Every best-on-ground winner from the AFL Mackay grand finals

From the under-12s right through to seniors, these are the players that stood up when it mattered most in AFL Mackay’s finals. See the list.

Plenty of players took the game by the scruff of the neck in the AFL Mackay grand finals.

North Mackay Saints had an AFL Mackay season to remember, taking out the men’s and women’s double, but who were the players that pulled their team over the line?

Re-live the clutch performances of the 2023 grand finals with every best-on-ground winner named below.

Alec Townsend

Given Townsend has two league best and fairests to his name, it should come as no surprise he took the senior men’s grand final by storm to claim best-on-ground honours. He was at his typical clean and skilful best, picking up over 20 touches and kicking a goal, but it was his elite efficiency that set him apart. He was also named in the Saints best on five occasions this season.

Alec Townsend (right) was best-on-ground for the North Mackay Saints in the AFL Mackay senior men's grand final. Club legend Frank Zeolla is pictured presenting him with the award. Picture: AFL Queensland.

Alysha Nunn

North Mackay Saints senior women’s coach James Gallagher believed her best-on-ground award on grand final day came as “somewhat of a surprise”, given he believes she’s had better performances, but that merely speaks to the class of Nunn. She contributed well and worked hard in her role on grand final day. Was named among the Saints’ best twice this season.

Alysha Nunn was best-on-ground for the North Mackay Saints in the AFL Mackay senior women's grand final. Picture: AFL Queensland.

Harry Thompson

Thompson floated between the Mackay Magpies reserves and seniors sides in 2023. Given he was named among the senior’s best on five occasions, including in their first final, Thompson was well placed to light up the reserves decider, and that he did. He was credited with best-on-ground honours as they downed the Saints 11.5 (71) to 7.4 (46).

Harry Thompson was best-on-ground for the Mackay Magpies in the AFL Mackay reserves men's grand final. Picture: AFL Queensland.

Taylor Edie

Towering Moranbah ruck Taylor Edie put on a show to be named best-on-ground as the Bulldogs downed the Whitsunday Sea Eagles 9.5 (59) to 5.3 (33) in the boy’s U17 decider. He’s a name to keep an eye on in years to come, having figured in the North Queensland Suns Academy championships last year.

Taylor Edie was best-on-ground for the Moranbah Bulldogs in the AFL Mackay U17 boy's grand final. Picture: AFL Queensland.

Elias Goss

Goss kicked two goals for the North Mackay Saints en route to best-on-ground honours as they downed the Mackay Magpies 7.7. (49) to 3.6 (24) in the boy’s U14 grand final. He kicked 24 majors in total across the season, including bags of three or more on four occasions. Was named in the Saints’ best four times over the course of the season.

Elias Goss was best-on-ground for the North Mackay Saints in the AFL Mackay U14 boy's grand final. Picture: AFL Queensland.

Winston Sutton

Sutton booted one goal for the Eastern Swans in their 6.8 (44) to 2.2 (14) U12 grand final triumph over the Whitsunday Sea Eagles, and was adjudged best-on-ground. Sutton slotted nine majors for the season and was named among the best players seven times.

Winston Sutton was best on ground for the Eastern Swans in the AFL Mackay senior U12 boy's grand final. Picture: AFL Queensland.

Originally published as Every best-on-ground winner from the AFL Mackay grand finals