Ratings: Who should win goal of the year?
IT comes down to whether you like dribblers, scissor kicks or soccer strikes, for all are on display in a vintage season of contenders for Goal of the Year. Jon Anderson rates the five best. WATCH, VOTE
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IT comes down to whether you like dribblers, scissor kicks or soccer strikes, for all are on display in a vintage season of contenders for Goal of the Year.
The dribbler came from Devon Smith at Metricon Stadium, and it had extreme length and accuracy, plus some candy selling prior to contact.
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The scissor kick was Luke Parker’s World Cup impression against the Eagles, when he had the presence of mind to propel a right footer over his head between three Eagles.
As for soccer strikes, that would be the domain of Jack Steven when he made a stunning mid-air strike with a loose ball at Etihad Stadium.
And then there is whatever description you come up with for Jack Higgins moment of genius at the MCG last Saturday when he navigated a goalpost, goal line and Darcy Moore to kick what many believe will be goal of the year.
I say “many” because I’m in the Charlie Cameron camp for a goal on April 22 at the Gabba that brought back memories of Gary Ablett Snr’s mercurial burst against Collingwood at the MCG in 1989.
Cameron hit the ball running and then recovered to be involved twice more before completing a goal that rates very highly in the degree of difficulty stakes.
Geelong fans will no doubt argue for the pressures Zach Tuohy overcame when he kicked truly to seal the most remarkable of victories over Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium. But it was just 35m out, and it was straight in front.
Or Magpies will ask why Brodie Grundy’s extraordinary running and bouncing goals at Adelaide Oval against the Crows in Rd 4 isn’t a top five nominee? Both Grundy and Tuohy will have their admirers, but for mine neither betters this quintet of classics.
FIVE GOALS OF 2018
1: Charlie Cameron, Rd 5 (Brisbane)
Unlike Gary Ablett snr Cameron, on the burst, flies but spills an over head mark before recovering like a cat and displaying the foresight to push the ball forward. He then takes it on the bounce, handballs to Lewis Taylor and keeps running.as Ryan Lester misses the mark. But Charlie isn’t done with, gathering the ball and evading a Lachie Weller tackle, and while heading away from goals snaps back over his head for a 30m gem.
2: Jack Higgins, Rd 19 (Richmond)
Displaying a genius he didn’t always produce in the classroom, Higgins finds himself restricted by a goalpost and goal line, so he places the ball in the air with his left-hand, navigates a post and then makes legal contact with his right boot while Darcy Moore, and most of the crowd, try to work out what in the hell just happened.
3: Luke Parker, Rd 1 (Sydney)
With the game in the balance at Optus Stadium in Perth, Luke Parker finds himself just outside his own goalsqaure with three Eagles closing, so before they can pounce he borrows from the soccer World Cup to produce a scissors kick for the ages.
4: Devon Smith, Rd 17 (Essendon)
Cleverly traps a bouncing ball inside 50m on the Metricon Stadium boundary, then baulks a charging Gold Coast defender in Jesse Joyce before sending an explorative spinning ball goalwards. It tumbles forward as Rory Thompson dives in vain only to despairingly watch the ball dissect the Essendon goals.
5: Jack Steven, Rd 18 (St Kilda)
A defensive punch from Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin heads towards point territory. Enter Jack Steven and Bruce McAvaney. “Vlastuin, decided to punch it away … Jack Steven, oh no, oh no, ohhhh yesss,” as Steven’s outstretched right boot makes mid-air contact with the ball and splits the middle.
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Originally published as Ratings: Who should win goal of the year?