Najwa Allen wins first Ellen Maple Medal

Photo Peter Swan

Norwood star Najwa Allen has been awarded the inaugural Ellen Maple Medal after an eye-catching display against Sturt at Peter Motley Oval on Saturday.

The introduction of the Ellen Maple Medal was an initiative of both the Redlegs and Double Blues, to honour the memory of former senior women’s player Ellen Maple who tragically lost her life a year ago.

It will be awarded to the most courageous and determined player each time the fierce rivals face off in the Statewide Super Women’s League, with players from both teams also wearing yellow armbands in honour of Ellen (that being Ellen’s favourite colour).

Ellen was a member of Norwood’s inaugural women’s premiership team in 2017 before moving to Sturt when the club joined the competition in 2018. A determined midfielder with a promising future in football, she was the first player to kick a goal in SANFL’s inaugural Women’s League season in 2017.

Ellen passed away on April 8, 2018 shortly after Sturt’s final minor round match for the season.

Allen, who was recruited from Canberra for the start of this season, finished with 32 disposals, five marks, three tackles and five clearances in the Redlegs’ 35-point victory.