Madison Prespakis

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Madison Prespakis

| image = Madison Prespakis 2023.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Prespakis post-match with Essendon in 2023

| fullname = Madison Prespakis

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|11|02|df=y}}

| birth_place =

| originalteam = {{VFLW MU}} (VFLW)

| draftpick = No. 3, 2018 national draft

| debutdate = Round 1, 2019

| debutteam = {{AFLW|Car}}

| debutopponent = {{AFLW|NM}}

| debutstadium = North Hobart Oval

| height = 164cm

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = {{AFLW|Ess}}

| guernsey = 4

| years1 = 2019–2022 (S6)

| club1 = {{AFLW|Car}}

| games_goals1 = 34 (15)

| years2 = 2022 (S7)–

| club2 = {{AFLW|Ess}}

| games_goals2 = 33 (14)

| games_goalstotal = 67 (29)

| statsend = the 2024 season

| careerhighlights =

AFL Women's best and fairest: 2020
Essendon equal games record holder
3× AFL Women's All-Australian team: 2019, 2020, S7
3× Carlton best and fairest: 2019, 2020, S6
Essendon best and fairest: S7
AFL Women's Rising Star: 2019
AFLPA AFLW best first-year player: 2019

}}

Madison Prespakis (born 2 November 2000) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Essendon Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). She previously played for the Carlton Football Club from 2019 to season 6. A midfielder who won multiple accolades at junior level and played in the VFL Women's (VFLW) as a teenager, Prespakis won the 2019 AFL Women's Rising Star award in her debut season and the 2020 AFL Women's best and fairest award in her second season. She is a three-time AFL Women's All-Australian, three-time Carlton best and fairest winner and was the inaugural Essendon best and fairest winner in season 7, and is Essendon's equal games record holder with 33 games.

Early life

Prespakis is the daughter of Damien and Jody.{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=AFLW: From Auskick to likely top-three pick |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-21/aflw-from-auskick-to-likely-top-three-pick |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |date=21 October 2018}}{{cite news |last1=McGowan |first1=Marc |title=AFLW: New Blue happy to be close to home |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-23/aflw-new-blue-happy-to-be-close-to-home |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |date=23 October 2018}} Her mother is an Indigenous Australian from the Djadjawurrung tribe. Prespakis has three siblings: twin sister Annalea, Georgie and Jimmy; She attended Gisborne Secondary College and supported {{AFL Ess}} growing up.{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Barry |title=Sunbury teen Maddy inspired to join AFLW ranks |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/sunbury-teen-maddy-inspired-to-join-aflw-ranks/news-story/780b869a1230e2bb4407a150ffe148fa |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=Sunbury Leader |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=22 June 2017}}

Prespakis began playing football at four years old through the Auskick program in Romsey, north-west of Melbourne. She played in boys' teams at first, before representing the under-15 Sunbury girls side.{{cite news |last1=Fowler |first1=Michael |title=Debut 15 years in the making for AFLW's new breed of role model |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/afl/debut-15-years-in-the-making-for-aflw-s-new-breed-of-role-model-20190207-p50w8t.html?ref=rss |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=The Canberra Times |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=9 February 2019}}

In 2017, Prespakis played in the premiership-winning Calder Cannons side in the TAC Cup Girls.{{cite news |title=Calder TAC Cup Premiers |url=https://aflvic.com.au/calder-tac-cup-girls-premiers/ |access-date=26 February 2019 |work=aflvic.com.au |publisher=AFL Victoria |date=10 May 2017}} She was named in the league's team of the year and placed second in the league's best and fairest with 20 votes. She competed at the 2017 AFL Women's Under 18 Championships for Vic Metro and was named in the All-Australian squad.{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=AFLW U18 All Australian squad named |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-18/aflw-u18-all-australian-squad-named |access-date=27 February 2019 |work=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |date=18 July 2017}} In October, Prespakis was named in the 2018 AFLW Academy squad as one of twenty-nine seventeen-year-old prospects. As part of this squad, she trained with the {{AFLW|WB}} and {{AFLW|Col}} over the following months.{{cite news |title=AFLW: 2018 Academy prospects revealed |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-25/aflw-2018-academy-prospects-revealed |access-date=27 February 2019 |work=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |date=25 October 2017}}

