‘Got to change’: Award divides AFL world, fans call for major overhaul
There are renewed calls for a shake up of an AFL award after fans were left disappointed by another Nick Daicos snub on Brownlow night.
Nick Daicos missed out on the Brownlow Medal and many footy fans believe he was unlucky to miss out on another gong on the AFL’s night of nights, amid renewed calls for a shake-up of major awards.
Daicos walked away from the Brownlow empty-handed, finishing second on 38 votes behind winner Patrick Cripps, who ran away with the award with a mammoth 45 votes.
Both Cripps and Daicos smashed the previous record for the most Brownlow votes (36), set by Dustin Martin in 2017 and Ollie Wines in 2021.
Daicos had two of the three nominations for the Goal of the Year — two goals on the run against Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
But he was overlooked for the award, which is a public vote, with West Coast rookie Harley Reid getting the nod for his superb running goal against Melbourne. Reid received $50,000 from NAB.
The first year superstar lit up Perth’s Optus Stadium against the Demons as he burst out of the middle, fending off two players before slotting a goal from just inside 50.
Recalling the goal, Reid said: “We won a hit-out here, caught the ball, thought it might take one bounce, Jake (Waterman) is on his sixth lead, throwing the arms up. I’ve gone bang, I guess and lucky enough to go through.”
While plenty were in support of Reid claiming the goal of the year honour, many believed Daicos’ multi-touch effort against the Gold Coast Suns should have received the nod.
One fan wrote on X: “Harley Reid goal of the year? That’s a joke surely.”
A second added: “Could see Harley Reid winning it from a mile away … So obvious.”
Broadcaster Adam White wrote: “They’ve got to change the way the voting system works for the goal and mark of the year.
“Harley Reid’s goal was excellent without question. But the goal Nick Daicos kicked on the Gold Coast was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Multiple involvements, high skill and in tight finish.”
All three nominations were for goals on the run from midfield and some fans wanted some variety in the nominations.
For instance, Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli wasn’t nominated for fending off three Fremantle defenders before snapping a goal over his shoulder.
Collingwood’s Bobby Hill won the AFL Mark of the Year for his high-flying grab against North Melbourne.
Last year’s Norm Smith Medallist received $50,000 and two million Velocity Points from Virgin.
There are renewed calls for the Mark and Goal of the Year awards to be awarded after the season has finished, to include games from the finals.
Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron produced a goal for the ages from the boundary in the qualifying final against Port Adelaide.
Isaac Heeney’s epic hanger over GWS defender Jack Buckley in the qualifying final was widely deemed the best goal of the year, but it couldn’t be nominated as it didn’t happen during the home-and-away season.
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