Goal of the Year (AFL)

The Goal of the Year is a competition for the best goal kicked in the Australian Football League (AFL) during that season. It is run in conjunction with the Mark of the Year competition and is currently sponsored by Rebel Sport. The winner is awarded the Phil Manassa Medal.[1] The concept of awards for the goal and mark of the year is thought to have been initiated in 1970, as an unofficial award given by the media to Alex Jesaulenko following his famous mark in that season's grand final. The official awards were first given in 2001. Eddie Betts has been awarded Goal of the Year on an unparalleled four occasions (2006, 2015, 2016 and 2019), the most of any player, and is the only player to win the award in consecutive seasons.

Eddie Betts has won Goal of the Year on a record four occasions – thrice playing for Adelaide (2015, 2016 and 2019) and once for Carlton (2006).
Daniel Rioli (Richmond) was awarded the 2017 Goal of the Year.

Selection process

Each week, three of the best goals of the round (including the finals) are selected as nominees. A panel of AFL selectors choose the winning goal of the round.

For the first time in 2006, the general public were able to vote for nominated goals via the AFL's website. The results of the public voting are combined with the panel's votes. Any one of the goals judged to be the best of the round are able to win the official Goal of the Year.

The overall winner is selected from the 25 weekly winners (22 rounds and the first three weeks of the finals) by the AFL All-Australian selection committee; the public is not given a say in the final outcome. The winner receives the Phil Manassa Medal, a replica of the perpetual Toyota AFL Goal of the Year Trophy, use of a Toyota Aurion for twelve months, and $10,000 for their grassroots football club. The winner will be announced on Grand Final day.

Goal of the Year is generally awarded to a player who creates and scores a difficult goal in play; it has never been, and is unlikely to ever be, awarded to a goal kicked from a set shot. Historically, it has been the quality of the creation of the goal which determines the winner, rather than the difficulty of the shot itself. As such, simply kicking a goal from the boundary line will not guarantee a player Goal of the Year, but if they have roved the ball cleanly off a pack (like Jason Akermanis in 2002) or won the ball by stealing or smothering it from an opponent (like Peter Bosustow in 1981), then they will generally come into Goal of the Year calculations. Players are also often rewarded for orchestrating a long run down the field which ends with a big goal on the run: Daniel Kerr in 2003 and Michael McGuane in 1994 are memorable examples.

Many of the best goals in the VFL/AFL were featured in a VHS/DVD named Golden Goals.