In 2018, Prespakis became captain of the Calder Cannons{{cite news |title=AFLW Draft Watch: Madison Prespakis |url=https://taccup.com.au/aflw-draft-watch-madison-prespakis/ |access-date=15 February 2019 |work=taccup.com.au |publisher=AFL Victoria |date=15 October 2018}} and won their best and fairest award with 113 out of a possible 120 votes.{{cite news |last1=Balales |first1=Danielle |title=Pick 3: Madison Prespakis |url=https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2018-10-23/pick-3-madison-prespakis |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=carltonfc.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |date=23 October 2018}} She was again named in the TAC Cup Girls Team of the Year and tied with Nina Morrison for the league best and fairest. She again competed at the 2018 AFL Women's Under 18 Championships; she shared the competition's most valuable player award with Morrison on 16 votes apiece, won Vic Metro's most valuable player award and was named in the All-Australian side.{{cite news |last1=Balmer |first1=Matt |title=AFLW Draft: Potential top picks star in U18 All-Stars exhibition match |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/aflw-draft-potential-top-picks-star-in-u18-allstars-exhibition-match/news-story/57d9a17516a0d749f650acf48fcc9d65 |access-date=27 February 2019 |work=Fox Sports |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=1 September 2018}} She played in an exhibition game for Victoria, acting as a curtain raiser for the E. J. Whitten Legends Game. Prespakis amassed 21 disposals in Victoria's win, the most of any player. Aside from under-18 competitions, she also played six matches for {{VFLW MU}} in the VFL Women's (VFLW).{{cite news |last1=Balmer |first1=Matt |title=AFLW Draft 2018: Future stars Nina Morrison and Madison Prespakis share in TAC Cup's top award |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-draft-2018-future-stars-nina-morrison-and-madison-prespakis-share-in-tac-cups-top-award/news-story/a0b4249c370a614db0609caec49bc89e |access-date=27 February 2019 |work=Fox Sports |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=4 September 2018}}

Ahead of the 2018 AFL Women's draft, Prespakis was widely predicted to be taken with one of the first selections.{{cite news |last1=Balmer |first1=Matt |title=AFLW Draft 2018: Full first-round mock draft for AFL women's draft |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-draft-2018-full-firstround-mock-draft-for-afl-womens-draft/news-story/44fa870081e188854ea3ee01b03e0374 |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Fox Sports |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=22 October 2018}} Prospective draftees were required to nominate a state or region they wished to play in; Prespakis selected the Melbourne metropolitan area, citing a wish to remain home with her family. This prevented {{AFLW|Gee}} from recruiting her with pick one or two and allowed Carlton the opportunity to select her with pick three.{{cite news |last1=Sewell |first1=Eliza |title=Carlton in box seat to land talented midfielder Madison Prespakis in AFLW draft |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/carlton-in-box-seat-to-land-talented-midfielder-madison-prespakis-in-aflw-draft/news-story/3b44de04df50799d5132d7216de95551 |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=2 October 2018}}

