[2] In 2016, National Australia Bank expanded its 14-year sponsorship of the Australian Football League (AFL) to the women's competition, including the naming rights to its Rising Star award, ahead of its first season in 2017.

[3] The inaugural Rising Star, who won $20,000,[4] was announced at the AFLW's awards ceremony on 28 March, held at Peninsula, an event space in Docklands, Melbourne.

[5] The ten members of the year's voting panel were Mark Evans, Darren Flanigan, Ros Lanigan, Simon Lethlean, Jennie Loughnan, Peta Searle, Kevin Sheehan, Kelli Underwood, Josh Vanderloo and Shelley Ware.

[7] She played in Adelaide's premiership side and was also named on the interchange bench in the season's AFLW All-Australian team.

[4] Melbourne amassed the most nominations during the season, with four players (Deanna Berry, Jasmine Grierson, Lily Mithen and Katherine Smith) selected.