Goal of the year

Official winners (2001–present)
Legend
  Player is still active in AFL
  Player also won Mark of the Year for the same year
YearWinnerTeamDescriptionVideo
2023Will AshcroftBrisbane LionsRound 7 goal against Fremantle at the Gabba. From the pocket, Ashcroft collected the ball in mid-air and brought it down onto his boot in one smooth motion, kicking an incredible goal in one motion on a tight angle.
2022Sam DraperEssendonRound 18 goal against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium. Ruckman Draper gathered the ball directly from the centre bounce, sprinted towards the 50m arc, executed a one–two handpass with Matt Guelfi, side-stepped Suns defender Charlie Ballard before successfully slotting a banana kick from 25 metres out on a slight angle.[2]
2021Caleb SerongFremantleRound 22 goal against West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. Ball was kept in by Adam Cerra, who gave to Mitch Crowden, who broke a tackle before handpassing to Serong, who was knocked to the ground by Dom Sheed before getting up again and kicking the checkside goal from deep in the right forward pocket. Anthony Hudson's call of "Serong, so right" immortalised the goal.[3]
2020Josh DaicosCollingwoodRound 10 goal against Sydney at the Gabba. Daicos was on the boundary line under pressure, handballs it in front of himself and the Sydney defender, then picking it up again and kicking a right foot banana 30 metres out on the boundary. A kick reminiscent of one his father Peter would frequently kick.[4]
2019Eddie BettsAdelaideRound 5 goal against Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval. In his 300th game, Betts kicked a classic left-footed banana from about 30 metres out on the boundary line of the same left hand pocket as his 2015 and 2016 Goal of the Year winners.[5]
2018Jack HigginsRichmondRound 19 goal against Collingwood at the MCG; Higgins kicked it backwards[6]
2017Daniel RioliRichmondRound 3 goal against West Coast at the MCG, Rioli successfully kept the ball in bounds up against the boundary line and kicked a right foot banana on the run 35m out from goal.[7]
2016Eddie BettsAdelaideRound 10 goal against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval. Betts successfully trapped and gathered the ball on the boundary line 50m out from goal after a spoiled marking contest. Betts then evades two GWS players before kicking a goal with a right foot snap from 35m out. [8]
2015Eddie BettsAdelaideRound 9 goal against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval. Kicked inside-out with his left foot from the left-hand boundary from nearly 50 metres out on the boundary line. The ball was expertly swung in the air to bounce through an unguarded goal square. [9]
2014Matt WhitePort AdelaideRound 17 goal against Richmond at Etihad Stadium. White gathered the ball at half-back, ran full tilt up the wing with three bounces, burning off a chasing Steven Morris in the process, before unloading from 50m to goal. [10]
2013Lance FranklinHawthornRound 3 goal against Collingwood at the MCG. Received a handball from Ben Stratton in the centre square, jumped over a tackled Stratton and went on to kick the goal from 75 metres out. [11]
2012Chris YarranCarltonRound 1 goal against Richmond at the MCG. Received a handball from Chris Judd between left wing and half-forward flank. Ran along the boundary past Richmond opponents Dustin Martin, Ivan Maric and Steven Morris, Yarran broke tackles from Maric and Morris before slotting the game-changing goal from 40 metres out. [12]
2011Hayden BallantyneFremantleRound 2 goal against Geelong at Subiaco Oval. Ballantyne ran through the centre of the ground before kicking the ball inside 50. He received a follow-up handball from Matthew Pavlich and slotted the goal from 40 metres out in a team-lifting effort. [13]
2010Lance FranklinHawthornRound 13 goal against Essendon at the MCG, where Franklin outsprinted Cale Hooker from the wing to boot truly from around 50 metres out from near the left boundary line (Franklin is left-footed, making the angle even more acute)[14] [15]
2009Cyril RioliHawthornIn the Round 7 match against Essendon, Rioli managed to evade numerous defenders to weave his way into a position to handball to teammate Chance Bateman before receiving the ball back and kicking a goal from 40 metres out.[1] [16]
2008Leon DavisCollingwoodIn the final home-and-away Friday night match, Leon Davis tackled Fremantle player Des Headland in Fremantle's defensive 50 and knocked the ball out of the scruffle; as he picked the ball up, he broke a tackle and then ran 10 metres before kicking an amazing drop punt from 50 m out on the boundary. Dennis Cometti adding the words "of the season" after Bruce McAvaney called out "goal".[17]
2007Matthew LloydEssendonMatthew Lloyd back-heeled the goal through a pack of players from 5 metres out in an innovative unorthodox drop kick in a moment of quick thinking.[18]
2006Eddie BettsCarltonSmothered Tarkyn Lockyer's handball, gathered the ball and, with two opposition players surrounding him, kicked a freakish banana from the boundary and kicked truly.[19][20]
2005Chris JuddWest Coast EaglesBurst from a boundary throw in on the half forward flank, spun out of a tackle and kicked truly from about 40 metres out at Subiaco oval.[21][22]
2004Daniel WellsKangaroosDescribed as "Jackie Chan in mid-air", Wells leapt into the air, grabbed the ball out of the ruck and kicked in one motion in the goal square at Subiaco, giving North Melbourne a narrow victory over Fremantle.[23][24]
2003Daniel KerrWest Coast EaglesReceived the football at half-back, before taking 5 bounces and finishing from 48 m out, late in a famous Derby against Fremantle.[25]
2002Jason AkermanisBrisbane LionsA snap shot from 45 metres out on his non-preferred left boot, along the boundary line while turning around to the left of the goals against Carlton at the Gabba in Round 14.[26]
2001Mark MerendaWest Coast EaglesPaddled the ball from outside 50 along the boundary line towards goal and snapped it through from the pocket against St. Kilda at the Telstra Dome.[27]

