That she was honoured in such a way at the end of an eight-week flurry of competition firsts felt fitting. Pearce, after all, was the player who entered AFLW with an established reputation as the best of the best within her field.

Since then, the Melbourne captain has watched Adelaide's star co-captain, elite basketballer Erin Phillips, win a premiership, the prize for best in the grand final, and the players' vote as season's most valuable player.

But Pearce was named chief of the all-star team on Tuesday night at the first AFLW awards. The event was attended by outgoing AFL Commission boss Mike Fitzpatrick and CEO Gillon McLachlan, though with less razzmatazz than the men's Brownlow, which traditionally kicks of AFL grand final week.

At the AFLW awards the dress code was identical to the men's equivalent function: strictly black tie. But in this case some of the most sharply dressed female guests took the prescription literally; turning up in chic suits.

Phillips was awarded goal of the year - a fan vote - and was named vice-captain in the All-Australian line-up.

The was reduced from a squad of 40 and featured all five of the premiership-winning Adelaide Crows players who were nominated: Phillips, Ebony Marinoff, Chelsea Randall, Courtney Cramey and Sarah Perkins.

"We've all enjoyed every single minute of this and wish it was still going," Pearce said in her captain's acceptance speech.

Earlier in the night the competition's leading goal kicker, Carlton's Darcy Vescio, was awarded a medal for that feat and also won the fan-voted mark of the year prize.

Marinoff took out the Rising Star award.

Backs: Nicola Stevens (Collingwood), Courtney Cramey (Adelaide)

Half backs: Chelsea Randall (Adelaide), Brianna Davey (Carlton), Karen Paxman (Melbourne)

Centres: Elise O'Dea (Melbourne), Daisy Pearce - captain (Melbourne), Emma Kearney (Western Bulldogs)

Half forwards: Erin Phillips - vice captain (Adelaide) Sabrina Frederick-Traub (Brisbane), Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs)

Forwards: Darcy Vescio (Carlton) Sarah Perkins (Adelaide)

Followers: Emma King (Collingwood), Kara Donnellan (Fremantle), Emily Bates (Brisbane)

Interchange: Jess Dal Pos (GWS Giants). Kate McCarthy (Brisbane), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Tayla Harris (Brisbane), Mel Hickey (Melbourne), Sam Virgo (Brisbane)