2024 sporting awards: The best and worst of a huge year in sport
State of Origin battle lines were crossed as both sides landed on the podium thanks to a pair of cutting sledges. Michael Carayannis and Brent Read deliver their 2024 sporting awards.
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Michael Carayannis and Brent Read review the best and worst of sport from 2024 a year which saw plenty of scandals, sledges and one hell of a party in Sin City.
THE SHANE WARNE AWARD FOR BLAMING IT ON YOUR MUM
An AJ Brimson bet slip created headlines when he celebrated “his” winnings on Melbourne Cup day. The Titans star posted a successful betting slip above what appeared to be two bets on rugby league. He later said the $10,000 collect was actually his mum’s. The NRL integrity unit cleared him.
BACK TO THE FUTURE AWARD
Everything old is new again in 2025. Wayne Bennett back to South Sydney, Laurie Daley in charge of the Blues, Damien Cook putting on the Red V again and Ben Hunt calling Brisbane home. Even Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury) and Michael Chee-Kam (Manly) have returned to the clubs where they made their NRL debut.
THE TAKE IT OUTSIDE AWARD
Latrell Mitchell took umbrage with some comments made by NRL360 host Braith Anasta when the pair had a chance meeting in May. They were at Chin Chin in the city when Mitchell approached Anasta and told him to come outside where an animated conversation continued.
THE FREED HOSTAGE AWARD
The Ben Hunt saga is finally over after two seasons of frustration from both parties. The Dragons captain was released from the final year of his contract just days after telling The Sunday Telegraph it “doesn’t sound like they are overly keen to keep me” after the club had failed to offer him a new deal. He eventually signed with the Broncos.
THE PANTHERS HOODOO AWARD
Recent grand final losing coaches Brad Arthur and Kevin Walters were axed after coming close to premiership success in recent seasons. Arthur remains Parramatta’s longest serving coach but his long-stint ended in May. Walters coached out the season before his surprise axing. Meanwhile, Jason Demetriou lasted just seven games before his stint at South Sydney was over. North Queensland assistant coach James Maloney was sacked after a drink driving charge.
THE ASHES AWARD
It’s not often a player is cut loose by two clubs in Australia and England in the same year. That’s exactly what former flyer David Nofoaluma was able to “achieve”. He left the Tigers in January even before a ball was kicked after failing to live up to the standards set by Benji Marshall. He played just two games before being shown the door from Salford. To cap his year, Nofoaluma irritated Tigers fans after posting an image wearing three grand final rings with the caption “three wooden spoons”, and scored two tries for Glebe Dirty Reds in their Ron Massey Cup grand final win.
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD
Angus Crichton went from reserve grader to the best forward in the competition. This time last year any club could have snatched him from the Roosters. He was also on the brink of a code switch to rugby. By the end of the year he had won the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW’s best Origin player, played in Australia’s Pacific Cup victory, signed a rich contract extension with the Roosters, and got engaged to Chloe Esegbona in London.
SPELLING BEE AWARD
The Dragons for their failure to notice Jack Bird’s misspelt 150th commemorative jersey. Bird laughed off the “Dargons” error with keen fans making their own memorabilia. The Dragons also had the incorrect month for Fa’amanu Brown’s club debut.
THE MICK ENNIS AWARD FOR THE BEST SLEDGE
Nate Myles is already in Origin folklore for playing his part in ending the punch in the interstate clash. Now a member of the Queensland coach staff, Myles couldn’t help himself when he launched a tirade against Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after he was sent off just minutes in his Origin debut in game one. The ex-Maroons star told Suaalii to “enjoy your f---ing debut” as he walked towards the tunnel.
WWE AWARD
Haumole Olakau’atu after he was banned for two games for involving himself in a sideline fight while dressed in a suit jacket as the Blues’ 19th man. An NRL match official also banned him from entering the field to celebrate with his teammates after they lifted the Origin shield at the end of game three.
CRINGE MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Fresh from giving him a thank you BBQ last year, the Tigers again paid an unusual tribute to Luke Brooks. This time they congratulated their former half with a message of support on their own website as he broke his NRL record finals drought in his first season at Manly.
SPORTSMANSHIP OF THE YEAR
Parramatta’s Joe Ofahengaue, who saw Canterbury’s Josh Curran lying motionless. The Eels forward never left Curran despite play going on and he turned Curran onto the recovery position and kept him there until trainers came.
