A brilliant season from 36-year-old Greater Western Sydney recruit Courtney Gum has been rewarded with the title of the AFL Players’ Association’s most valuable player.

The South Australian, who only took up the sport at 29, had an outstanding first year in AFLW, helping the Giants rise up the ladder.

Courtney Gum's brilliant season was rewarded. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

She polled 219 votes to beat Melbourne’s Karen Paxman (150) and Adelaide’s Chelsea Randall (128).

Curiously, Gum missed out on the best first year player award, pipped by Collingwood’s Chloe Molloy.