Paxy Paxman
{{Short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Paxy Paxman
| fullname = Karen Paxman
| nickname =
| image = Karen Paxman 06.02.21.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Paxman playing for Melbourne in February 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|11|25|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| originalteam = Darebin Falcons (VWFL)
| draftpick = Priority player signing: {{AFLW|Mel}}
| debutdate = Round 1, 2017
| debutteam = {{AFLW|Mel}}
| debutopponent = {{AFLW|Bri}}
| debutstadium = Casey Fields
| height = 170 cm
| weight =
| position = Half-back / midfielder
| currentclub = {{AFLW|Mel}}
| guernsey = 4
| years1 = 2017–
| club1 = {{AFLW|Mel}}
| games_goals1 = 72 (26)
| statsend = the 2023 season
| sooyears1 = 2017
| sooteam1 = Victoria
| soogames_goals1 = 1 (1)
| repstatsend = 2017
| careerhighlights =*AFLW premiership player: 2022 (S7)
- Melbourne best and fairest: 2019, 2021
- 5× AFL Women's All-Australian team: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
- VFL Women's premiership player: 2016
- 3× VWFL premiership player: 2011, 2013, 2014
- VFL Women's team of the year: 2016
}}
Karen "Paxy" Paxman (born 25 November 1988) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). A defender, {{convert|1.70|m|ft}} tall, Paxman plays primarily on the half-back line with the ability to push into the midfield. She first played football at sixteen years of age and won a premiership and league best and fairest in her first year. She played in the premier division of the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) from the 2008 season and won three VWFL premierships with St Albans and Darebin, in addition to a VFL Women's premiership with Darebin. Her accolades in football include three league best and fairests, state representation on four occasions, best-on-ground in a grand final, and five-time AFLW All-Australian honours.
Paxman's achievements in the VWFL saw her recruited by the Western Bulldogs with the sixth selection in the 2013 women's draft ahead of that year's exhibition match. She played with the Bulldogs throughout the women's AFL exhibition series before she was recruited by Melbourne to play in the all-star match in September 2016. Her performance in the all-star match saw her signed by Melbourne as a priority player ahead of the inaugural AFL Women's season in 2017.
State league and representative career
Paxman first played football at sixteen years of age in 2005 with Lalor Park,{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-16/unsigned-paxman-stars-for-dees-ahead-of-womens-draft|title=Dees snap up Paxman after All-Stars display|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=16 September 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} securing a premiership in her first year of football,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/melbournes-karen-paxman-ready-to-prove-aflw-doubters-wrong-and-urges-rivals-to-increase-sledging/news-story/cb2b10be78ce664872b39216f90be428|title=Melbourne's Karen Paxman ready to prove AFLW doubters wrong and urges rivals to increase sledging|last=Twomey|first=Liam|date=10 December 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} in addition to winning the division two best and fairest in the south east conference of the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL). She won a further two league best and fairest in the north west conference in the VWFL, winning the Kate Lawrence Medal in 2006 playing for Hadfield and another in 2008 playing for Heidelberg.{{cite news|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3068-0-0-0&sID=248592|title=VWFL Best & Fairest|work=VWFL.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=16 March 2017}} She received state honours representing Victoria at the 2007 AFL Women's National Championships where she received All-Australian honours.{{cite web|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/season/players|title=Player Profiles|year=2017|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427183748/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/season/players|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=dead}}
Paxman played her first senior VWFL season with the St Albans Spurs (now the Parkside Spurs) in 2009.{{cite news|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191151267&client=1-3068-30952-247472-16712978|title=Karen Paxman—Player Profile|year=2014|work=VWFL.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=16 March 2017}} She played over fifty matches with St Albans, including the 2011 grand final victory, in which she won the Lisa Hardeman Medal as the best player on the ground.{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=SAG1108281A6GJ3NBJN7|title=Something to cheer about|date=28 August 2011|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=16 March 2017}} In the same year, she represented Victoria for the second time at the AFL Women's National Championship where she played in the winning final over Western Australia and was named in the All-Australian side.{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=SAG110612FI1DM7U6N7E|title=Tough enough|last=Mangan|first=John|date=12 June 2011|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=16 March 2017}}
