Norm Smith Medal
{{Short description|Australian rules football award}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox sports award
| name = Norm Smith Medal
| league = Australian Football League
| givenfor = The best on ground in the VFL/AFL Grand Final
| first = 1979
| firstwinner = Wayne Harmes
| mostwins = Dustin Martin (3)
| mostrecent = 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).{{harvnb|Lovett|2010|p=521}} 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. The award is named in honour of Norm Smith, who won four VFL premierships as a player and six as coach for the Melbourne Football Club.{{cite news |title=Norm Smith made AFL Legend |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-07-19/norm-smith-made-afl-legend/2507848 |access-date=22 July 2018 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=20 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029015200/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-07-19/norm-smith-made-afl-legend/2507848 |archive-date=29 October 2016}}
Dustin Martin (2017, 2019 and 2020) is the only player to win the award three times.{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Ashley |title=Greatest AFL finals heroes: Andrew McLeod, No.2 |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/greatest-afl-finals-heroes-andrew-mcleod-no2-20160926-grp0q1.html |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=29 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627101823/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/greatest-afl-finals-heroes-andrew-mcleod-no2-20160926-grp0q1.html |archive-date=27 June 2018 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |title=Grand final focus: Medal no comfort for Judd |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/afl/grand-final-focus/2005/09/25/1127586746434.html |access-date=22 July 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |agency=AAP |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624074005/http://www.smh.com.au/news/afl/grand-final-focus/2005/09/25/1127586746434.html |archive-date=24 June 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} 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
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.{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Anna |title=David King says AFL coaches should take over the voting for the Norm Smith Medal on grand final day |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/david-king-says-afl-coaches-should-take-over-the-voting-for-the-norm-smith-medal-on-grand-final-day/news-story/46e35a569fa399f692df9dc79884f224 |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825103213/http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/david-king-says-afl-coaches-should-take-over-the-voting-for-the-norm-smith-medal-on-grand-final-day/news-story/46e35a569fa399f692df9dc79884f224 |archive-date=25 August 2017 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Paton |first1=Al |title=Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten heads Norm Smith Medal voting panel |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/former-carlton-coach-brett-ratten-heads-norm-smith-medal-voting-panel/news-story/24f3a5f9a4f49278cd49d6fcd0ab99ae?sv=a6cba71c0bd6cfd45a54abd667204363 |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627085435/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/former-carlton-coach-brett-ratten-heads-norm-smith-medal-voting-panel/news-story/24f3a5f9a4f49278cd49d6fcd0ab99ae?sv=a6cba71c0bd6cfd45a54abd667204363 |archive-date=27 June 2018 |url-status=live}}
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.
Paul Chapman is the only player to win on a countback,{{cite news |last1=Auciello |first1=Michael |title=2009 Geelong Cats premiership: Paul Chapman wins Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-cats-premiership-years/2009-geelong-cats-premiership-paul-chapman-wins-norm-smith-medal/news-story/ee02b2f669c73374c2e0630f05177e7f |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=Geelong Advertiser |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=5 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630135406/https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-cats-premiership-years/2009-geelong-cats-premiership-paul-chapman-wins-norm-smith-medal/news-story/ee02b2f669c73374c2e0630f05177e7f?nk=a4f2a762aaf8f9315bf232d1d15441a7-1532238200 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} after he and Jason Gram tied with nine votes apiece in 2009.{{cite news |last1=Ralph |first1=Jon |title=Does Jason Gram deserve a retrospective Norm Smith Medal? |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/does-jason-gram-deserve-a-retrospective-norm-smith-medal/news-story/337b23885cd7595e879fda2b2a46c1b3?sv=864d9d0df65bc133bb38259a5bd495f6 |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The Advertiser |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628094408/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/does-jason-gram-deserve-a-retrospective-norm-smith-medal/news-story/337b23885cd7595e879fda2b2a46c1b3?sv=864d9d0df65bc133bb38259a5bd495f6 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |location=Adelaide |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{harvnb|Lovett|2010|p=18}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Quayle |first1=Emma |author-link1=Emma Quayle |title=AFL to delay medal vote until siren |url=https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/30/1033283436564.html |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=1 October 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712075335/https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/30/1033283436564.html |archive-date=12 July 2017 |location=Melbourne |url-status=live}} 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. After the match, three of the five judges suggested they would have voted differently if they had lodged their votes after the final siren.
