On this last day of 2015, let’s look at the podium finishers, the unforgettables – and the very forgettables.
Gold medal
Michelle Payne for becoming the first woman jockey to win the coveted Melbourne Cup in 155 years, thanks to her superb ride on 100-1 pop Prince of Penzance. The emotional scenes with her brother Steve post race will long be remembered, so too her quote of the year.
Having thanked those close to her for support in tough times, Michelle added – “I just want to say that everyone else can get stuffed because they think women aren’t strong enough”. Go girl.
Silver medal
Johnathan Thurston, rugby league superstar winning a record fourth Dally M, a record third Golden Boot as the world’s best in the 13-man code, and booting the extra-time drop goal to clinch the Cowboys first NRL premiership in the club’s 23-year history.
He’s rugby league’s best ambassador, and an Immortal-in-waiting.
Bronze medal
Jason Day winning his first major, the USPGA Championship with a record 20-under among a career-best five wins in 2015, banking a career-best $12 million this year, and reaching number one in the world, The mouth-watering prospect of Jason, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy going head-to-head in 2016 will relive the icon days when Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nickaus reigned supreme.
The unforgettables, in no particular order
Michael Cheika for generating pride and passion in the Wallaby jersey to win the Rugby Championship, and reaching the Rugby World Cup final for a win and a loss to the mighty All Blacks.
Laura Geitz for captaining the Diamonds to win the World Cup beating New Zealand in the epic final in front of a world record 16,752 netball crowd at Allphones in Sydney, then captaining the Diamonds to retain the Constellation Cup over the Kiwis. She then led the Brisbane Firebirds to capture the Trans-Tasman championship in a nail-biter over the NSW Swifts.
Alastair Clarkson for coaching Hawthorn to a third successive AFL flag. It will be a brave punter backing against a fourth.
Ellyse Perry as the launching pad for the Australian women cricketers achieving what the men couldn’t do – win the Ashes. Ellyse scored 264 runs at 33, and took 16 wickets at 13.43 to prove the point.
Steve Smith for being the world’s highest Test run-getter in 2015 with 1474 at 71.70 from 13 Tests, and his breath of fresh air captaincy of his country. And he was the leading run-getter when Australian won the Cricket World Cup, downing the Black Caps in the final.
Coach Ange Postegcoglou and superstar Tim Cahill for combining to win the Socceroos’ first major tournament – the Asian Cup.
Craig Lowndes for winning his sixth Bathurst 1000, and cracking the barrier of 100 V8 Supercars victories – an ornament to his sport.
So too Mick Fanning who survived a July shark attack on his board in South Africa, then made a valiant attempt to win a fourth world title last week, the day after his older brother Peter died of heart complications. Mick lost in the semis, but his courage remained sky high.
The very forgattables
Nick Kyrgios who couldn’t care less what people think of his outlandish behaviour on and off the tennis court as he continues to self-destruct, bringing disrepute to his country, and his sport.
Andrew Johns continues to severely damage the Immortal brand with loutish behaviour in public. How he became an Immortal ahead of Ken Irvine, Norm Provan, Peter Sterling and Mal Meninga defies description.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke for saying his dog Jerry would be a better Australian cricket coach than John Buchanan.
The Queensland Rugby League for offering Paul Green the Origin job ahead of Kevin Walters to replace Meninga, the new Kangaroos coach. Cowboy coach Green knocked back the offer and eventually the QRL appointed Walters. The QRL was lucky Kevin didn’t tell them to shove it.
Welsh banker and rugby-lover Dave Smith is gone as the NRL chief exec after three years of not understanding rugby league. Pity he didn’t take the chairman John Grant with him.
May the forgettables be far less in 2016, happy New Year Roarers.
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