THE AFL has rejected the suggestion votes were incorrectly awarded to GWS midfielder Jessica Dal Pos instead of teammate Alicia Eva, saying the umpires are familiar with all players.

Eva was widely considered best on ground in the Giants’ Round 3 win over Collingwood, awarded nine coaches votes for her 23-disposal performance.

The Herald Sun, The Age and AFL media also named and voted Eva as best on ground. Dal Pos didn’t figure in any publication, nor the coaches’ votes.

Dal Pos, who like Eva is a brunette midfielder around 160cm, racked up 11 touches.

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But the AFL said there was no case of mistaken identity, backing the umpires to be across all AFLW players.

What’s more, the AFL said it was not unusual for umpires and media outlets to have differing opinions when it came to players’ performances.

While media and coaches have access to statistics, umpires do not.

Alicia Eva (right). Photo: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett Source: AAP

Despite this, one key difference between AFL and AFLW is that umpires may be able to gauge how a player is faring by looking at statistics on the scoreboard.

AFLW umpires do not have that luxury.

Dal Pos finished the AFLW best and fairest count with four votes, while Eva had three from her best on ground performance against Adelaide in Round 4.

Eva was named on the wing in the 2018 AFLW All-Australian team, but Dal Pos wasn’t even named in the 40-woman squad.

But the decision wasn’t the only one that raised eyebrows.

Jessica Dal Pos (left). Photo: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett Source: AAP

Melbourne midfielder Emma Humphries was awarded the maximum three votes in the club’s Round 2 win over Adelaide at Casey Fields, despite only accumulating 10 touches.

Karen Paxman (21 touches), Kate Hore (20), Lily Mithen (19) and Elise O’Dea all missed out on votes, as well as Tegan Cunningham and Aliesha Newman who both kicked two goals.