Prior to the start of the 2013 season, Paxman changed VWFL teams and joined the Darebin Falcons, and won a premiership in her first season with the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/darebin-falcons-make-for-undefeated-season-with-demolition-of-diamond-creek-in-victorian-women8217s-football-league-grand-final/news-story/d89503e9299dea018253f2c5d5604db4|title=Darebin Falcons make for undefeated season with demolition of Diamond Creek in Victorian Women's Football League grand final|last=Cavanagh|first=Chris|date=12 August 2013|work=Preston Leader|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} In the same year, she was drafted by the Western Bulldogs with their third selection and sixth overall in the 2013 women's draft{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-16/daisy-plucked-first|title=Pearce the first pick in AFL's inaugural women's draft|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=16 May 2013|work=AFLcom.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} to play in the inaugural women's AFL exhibition match against the Melbourne Football Club at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of approximately 8,000 people in a thirty-two point loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/afl/afl-womens-melbourne-vs-western-bulldogs-20130629-2p4ez.html|title=AFL Women's Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs|date=29 June 2013|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=16 March 2017}} A week before the exhibition match, she played in the AFL Women's National Championships representing Victoria{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/darebin-falcons-flying-high/news-story/1af837fa267dec4327f9051bd2bd0b40|title=Darebin Falcons flying high|last=Winnell|first=Cody|date=11 June 2013|work=Northcote Leader|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} and was named on the half-back line in the All-Australian team.{{cite web|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-06-24/female-all-australian-team-announced-|title=Women's All Australian team announced|date=24 June 2013|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034554/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-06-24/female-all-australian-team-announced-|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}}
Paxman played in her third VWFL premiership in the 2014 grand final against Diamond Creek at Coburg City Oval.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/sport/darebin-falcons-go-backtoback-with-victory-over-diamond-creek-in-vwfl-premier-division-grand-final/news-story/57d859fbdb06edc2209106826a83d63a|title=Darebin Falcons go back-to-back with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final|last=Cavanagh|first=Chris|date=11 June 2013|work=Preston Leader|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} In the same year, she was one of thirteen players retained by the Western Bulldogs to play in the 2014 women's AFL exhibition match against Melbourne,{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-05-19/dogs-demons-set-for-second-womens-draft|title=Dogs, Demons set for second women's draft|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=19 May 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} in which the club lost by forty-six points at Etihad Stadium and she was named in the Bulldogs' best players.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-29/demons-too-good-for-dogs|title=Demons too good for Dogs in women's match|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=29 June 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}}
After missing the entire 2015 season due to travelling, Paxman returned to the Darebin Falcons for the inaugural VFL Women's season in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-09-02/paxman-excited-to-return|title=Paxman excited to return|last=O'Connor|first=Callum|date=2 September 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} In her first match in over a year, she was named the best player on the ground by Preston Leader journalist Tim Michell.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/darebin-and-diamond-creek-post-huge-wins-in-inaugural-round-of-womens-vfl/news-story/4a047fed8009cd15a19dbcb77b0f9cb3|title=Darebin and Diamond Creek post huge wins in inaugural round of Women's VFL|last=Michell|first=Tim|date=4 April 2016|work=Preston Leader|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} She played eighteen matches for the year, including the grand final victory against Melbourne University,{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/darebin-falcons-triumph-in-vfl-womens-grand-final-20160918-grj1fi.html|title=Darebin Falcons triumph in VFL women's grand final|date=18 September 2016|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=16 March 2017}} in addition to being named on the half back line in the VFL Women's team of the year.{{cite news|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-118-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=47640158|title=Swisse VFL Women's Team of the Year|date=13 September 2016|work=VFL.