Earlier winner (1976–2001)
Legend
  Player also won Mark of the Year for the same year
YearWinnerTeamDescriptionVideo
2000Kingsley HunterWestern BulldogsRunning from the defensive 50, he kept going and laid a handball off to Scott Wynd, received it back at centre wing, lined up from forward 50 and slotted it home (was awarded on Rex Hunt's Footy Panel).
1999Ben CousinsWest Coast EaglesCousins tackles his opponent in the centre of the ground, then receives the ball from his teammate Peter Matera, he passes it back to Matera who spectacularly fists the ball back to Cousins, who slots a drop punt (was awarded by Channel 7).
1998Jeff FarmerMelbourneFarmer ran the length of the ground, giving off two returned handballs, received the ball back, evaded multiple opposition players, and kick a goal from 45 metres out on the boundary line.
1997Austinn JonesSt KildaRan hard from defensive 50 and took several bounces along the wing, handballed to Andrew Thompson at forward 50, received the ball back and snapped a spectacular goal in the 1997 AFL Grand Final.
1996Winston AbrahamFremantleRan onto a loose ball at forward 60, surged past two Swans defenders and took several bounces along the boundary line before slotting the goal from the goal square.
1995Tony ModraAdelaideKicked the ball off the ground 35 m from goal; his scrubbed kick rolled to the forward pocket, finishing at the feet of Richmond full back Stuart Wigney. Modra followed up his kick, making up 30 metres of ground to soccer the ball away from Wigney, gather the loose ball, and then snap a beautiful goal from 20 metres out hard on the boundary.
1994Mick McGuaneCollingwoodIn one of the most famous of all time, oft compared to Phil Manassa's famous 1977 Grand Final run, McGuane had a total of seven bounces from the centre square, baulking two tackle attempts before kicking truly from 30 m at the MCG against Carlton.[28]
1993Michael LongEssendonRan and bounced several times for a controversial goal in the 1993 Grand Final. It was allegedly touched on the line by Carlton full-back Stephen Silvagni, who to this day claims he touched it before sailing through for a goal.[29]
1992Darryl WhiteBrisbane BearsFollowed up a short kick that did not travel to the leading forward by kicking a ripper at Carrara from 30 m
1991Peter DaicosCollingwoodBaulk and snap from the pocket vs. Richmond at Victoria Park.
1990Michael MitchellRichmondGathered the ball in his own defensive area and set off on a blistering 70-metre run through the centre of the Sydney Cricket Ground, escaping a number of would-be tacklers and taking seven bounces before kicking truly from 35 metres out.
1989Gary Ablett Sr.GeelongDropped a contested mark in the middle of the ground and then ran onto the loose ball at full speed, bursting into the forward line and snapping truly from 50 m vs Collingwood (MCG).
1988Matthew LarkinNorth MelbourneSpun around three West Coast players, snapping miraculously from the pocket.
1987David MurphySydney SwansAfter the Swans scored a behind, Murphy took a spectacular mark over an opponent's back from a long kick-in; he then quickly played on and kicked truly from more than 50 m away at an acute angle (from the left side).
1986Phil KrakouerNorth MelbourneGrabbed ball on the boundary line and ran around Frank Dunell before kicking a sensational goal from the boundary with his left foot.
1985Andrew BewsGeelongA long run at Kardinia Park in which Bews baulked two would-be tacklers and bounced three times; 40 m out from goal, Bews attempted to touch the ball on the ground, fumbled and overran the ball before changing direction, recovering the ball and eventually slotting the goal from 30 m.
1984Geoff RainesRichmond
1983Ken HunterCarlton
1982Malcolm BlightFitzroyBlight drops a contested mark on the right wing, recovers the resulting loose ball, baulks two opponents at once, and then kicks a goal from the right forward flank boundary line about 40 metres out with his non-preferred left foot.[30]
1981Peter BosustowCarltonSmothered his Geelong opponent's attempted clearing kick 20 metres around in the right forward pocket at VFL Park before standing, gathering and snapping a high goal over his right shoulder.
1980Michael TurnerGeelongThree bounces and one baulk from the wing and a shot from 50 metres.
1979Leigh MatthewsHawthornTook several detours to avoid North Melbourne opposition to score from the pocket in the first VFL game in Sydney since 1952.
1978Phil BakerNorth Melbourne
1977Phil ManassaCollingwoodManassa kicked a goal on the run from the half back flank in the 1977 Grand Final replay against North Melbourne,[31][32]
1976Keith GreigNorth Melbourne

