Bruton finished with 107 votes, edging out last year's league best and fairest Emma Kearney (96) and utility player Kate Gillespie-Jones (90).

She kept her acceptance speech short and sharp.

"It's pretty amazing, I didn't expect it at all," she said. "I'd like to thank my brother and family for all their support and just everyone around North Melbourne, I love them all so much and I love this club."

The midfielder had a terrific year with the Kangaroos, finishing the year with five wins in seven games but just missed out on a finals appearance after a final round loss to Fremantle and the AFLW's conference system.

Bruton moved to North Melbourne from the Western Bulldogs after their 2018 premiership. Following the switch she took hold of a larger role within the team, both on the field where she upped her disposals from 11 to 18 a game and off the field where she helped motivate and support her teammates.

In an interview with womens.afl, Bruton said she was glad she made the move and that it "felt like it was the right thing to do."

Bruton was named as a member of the 40 women AFLW All Australian squad but she didn't make the final 22, though her teammates Emma Kearney, Jess Duffin, Jasmine Garner and Emma King did.

Selected by the Bulldogs with pick 11 in the 2017 draft, Bruton was picked on the back of a standout campaign in the VFL with the Saint Kilda Sharks, where she gained selection in the VFL Women's Team of the Year.

Kangaroos Best and Fairest top 10 vote recipients: Bruton 107, Kearney 96, Gillespie-Jones 90, Duffin 85, Gibson 78, Stanton 76, Garner 76, King 72, Randall 71, Ashmore 71