Zarlie Goldsworthy’s record-breaking season has been capped off in style as she was crowned the 2023 AFLW Rising Star.
A red-hot favourite for the award, Goldsworthy was recognised as the AFLW’s brightest young star in an incredibly close count at the W Awards in Melbourne on Monday night.
The 19-year-old teenage sensation took home the award in thrilling fashion, polling 41 votes to beat out Swans ruck Ally Morphett (40 votes) by a single vote, with West Coast Eagle Ella Roberts (23) coming in third.
Goldsworthy picked up 41 of a possible 50 votes, with five of the nine voters giving the young GIANT the full five votes.
The prestigious honour puts a fitting end on a remarkable breakout season for Goldsworthy, with the dynamic midfielder becoming the GIANTS’ youngest ever club champion earlier this month after taking home the Gabrielle Trainor Award in just her second season. Goldsworthy is also the club's first-ever league Rising Star winner.
Spending time as both a midfielder and a dangerous forward, Goldsworthy finished her second season as the GIANTS’ leading goalkicker to go along with averages of 18.3 disposals, 6.6 tackles and 2.1 clearances across her 10 games.
She also made history in round eight by becoming the youngest player in AFLW history to kick five goals in an AFLW game with her match-winning 24-disposal, 12 tackle, five-goal performance against Carlton.
A tough and skilful player with poise and class beyond her years, Goldsworthy was selected with the GIANTS’ first pick in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft following a successful junior soccer career having spent time in the junior Matildas program.
After being named the Allies’ Most Valuable Player in the under 18 Championships in 2021, Goldsworthy has wasted no time in her transition to senior football, quickly establishing herself as one of the AFLW’s most exciting players and a key piece of Cam Bernasconi’s side.
The Rising Star honour comes following a hugely successful individual season for the teenager who not only claimed her first Gabrielle Trainor Medal, but also took home the GIANTS’ Rising Star Award, the Members Choice Award, Leading Goal Kicker, and the Jacinda Barclay Fearless Award.
GIANTS Head of Women’s Football, Briana Harvey, was thrilled to see Goldsworthy recognised on Monday night.
“After seeing the hard work that Zarlie puts in, it’s fantastic to see her rewarded with the Rising Star award,” Harvey said.
“Last year we saw glimpses of her talent and this year she’s taken her game to another level and it’s exciting to know she’s got so much growth in her at just 19 years of age.
“While the award recognises the stars of the future, it’s clear to see Zarlie is already one of the elite players in the competition and we can’t wait to have her running around in orange and charcoal well into the future.
“I’d also like to acknowledge Zarlie in making the All-Australian squad, along with teammate Tarni Evans, a fantastic achievement for two young players with such long and bright careers ahead.”
The 2023 AFLW Rising Star voting:
1st – Zarlie Goldsworthy (GIANTS) 41 votes
2nd – Ally Morphett (Sydney Swans) 40 votes
3rd – Ella Roberts (West Coast Eagles) 23 votes
4th – Matilda Scholz (Port Adelaide) 13 votes
5th –Jasmine Fleming (Hawthorn) 7 votes
6th – Steph Wales (Essendon) 5 votes
7th – Keeley Skepper (Carlton) 4 votes
8th – Sofia Hurley (Sydney Swans) 2 votes
Nicole Livingstone (Chair)
5 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
4 - Ally Morphett
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Keeley Skepper
1 - Sofia Hurley
Sarah Black
5 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
4 - Ally Morphett
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Matilda Scholz
1 - Steph Wales
Jason Bennett
5 - Ally Morphett
4 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Jasmine Fleming
1 - Steph Wales
Andrew Dillon
5 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
4 - Ally Morphet
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Jasmine Fleming
1 - Matilda Scholz
Katie Loynes
5 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
4 - Ally Morphett
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Matilda Scholz
1 - Keeley Skepper
Laura Kane
5 - Ally Morphett
4 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Jasmine Fleming
1 - Steph Wales
Narelle Smith
5 - Ally Morphett
4 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
3 - Matilda Scholz
2 - Ella Roberts
1 - Keeley Skepper
Kelli Underwood
5 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
4 - Ally Morphett
3 - Ella Roberts
2 - Matilda Scholz
1 - Sofia Hurley
Megan Waters
5 - Ally Morphett
4 - Zarlie Goldsworthy
3 - Matilda Scholz
2 - Steph Wales
1 - Jasmine Fleming
