She polled 17 votes at the competition's presentation night at  Mercure Ballarat on Friday.

This gave the Redan star a one-vote margin over joint runners-up Eshe Lane (Gisborne) and Chamika Sadler (MCDFL) despite missing the opening two games of the season.

McDonald, who represented Vic Country in the national under-18 championships this year, polled two votes in the last round to clinch the award.

Lauren Butler from MCDFL was next on 14.

Other awards:

Rising stars:  Isabel Kettle (Ararat), Shanae Fruend (Bacchus Marsh), Katie McAloon (Ballarat), Charlee MacPherson (Darley), Caitlyn  Brown (Gisborne), Rachael Cartledge (Golden Point), Samantha Turner (Lake Wendouree), Shania Oliver (MCDFNL),  Isabella Robson (Redan), India McNeill-Wren (Riddells Creek), Hayley Randich (Sebastopol)

Coach of the year: Peter Curran (Darley)

Administrator of the year:  Darren Mitchell (Gisborne)

Team of the year (top 22 players – no positions):

Ararat: Alysha Bettels,  Chelsea Wilson

Bacchus Marsh: Ashlee Wallace, Maddison Field

Ballarat: Sarah Griffin, Nickesha Jones

Darley: Chloe Ascough, Maddy James

Gisborne: Briana Peterson, Eshe Lane (Gisborne Rookies

Golden Point:  Kelly McNeight, Gabrielle Leckie

Lake Wendouree: NIkkita Alexander, Jordyn Gilmer

MCDFNL: Chamika Sadler, Lauren Butler

Redan: Amy McDonald, Lauren Murphy

Riddells Creek: Caitlin Broadfoot, Jasmyn McIntosh

Sebastopol: Jordan Chettleburgh, Natasha Thomas