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=16 March 2017}} With the growth of the women's exhibition series, she played two matches for the Western Bulldogs in March and June, the second of which, she was named in the Bulldogs' best players by AFL Media in the thirteen point win over Western Australia at Etihad Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-05/bulldogs-resolve-withstands-wa-fightback|title=Bulldogs' resolve withstands WA fightback in women's exhibition game|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=5 June 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} After playing with the Western Bulldogs throughout the exhibition series, she was recruited by Melbourne to play in the all-star match in September against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval as a showcase for the inaugural AFL Women's (AFLW) season in 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-13/whitten-oval-to-host-final-womens-exhibition-match|title=Whitten Oval to host final Women's Exhibition Match|date=13 July 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} In the thirty-nine point loss, she recorded a game-high twenty-six disposals and was named Melbourne's second best player by AFL Media journalist Bruce Matthews.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-09-04/match-report-womens-allstars|title=Match report: Women's All-Stars|last=O'Connor|first=Callum|date=4 September 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-03/moana-hope-kicks-dogs-to-glory-against-dees|title=Match report: Hope gets Dogs glory against Dees|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=3 September 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}}
AFL Women's career
= 2017: Inaugural season =
File:Karen Paxman kicking.2.jpg
After her performance in the all-star match, Paxman was signed by the Melbourne Football Club as a priority player.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-09-16/melbourne-signs-paxman-as-priority-player|title=Melbourne signs Paxman as priority player|last=Lewis|first=Georgina|date=16 September 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} Predicted to be one of the "stars" of the AFLW competition by Herald Sun journalist Liam Twomey, her accurate kicking and decision-making was speculated to give her an edge over other women in the league.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/five-burning-questions-from-aflw-preseason-match-between-carlton-and-melbourne/news-story/7dd44fc67654c108762ee61358f9b7d5|title=Five burning questions from AFLW pre-season match between Carlton and Melbourne|date=21 January 2017|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} Paxman debuted in the club's inaugural match against {{AFLW|Bri}} at Casey Fields in a fifteen-point loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/afl-womens-richelle-rocky-cranston-set-for-match-review-panel-scrutiny-after-bump-on-jamie-stanton/news-story/c6159f15a219da12b59941fbf3eeee15|title=AFL Women's: Richelle "Rocky" Cranston set for match review panel scrutiny after bump on Jamie Stanton|date=5 February 2017|work=Geelong Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} She recorded a game-high 24 disposals and was named Melbourne's best player by the Herald Sun and AFL Media.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/melbournes-momentum-halted-after-lightning-stops-play-in-surprise-loss-to-brisbane/news-story/e6837a732d1f9349aca969f881de63b3|title=Melbourne's momentum halted after lightning stops play in surprise loss to Brisbane|last=Wood|first=Lauren|date=5 February 2017|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-05/match-report-melbourne-v-brisbane-lions|title=Lions take the points in AFLW wild weather clash|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=5 February 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} The next week in the 19-point win over {{AFLW|Col}} at Ikon Park, she recorded an equal-second most disposals (15) and kicked her first AFLW goal, in addition to being named Melbourne's best player for the second consecutive week by the Herald Sun and AFL Media,{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/melbourne-keeps-collingwood-scoreless-in-the-second-half-to-claim-its-first-aflw-win/news-story/b3800096af2609cfd834fd0bb9ed2287|title=Melbourne keeps Collingwood scoreless in the second half to claim its first AFLW win|last=Sewell|first=Eliza|date=11 February 2017|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-11/match-report-secondhalf-surge-keeps-demons-season-alive|title=Match report: Late surge keeps Demons' season alive|last=Black|first=Sarah|date=11 February 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} with Fox Sports Australia journalist Anna Harrington naming her the best player on the ground.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/video-melbournes-shelley-scott-catches-out-collingwood-defence-to-kick-crucial-goal-in-afl-match/news-story/ed15e493a31d60293c14b57ba08aa273|title=Video: Melbourne's Shelley Scott catches out Collingwood defence to kick crucial goal in AFLW match|last=Harrington|first=Anna|date=11 February 2017|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}}
Paxman continued recording high disposal counts the next few weeks, collecting 27 disposals in the 14-point win over the {{AFLW|WB}} at Whitten Oval,{{cite news|url=http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/02/18/21/38/demons-down-dogs-for-second-aflw-win|title=Demons down Dogs for second AFLW win|author=Australian Associated Press|date=18 February 2017|work=Nine.com.au|publisher=Nine Entertainment Co.|access-date=16 March 2017}} 24 in the 6-point win against {{AFLW|Car}} at Casey Fields,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/melbourne-keep-aflw-premiership-hopes-alive-with-thrilling-sixpoint-win-over-carlton/news-story/8994ccceb6639c0380f43e293e4b26f9|title=Melbourne keep AFLW premiership hopes alive with thrilling six-point win over Carlton|last=Cavanagh|first=Chris|date=25 February 2017|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=16 March 2017}} 25 in the 5-point loss to {{AFLW|GWS}} at the Blacktown International Sportspark{{cite news|url=http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/03/03/19/10/giants-get-first-aflw-win-beating-demons|title=Giants get first AFLW win, beating Demons|author=Australian Associated Press|date=3 March 2017|work=Nine.com.au|publisher=Nine Entertainment Co.