Erin Phillips turned her back on a potential WNBA head coaching role before producing her command AFLW season.
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The Adelaide two-time premiership co-captain received a standing ovation when she limped on stage with her knee injury from Sunday's grand final to receive her second AFLW best and fairest award.
The AFLW and basketball star paid emotional tribute to her parents at Tuesday night's Melbourne function, saying Greg and Julie could stick it to people who once felt sorry that they had three daughters and no sons.
Phillips was the overwhelming favourite and she dominated the voting, with her win confirmed with two of the seven rounds still to be read out.
She polled a remarkable 19 out of possible 21 votes, with Fremantle's Dana Hooker next on 11 and Melbourne great Karen Paxman third with 10.
But it might not have happened, with Phillips confirming on stage that she was sounded out about applying for the vacant head coaching role at the Dallas Wings.
"I was asked to potentially interview for the Dallas Wings after our current coach was fired," Phillips said.
"For that to happen, (it) would mean not playing AFLW - I politely declined.
"I wasn't going to risk (not) playing AFLW. I just wasn't ready to be done."
Instead Phillips won her second best and fairest award and was also named All-Australian captain for the first time.
Her Dad Greg is an eight-time SANFL premiership legend at Port Adelaide and also played for Collingwood.
"People felt sorry for him because he didn't have a son to play footy some day and carry the Phillips name," she said of Greg.
"So Dad, I know you're watching, and Mum - I hope I've made you proud and you can stick it up those people who said that to you."
The honours came two days after Phillips was best afield in the grand final win over Carlton.
The match was played in front of a record 53,000 fans at Adelaide Oval and is being hailed a landmark moment for Australian women's sport.
But it was a tumultuous day for Phillips, who was stretchered off after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
Phillips will undergo the knee reconstruction probably next week, and is now unsure whether she will continue playing.
She is 33 and her wife Tracy is 22 weeks pregnant with their third child.
Australian Associated Press