SIN CITY AWARD
The NRL started the season with a bang after coming through with their long-awaited plan to start the season in Las Vegas. It was a massive success. However, true to rugby league, the game was overshadowed by a racism incident after Spencer Leniu’s comments towards Ezra Mam. It then exploded in the hallway of the team’s hotel later in the night when Leniu clashed with some Broncos players before being ushered away.
TEAM OF THE YEAR…TEAM OF THE DECADE…TEAM OF THE CENTURY?
The Panthers. What a dynasty. What a team. And now they can lay claim to being the second best rugby league team of all-time - behind St George’s 11 straight premiership winners. Their ability to win a fourth straight is something that seemed impossible. And the scary thing for the rest of the competition? They are every chance of going five in a row.
THE ROBBO AWARD
Goes to the Roosters who have paired coach Trent Robinson with NSW hooker Reece Robson. Robson announced a four-year deal to join the Roosters from 2026 in December.
THE BLACKLOCK/MUNDINE BACKFLIP AWARD
Kalyn Ponga takes the gong out from veteran Luke Keary. Ponga issued a strange press release saying he did not want to be considered for the Kangaroos’ end of season Test series so he could focus on Newcastle’s 2025 campaign. That went down like a lead balloon with Australian coach Mal Meninga. The pair eventually spoke and, facing a sanction, Ponga made himself available... only to be overlooked. Keary meanwhile, announced an emotional retirement with a classy video indicating that his three-time premiership winning career was ending. Just weeks later though he was convinced he still had some life in his career and joined Super League club Catalans.
THE GLORIA JEAN’S AWARD
Gorden Tallis after he rejected an approach from new Broncos coach Michael Maguire to catch up to clear the air. Tallis was scathing of Maguire’s appointment after he replaced his good mate Kevin Walters. The pair had a chance meeting at the NRL grand final where Maguire asked Tallis for a coffee. Tallis replied with ‘I don’t drink coffee’. It came just months after Tallis was pictured having a coffee with James Graham for a podcast.
IT WAS FINE WHILE IT LASTED AWARD
Josh Schuster wanted to captain Manly. He burst onto the scene backed by the late Immortal Bob Fulton and thrilled fans with his no-look passes. He inked a rich $800,000 contract but then parted ways with the Sea Eagles in April after he struggled with fitness. South Sydney threw him a lifeline.
THE JOEY JOHNS 10/10 AWARD
It was Mitchell Moses’ coming of age. In the absence of Nathan Cleary, Moses produced the best performance of his career in Origin II to keep the series alive for NSW in Melbourne. Four try assists with a kicking masterclass.
DON’T PLAY ME THERE AWARD
He may not believe he is a winger but Zac Lomax finished the season as a representative star and was in the Dally M hunt at the midway point of the year. After a few false dawns in his career, he fulfilled his talent off the back of Shane Flanagan’s decision to switch him from centre to wing. While on the field it was a success, off the field it led to Lomax splitting from the club to link with the Eels.
SBW CODE SWITCH AWARD
Joey Manu channelled Sonny Bill Williams after deciding to quit the Roosters to play rugby in Japan. He also flirted with the prospect of playing Super Rugby in New Zealand or in France. By the end of the year Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was a Wallaby. But plenty have made the move the other way, led by Mark Nawaqanitawase who made his NRL debut for the Roosters this year. A host of other former rugby players will try to make their mark next year including Carter Gordon (Titans), young Manly player Joey Walsh, Moses Leo (Melbourne), Taj Annan, Tyrone Thompson (both Newcastle) and Nathan Lawson.
DUDE WHERE’S MY CHARGER AWARD
Josh Addo-Carr lost a $500,000 contract after breaking a team camp to apparently buy a phone charger. Addo-Carr tested positive to a road side drug test, had his Canterbury contract torn up and was an Eel by the end of the year.
THE GLASSHOUSE AWARD
Michael Maguire came, saw and conquered the Origin series by adding some spice to the event. Maguire threw plenty of barbs, rattled Queensland coach Billy Slater and walked away as an Origin series winner including a series victory win at Suncorp Stadium. Slater’s “we are Queenslander’s” and Maguire’s “glass-houses” quips will live in Origin history.
WE SAY FAREWELL
Genuine good guy Aaron Woods led the players who played their last rugby league match this year. He joined Kiwi superstars Jesse Bromwich and Shaun Johnson as well as Corey Oates, Dale Finucane, Brad Parker, Jake Granville and Tyrone Peachey to bid farewell.
