities.

Then, with record flooding inundating Queensland in the final rounds of the season, Bates returned home from a win against the West Coast Eagles to find the bottom floor of her and partner Emma Zielke's house under water.

While their teammates were