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Red Bull's Mark Webber, of Australia, celebrates after wining the Brazil's Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. AP Photo/Andre Penner
Last week we voted for The Roar’s Australian sporting team of the year. This week we open voting on The Roar’s Australian sportsperson of the year, with great international performances from the likes of Mark Webber and Cadel Evans, and domestic stars such as Gary Ablett Jnr. and Billy Slater.
Who of the following athletes deserve the title of Australian sportsperson of the year?
The nominees are:
Mark Webber – Motorsport
Webber finally entered the Grand Prix winners club with victories in Germany and Brazil. Despite being limited in his pre-season preparations as he recovered from a broken leg, Webber took advantage of a competitive Red Bull, keeping highly rated teammate Sebastian Vettel honest all season.
Cadel Evans – Cycling
While his campaign to win Le Tour de France may have been derailed by a disappointing team performance, Evans went on to the claim the men’s world road championship in Switzerland with an aggressive late race attack, in addition to an impressive display at the challenging Giro d’Italia.
Steve Hooker – Athletics
Hooker added world championship success to his Olympic gold medal, overcoming injury in Berlin to jump to a courageous victory; establishing himself at the forefront of his sport and as Australia’s most successful track and field athlete at present.
Tim Cahill – Football
Timmy keeps scoring for the Socceroos, saving our national side’s blushes on more than one occasion, scoring braces against Japan in World Cup qualification and Ireland in an international friendly, and that crucial goal against Oman in the Asian Cup qualifier.
Gary Ablett Jr. – AFL
Ablett confirmed his status as the greatest in the game at present with a famous Brownlow win, his third consecutive AFL Players’ Association MVP award and, more importantly, his second premiership success with Geelong. Racking up 40 possessions plus on several occasions, Ablett was unstoppable in 2009.
Billy Slater – League
Slater won the battle of the fullbacks against Jarryd Hayne to help Melbourne Storm to NRL premiership success. His starring performance in the Four Nations final against England capped off a great year.
Mark Schwarzer – Football
The rock for the Socceroos, it has often been Schwarzer’s fine form that has saved the Socceroos on numerous occasions. With only one goal conceded in the World Cup qualification final group stage, Schwarzer was once again pivotal to the Socceroos’ success.
Jarryd Hayne – League
The Dally M victor helped vault the Parramatta Eels from the mid-pack to the NRL Grand Final with some breathtaking match-winning performances in a breakout season.
Other nominees include:
Harry Kewell – Football. Rejuvenated at Galatasaray, Kewell was also a linchpin for the Socceroos.
Matt Giteau – Rugby. The leading points scorer for the Wallabies this season and nominated for the IRB’s player of the year award.
Ricky Ponting – Cricket. Centuries in the Ashes and most runs in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament showed Ponting is one of the greatest batsmen in the game.
Craig Alexander – Triathlon. Won the challenging Hawaiian Ironman and defended his world ironman title at the age of 36!
Dani Samuels – Athletics (Field). Victory in the discus at the Berlin championships made Samuels the youngest world champion at 21.
Stephanie Gilmore – Surfing. Claimed her third world title as she follows in the footsteps of Layne Beachley.
Sharelle McMahon – Netball. Led the Melbourne Vixens to premiership success and Captain of the
Australian Netball Diamonds.
So who deserves the title?
Vote now and leave a comment to justify your decision. Voting closes next Wednesday afternoon (Dec 16).
[poll id=”61″]
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