AFL Women's winners (2017–)
Legend
  Player is still active in AFL
  Player also won Mark of the Year for the same year
YearWinnerTeamDescriptionVideo
2022 (A)Ebony AntonioFremantleRound 1 goal against West Coast at Fremantle Oval. Antonio gathers 50 metres out on the boundary, evades an opponent, and kicks a goal from 30m out on the boundary off the outside of her boot.[33]
2021Courtney HodderBrisbaneRound 9 goal against Melbourne at Casey Fields. Hodder was at the edge of the 50-metre arc, where she kicks it up to herself, and kicks a right foot drop punt from tight on the boundary.[34]
2020Kate HoreMelbourneRound 6 goal against Carlton at Traeger Park. Hore collects the ball in the middle of the ground, takes three bounces to reach inside 50, passes it off to a teammate, receives it back and then snaps on a sharp angle from 10 metres out.[35]
2019Ashley SharpFremantleRound 2 goal against Brisbane at Fremantle Oval. Sharp collects the ball in the centre of the ground, takes 2 bounces and completes the shot from 40 metres out from goal.[36]
2018Aliesha NewmanMelbourneRound 2 goal against Adelaide at Casey Fields. Newman collects the ball on the wing, takes 3 bounces into the forward pocket and kicks a 20-metre banana.[37]
2017Erin PhillipsAdelaideRound 3 goal against Carlton at Thebarton Oval. Phillips takes a mark and bombs a long goal from outside the 50-metre arc.[38]

References
  1. "Burton, Rioli win mark and goal of the year". Australian Football League. 28 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009.
  2. "Power forward's hanger, big Don's stunner win Mark and Goal of the Year". afl.com.au. AFL. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  3. "Be amazed! Serong wins Goal of the Year". fremantlefc.com.au. AFL. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  4. Black, Sarah (18 October 2020). "Rising stars upstage big guns to take out MOTY, GOTY awards". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  5. "Four times a charm for Eddie, Ryan flies high for big award". AFL.com.au. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  6. "Higgins wins AFL goal of the year". RichmondFC.com.au. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  7. "Daniel Rioli's magic on the boundary wins AFL goal of the year". The Roar. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  8. "Daw soars and Eddie electrifies to claim Mark and Goal of the Year - AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  9. AFL (30 May 2015). "Eddie Betts kicks an unbelievable goal - AFL". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  10. Port Adelaide Football Club (12 July 2014). "Matt White - 2014 AFL Goal of the Year". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  11. "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  12. Carlton Football Club (11 September 2012). "Chris Yarran - 2012 Goal of the Year". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  13. rbevo13 (19 September 2011). "AFL Goal of the Year 2011". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  14. "Jurrah and Franklin scoop mark, goal honours". AFL BigPond Network. 13 September 2010. Archived from the original on 16 September 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  15. Richard Nguyen (14 September 2010). "AFL - 2010 Goal Of The Year - Lance Franklin". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. SR B (9 May 2009). "2009 AFL Goal of the Year - Cyril Rioli". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  17. "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  18. "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  19. "Betts' goal provides Blues' bright spot". The Age. Melbourne. 1 October 2006.
  20. adriandaher01 (19 May 2007). "Eddie Betts Goal of the Year 2006". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  22. WestCoastEaglesVideo (12 April 2011). "Chris Judd Goal Of The Year 2005". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  23. "New faces galore in All-Australian team". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 September 2004.
  24. JWS10 (30 January 2007). "Daniel Wells goal of the year". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  25. qazplm1029384756 (9 November 2009). "Daniel Kerr 2003 Goal Of The Year". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  26. elchubenibre (13 February 2008). "Jason Akermanis Kicks the Goal Of The Year of 2002". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  27. rem120 (29 July 2006). "2001 AFL Goal of the Year" – via YouTube.
  28. elchubenibre (2 February 2010). "Michael McGuane splits the blue sea". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  29. elchubenibre (21 March 2007). "Michael longs awesome goal". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  30. Goal and Mark of the year 1982 - ABC, retrieved 5 April 2023
  31. elchubenibre (1 June 2008). "Phil Manassa". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  32. 1977 AFL Goal of the Year - Phil Manassa, retrieved 6 April 2023
  33. "Antonio's stunner takes out Goal of the Year". womens.afl. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  34. "Lions livewire doing what she does best". womens.afl. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  35. "Watch: Mark and Goal of the Year revealed". womens.afl. 26 April 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  36. "AFLW Goal of the Year - vote now". womens.afl. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  37. "AFLW: Goal of the year - 2018". AFL Media. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  38. "AFLW: The best goals of 2017". womens.afl. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
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