Collingwood AFLW foundation player Ruby Schleicher has been awarded the Club’s AFLW Best and Fairest at Crown Melbourne this evening. 

Returning from a challenging 2023 season only managing two games due to foot and knee injuries, the defender appeared in all games this year across the 11-match season polling a remarkable 110 votes. 

Starting her career as Collingwood’s youngest inaugural AFLW draftee in 2016, the now 26-year-old was presented with her first formal leadership opportunity in 2019 as Vice-Captain alongside fellow foundation player Brittany Bonnici and more recently Jordy Allen. 

The two-time All Australian (2021, S6 2022) has gone on to play 64-games in the black and white, celebrating her 50th game milestone in Season Seven of the AFLW with a five-point win against the Western Bulldogs in week one of the 2022 AFLW Finals. 

Week Six against Richmond was arguably the defender’s best game this season, collecting equal highest uncontested possessions for the Pies (13), 21 disposals, four tackles, five clearances and seven turnovers. 

The Western Australian product averaged 16.5 disposals, totaled 60 intercept possessions, and 48 tackles this season. 

Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger commended Schleicher on her achievement. 

“Ruby demonstrated tremendous growth and resilience in a challenging season and this achievement is a testament to her commitment and perseverance,” Burger said. 

“Ruby consistency drives high-standards within our program and her hard work is unwavering which has led her to this well-earned recognition. 

“She is an incredible leader within our four walls, and we are excited to see her excel her game even further in 2025.”

In a close second for the award was first-year player Lucy Cronin, who finished the count on 102 votes. 

Cronin was featured in all the Pie’s home-and-away games this season, earning a Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination in Week Four against the Western Bulldogs. The defender was also selected in the AFLW’s 22under22 team in November.
 
The defender averaged 10.9 disposals, with a total of 22 tackles across her 11 games. 

Finishing the count in third place was Collingwood’s 2023 Best and Fairest winner Brittany Bonnici with 98 votes. 

Bonnici put on a midfielder masterclass in the season opener against Sydney, with a game-high of 24 disposals and seven clearances. The midfielder returned from a calf injury without a hitch in Week Five, with 27 disposals and eight clearances, finishing the last game of the season with two goals. 

Rounding out the top five vote-getters was winger Sarah Rowe (70 votes) who averaged the second most disposals for the side (18.8), followed by midfielder Mikala Cann (56 votes) who lead the side in total tackles (65). Cann also received the Player’s Player Award. 

In other awards presented on the night, the Club’s Best First Year Player was awarded to Lucy Cronin. The program’s Sport Scientist Jackie Dowell was awarded the Side By Side Award which acknowledges the Best Club person as voted by players and staff.