Norm Smith Medal
| League | Australian Football League |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | The best on ground in the VFL/AFL Grand Final |
| History | |
| First award | 1979 |
| First winner | Wayne Harmes |
| Most wins | Dustin Martin (3) |
| Most recent | Will Ashcroft |
The Norm Smith Medal is an Australian rules football award presented annually to the player adjudged the best on ground in the Grand Final of the Australian Football League (AFL). Prior to 1990, the competition was known as the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1] It was first presented in the 1979 VFL Grand Final, and it was won by Wayne Harmes, playing in Carlton's premiership victory against Collingwood.[2] The award is named in honour of Norm Smith,[2] who won four VFL premierships as a player and six as coach for the Melbourne Football Club.[3]
Dustin Martin (2017, 2019 and 2020) is the only player to win the award three times.[4] The award is usually won by a player on the winning team in the Grand Final; only four players have received the award as members of the losing teams: Maurice Rioli in 1982, Gary Ablett Sr. in 1989, Nathan Buckley in 2002, and Chris Judd in 2005.[5] The club with the most Norm Smith Medal wins is Hawthorn, with eight awards won by players representing the club. The most recent recipient of the award is Brisbane's Will Ashcroft.
Voting and presentation
[edit]The winner is voted on by a five-member panel consisting of former players, journalists and media personalities, with one member designated as the chair.[6] Each panellist independently awards three votes, two votes and one vote to the players they regard as the best, second best and third best in the match, respectively. These are tallied and the highest number of combined votes wins the medal.[7]
There is no chance of a tie for the medal; if two players are tied for votes, the following countbacks will apply in order:
- the player with the higher number of three-votes;
- the player with the higher number of two-votes;
- the player deemed best by the panel chair.[7]
Paul Chapman is the only player to win on a countback,[8] after he and Jason Gram tied with nine votes apiece in 2009.[9][10]
In some years judges were required to lodge their decisions prior to the completion of the match, to ensure votes were compiled in time for the ceremony.[11] This was changed following the 2002 AFL Grand Final, after Michael Voss had five crucial possessions in the last five minutes of the close game which could have swayed the voting, but eventually placed fourth behind Nathan Buckley.[11] After the match, three of the five judges suggested they would have voted differently if they had lodged their votes after the final siren.[11]
Prior to the 2016 season, if the grand final resulted in a draw, the game would be replayed the following week.[12] In such instances, a separate Norm Smith Medal was awarded in each game.[13] Since 2016, a drawn grand final would result in the use of extra time to determine the winner, rather than a full-match replay.[12]
The medal is presented in a post-match ceremony held immediately after the conclusion of the match. Since 2004, former Norm Smith medallists have presented the award, in the order of the year in which they won;[14] as of 2024, Gary Ablett Sr. is the only former winner to decline presenting the award;[citation needed] and Nathan Buckley's position in the sequence was skipped in 2019, as he was coaching Collingwood, who were yet to be eliminated when the decision on presenter had to be made.[15]
Recipients
[edit]
| ^ | Player was member of losing team |
Players with multiple wins
[edit]| Player | Team | Medals | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Martin | Richmond | 3 | 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| Gary Ayres | Hawthorn | 2 | 1986, 1988 |
| Andrew McLeod | Adelaide | 2 | 1997, 1998 |
| Luke Hodge | Hawthorn | 2 | 2008, 2014 |
Club totals
[edit]| Club | Total | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | 8 | 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Geelong | 5 | 1989, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2022 |
| Richmond | 5 | 1980, 1982, 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| West Coast | 5 | 1992, 1994, 2005, 2006, 2018 |
| Carlton | 4 | 1979, 1981, 1987, 1995 |
| Collingwood | 4 | 1990, 2002, 2010 replay, 2023 |
| Essendon | 4 | 1984, 1985, 1993, 2000 |
| Brisbane Lions | 3 | 2001, 2003, 2024 |
| Adelaide | 2 | 1997, 1998 |
| North Melbourne | 2 | 1996, 1999 |
| Port Adelaide | 1 | 2004 |
| St Kilda | 1 | 2010 |
| Sydney | 1 | 2012 |
| Western Bulldogs | 1 | 2016 |
| Melbourne | 1 | 2021 |
| Fremantle | 0 | — |
| Greater Western Sydney | 0 | — |
| Gold Coast | 0 | — |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Lovett 2010, p. 521
- ^ a b c Bidmeade, Robert (30 September 1979). "Blues take flag by five points". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. pp. 17, 24–25. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018 – via Trove.
