The Giants senior women's coach guided her team through an unbeaten season prior to COVID-19 bringing the season to an early end, finishing with a record of 12 wins in as many games.

Kennedy's team looked destined to defend their title before the finals series was scrapped but that shouldn't take the shine off a season where the Giants continually raised the bar.

Kennedy said it's a case two great units - player and coach - who help the Giants tick the boxes throughout the season.

"It's a team effort. I had Mick Sloan on board and I'm very privileged that, one, I get to coach an amazing group of women and, two, that I've got two of the most amazing men supporting me, in Mick and Mark [Kennedy, husband].

"They're two of the most knowledgeable, long-serving members for AFL in the Central West so for me to be able to get Coach of the Year is something that I would not have been able to do without them. Along with them I've got an incredible group of girls.

"There were a couple of times where I was running late to training, or Mick might have been held up, and when both of us aren't there there's something missing from the whole team.

"Those girls just want to win for each other, and to win for us, and we have the most amazing committee. Sometimes the Giants come first and their everyday jobs come second and third.

"The amount of work the whole club puts in so these awards can happen is amazing. It's a huge effort."

The Giants proved to be a well-drilled machine, scoring at an average of 68 points per game and rarely letting their opponents get anywhere near them on the final scoreboard.

They've now lost just three games over the past three seasons and were on the verge of a third straight premiership.

It's naturally a disappointment to see such statistics not lead to a title in 2021 but Kennedy is confident that the good times can continue into a new year.

"It's probably been one of the most enjoyable seasons," she said of 2021, despite its stop-start nature.

"It does feel like we've got unfinished business though, and that makes us hungry for next season. I'm already getting messages from the girls wondering about when we can get pre-season started.

"We're a team that enjoys each other's company and that's probably the number one foundation for why they're so successful. I've said it before that they play together, train together and socialise together.

"They're an incredible football team."

That social aspect has been something Kennedy and the club have always focused on nurturing from team's early days.

Watching the team's growth, and the strengthening of the women's competition around them, is an experience Kennedy treasures.

"It's been amazing to watch the growth of women's AFL. [My daughter] Katie had played AFL her whole life ... but once she turned 15 she wasn't allowed to play with the boys," she said.

"Katie had to have two seasons off and then under difficult circumstances had some time with the Bushrangers, but just wasn't enjoying her footy," Kennedy said.

"She wanted to lead a group of girls and play the game how she wanted to play it. She wanted other girls to be successful in AFL so after a few conversations they got a team together.

"I don't think Katie or myself could have expected us to have achieved the amount of success that we've seen so quickly. I think Katie's leadership helped to enhance AFL.

"The girls also have a great relationship with the other teams and I think that's pretty special."

Kennedy beat a strong field of coaches to the top prize in 2021.

Her husband Mark was nominated for his efforts with the senior men's team, who also finished atop their ladder.

Parkes Panthers' Mitchell Stubberfield earned an honourable mention as well for guiding his side through a strong men's tier two season.

Anthony Fisher was also acknowledged for his coaching of the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws tier two team.

There's still plenty of prizes left to be decided this week, with the next batch of AFL Central West awards will be given out on Wednesday.

At 6.30pm that day the junior best and fairest votes will be decided and on the following day, also starting from 6.30pm, the senior best and fairest winners will be declared.

Then on Friday the AFL Central West's inaugural hall of fame inductions will take place.

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