VALE
We pay our respect to rugby league heavyweights on and off the field who we lost this year.
David Morrow, Rob Burrow, Ian Heads, Terry Hill, Darrell Bampton, John Gocher, Geoff Robinson, Ron Lynch, Bob Lanigan, Barry Vining and Shaun Wendt.
GUT-WRENCHING MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Young South Sydney star Tyrone Munroe paid his respect to his mother, playing in an emotion charged performance two days after her death. The 19-year-old paid tribute to his mum Kirawhan Fernando by taking to the field. His uncle also died on game day. Munroe somehow found the composure to not only play but to score a runaway try.
TRY OF THE YEAR
Storm high flyer Xavier Coates claimed an early try of the year award with his round two efforts against the Warriors. The final play of the match saw Coates leap in the air from five metres out of his line to ground the ball despite the attention of opposite Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
I WISH I COULD EAT THAT AWARD
Brian To’o who revealed during grand final week that his game-day ritual features two breakfast burgers, a large bowl of chips with aioli sauce and six Coke Zeros. Food for champions.
FLATEARTHER AWARD
Matt Burton, who surprised former Panthers star Josh Mansour by saying on the Let’s Trot podcast that the Earth is “like, it’s round. But it’s obviously flat because, if it was … I don’t know”
BUMBLING BRONCOS AWARD
Their year to forget started with senior players Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan involved in a push and shove after a night out. Things would get significantly worse for the Broncos on and off the field. Ezra Mam’s ridiculous decision to drive unlicensed and testing positive for a roadside drug test in October was as bad as it gets.
So now that the superbowl is over… NRL regular programming is back.. trouble in red hill with Carrigan and Reynolds 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/BnmbLMOcRA
— NicccccD (@niccccccccd) February 12, 2024
WASN’T ME AWARD
The debate over who leaked the Latrell Mitchell white powder photo, which somehow involved Braydon Trindall’s mum and a Facebook post from a Dubbo woman who was in the picture claiming: “I like to have a bit of fun and do bags when I go out.”
THE AUDACIOUS BID AWARD
South Sydney and Latrell Mitchell after the Rabbitohs unsuccessfully tried to have the final game of the regular season count as Mitchell’s one-game ban. Mitchell was banned because of the white substance photo which led to relations between South Sydney and the NRL reaching boiling point. The Rabbitohs had two independent medical reports claiming Mitchell would be right to play if the NRL allowed him, despite having a long lay off through injury.
THE YES, NO, YES AWARD
NRL expansion. Frustrated North Sydney fans continue to cling to hope that the Bears will be back. There have been a few false dawns. It looked certain that the Western Bears would be granted entry into the competition after North Sydney and Western Australia joined together. However this bid was rejected. After protracted talks, PNG were finally granted admission in December.
THE BIG STAGE HOODOO AWARD
In AFL circles, the Colliwobbles was a phrase invented to describe the horror run when Collingwood reached nine grand finals over a 32-year period, only to lose eight of them and draw one. Do we need to start thinking about what to call the Swans’ diabolical streak? The Swandives? The Bloodsbaths? The Harbour Heartbreakers? After this year’s horror defeat to Brisbane, Sydney has now lost four grand finals in the last decade by an average of 56.5 points. Coach John Longmire had overseen them all, and has now handed the reins to Dean Cox.
THE BREAKOUT STAR AWARD
Gout Gout is only 16 but he’s already on his way to becoming a household name, not just in Australia but around the world. The schoolboy sprinting sensation, who has been compared to superstar Usain Bolt, broke Peter Norman’s 50-year-old Australian record for the 200 metres in December. Even Bolt was impressed, conceding he could see the resemblance. A star has been born.
THE FABULOUS FOXES AWARD
Was there anything more heartwarming at the Paris Olympics than watching the Fox sisters - Jess and Noémie - share in each other’s success. The pair both won gold and capped their year by winning The Don award, given to the Australian team or athlete who have most inspired the nation. They were a great choice.
THE HIGH FLYER AWARD
Nina Kennedy jetted into Paris as one of the favourites in the women’s pole vault and she didn’t disappoint. The 27-year-old saved her best for when it counted at Stade de France as she cleared 4.90m to win the gold medal. Kennedy screamed with delight and then shed tears of joy as her victory sunk in. What a night!
