With the end of the year comes the end of season awards, and in keeping with the spirit of the site you will decide who wins in The Roar‘s Sports Awards 2016.
We’ve got six different categories for you to find a winner in, including Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, and Team of the Year. Up first, though, is Sports Personality of the Year.
We want to know which Aussie athlete you think had the biggest and best presence away from the field in 2016 – although we’ll leave the finer points of the criteria up to you.
All we’ll do is introduce our shortlist, then let you decide who should take home the award.
Basketball
Cambage might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no doubt she’s got a unique presence off the court.
Whether it was publicly railing against people dressing up using ‘blackface’, opening up about her battle against depression, or getting into seemingly constant Twitter spats with Andrew Bogut, Cambage certainly found her way into the headlines during 2016.
Surfing
One of Australian surfing’s best-known exponents, Fitzgibbons is seemingly a constant presence on all things social media, whether it be Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. She’s also sponsored by everyone.
Swimming
Horton certainly had one hell of an Olympics in 2016. Not only did he grab a surprise gold medal in the men’s 400m freestyle by beating out favourite Sun Yang, he followed it up by laying into the Chinese superstar about his previous doping ban.
He might have earned himself plenty of vitriol on social media from Yang’s outraged followers, but Horton also garnered a heap of respect for his no-nonsense stance, as well as a multitude of new Aussie fans.
Tennis
Say what you will about Kyrgios’ on-field performances or the wisdom in getting into a public Twitter spat with Australia’s chef de mission, Kitty Chiller, in the lead-up to the Olympics, but he’s certainly never been shy of creating a headline. Ever.
AFL
Liberatore was seemingly everywhere in the aftermath of the Western Bulldogs’ drought-breaking grand final success. He gave a few memorable interviews on the day, including something about scoring a century at the MCG which didn’t really make too much sense, and followed it up by popping up in Asia, getting a God-awful haircut and running around for the Vietnam Swans.
Cycling
The proud daughter of a coal miner, Anna Meares brought her stellar cycling career to a close in typically admirable fashion at the Rio Olympics. Chosen as Australia’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony, Meares reacted to her lower than expected return of a single bronze medal with nothing but class.
Formula 1
The post-race shoey – sculling a drink out of a shoe – is now definitely a thing, and it’s all thanks to Aussie Dan Ricciardo, who continued to establish himself as one of Australia’s most popular athletes.
Rugby league
Never mind the ‘third-man Sam’ moniker – Thaiday consistently came across as a well-spoken, funny and witty player in just about every interview he gave this year. The obvious case in point was his wonderful quip about Queensland’s gutsy victory in State of Origin 1 this year.
“It was a bit like losing your virginity,” said Thaiday. “It wasn’t very nice but we got the job done.”
Agent11
Guest
ok grandpa
reuster75
Guest
Sally Fitzgibbons - an utterly dominant year which saw her finish streaks ahead of her closest challenger.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Ricciardo must be a lock. Not only a character but an imminently likeable one who also has enormous talent. Ticks every box. And champagne shoesies with Gerard Butler? Pure gold.
Krash
Guest
She gets my vote...should be a standout winner. The fact she isn't even on this list is pathetic! Your drunk the roar! Go home.
aussikiwi
Guest
Don't worry mate, it evident to all you don't do subtlety and nuance. Just leaden sarcasm.
offsider
Guest
My vote goes to Bruno Fornoroli ,just throw away those cue cards and to tell us what you really feel.
Timbo
Guest
You've got to give us poms a break, Chook. The Aussie 'subtlety' and 'wit' just goes over our heads. Take, for example, today's 'Australian'. It's got a picture of Eddie Jones portrayed as a..................................clown. Now that will make many simple poms giggle behind their hands at the childishness and lack of originality. But, because I spend some time on this site, I suspect, it's a complex, ironic, multi-layered statement on the whole 'clown genre' in sports journalism in the SH. You see? I'm learning, Chook, I'm learning.
Timbo
Guest
'I think it’s based on “personality” rather than sporting excellent mate!' Not sure the list would be much difference if it was based on Aussie 'sporting excellence', Will. I reckon we could drag up a couple of dozen Olympic gold medallists, numerous boxing world champions, a formula one world champion and a few others if I put my mind to it, if you've had enough of our 'drug-addled cyclists, Scottish tennis players and Welsh footballers.'
Timbo
Guest
Geez, AK. You're coming across as a bit of a stalker, mate.
13th Man
Guest
Matthew Wade!! "Nooooiiiiiiiiiice Garyyyyy"
Stuart Thomas
Expert
He was a bit angry wasn't he?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
You might be right here e-meter, more horseanilty than the others.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Agreed
fernm7119
Guest
Hahaha Nick Kyrgios - useless player and even worse personality!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Agree.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Just another Kiwi type eh?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Timbo... please refrain from making comment on these pages until you can prove that you understand a certain nuance that make these type of articles a 'go to' for those who do :) If this upsets you lovey then I know you definitely don't understand.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Absa- bloody- lutely!
Riordan Lee
Editor
This is my favourite comment of 2016.
Riordan Lee
Editor
It would be un-Australian not to vote for Nick Kyrgios.