Western Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen has come from nowhere to win the 2016 Norm Smith medal in the AFL Grand Final.
Johannisen, who was a generous $21 smokey for the Norm Smith medallist heading into the match, was adjudged to be the best player on the ground during the Bulldogs’ premiership drought-breaking 89-67 win against the Sydney Swans in the grand final.
All the wash-up from the AFL Grand Final
» Match report: Bulldogs are premiers!
» BUCKLAND: The West wins one for all
» Seven talking points from the match
» Our top ten tweets from the day
» Another classic Bulldogs banner
» Re-live all the action with our live blog
The hard-running defender provided plenty of carry and penetration during the AFL’s biggest game of the year to take home the award for best player on the ground.
Johannisen finished with 33 disposals – 25 of them kicks – and thought he’d snared himself the premiership-sealing goal late in the fourth quarter, only for it to be ruled a behind on review, with Jeremy Laidler getting a fist to the ball just before it crossed the line.
Johannisen beat out a number of stunning performances to claim the Norm Smith.
Sydney’s Josh Kennedy was immense for the losing side, finishing with 34 disposals and three crucial goals for the minor premiers, while Liam Picken produced an outstanding performance for the Bulldogs.
Also in contention for the best-on-ground award was big forward Tom Boyd, who put in a display worth every cent of his big-money contract. Boyd finished with eight marks, many of which were crucial in hemming the Swans in their own back 50, and kicked three important goals.
The voting revealed that all four players were right in contention, although it was Kennedy who was the closest to pipping Johannisen for the medal. The Swans star was the only player to earn votes from all five judges.
10: Jason Johannisen, Western Bulldogs (3,3,2,2)
8: Josh Kennedy, Sydney Swans (3,2,1,1,1)
7: Tom Boyd, Western Bulldogs (3,1,3)
5: Liam Picken, Western Bulldogs (2,2,1)
Judges
Michael Voss (Sen 1116) – 3: Johannisen; 2: Picken 1: Kennedy.
Jay Clark (The Herald Sun) – 3: Kennedy; 2: Johannisen; 1: Picken.
Brad Johnson (Fox Footy) – 3: Johannisen; 2: Kennedy; 1: Boyd.
Emma Quayle (The Age) – 3: Boyd; 2: Johannisen; 1: Kennedy.
Wayne Carey (Channel 7) – 3: Boyd; 2: Picken; 1: Kennedy.
| Marcus Bontempelli | $8 |
| Lance Franklin | $8.50 |
| Josh P. Kennedy | $8.50 |
| Dan Hannebery | $8.50 |
| Luke Parker | $8.50 |
| Isaac Heeney | $15 |
| Tom Mitchell | $18 |
| Luke Dahlhaus | $18 |
| Kieren Jack | $21 |
| Jason Johannisen | $21 |
| Lachie Hunter | $21 |
| Jack Macrae | $23 |
| Tom Liberatore | $23 |
| Liam Picken | $23 |
| Matthew Boyd | $23 |
| Dane Rampe | $26 |
| Kurt Tippett | $31 |
| Jarrad McVeigh | $34 |
| Caleb Daniel | $34 |
| Easton Wood | $34 |
| Jake Stringer | $34 |
| Ben McGlynn | $34 |
| Gary Rohan | $41 |
| Jake Lloyd | $51 |
| Clay Smith | $51 |
| Callum Mills | $51 |
| Josh Dunkley | $51 |
| Tom Papley | $51 |
| Tory Dickson | $67 |
| Toby McLean | $67 |
| Shane Biggs | $81 |
| Jordan Roughead | $81 |
| Tom Boyd | $81 |
| Sam Naismith | $101 |
| George Hewett | $101 |
| Heath Grundy | $101 |
| Jeremy Laidler | $101 |
| Zac Jones | $101 |
| Dale Morris | $101 |
| Joel Hamling | $101 |
| Xavier Richards | $101 |
| Nick Smith | $101 |
| Zaine Cordy | $126 |
| Fletcher Roberts | $151 |
Odds correct as of 1:30pm (AEST), October 1
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
Amid all the hysteria and gnashing of teeth that accompanies any team following a particular galling loss, it's worth remembering at all times that…
Geelong coach Chris Scott has hit out at the AFL Tribunal's decision to clear Charlie Cameron for his dangerous tackle on Jake Lever, saying…
Bevo loves playing VFL players in the AFL and in many ways, he is this era's Kevin Sheedy, except a poor man’s version of him.
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
The Western Bulldogs have elected to place star midfielder Tom Liberatore into the AFL's concussion protocols after a concerning incident in the last quarter…