|access-date=16 March 2017}} and 21 in the 2-point win over {{AFLW|Ade}} at TIO Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18881722/melbourne-demons-overcome-adelaide-crows-darwin-aflw|title=Demons overcome Crows in Darwin AFLW|author=Australian Associated Press|date=11 March 2017|work=ESPN|access-date=16 March 2017}} Heading into the final round, she was leading the disposal count in the league.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/melbourne-star-karen-paxman-is-a-favourite-to-the-win-aflw-best-and-fairest-but-doesnt-watch-afl/news-story/89293c9679a55f77174a4e86a0886002|title=Melbourne star Karen Paxman is a favourite to the win AFLW best and fairest but doesn't watch AFL|last=Wood|first=Lauren|date= 20 March 2017|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=20 March 2017}} Paxman's 17 disposals in the 54-point win over {{AFLW|Fre}} at Casey Fields in the final round pushed her to second overall in the league, finishing one disposal behind teammate Daisy Pearce.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/womens/matches/stats|title=Player & Match Statistics|year=2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} She was named in Melbourne's best players in every match of the year apart from the round six win against Adelaide,{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-alyssa-mifsud-stars-as-melbourne-beat-western-bulldogs-at-whitten-oval-20170218-gug3a2.html|title=AFLW: Alyssa Mifsud stars as Melbourne beat Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval|last=Cherney|first=Daniel|date=19 February 2017|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=16 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-25/dees-keep-hopes-alive|title=Dees keep AFLW title hopes alive with close win over Blues|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=25 February 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-03/aflw-match-report-greater-western-sydney-v-melbourne|title=AFLW: Giants punish Dees for historic first win|last=Sygall|first=David|date=3 March 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-18/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-fremantle|title=Match report: Sharpshooting Dees still have AFLW Grand Final sniff|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=18 March 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=20 March 2017}} and was consequently predicted to poll highly in the league best and fairest according to Herald Sun journalist Lauren Wood and AFL Media reporter Sarah Black.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-13/aflw-wrap-round-six|title=AFLW wrap: round six|last=Black|first=Sarah|date=13 March 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=16 March 2017}} Paxman was ultimately runner-up in the award, finishing with ten votes (four votes behind winner Erin Phillips).{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-29/nab-afl-womens-best-and-fairest-all-the-votes|title=NAB AFL Women's Best and Fairest: All the votes|date=29 March 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=11 December 2017}} Her season was further rewarded with being one of three Melbourne nominees for the AFL Players Association most valuable player award{{cite web|title=AFLW MVP Nominations Revealed|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/aflw-mvp-nominations-revealed/|website=AFL Players Association|access-date=23 March 2017|date=21 March 2017}}—in which she was also the runner up behind Phillips{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-27/erin-phillips-crowned-aflpa-womens-mvp|title=Erin Phillips crowned AFLPA women's MVP|last=Ryan|first=Peter|date=27 March 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=11 December 2017}}—and she was listed in the 2017 All-Australian team.{{cite web|last1=Navaratnam|first1=Dinny|title=Lions, Crows dominate AFLW All Australian team - AFL.com.au|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-28/lions-crows-dominate-aflw-all-australian-team|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=BigPond|access-date=28 March 2017|date=28 March 2017}} With the inaugural season only having one-year contracts, Paxman re-signed with Melbourne for the 2018 season during the trade period in May 2017.{{cite web|title=AFLW: All the clubs' full lists after trade period - AFL.com.au|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-26/aflw-all-the-clubs-full-lists-after-trade-period|website=afl.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|access-date=26 May 2017|date=26 May 2017}}
= 2018–present: Multiple All-Australian selections =