THE HIGH FARCE AWARD
The Paris Olympics were a brilliant Games but they didn’t get everything right. Witness the women’s boxing, which was engulfed by a biomedical firestorm over the gender identity of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. Khelif won the gold medal but only after navigating protests and politics.
THE GOLDEN GOODBYE AWARD
Emma McKeon is the most successful Olympian in Australian history and she went out with a bang in Paris. McKeon grabbed three medals as she took her Olympic haul to 14 medals in total. She had already revealed Paris would be her last Games but she announced her retirement from competitive swimming in November. Take a bow, Emma.
THE BURST THE BUBBLE AWARD
What’s that old saying about best laid plans? A few weeks before his world title fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev, Tim Tszyu and his camp were talking about plans to target Canelo Alvarez. What they didn’t count on was a devastating loss at the hands of the Russian. Tszyu was dropped four times before his brother Nikita threw in the towel. Back to the drawing board.
THE SILENT SUPERSTAR AWARD
It’s been more than two years since cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia last fought on home shores. Since then, he has become one of the most feared fighters in the world. Opetaia is now 26-0 and far and away, the best boxer in the country. He wants to unify the cruiserweight belts. Next stop, world domination.
THE IT WAS GOOD WHILE IT LASTED AWARD
Greg Norman confirmed in December that he would be replaced at the helm of LIV Golf - by the man who is in charge of Legoland. What a wild ride it has been for the Great White Shark. He took on the establishment, the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and just about anybody else who wanted a stink as he headed up LIV Golf. He made lots of golfers very, very wealthy. We tip our hat to you Greg.
THE MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH AWARD
Matt Denny went into Paris as one of the genuine contenders for a gold medal in the discus. The affable Queenslander went so close to topping the podium as well. Denny threw the discus 69.31m in the final, only 69cm off the winning mark of Roje Stona. It was a big effort from the big man.
THE GOLDEN GIRL AWARDS
The Australian swim team won seven gold medals in Paris - six of them were won by the women. Emma McKeon, Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan wrote their names into the history books with brilliant displays. They were golden girls in every sense of the word.
THE GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT AWARD
Cam McEvoy’s Olympic story had been spliced with heartbreak. As he headed to Paris for his fourth Games, he had only one thing on his mind - gold. McEvoy had shaken up his training regimen in pursuit of an elusive gold. He finally broke the drought as he took out the 50 metre freestyle. The Professor had done it.
THE TEENAGE DREAM AWARD
Arisa Trew made a bet with her parents before she flew to Paris. Win a gold medal and the 14-year-old could get a pet duck. Trew lived up to her end of the bargain as she became the youngest gold medallist in Australian history when she won the park event in the skateboarding. True to their word, her parents got her a pet duck. How good is sport!
THE BIG DOGG AWARD
Everywhere you looked in Paris, Snoop Dogg was there. The rapper and entrepreneur was drafted in by American broadcaster NBC to help their coverage and turned into the Games’ unofficial mascot. He carried the torch, he turned up at the dressage in full equestrian kit, he wore a T-shirt with a picture of Simone Biles on it.
THE MISFIRING RAYGUN AWARD
If they gave out awards for instantly iconic performances, Raygun would have been top of the podium at the Paris Olympics. Raygun’s breaking performance almost broke the internet, as she produced a series of bizarre moves while going scoreless across three rounds. She’s since retired, but the memes will live on forever.
THE LIVED UP TO THE BILLING AWARD
Nothing beats the 100 metres at an Olympic Games and when push came to shove, no-one could beat the self-declared fastest man in the world. Noah Lyles had promised to put on a show and he delivered. Covid crushed his gold medal dream in the 200 metres but there was no stopping him in the 100 metres. A new King was crowned.
WILD RIDE AWARD
David Warner put an end to a Test career which had it all when he came from the field for the final time at the SCG in January. Warner finished as one of the game’s most exciting players with a career that was never short of a headline.
THE BEST NICKNAME AWARD
If you don’t know Dyson Daniels yet, you will soon. The Australian Boomers star has taken the NBA by storm this season since being traded to the Atlanta Hawks. His defensive stats have drawn comparisons to the great Michael Jordan. He is the league’s runaway leader in steals, earning himself the coolest nickname in sports in 2024 - The Great Barrier Thief.
Originally published as 2024 sporting awards: The best and worst of a huge year in sport
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