AFL Women's career

=Carlton (2019–2022)=

File:Madison Prespakis 23.03.19 (cropped).jpg

Carlton recruited Prespakis with their first selection and third overall in the 2018 AFL Women's draft. She made her AFL Women's debut in the opening round of the 2019 season against {{AFLW|NM}} at North Hobart Oval.{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Stu|title=Match report: Roos thrash Blues on memorable debut|url=https://womens.afl/news/15891/match-report-roos-thrash-blues-on-memorable-debut|work=womens.afl|date=3 February 2019|access-date=15 February 2019}} The following round, she was nominated for the 2019 AFL Women's Rising Star award after kicking one goal and amassing 20 disposals, seven clearances and nine contested possessions against {{AFLW|Ade}}.{{cite news|last=Olsson-Young|first=Marni|title=Blue, Docker take out round-two Rising Star nominations|url=https://womens.afl/news/16388/blue-docker-take-out-round-two-rising-star-nominations|work=womens.afl|date=12 February 2019|access-date=15 February 2019}} Prespakis went on to play in the 2019 AFL Women's Grand Final loss to Adelaide in front of a record AFL Women's crowd, and was among Carlton's best players.{{cite news|last=Gaskin|first=Lee|title=Crows soar to flag in front of record crowd, but injury hits superstar|url=https://womens.afl/news/17614/crows-soar-to-flag-in-front-of-record-crowd-but-injury-hits-superstar|work=womens.afl|date=31 March 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}} Following a debut season in which she averaged 19 disposals and kicked seven goals across nine games,{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=How will Blues replace ex-skipper after shock move to arch rivals?|url=https://womens.afl/news/40184/how-will-blues-replace-ex-skipper-after-shock-move-to-arch-rivals-|work=womens.afl|date=28 December 2019|access-date=28 December 2019}} Prespakis won the 2019 AFL Women's Rising Star award with 49 votes and was named in the 2019 AFL Women's All-Australian team.{{cite news|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|title=Five Crows, four Roos headline All Australian team|url=https://womens.afl/news/17673/five-crows-four-roos-headline-all-australian-team|work=womens.afl|date=2 April 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}} She also won the AFLW Players' best first-year player award{{cite news|last1=Black|first1=Sarah|author2=Australian Associated Press|title=Superstar Crow clinches second MVP award|url=https://womens.afl/news/17658/superstar-crow-clinches-second-mvp-award|work=womens.afl|date=1 April 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}} and tied for the Carlton best and fairest award with captain Brianna Davey, capping off a memorable first season.{{cite news|title=First-year Blue ties with skipper to win best and fairest|url=https://womens.afl/news/17794/first-year-blue-ties-with-skipper-to-win-best-and-fairest|work=womens.afl|date=12 April 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}}

