Port Adelaide’s Matt White has won the illustrious 2014 goal of the year award at the AFL’s night of nights, the 2014 Brownlow Medal.
While the Power might have been bundled out in dramatic fashion over the weekend by Hawthorn, White can take some solace that his amazing running goal secured him the top gong in that prize.
It was a close battle for the award, with Adelaide star Eddie Betts and Western Bulldogs Marcus Bontempelli also nominated with some crackers.
More Brownlow 2014:
» Live count and blog of the Brownlow Medal
» Alfred Chan’s prediction for Brownlow 2014
» Complete Brownlow 2014 guide, tips and odds
Betts’ goal was reminiscent of the great one, Gary Ablett’s, cracker from 40 metres from goal on the boundary line from last year’s vintage of goals, but even that effort wasn’t enough to get him the prize.
Securing possession close to the boundary line, Betts managed to get the outside of his right boot to the ball in banana kick-like fashion. It was an amazing effort, and a deserving nominee for the award.
But it wasn’t good enough.
The second nomination for the prize was Western Bulldogs young gun Marcus Bontempelli, who defied some early-season critics by announcing himself on the big stage through the year.
His effort against Melbourne, with the scores locked at 85 apiece, was truly remarkable. Somehow extracting the ball off the deck from the pack, Bontempelli cleared himself enough space to launch a huge bomb over the oncoming Melbourne players, and it was enough to get his team over the line in the end.
This goal was as much about the context of the game as it was the amazing skills Bontempelli showed in getting the ball through the sticks.
But it still wasn’t the best of the year.
That honour was reserved for Matt White, who outgassed any and all Richmond defenders who tried to come near him straight from a clearance. After receiving the ball just outside the defensive 50, White manages to scramble past the Richmond midfield, and launch a shaky looking kick from just inside the forward 50. It just cleared the final line of defence, and it was the best goal of the year according to the good judges.
Watch White’s amazing goal in the player above.
What do you reckon Roarers? Was this your pick for goal of the year this AFL season?