The AFLW world has once again seen its Greek participants rise to glory.
Almost one week after St Kilda’s Georgia Patrikios was named as the Best First Year Player for the 2020 season, this time it was Carlton FC’s Madison Prespakis’ turn to shine by winning the highly coveted Best-and-Fairest Award.
The 19-year-old was brought to tears by the news as she watched the awards ceremony from home.
”I just cried. I actually couldn’t believe it. I tried speaking and I could not even speak. I was thinking, ‘Stop crying’ but I couldn’t stop crying,” Prespakis said.
In just her second year in the competition, after being selected by Carlton FC as number three in the drafts, Prespakis has already established herself as a forced to be reckoned with, being selected within the AFLW All-Australian team for two consecutive seasons in a row while also picking up the Best-and-Fairest award at Carlton a similar number of times.
“It is a huge honour and you definitely don’t expect it,” Prespakis said, despite shock following the Wednesday night announcement.
“They did it really well and I was shocked. They got my little sister [Georgie] to present the medal and it was absolutely amazing.”
The young athlete has been performing consistently well despite being among the best in the competition.
“I got to sit next to Erin Phillips with my Rising Star medal last year and see her take it so it’s crazy my name can be on the same list as those two girls,” she said.
The shining talent also spoke highly of her teammates and the coaching staff at her club, while noting that she’s looking forward to the future.
“It’s definitely been a year that I won’t forget, it’s been a great two years, and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”