Leading into the 2020 season, womens.afl journalist Sarah Black named Prespakis at no. 23 on her list of the top 30 players in the AFLW.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's top 30: Young Blue bolts into No.23|url=https://womens.afl/news/40286/sarah-black-s-top-30|work=womens.afl|date=15 January 2020|access-date=18 January 2020}} She was selected in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week in rounds 1,{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round one|url=https://womens.afl/news/43976/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-one|work=womens.afl|date=11 February 2020|access-date=11 February 2020}} 3{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round three|url=https://womens.afl/news/46374/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-three|work=womens.afl|date=25 February 2020|access-date=25 February 2020}} and 6,{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round six|url=https://womens.afl/news/49340/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-six|work=womens.afl|date=17 March 2020|access-date=17 March 2020}} and tied with North Melbourne's Jasmine Garner and {{AFLW|Mel}}'s Karen Paxman as womens.afl{{'}}s player of the year.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Three-way tie for player of the year|url=https://womens.afl/news/49368/three-way-tie-for-player-of-the-year|work=womens.afl|date=21 March 2020|access-date=21 March 2020}} Prespakis was selected in the 2020 AFL Women's All-Australian team,{{cite news|last=McGowan|first=Marc|title=AFLW All-Australian team revealed, new wave dominates|url=https://womens.afl/news/50129/aflw-all-australian-team-revealed-new-wave-dominates|work=womens.afl|date=27 April 2020|access-date=27 April 2020}}{{cite news|title=Statement: 2020 Toyota AFL Women's All-Australian Team announced|url=https://womens.afl/news/50134/statement-2020-toyota-afl-women-s-all-australian-team-announced|work=womens.afl|date=27 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Laughton|first=Max|title=AFLW All-Australian team for 2020 revealed: 12 clubs represented as two stars make history|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-allaustralian-team-for-2020-revealed-12-clubs-represented-as-two-stars-make-history/news-story/7548ceec1657bdbe8cb71abca5c58252|work=Fox Sports News (Australia)|date=27 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}} and was also selected as vice-captain in the AFL Players Association's inaugural AFL Women's 22under22 team,{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=AFLPA award winners revealed: MVP, best captain, more|url=https://womens.afl/news/50111/aflpa-award-winners-revealed-mvp-best-captain-more|work=womens.afl|date=20 April 2020|access-date=21 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Negrepontis|first=Nic|title=2020 AFLW 22 under 22 team revealed|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/20/2020-aflw-22-under-22-team-revealed/|work=SEN|date=20 April 2020|access-date=21 April 2020}}{{cite news|title=AFLW 22under22 side revealed|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/aflw-22under22-side-revealed/|work=aflplayers.com.au|date=20 April 2020|access-date=21 April 2020}} having earlier been selected in the retrospective 2017–2019 team.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Crows dominate inaugural 22under22 squad|url=https://womens.afl/news/50053/crows-dominate-inaugural-22under22-squad|work=womens.afl|date=26 March 2020|access-date=21 April 2020}} She went on to win her second Carlton best and fairest award,{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=Young Blue makes it two from two B&F wins|url=https://womens.afl/news/50116/young-blue-makes-it-two-from-two-b-f-wins|work=womens.afl|date=23 April 2020|access-date=23 April 2020}}{{cite news|title=Best and fairest wrap-up: Who won your club's awards?|url=https://womens.afl/news/50116/|work=womens.afl|date=24 April 2020|access-date=25 April 2020}} after coming second in voting for the AFLW Players' most valuable player award for that season, and capped off her season by winning the 2020 AFL Women's best and fairest award with 15 votes, at just 19 years of age;{{cite news|last=McGowan|first=Marc|title=Young Blue caps incredible rise with top gong|url=https://womens.afl/news/50208/young-blue-caps-incredible-rise-with-top-gong|work=womens.afl|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Caffrey|first=Oliver|title=Carlton star Madison Prespakis claims top AFLW award. And the moment she found out was beautiful|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-best-and-fairest-votes-2020-results-maddison-prespakis-carlton-wins-video-isabel-huntington-rising-star/news-story/efbed3f4e8c9658f85afff4a49530c12|work=Fox Sports News (Australia)|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Peter|title=Young guns dominate as Madison Prespakis wins AFLW best and fairest|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/young-guns-dominate-as-madison-prespakis-wins-aflw-best-and-fairest-20200428-p54o0x.html|work=The Age|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Lauren|title=Blues young star Madison Prespakis wins AFLW league best and fairest, Isabel Huntington takes out Rising Star|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/blues-young-star-madison-prespakis-wins-aflw-league-best-and-fairest-isabel-huntington-takes-out-rising-star/news-story/12e86c4e4a2d653c5c52741f3274657d|work=Herald Sun|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Negrepontis|first=Nic|title=Teenage Blue crowned AFLW best and fairest|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/28/teenage-blue-crowned-aflw-best-and-fairest/|work=SEN|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|title=Carlton's Madison Prespakis named AFLW Best and Fairest for 2020|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-28/madison-presipakis-named-aflw-best-and-fairest-winner/12194720|work=ABC News (Australia)|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite news|author=Australian Associated Press|title=Blues' Madison Prespakis named AFLW's best player|url=https://www.espn.com/afl/story/_/id/29107111/carlton-blues-madison-prespakis-named-aflw-best-player|work=ESPN|date=28 April 2020|access-date=28 April 2020}} in doing so, she became the first indigenous player to win the award.{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=When Gavin met Maddy: The special bond between two trailblazers|url=https://womens.afl/news/50260/when-gavin-met-maddy-the-special-bond-between-two-trailblazers|work=womens.afl|date=2 May 2020|access-date=2 May 2020}} She later said that she had turned to Carlton AFL co-captain Patrick Cripps at times during the season for advice on how to deal with taggers.{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=How an AFL superstar helped Prespakis shake the tag|url=https://womens.afl/news/50262/how-an-afl-superstar-helped-prespakis-shake-the-tag|work=womens.afl|date=3 May 2020|access-date=5 May 2020}}

