Matildas, cricket dominate NRL and AFL as Australia’s top Google Searches revealed

New data proves 2023 truly was the year of Sam Kerr and the Matildas, with international stars leaving domestic footy codes behind.

It’s often said Australia is a sporting nation and that was once again proved true in 2023 judging by the Google Search trends of the year.

Google has revealed what Aussies were searching this year and sport stars and major sporting events were front of mind for many.

Six of the 10 most searched people were high profile sports people.

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Sam Kerr was the most googled person this year, which checks out given her recent engagement and a whirlwind FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign that began with a disastrous calf injury.

In second spot was her Matildas teammate Mary Fowler, who has emerged as Kerr’s heir apparent and the quintessential Gen Z athlete — making headlines on the pitch and off it through her budding romance with Nathan Cleary.

Also in the top 10 were former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke at No. 3 (who could forget that Noosa scandal), Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh at No. 4, and Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter at No. 9.

Sam Kerrr is out most popular sports star. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Everyone loved the Matildas in 2023. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Boxing star Tim Tszyu was the seventh most googled name this year thanks to his three statement wins over Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza.

But there wasn’t much room for football stars from the AFL and the NRL in the top 10 — only Walsh featured and Cleary missed out despite claiming his third straight premiership with the Penrith Panthers.

As for the most googled sporting events of the year, the Cricket World Cup and the Ashes took the top spots, while the Big Bash League came in fifth.

The contingent of Indians living in Australia likely helped the ODI showpiece garner a huge number of searches, despite Australia spoiling the party with a huge upset in the final.

The Women’s FIFA World Cup on home soil drew the third most searches, while major fights such as Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury and Alex Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev at 294 also appeared in the top 10.

Elsewhere, soccer’s Champions League, FA Cup, LIV Golf and tennis’ United Cup were among the top searched sporting events by Australians.

Nathan Cleary couldn’t get a look in. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Reece Walsh was the only NRL or AFL player in the top 10. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Interestingly, the NRL, State of Origin series and AFL didn’t feature in the top 10 for sporting events — potentially overlooked in a year filled with World Cups and major events.

It’s easy to forget the Ashes, FIFA Women’s World Cup, Basketball’s FIBA World Cup, ODI Cricket World Cup, women’s T20 World Cup, Netball World Cup and Rugby World Cup all took place this year.

In other categories, How to watch Women’s World Cup was the most searched ‘how to’ question this year, while plenty of Aussies were googling how to watch the Ashes and the Rugby World Cup.

Music icon Tina Turner, beloved for her adopted rugby league anthem ‘The Best’, was the fourth most googled celebrity that passed away in 2023.

Originally published as Matildas, cricket dominate NRL and AFL as Australia’s top Google Searches revealed