Fremantle forward Gemma Houghton has been voted by the fans as the opening round AFLW MVP of the Week.

Nominated for the first time in her career, the 27-year-old was a resounding winner claiming 62 per cent of the vote ahead of North Melbourne’s Emma King (19 per cent) and St Kilda young gun Georgia Patrikios (19 per cent).

Starting the 2021 season in the same fashion the Dockers finished last year, Houghton spearheaded a dominant Fremantle performance. Houghton kicked three goals from 20 touches and took a game-high nine marks, as the Dockers stormed home to a 30-point win against the Giants.

Setting the tone in North Melbourne’s 62-point win over Geelong, King kicked the opening three goals of the game. King finished the day with 10 touches and a staggering 30 hit-outs – 21 more than the next best in Geelong’s Rene Caris.

Last year’s AFLW Players’ Best-First Year Patrikios rounded out the three nominees with a best-on-ground performance against the Bulldogs on Friday night. The 19-year-old collected 23 touches, with an equal game-high 17 kicks, had five inside 50s, laid four tackles and kicked a goal as the Saints clinched a nine-point victory.

The AFL Players’ Association AFLW MVP of the Week is in its fourth year and looks to recognise the AFLW’s best performers each round. Fans will get the choice to select the MVP of the Week, after three names have been put forward by the AFLPA. 

All fans who vote will go into the running to win a personalised Carry Me bag from July, valued at $65. One lucky winner who votes each week will also go in the draw to win the ultimate July travel collection, including a Carry On, Checked & Checked Plus bag valued at $895.