Leading into the 2021 season, Sarah Black named Prespakis at no. 1 on her annual list of the top 30 players in the AFLW.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's top 30 AFLW players: Blues dynamo rockets up to No.1|url=https://womens.afl/news/54844/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-blues-dynamo-rockets-up-to-no-1|work=womens.afl|date=27 January 2021|access-date=29 January 2021}} Prespakis was best afield in Carlton's win against {{AFLW|StK}} in round 3, recording 24 disposals and a goal,{{cite news|last=Twomey|first=Callum|title=Superstar gets Blues back on track with dominant display|url=https://womens.afl/news/60301/superstar-gets-blues-back-on-track-with-dominant-display|work=womens.afl|date=13 February 2021|access-date=13 February 2021}} and was selected in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week for that round.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round three|url=https://womens.afl/news/61035/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-three|work=womens.afl|date=16 February 2021|access-date=16 February 2021}} She was again among the best afield the following week against {{AFLW|Ric}} with 19 disposals and two goals,{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=Blues breathe a sigh of relief after holding off spirited Tigers|url=https://womens.afl/news/61498/blues-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief-after-holding-off-spirited-tigers|work=womens.afl|date=20 February 2021|access-date=23 February 2021}} and was again selected in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week,{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round four|url=https://womens.afl/news/62872|work=womens.afl|date=23 February 2021|access-date=24 February 2021}} but was cited for a dangerous tackle on former teammate Sarah Hosking, which eventuated in a one-match suspension.{{cite news|title=Match Review: Prespakis banned for dangerous tackle|url=https://womens.afl/news/62871/match-review-prespakis-banned-for-dangerous-tackle|work=womens.afl|date=22 February 2021|access-date=23 February 2021}} Prespakis attempted to overturn the suspension at the AFL Tribunal{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Superstar Blue to challenge suspension at Tribunal|url=https://womens.afl/news/62905/superstar-blue-to-challenge-suspension-at-tribunal|work=womens.afl|date=23 February 2021|access-date=24 February 2021}} but was unsuccessful, ruling her out of the competition's inaugural indigenous round and meaning she would be ineligible for that year's AFL Women's best and fairest award.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Appeal fails: Prespakis banned for Indigenous Round, B&F hopes in tatters|url=https://womens.afl/news/63054/appeal-fails-prespakis-banned-for-indigenous-round-b-f-hopes-in-tatters|work=womens.afl|date=24 February 2021|access-date=24 February 2021}}{{cite news|last=Chadwick|first=Justin|title=AFLW star Prespakis loses at Tribunal|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw-star-prespakis-loses-at-tribunal-c-2232390|work=Seven News|date=24 February 2021|access-date=24 February 2021}} She was best afield upon her return against {{AFL Gee}} in round 6 with 27 disposals and a goal, despite injuring her left elbow in the first quarter,{{cite news|author=Australian Associated Press|title=Blues stay in finals hunt after crushing Cats|url=https://womens.afl/news/65023/blues-stay-in-finals-hunt-after-crushing-cats|work=womens.afl|date=7 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021}} and again won selection in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round six|url=https://womens.afl/news/65563/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-six|work=womens.afl|date=9 March 2021|access-date=10 March 2021}}

