Fremantle star Kiara Bowers has been recognised by her peers, named as the AFLPA’s Most Courageous Player for the second time in her career on Tuesday night.
The Most Courageous Player Award is a testament not only to her physical bravery, but also her capacity to perform under pressure.
After returning from a year off to give birth to her second child, Luca, Bowers once again delivered an elite, all-round campaign, being a dominant force around the ball and a key driver of Fremantle’s midfield identity.
For the fifth season in her career, Bowers once again led the league in tackles for the home and away season, racking up 145 across 12 games at an average of 12 per game, matching the elite standards she set before her year off in 2024.
One of Fremantle’s few remaining inaugural players, Bowers once again nearly broke the league’s tackle record in a single game, currently held by herself (22), as she put on a show against Essendon in Round 6, notching up 21 tackles and 23 disposals.
Bowers’ second Most Courageous award is not only recognition of a standout season but a celebration of the career she continues to build, one defined by bravery, work ethic and an unwavering commitment to her team. She first won the Most Courageous Player award in 2020.
Her impact was further recognised at Monday night’s AFLW Best and Fairest Awards, where she finished as Fremantle’s highest vote-getter polling 13 votes, placing her in equal seventh across the league.
Teammate and two-time All Australian Mim Strom polled 11 votes, midfield machine Aish McCarthy polled five votes, and All Australian Gabby Newton, alongside teammates Emma O’Driscoll and Ange Stannett polled three votes each.
Fremantle will hold their Club Fairest and Best Awards on Thursday 27 November, where the event will be live-streamed for fans via the Club website from 7.30pm WST.
