Watch: Harley Reid, Bobby Hill’s spectacular acts rewarded as 2024 Mark of the Year, Goal of the Year
Harley Reid and Bobby Hill have both been officially recognised as two of the AFL’s biggest highlights reels, and are now a hefty $50,000 richer thanks to winning goal and mark of the year.
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The legend of rising West Coast superstar Harley Reid has gathered more momentum as he sprinted away with the AFL’s goal of the year award.
The No. 1 pick lived up to the considerable hype around him in his first season and likely would have won the rising star award had suspension not intervened.
But he will walk away from his debut season with some silverware, beating out Magpie Nick Daicos for the goal of the year title.
Reid’s daring run from the centre square in round 10 against Melbourne was enough to win a vote split between All-Australian selectors and the footy public.
His goal began from a centre bounce, with Reid pushing clear from Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca and taking off.
He created a gap of a couple of metres that Petracca could not close, with Reid taking two bounces and banging in the goal from just inside the 50m arc.
Daicos was twice nominated in the final three goals of the season, for running efforts against Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions respectively.
As revealed by the Herald Sun, Reid’s bank account will now be $50,000 heavier with the prize money coming his way from NAB.
And the Tongala Junior Football Club will be rejoicing too, with NAB to send the Blues $10,000.
HILL’S HIGH FLYING ANTICS REWARDED
Bobby Hill may not get the chance to relive his Norm Smith Medal heroics but the Collingwood gun has claimed a September winof his own this year, leaping to the AFL mark of the year award.
The Magpie forward floated to an absolute screamer on the head of North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben in round 14.
Hill not only floated above the pack but he got a second lift off Comben when taking the spectacular grab, which helped inspire a remarkable 54-point comeback over the Roos.
Hill took a similarly iconic grab in the grand final last year, as part of a virtuoso best-on-ground performance in the flagwin over Brisbane Lions.
He had to top teammate Jamie Elliott’s jaw-dropping Anzac Day hanger and North Melbourne youngster Zane Duursma’s spring againstRichmond in round 21.
The award was decided by a combination of fan votes and voting from the All-Australian selectors.
The high-flying Magpie will get the chance to keep jet setting, with Hill winning $50,000 and 2 million Virgin Velocity points.
O’BRIEN’S OFF-FIELD EFFORTS RECOGNISED
Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien’s advocacy of mental health support in South Australian schools has resulted him claiming the 2024 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.
The Crows’ leadership group member has been an ambassador, and lead facilitator, for the Open Parachute Mental Health Program since its inception in 2022.
The program has grown by more than 200 per cent in the last two years, impacting more than 28,000 students across 40 schools.
The 29-year-old has openly discussed his own personal experiences with mental health challenges to break down stigma and encourage open and vulnerable conversations as part of the program.
O’Brien also took it upon himself to provide training to the Crows’ first to third year players to empower them to share their own stories with students across metropolitan Adelaide.
He is also involved with other social welfare initiatives such as Bedford Industries, Australia’s second largest employer for people with a disability.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said O’Brien was a deserving winner.
“Reilly is highly deserving of this prestigious accolade and should be very proud of the
enormous impact he is having on school students across South Australia with the work he
does for the Open Parachute Mental Health Program,” he said.
“Data shows two in five Australians have experienced a mental health challenge in their
lifetime, so early education and encouraging open conversations is vitally important. For
Reilly to draw upon his own experiences to help others and connect with young people
reflects his character and embodies the work of the late Jim Stynes.”
Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said the club was proud of O’Brien.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Reilly for the way he represents our club and conducts himself
on and off the field,” Silvers said.
“He epitomises everything about prioritising others and showing genuine care – which is
one of our club’s core values.
“His courage in sharing his own experiences has had a big impact on thousands of school
students across the state, as well as some of his teammates, who now feel comfortable
and confident to have their own conversations about mental health which is very powerful.”
Jim Stynes Foundation chair Russell Howcroft said O’Brien’s work had a positive influence on young Australians.
“Reilly’s openness in sharing his own experiences is a testament to his character and his
passion for breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health,” he said.
“I know Jim would have been incredibly proud of the profound impact Reilly and all finalists
have had on the community this year.”
Fremantle’s Bailey Banfield, Sydney’s Harry Cunningham and brothers Tom (Gold Coast)
and Jarrod Berry (Brisbane) were all finalists for their
significant contribution to the community and their nominated charities.
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