Prespakis was named at no. 17 in Sarah Black's 2022 list of the top 30 players in the AFLW.{{cite web|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's Top 30 AFLW players|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/78307/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-5-1|work=womens.afl|date=6 January 2022|access-date=9 January 2022}} She was named Carlton's best player in its opening round loss to {{AFLW|Col}}{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Superstar's knee injury sours Magpies' win over arch-rivals|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/78689/superstar-s-knee-injury-sours-magpies-win-over-arch-rivals|work=womens.afl|date=9 January 2022|access-date=11 January 2022}} and was best afield with a career-high 29 disposals in Carlton's win over Geelong in round 2, which saw Prespakis play against her sister Georgie for the first time;{{cite news|author=Australian Associated Press|title=When Maddy met Georgie: Superstar leads Blues past Cats in historic clash|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/80308/when-maddy-met-georgie-superstar-leads-blues-past-cats-in-historic-clash|work=womens.afl|date=15 January 2022|access-date=16 January 2022}} she also polled six coaches' votes{{cite news|title=AFLCA votes, R2: Back-to-back 10s for star Crow, No.1 pick's perfect game|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/81052/aflca-votes-r2-back-to-back-10s-for-star-crow-no-1-pick-s-perfect-game|work=womens.afl|date=17 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022}} and was selected in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week for that round.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round two|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/81094/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-two|work=womens.afl|date=18 January 2022|access-date=20 January 2022}} Prespakis was named Carlton's best player with 27 disposals in its loss to {{AFLW|Bri}} in round 3{{cite news|last=Whiting|first=Michael|title=With Zim and vigour: Dream debut propels Lions to dominant win|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/82020/with-zim-and-vigour-dream-debut-propels-lions-to-dominant-win|work=womens.afl|date=25 January 2022|access-date=25 January 2022}} and was also selected in womens.afl{{'}}s Team of the Week for that round.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=AFLW Team of the Week, round three|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/82007/aflw-team-of-the-week-round-three|work=womens.afl|date=26 January 2022|access-date=26 January 2022}} She was among Carlton's best players every other match for the season,{{cite news|last=Gabelich|first=Josh|title=Classy Kangas jump into top four with big win over Blues|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/82763/classy-kangas-jump-into-top-four-with-big-win-over-blues|work=womens.afl|date=30 January 2022|access-date=30 January 2022}}{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=Class tells as unbeaten Crows cruise past Blues|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/83844/class-tells-as-unbeaten-crows-cruise-past-blues|work=womens.afl|date=6 February 2022|access-date=7 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|title=Home sweet home: Dockers bounce back in style|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/84685/home-sweet-home-dockers-bounce-back-in-style|work=womens.afl|date=12 February 2022|access-date=13 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Gabelich|first=Josh|title=Blues back on winners list as Saints slump to sixth straight loss|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/85978/blues-back-on-winners-list-as-saints-slump-to-sixth-straight-loss|work=womens.afl|date=19 February 2022|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|author1=Australian Associated Press|last2=Rogers|first2=Michael|title=Blues down Giants to go back-to-back, Darcy makes history|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/87799/blues-down-giants-to-go-back-to-back-darcy-makes-history|work=womens.afl|date=27 February 2022|access-date=27 February 2022}}{{cite news|author=Australian Associated Press|title=Suns' finals hopes shattered as Blues' late-season surge continues|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/89343/suns-finals-hopes-shattered-as-blues-late-season-surge-continues|work=womens.afl|date=6 March 2022|access-date=6 March 2022}}{{cite news|author=Australian Associated Press|title=Dees lock in top-two berth after edging Blues in one-point thriller|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/89941/dees-lock-in-top-two-berth-after-edging-blues-in-one-point-thriller|work=womens.afl|date=12 March 2022|access-date=13 March 2022}} polling eight coaches' votes in Carlton's win over {{AFLW|GWS}} in round 8.{{cite news|title=AFLCA votes, R8: Perfect 10 sends Lion to the top, first voteless week for Freo star|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/87230/aflca-votes-r8-perfect-10-sends-lion-to-the-top-first-voteless-week-for-freo-star|work=womens.afl|date=28 February 2022|access-date=28 February 2022}}

=Essendon (2022–present)=

In April 2022, Prespakis and teammate Georgia Gee accepted deals to join {{AFLW|Ess}}'s inaugural AFLW team,{{cite news|last=Beveridge|first=Riley|title=BLUES WANT OUT: Star duo heading to the Bombers|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/93265/blues-want-out-star-duo-heading-to-the-bombers|work=womens.afl|date=11 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022}}{{cite news|last1=Cotton|first1=Ben|last2=Laughton|first2=Max|title=Bombers' huge raid complete as TWO Blues including superstar to join rival club: Trade Whispers|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-2022-western-bulldogs-star-isabel-huntington-requests-trade-gws-giants-rumours-news-whispers-sign-and-trade-period/news-story/0fa01bf2b4676203bfa3ad2416946221|work=Fox Sports|date=11 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022}}{{cite news|title=Report: Carlton AFLW stars to join rival expansion club|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/04/11/report-carlton-aflw-stars-to-join-rival-expansion-club/|work=SEN|date=11 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022}}{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Peter|title='Existing clubs can't compete': Blues lose stars to expansion side Essendon|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-land-major-coup-with-madison-prespakis-to-join-the-hangar-20220411-p5acqp.html|work=The Age|date=11 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022}}{{cite news|title=Prespakis and Gee commit to AFLW Bombers|url=https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/1101956/prespakis-and-gee-commit-to-aflw-bombers|work=essendonfc.com.au|date=11 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022}} with both signing on the opening day of the expansion signing period in May.{{cite news|title=Today's expansion signings: 28 players make it official with new clubs|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/94419/today-s-expansion-signings-28-players-make-it-official-with-new-clubs|work=womens.afl|date=24 May 2022|access-date=24 May 2022}}

Leading into the 2023 season, Sarah Black named Prespakis at no. 11 on her annual list of the top 30 players in the AFLW.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's Top 30 AFLW players: 20-11|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/121119/sarah-black-s-top-30-aflw-players-20-11|work=womens.afl|date=14 August 2023|access-date=17 August 2023}}