Paxman experienced a volatile start to 2018, gathering 8 disposals early in Melbourne's round 1 win over Greater Western Sydney before suffering a back injury which prevented her from returning to the field after quarter-time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-03/match-report-demons-win-after-giant-fright|title=Match report: Demons win after Giant fright|website=afl.com.au|access-date=2019-05-07}} Nevertheless, she recorded 21 disposals and played a highly influential role one week later in an emphatic 32-point victory against reigning premier Adelaide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-10/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-adelaide|title=AFLW: Impressive Demons keep Crows winless|website=afl.com.au|access-date=2019-05-07}} Although Melbourne yet again narrowly missed out on qualifying for the grand final,{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-18/aflw-who-can-make-the-grand-final|title=AFLW: Dogs, Lions to face off for the flag|website=afl.com.au|access-date=2019-05-07}} Paxman earned her second All-Australian selection in as many years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-27/w-awards-nine-named-dual-all-australians|title=W Awards: Nine named dual All Australians|website=afl.com.au|access-date=2019-05-07}}
In the absence of pregnant leader Daisy Pearce, 2019 saw Paxman elevated to the position of Melbourne vice-captain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-12-19/aflw-dees-announce-cocaptains-to-replace-daisy|title=AFLW: Dees announce co-captains to replace Daisy|website=afl.com.au|access-date=2019-05-07}} She enjoyed another successful individual season which included standout performances in victories against Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs, managing 24 disposals and a goal on both occasions.{{Cite web|url=http://womens.afl/match-centre/2019/73/bl-v-melb|title=2019 AFL Women's Match Centre: BL v MELB|website=AFLW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}}{{Cite web|url=http://womens.afl/match-centre/2019/86/wb-v-melb|title=2019 AFL Women's Match Centre: WB v MELB|website=AFLW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}} Recognition followed in the form of her maiden club best and fairest award{{Cite web|url=http://womens.afl/news/17763/b-f-wrap-cat-wins-despite-foot-fracture|title=B&F wrap: Pies mid polls club record number of votes|website=AFLW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}} as well as finishing third in the league best and fairest behind Erin Phillips and Dana Hooker with 10 votes.{{Cite web|url=http://womens.afl/news/17701/phillips-crowned-aflw-s-best-for-a-second-time|title=Phillips crowned AFLW's best for a second time|website=AFLW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}} The consistent output in her AFLW career would be underlined by becoming the first three-time All-Australian, a feat shared with Emma Kearney and Chelsea Randall.{{Cite web|url=http://womens.afl/news/17673/five-crows-four-roos-headline-all-australian-team|title=Five Crows, four Roos headline All Australian team|website=AFLW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}} During the post-season trade period, Paxman signed a two-year contract with Melbourne{{Cite web|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-04-10/aflw-18-demons-recommit-for-2020|title=AFLW: 18 Demons recommit for 2020|website=melbournefc.com.au|access-date=2019-05-07}} despite strong interest from expansion club St Kilda.{{Cite web|url=http://womens.afl/news/17766/big-names-big-moves-2019-aflw-trade-period-preview|title=Big names, big moves: 2019 AFLW Trade Period preview|website=AFLW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-07}}
The 2020 AFL Women's season saw Paxman obtain her fourth AFL Women's All-Australian team selection, named in the rover position.{{cite web|title=AFLW All-Australian team revealed, new wave dominates|url=https://womens.afl/news/50129/aflw-all-australian-team-revealed-new-wave-dominates|last1=McGowan|first1=Marc|access-date=19 June 2021|date=27 April 2020|work=womens.afl}}{{cite web|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|access-date=19 June 2021|date=27 April 2020}} In the 2021 AFL Women's season, Paxman was awarded with her fifth consecutive All-Australian blazer, named on the interchange bench.{{cite web|title=REVEALED: The 2021 AFLW All-Australian team|url=https://womens.afl/news/71754/revealed-the-2021-aflw-all-australian-team|date=20 April 2021|access-date=21 June 2021|work=womens.afl}}{{cite web|title=Two AFLW greats reach footy immortality as All-Australian squad revealed|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2021-aflw-all-australian-side-full-squad-captain-best-players-brianna-davey-karen-paxman-emma-kearney/news-story/0868ae4c3280c39a18aea11e794fe2ca|work=womens.afl|date=20 April 2021|access-date=21 June 2021|last1=Zita|first1=David}}
Personal life
In 2023, Paxman updated her personal details with the Melbourne Football Club. When completing her league registration form, Paxman opted to change her first name from Karen to Paxy, the nickname by which she has been known throughout her career.{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Sarah |date=2023-10-25 |title=Why Dees star changed her name, and how that dog-related incident unfolded |url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1057131/why-dees-star-changed-her-name-and-that-dog-related-incident |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=AFL.com.au |language=en}}
{{Quote|text=Over the last few years, I've toyed with the idea of just changing my name to Paxy, because that's what sits comfortably with me. That's what everyone calls me and that's the name I identify with, so I wanted to put the name down on the form.|author=Paxman in an October 2023 interview with AFL.com.au}}
Paxman is known as Paxy Paxman where traditional structure dictates the use of a first and last name, and simply Paxy when only a first name is required.
