2023 AFLW League Best and Fairest winner Monique Conti (Photo: Richmond AFLW)
After years of coming close but not winning the AFLW’s highest honour, Monique Conti has taken home her first AFLW League Best and Fairest.
Being the first Tiger to win the AFLW League Best and Fairest, Monday night was a big night for the club and Monique Conti herself. After finishing as the runner-up in Season Seven to Lions star Ally Anderson, Conti was rewarded for yet another stellar season.
The 23-year-old midfielder was presented the honour by former winner Emily Bates, after having an unassailable lead with two rounds left in the count. Despite this, Conti explained that she was still processing the win when accepting the award.
“I was just really nervous, I’m sweating [and I’m] shaking,” Conti said.
She averaged 28.5 disposals, 7.3 clearances and 5.8 tackles per game this season.
After her season with Richmond last year, Conti returned to the WNBL to play with the Southside Flyers. Now with the Melbourne Boomers after this AFLW season, she is reaping the rewards as a dominant dual-code athlete.
Conti is now a five-time All Australian and five-time club champion during her time at both the Western Bulldogs and Richmond Tigers. She also has an AFLW premiership to her name, with a best on ground medal awarded to her on that day.
“I don’t think I ever sit still, I think I’d go crazy without it, that’s the way I like it,” Conti continued.
“I think that’s one thing that keeps me going, that myself and everyone in this room are role models, knowing I can create a path for girls who are being told they have to choose.
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“Credit to the girls, Tessa Lavey’s done it for a while and Erin [Phillips] has too.
“I just love it, having good people around you helps, you are not just stepping out on the oval for yourself but also your teammates.
“I’d just like to thank the Richmond footy club, I have a smile on my face every day I come into the club.
“To my teammates, I love you guys [and] my family.”
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