In 2024, Prespakis was named among Essendon's best players in losses to Fremantle in week 1{{cite news|last=McWilliams|first=Phoebe|author-link=Phoebe McWilliams|title=Dockers add insult to injuries in Bombers belting|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1208281/dockers-add-insult-to-injuries-with-bombers-belting|website=afl.com.au|date=31 August 2024|access-date=31 August 2024}} and St Kilda in week 3,{{cite news|last=McWilliams|first=Phoebe|author-link=Phoebe McWilliams|title=Saints snatch top spot with gritty win over Bombers|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1221163/saints-snatch-top-spot-with-gritty-win-over-bombers|website=afl.com.au|date=15 September 2024|access-date=20 September 2024}} and was Essendon's best player in its win over West Coast in week 2 with 27 disposals.{{cite news|last=Somerford|first=Ben|title=Dons clip Eagles' wings to notch first win of 2024|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1213376/match-report-west-coast-eagles-v-essendon-bombers|date=7 September 2024|access-date=7 September 2024}}

Statistics

Updated to the end of the 2024 season.{{cite web|title=Madison Prespakis – player stats by season|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Madison+Prespakis/20386|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=31 August 2024}}

| 2019 || {{AFLW|Car}} || 4

| 9 || 7 || 3 || 113 || 59 || 172 || 17 || 28 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 12.6 || 6.6 || 19.1 || 1.9 || 3.1 || 5

| 2020 || {{AFLW|Car}} || 4

| 7 || 3 || 3 || 88 || 61 || 149 || 19 || 21 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 12.6 || 8.7 || 21.3 || 2.7 || 3.0 || bgcolor=98FB98 | 15^±

| 2021 || {{AFLW|Car}} || 4

| 8 || 4 || 4 || 79 || 90 || 169 || 13 || 33 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 9.9 || 11.3 || 21.1 || 1.6 || 4.1 || 10

| 2022 (S6) || {{AFLW|Car}} || 4

| 10 || 1 || 2 || 90 || 115 || 205 || 24 || 35 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 9.0 || 11.5 || 20.5 || 2.4 || 3.5 || 7

| 2022 (S7) || {{AFLW|Ess}} || 4

| 10 || 6 || 3 || 119 || 118 || 237 || 22 || 49 || 0.6 || 0.3 || 11.9 || 11.8 || 23.7 || 2.2 || 4.9 || 17

| 2023 || {{AFLW|Ess}} || 4

| 11 || 5 || 2 || 146 || 142 || 288 || 32 || 56 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 13.3 || 12.9 || 26.2 || 2.9 || 5.1 || 10

| 2024 || {{AFLW|Ess}} || 4

| 12 || 3 || 7 || 176 || 105 || 281 || 32 || 37 || 0.3 || 0.6 || 14.7 || 8.8 || 23.4 || 2.7 || 3.1 || 18

|- class=sortbottom

! colspan=3 | Career

! 67 !! 29 !! 24 !! 811 !! 690 !! 1501 !! 159 !! 259 !! 0.4 !! 0.4 !! 12.1 !! 10.3 !! 22.4 !! 2.4 !! 3.9 !! 82

Personal life

Prespakis' younger sister Georgie currently plays for {{AFLW|Gee}}, having been selected with the second selection in the 2021 AFL Women's draft.{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=Cat and Roo get early Rising Star nod|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/79598/cat-and-roo-get-early-rising-star-nod|work=womens.afl|date=10 January 2022|access-date=16 January 2022}} Prespakis also dated then-{{AFLW|GC}} player Serene Watson.{{cite news|last=Montesano|first=Julia|title=They're the AFLW's newest power couple. The problem is they're on rival teams|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/afl-womens-2020-madison-prespakis-serene-watson-couple-carlton-aflw-gold-coast-suns-aflw-aflw-draft/news-story/2b35ad98ec0114fed34e94aac9d8a830|work=Fox Sports|date=25 October 2019|access-date=14 February 2020}}{{cite news|last=Bilton|first=Dean|title=The Maddy Prespakis Era has arrived, and that's great news for AFLW|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-14/the-maddy-prespakis-era-has-arrived-good-news-for-aflw/11964922|work=ABC News (Australia)|date=14 February 2020|access-date=14 February 2020}}