Well folks, this is it – the final category in The Roar’s Sports Awards 2016 for you to decide.
We’ve covered plenty of categories so far, from Sports Personality of the Year to Team of the Year to Sportswoman of the Year. Now, it’s time to vote for the Sportsman of the Year.
As always, there were plenty of Australia’s male athletes doing everyone proud with some truly remarkable seasons. We’ve narrowed that group down to aa shortlist of seven, but now it’s up to you to decide who was the best of the best.
Missed out on the other awards? Vote here:
» Sportswoman of the Year
» Breakout Sports Star of the Year
» Sports Media Personality of the Year
» Team of the Year
» Sports Personality of the Year
Let’s run through the nominees.
Swimming
Chalmers shocked everyone by snatching the gold medal for the men’s 100m freestyle in Rio. Despite starting in lane four, he was right back in the field for the first 75 metres of the race before producing a withering burst of pace at the end to claim a famous victory.
AFL
After moving home to Geelong at the end of 2015, Dangerfield not only lived up to the lofty expectations around him, he smashed them. Right from Round 1 – a match-winning 44-disposal outing against reigning premiers Hawthorn – he was sublime, guiding the Cats to a top-four finish and cruising to a Brownlow Medal with a record-breaking 35 votes.
Golf
Day was sublime in 2016, particularly early in the year. His three event wins, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, all came in the first half of 2016, and even though he trailed off slightly as the year came to an end, he still finds himself perched at the top of the world rankings.
Tennis
Say what you will about Kyrgios, there’s no doubting he’s one hell of a talent. Although there was the usual mix of on and off-field issues, 2016 saw Kyrgios finish the year ranked 13 in the world. The 21-year-old also picked up his first three career titles, showing he might just be set to fulfil his enormous potential.
Football
After starring for Melbourne City early in the year (missing out on the Johnny Warren Medal by a single vote), Mooy was snatched up by Manchester City before being loaned out to Huddersfield, where he proved an immediate success with his passing, assists and eye for goal.
Formula 1
Not only did Ricciardo bring the shoey to the rest of the world, but he also had an excellent year on the track, equaling a career-best third finish in the driver’s championship with a personal record of 256 points, all despite having a noticeably slower car than Mercedes’ table-topping duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
Cricket
For all Australian cricket’s ups and downs in 2016, Starc’s place in the team has never been questioned. Aside from confirming his status as one of the best one-day bowlers going around, he also blossomed as a Test bowler, picking up 38 wickets from six matches at an average of 20.68.
Hammertime
Guest
Such a fan od Jason day. Brilliant story behind his success. Never plays a bad round. I think Tiger Woods ( a good mate of his) recommended he take a long break to sort his back out. He's absolutely driven.
brumby bill
Guest
ditto
Mango Jack
Guest
Yes I do, but like I said, I don't follow it much so I guess Day doesn't register much with me. According to that argument, the short list should consist entirely of soccer players. Each to their own. I just happen to admire Dangerfield's skills.
Rory
Guest
Sad to see how bare the aussie sports cupboard is looking
me too
Guest
Jason Day ahead of Chalmers, then Ricciardo. then daylight.
James Hall
Guest
What about Tim Reed , Australian Asia Pacific and World Champion Iron man???
jamesb
Guest
Jason Day by the length of the straight.
70s Mo
Guest
Jameson: Places like Skull Island, Smugglers Cove, Treasure Island, Port Royal and Pirate Bay take sailing very seriously arrrrrrrrrr
jameswm
Roar Guru
From that list I wold go 1. Jason Day 2. Kyle Chalmers 3. Mitchell Starc 4. the rest
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah I'd have Day ahead, but it's a tough call. In swimming you're the best in that event, in gold if's the best in the whole sport. Having said that, winning the 100 free is not like winning the 400 IM.
jameswm
Roar Guru
How many countries in the world take sailing seriously? He had to beat what, 50 other people in the world who do that category of yachting seriously? To go to World Champs in sailing this is how you qualify - you pay the application fee. Compare to Chalmers - the premier swimming event, something every swimmer in the world would aim at.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I wold have Matthew Wade ahead of him.
jameswm
Roar Guru
How can an Aussie Rules player get it ahead of a golfer? Do you have any idea how big golf is in the USA and parts of Europe?
Brian
Guest
Chalmers for me. The 100m Swimming is a marquee event.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Ditto Richard and Ditto Machooka - although chook always copy what I say ? Just hope Day's back improves as he has perennial problems with it .
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I'd vote Jason Day if he ever bothered to come home and play his home Open (like Scott does every year)
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Chalmers gets my vote, although I would have liked to see Dylan Alcott make his way onto the nominations sheet. Regardless, a great field of Aussies sportsmen, each and everyone of them has had a spectacular 2016 and will hopefully produce even more in the near future.
70s Mo
Guest
Jason Day
Torchbearer
Guest
Maybe- but at least Jason Day is World Number 1 in his (major) sport.
DLKN
Guest
So Tom Burton's amazing Olympic gold medal in sailing won itself, did it? I can't believe he's not even on the shortlist.