- ^ "Norm Smith made AFL Legend". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 July 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Porter, Ashley (29 September 2016). "Greatest AFL finals heroes: Andrew McLeod, No.2". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ a b c "Grand final focus: Medal no comfort for Judd". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. AAP. 22 July 2018. Archived from the original on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- ^ Harrington, Anna (23 August 2017). "David King says AFL coaches should take over the voting for the Norm Smith Medal on Grand Final day". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ a b Paton, Al (28 September 2012). "Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten heads Norm Smith Medal voting panel". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Auciello, Michael (5 September 2014). "2009 Geelong Cats premiership: Paul Chapman wins Norm Smith Medal". Geelong Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ a b Ralph, Jon (29 September 2011). "Does Jason Gram deserve a retrospective Norm Smith Medal?". The Advertiser. Adelaide: News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ Lovett 2010, p. 18
- ^ a b c Quayle, Emma (1 October 2002). "AFL to delay medal vote until siren". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ a b "AFL drops replays for drawn grand finals, extra time to decide level scores". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ a b Green, Warwick (15 July 2014). "Humble Saint Lenny Hayes a true champion". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ a b "James Hird to present Norm Smith Medal at AFL grand final, league confirms". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Black, Sarah (2 September 2019). "Buckley OUT, Black IN: Former September stars to present key medals for finals". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
- ^ Connolly, Rohan (30 September 2016). "AFL finals heroes: Numbers don't lie on Richmond's Kevin Bartlett". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ De Bolfo, Tony (17 July 2012). "Bruce Doull in Carlton homecoming". carltonfc.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ "50 years of MCG memories: Maurice Rioli wins the Norm Smith Medal". richmondfc.com.au. Telstra Media. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ Holmesby & Main 2009, p. 712
- ^ Holmesby & Main 2009, p. 228
- ^ Connolly, Rohan (27 February 2015). "Essendon's back-to-back premiership men reach milestone". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ a b Holmesby & Main 2009, p. 34
- ^ Pierik, Jon (18 August 2017). "How the Carlton Blues won the 1987 premiership". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ Browne, Ashley (19 May 2014). "Ablett snr reminisces 1989 GF". geelongcats.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ Holmesby & Main 2009, pp. 758–759
- ^ Twomey, Callum (24 March 2014). "Son of Norm Smith medallist on Hawks' radar". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ McGrath, John (18 March 2003). "Tears flow as Matera calls it quits". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 3 May 2004. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Holmesby & Main 2009, pp. 495–496
- ^ "Draft steals: Dean Kemp". westcoasteagles.com.au. Telstra Media. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Macgugan, Mark (24 February 2013). "Brownlow medallist Greg Williams 'can't remember large chunks of playing days'". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Little, Craig (28 September 2017). "How a player can cope with the madness of an AFL grand final". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Bowen, Nick (31 August 2016). "AFL names the presenters of major medals". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Religion lifts Hart to football's heights". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. AAP. 30 September 2002. Archived from the original on 2 March 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Saltau, Chloe (29 September 2002). "Decorated, devastated". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Blake, Martin (28 September 2003). "Black right on the ball". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Pickett claims Norm Smith medal". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2004. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Victory to the Swans". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. AAP. 24 September 2005. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Norm Smith medallist Embley pulls the pin". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. AAP. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Steve Johnson: GWS and former Geelong forward announces retirement at end of 2017". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. AAP. 10 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Luke Hodge wins 2008 Norm Smith Medal". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: News Corp Australia. AAP. 27 September 2008. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Paine, Chris (26 September 2009). "Cats crowned 2009 AFL premiers". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Hand, Guy (25 September 2010). "Hayes wins Norm Smith Medal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Pendlebury wins Norm Smith medal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 2 October 2010. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Anderson, Jon (1 October 2011). "Jimmy Bartel wins Norm Smith Medal". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Stevens, Mark (29 September 2012). "Norm Smith Medal winner Ryan O'Keefe hard as a ROK". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (28 September 2013). "Recruiting gamble pays off as Hawk defender Lake storms to Norm Smith Medal". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (27 September 2014). "Luke Hodge joins Hawthorn greats by winning second Norm Smith Medal". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Quayle, Emma (3 October 2015). "A family affair: Cyril Rioli wins the Norm Smith Medal". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (1 October 2016). "Norm Smith: Bulldog Jason Johannisen springs a medal surprise". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Hytner, Mike (30 September 2018). "'A dream come true': Dustin Martin wins Norm Smith medal". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Blake, Martin (29 September 2018). "Shuey wins Norm Smith Medal". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (28 September 2019). "Dustin Martin wins Norm Smith Medal in 2019 AFL grand final". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ Twomey, Callum (24 October 2020). "Yellow and black to back: Tigers stun Cats in epic Grand Final comeback". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Whiting, Michael (25 September 2021). "On Trac for greatness: Record-breaking Demon clinches Norm Smith Medal". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (24 September 2022). "History maker: Veteran Cat defies age to clinch Norm Smith Medal". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ Schmook, Nathan (30 September 2023). "Bobby dazzler: Pies recruit caps magical season with Norm Smith". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Where there's a Will: Prodigious Lion wins Norm Smith". AFL.com.au. 28 September 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2009). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (8th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Bas Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921496-00-4.
- Lovett, Michael, ed. (2010). AFL Record Season Guide 2010. G. Slattery. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
External links
[edit]