By Lauren Wood, Williamtown Media
Defender Luke Parks and vice-captain Emily Eaves were crowned Williamstown’s best performers in 2025, taking home the Club’s highest individual accolades.
Parks secured back-to-back Gerry Callahan Medals as the VFL program’s Best and Fairest, while Eaves etched her name into Williamstown history as the first-ever VFLW player to claim three consecutive Best and Fairest awards.
Parks goes back-to-back
Parks was a clear winner with 134 votes, finishing 19 ahead of runner-up Jake Greiser, who also celebrated his 150th VFL match for Williamstown this season.
League leading goal kicker Brodie McLaughlin polled third (114), while Joel Fitzgerald (113) and Nathan Colenso (111) rounded out the top five in a tight finish.
From 20 games, Parks averaged 16.6 disposals, 13.9 kicks, and 10.3 marks, ending the year as the league’s leading marker.
He recorded 10+ marks on eight occasions, including season-highs of 19 marks against Collingwood and 15 against Geelong.
His consistency, leadership, and courage have cemented the 24-year-old as one of the VFL’s most reliable defenders.
In his acceptance speech, Parks praised his teammates:
On Greiser: “I was rooting for you — it’s been your best year so far and you’ve put a lot of sacrifices in to play for Williamstown. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”
On McLaughlin: “You really carried the team at times and we all really appreciate it.”
He also thanked his family, coaches, and the Williamstown community:
“These awards make living away from home worth it. Bringing me to Willy has been the best decision I’ve ever made in my football career and in life. I just love playing footy for this Club and this is just a by-product of enjoying my time.”
2025 Gerry Callahan Medal Leaderboard
- L. Parks (134)
- J. Greiser (115)
- B. McLaughlin (114)
- J. Fitzgerald (113)
- N. Colenso (111)
- T. Triffett (105)
- F. O’Dwyer (88)
- J. Toner (82)
- Z. Pritchard (80)
- T. Downie (79)
Gerry Callahan Medal (VFL Best and Fairest): Luke Parks
Peter McIntyre Memorial Trophy (Runner Up): Jake Greiser
Cec Page Memorial Trophy (Third Place): Brodie McLaughlin
Eaves makes history with three-peat
In her fourth season at the Club, Eaves delivered her finest campaign yet — polling 86 votes to secure a third straight VFLW Best and Fairest.
She finished ahead of India Barker (71), who was also voted the Club’s VFLW Players’ Player, and exciting first-year Seagull Jemima Wrigley (70), separated by just a single vote for second and third.
The vice-captain averaged 17 disposals, 6.9 clearances, and 6.7 tackles across 16 matches in 2025, while also earning selection in the rebel VFLW Team of the Year (interchange) and sharing the Coaches MVP Award with Darebin’s Ange Gogos.
Reflecting on her journey, Eaves expressed gratitude to her family and the Club:
“It’s hard for my family being in Sydney, but when they see the people around me here, they know I’m happy. That’s a credit to everyone at this Club. I brag about this place — I want everyone to experience what it’s like to be part of it.”
She also thanked sponsors, volunteers, staff, and acknowledged Senior Coach Liam Cavanagh, before turning to her teammates:
“What keeps me coming back each year is the friendships we’ve built. That’s the most special part.”
2025 VFLW Best and Fairest Leaderboard
- E. Eaves (86)
- I. Barker (71)
- J. Wrigley (70)
- L. Blue (65)
- A. Thorneycroft (57)
- M. Williamson (53)
- Z. Day (52)
- S. Whiting (50)
- E. Freeman (48)
- G. De Angelis (46)
VFLW Best and Fairest: Emily Eaves
Runner Up: India Barker
Third Place: Jemima Wrigley
