The AFL has told clubs that it is considering holding a "virtual" awards event for the AFLW competition as the league is forced to think outside the square because of a ban on mass gatherings.

While the AFLW season finished unsatisfactorily last month because of the AFL shutdown caused by the coronavirus, headquarters remains keen to celebrate the achievements of the playing cohort in some manner.

Erin Phillips is a dual winner of the AFLW best and fairest. Credit:AAP

Since the inception of the national women's competition in 2017, the AFL has held a gala dinner event - coined the 'W' Awards - at which the league's best and fairest count is held, the All-Australian team is named, the mark and goal of the year awards are presented and the competition's Rising Star is crowned.

Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips has won two of the first three AFLW best and fairest awards - a medal which unlike the men's Brownlow has not yet been named after a person - while Emma Kearney won the 2018 medal after a stellar season for the Western Bulldogs. Kearney has subsequently moved to North Melbourne.