Statistics
: Statistics are correct to the end of 2022 season 6.{{cite web|url=http://australianfootball.com/players/player/Karen%2BPaxman/19958|title=Karen Paxman—player stats by season|work=Australian Football|access-date=4 May 2019}}
{{Australian rules football statistics legend}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#CFECEC; width:1em"|
| Led the league for the season only |
| style="background:#b7e718; width:1em"|
| Led the league after the Grand Final only |
| style="background:#DD6E81; width:1em"|
| Led the league after season and Grand Final |
{{AFLW player statistics start}}
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2017
|{{AFLW|Mel}}
| 4 || 7 || 2 || 1 || bgcolor="CFECEC" | 102 || 50 || 152 || bgcolor="DD6E81" | 27 || 23 || 0.3 || 0.1 || bgcolor="CFECEC" | 14.6 || 7.1 || 21.7 || bgcolor="DD6E81" | 3.9 || 3.3 || 10
|-
| scope="row" text-align:center | 2018
| {{AFLW|Mel}}
| 4 || 7 || 2 || 3 || 87 || 37 || 124 || 16 || 21 || 0.3 || 0.4 || 12.4 || 5.3 || 17.7 || 2.3 || 3.0 || 5
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
| scope="row" text-align:center | 2019
| {{AFLW|Mel}}
| 4 || 7 || 3 || 5 || 93 || 53 || 146 || 15 || 24 || 0.4 || 0.7 || 13.3 || 7.6 || 20.9 || 2.1 || 3.4 || 10
|-
| scope="row" text-align:center | 2020
| {{AFLW|Mel}}
| 4 || 7 || 1 || 2 || 97 || 52 || 149 || 21 || 29 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 13.9 || 7.4 || 21.3 || 3.0 || 4.1 || 9
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
| scope="row" text-align:center | 2021
| {{AFLW|Mel}}
| 4 || 11 || 4 || 6 || 166 || 81 || 247 || 36 || 44 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 15.1 || 7.4 || 22.5 || 3.3 || 4.0 || 13
|-
| scope="row" text-align:center | 2022 (S6)
| {{AFLW|Mel}}
| 4 || 12 || 4 || 3 || 134 || 96 || 230 || 32 || 41 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 11.2 || 8.0 || 19.2 || 2.7 || 3.4 || 7
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=3| Career
! 51
! 16
! 20
! 679
! 369
! 1048
! 147
! 182
! 0.3
! 0.4
! 13.3
! 7.2
! 20.5
! 2.9
! 3.6
! 54
|}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Melbplayer}}
- {{AustralianFootball|ref=Karen%2BPaxman/19958}}
{{Melbourne AFL Women's player squad}}
{{2022 AFL Women's season 7 Melbourne premiership players}}
{{Melbourne best and fairest (AFL Women's)}}
{{Inaugural Melbourne AFL Women's team}}
{{AFL Women's All-Australian captains}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Paxy Paxman in {{coloured link|#3C9|AFL Women's All-Australian team|AFL Women's All-Australian teams}}
| titlestyle = background:#003; color:#3C9
| list1 =
{{2017 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2019 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2020 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2021 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
}}
{{2017 Victoria women's State of Origin players}}
{{2013 AFL women's draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paxman, Paxy}}
Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)
Category:Melbourne Football Club (AFLW) players