IT'S official: Hannah Ewings is the AFLW’s most promising young player in 2022.
Awarded the NAB AFLW Rising Star for Season 7 on Tuesday night at the W Awards, Ewings capped off a phenomenal debut season by winning the coveted medal, cementing exactly what Port Adelaide fans already knew.
The 18-year-old midfielder fronted the Melbourne media following the official proceedings and could barely wipe the smile from her face.
“It’s pretty surreal, it hasn’t really sunk in right yet but (I’m) extremely proud of myself,” she said.
“It’s been a big year coming from SANFL and transitioning my way into the AFL world. It's a big step up but I've managed to pull it off and I'm stoked.”
In a first for the league, two players from the same club finished first and second in the final rankings, which was determined by a nine-person panel, chaired by AFL general manager of women’s football Nicole Livingstone.
“That was unbelievable,” Ewings said.
“Abbey (Dowrick) is a really great player and an even better person, so to play alongside her and for us to be up there together is just great.
“It's great to see the talent coming through from SA. It's really shone through this year and you can see it (on-field).”
Ewings emerged from the count with 41 votes, nine ahead of Dowrick on 32. Both players were included in eight of the nine panel members’ top five nominees with Ewings scoring a maximum five votes, six times.
“It's an amazing feeling,” Ewings said.
“There are a lot of great women out there that really do deserve it so to be up receiving that award, just to be recognised by my peers and everyone else is unbelievable.
“I'm pretty stoked. My body is finally recovering from the hard year I've thrown myself into. Not many people see the hard work you put in behind the scenes so just to have my hard work be recognised is just a great feeling.”
Ewings beamed about the influence that captain and mentor Erin Phillips has already had on the talented teenager’s burgeoning career.
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet that she's our captain and my mentor as well,” she said.
“To have her guide me and support me through the journey we have had this season, she's just been a great leader to all of us girls out there and her knowledge and experience has really paid off and shown.”
Ewings also polled seven Best and Fairest votes – the most of any Port Adelaide player.
