Image: James Wiltshire / AFL Photos
AFL Victoria congratulates former Eltham Panthers junior, Ash Riddell on being crowned the 2025 AFLW Best and Fairest at last night's W Awards in Melbourne, along with Montana Ham (former Keilor FC player) and Sarah Hosking (former Seaford VFLW player) on winning Goal of the Year and Mark of the Year, respectively.
Riddell claimed the AFLW Best and Fairest ahead of Geelong's Georgie Prespakis (20), and Melbourne's Tyla Hanks (18).
The 29-year-old has long been one of the competition’s most prolific ball-winners, but in 2025 Riddell took things to another level, breaking the AFLW disposal record not once, not twice, but three times, setting a remarkable new high of 45 disposals.
This achievement follows a night of recognition for the 29-year-old, who earlier in the night earned her fifth All-Australian selection. She also won the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award this season.
Her consistency, work rate and ability to find the football helped steer the Kangaroos to another undefeated season and set a new benchmark for the most consecutive wins by any AFL or AFLW team.
She was elevated to vice-captain ahead of the 2025 season after teammate Jasmine Garner took over the captaincy from star Kangaroos veteran Emma Kearney.
Riddell's football journey started with the Eltham Panthers in Melbourne’s north-east. As a teenager she shifted her focus to basketball, but when the AFLW was announced in 2016, she found her way back to the game.
Montana Ham claimed the 2025 NAB AFLW Goal of the Year for her incredible on-the-run finish in Round 5.
The former No.1 draft pick intercepted a Collingwood kick, burst down the field with a series of give-and-go handballs, and slotted the goal.
As the 2025 NAB AFLW Goal of the Year winner, Ham receives $50,000 thanks to NAB, which will also donate $10,000 to her community football club, Keilor FC.
Sarah Hosking claimed the 2025 Medibank AFLW Mark of the Year for her courageous, goal-saving grab in Round 10.
Hosking edged out Richmond teammate Beth Lynch and Melbourne’s Tayla Harris to secure the honour at Monday night’s W Awards.
In a remarkable display of bravery, the Tiger ran back with the flight inside Richmond's defensive 50 to pull down the award-winning mark.
As the 2025 Medibank AFLW Mark of the Year winner, Hosking receives $50,000 thanks to Medibank.