Midfielder Laura Gardiner has tonight claimed the Sydney Swans AFLW Club Champion award, winning the accolade in her first season with the club.

Gardiner polled 223 votes in what was a dominant season in the red and white. The 20-year-old featured in all 12 games (including finals), finishing second in the league for disposals and tackles, averaging 29 and nine respectively. 

Winning the club’s highest individual honour caps off a stellar year of achievements for Gardiner, who also earned her first All-Australian blazer and finished second in the AFL Coaches Association AFLW Champion Player of the Year.

"Reflecting on where I was this time last year, and deciding if I wanted to keep on playing footy to now, it is obviously a huge accomplishment for me personally and I couldn’t be happier than where I am now," Gardiner said of receiving the award.

"Scott has obviously backed me all the way through this season and it’s really great to know I have the support of him, Kate Mahony and all the coaching staff. It’s been good to have that confidence behind me and that confidence to perform."

“I wouldn’t be here without the girls. It’s a super big accomplishment for me but I don’t think it’s even possible with you all so I'm very grateful for you all," Gardiner added.

Gardiner’s impact on the playing group was recognised by her teammates, also taking home the Players Player Award.

Swans co-captain Chloe Molloy finished Runner-Up in the Club Champion, with 136 votes. Molloy’s debut season in the red and white saw her guide the team to their first ever finals campaign. The 24-year-old finished on top of the league for metres gained by a forward, third in score involvements, and kicked 18 goals. 

Molloy’s impressive season saw her also earn her third All-Australian team selection and finish equal second in the AFLW Best and Fairest.

"In terms of coming to Sydney, I have loved it a lot more than I thought I would. I was coming to Sydney for a new opportunity and challenge and I think it has really pushed and challenged me and that's when I knew I made the right decision," Molloy said. 

"We probably exceeded external expectations but internally, we knew what we were capable of and what we could achieve."

Rounding out the top 3 Ally Morphett, polled 87 votes after a standout season. Morphett emerged as one of the league’s best ruck’s in 2023, dominating from Round 1 where she earned her first Rising Star nomination in the Swans inaugural victory over the Giants. The 19-year-old finished runner-up in the AFLW’s Rising Star count, despite missing the final three games of the season due to injury.

"It was a mental challenge to miss the back end of the season but it taught me to be there for my teammates. Even though I was going through a tough time, and as hard as it was sitting on the sideline, I loved watching the girls get as far as they did in this year's finals," Morphett said. 

"It was really tough but I loved every second of it."

Exciting midfielder Sofia Hurley took out the Sydney Swans AFLW Rising Star award. Hurley averaged 15 disposals and 8 tackles in 2023, her standout performance coming in Round 8 against the Western Bulldogs where she finished with two goals, 24 disposals (12 contested) and eight tackles. 

The 19-year-old was drafted to the club with pick five in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft and remains one of just three players to have played every game since Swans inception in the competition. 

Maddy Collier took out the Best Club Person award for 2023. Despite being sidelined with injury, Collier continued to offer support and leadership from the sidelines as the Swans played their first finals campaign.  

Brenna Tarrant earns the club’s inaugural AFLW Best Player in the Finals award. The 22-year-old became a defensive wall for the Swans, taking seven marks under immense pressure in both the Elimination final and Semi Final appearance.

AFLW Club Champion Leaderboard

1. Laura Gardiner (223)
2. Chloe Molloy (136)
3. Ally Morphett (87)
4. Sofia Hurley (84)
5. Lucy McEvoy (69)
6. Tanya Kennedy (67)
7. Brenna Tarrant (56)
8. Rebecca Privitelli (48)
9. Ella Heads (36)
10. Cynthia Hamilton (25)