Prior to the 2016 season, if the grand final resulted in a draw, the game would be replayed the following week.{{cite news |title=AFL drops replays for drawn grand finals, extra time to decide level scores |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-19/afl-to-drop-grand-final-replays/7339308 |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108000044/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-19/afl-to-drop-grand-final-replays/7339308 |archive-date=8 November 2016 |url-status=live}} In such instances, a separate Norm Smith Medal was awarded in each game.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Warwick |author-link1=Warwick Green |title=Humble Saint Lenny Hayes a true champion |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda/humble-saint-lenny-hayes-a-true-champion/news-story/f76498fc03b1ad0cc718b35d7395af0c |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627073450/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda/humble-saint-lenny-hayes-a-true-champion/news-story/f76498fc03b1ad0cc718b35d7395af0c |archive-date=27 June 2018 |url-status=live}} Since 2016, a drawn grand final would result in the use of extra time to determine the winner, rather than a full-match replay.
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;{{cite news |title=James Hird to present Norm Smith Medal at AFL grand final, league confirms |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-10/james-hird-to-present-norm-smith-medal-at-afl-grand-final/8794676 |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217032236/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-10/james-hird-to-present-norm-smith-medal-at-afl-grand-final/8794676 |archive-date=17 December 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} as of 2024, Gary Ablett Sr. is the only former winner to decline presenting the award;{{fact|date=September 2021}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=Buckley OUT, Black IN: Former September stars to present key medals for finals |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/132475/buckley-out-black-in-former-september-stars-to-present-key-medals-for-finals |access-date=20 January 2020 |work=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |date=2 September 2019}}
Recipients
{{Multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| align = right
| image1 = Amcleod.jpg
| image2 = Dustin Martin 2017.3.jpg
| width1 = 185
| width2 = 175
| footer = Andrew McLeod and Dustin Martin are the only players to have won consecutive Norm Smith Medals. McLeod won in 1997 and 1998, while Martin won in 2019 and 2020.
| alt = A male athlete with dark hair wearing a sleeveless jersey and shorts runs on the grass surface of the playing arena.
}}
File:Nathan Buckley 2017.jpg is one of just four players to have received the Norm Smith Medal as a member of the losing grand final team, winning the award in 2002.|alt=A male athlete with light hair wearing a polo shirt and pants walks on the grass surface of the playing arena.]]
File:Chris_Judd.jpg is the most recent player to receive the medal as a member of the losing grand final team, winning in 2005.|alt=A male athlete with dark hair wearing a jumper sits in a chair.]]
File:Luke Hodge 2008.jpg is one of just four players to have won multiple Norm Smith Medals, winning in 2008 and 2014.|alt=A male athlete with dark hair wearing a sleeved jersey smiles at camera.]]
File:Paul Chapman.jpg is the only player to win the Norm Smith Medal on a countback, winning in 2009.|alt=A male bald-headed athlete wearing a sleeved jersey and shorts standing on the grass surface of the playing arena.]]
File:7. Lenny Hayes, St Kilda FC 03.jpg is the only player to have won a Norm Smith medal in a drawn grand final, doing so in 2010.|alt=A male athlete with dark hair wearing a sleeved jersey and compression pants runs on the boundary of the grass surface of the playing arena.]]
| class="wikitable"
|+ Table key |style="background-color:#FBCEB1; width:3em"|^ |Player was member of losing team |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Table of recipients |
| scope=col | Year
! scope=col | Recipient ! scope=col | Club ! scope=col class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| 1979
! scope=row | {{sortname|Wayne|Harmes}} | {{AFL Car}} | {{cite news |last1=Bidmeade |first1=Robert |title=Blues take flag by five points |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110601648/12392615 |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The Canberra Times |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=30 September 1979 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628074756/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110601648/12392601 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |pages=17; 24–25 |via=Trove |url-status=live}} |
| 1980
! scope=row | {{sortname|Kevin|Bartlett|dab=Australian rules footballer}} | {{AFL Ric}} |
| 1981
! scope=row | {{sortname|Bruce|Doull}} | {{AFL Car}} |
| 1982
! scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" | {{sortname|Maurice|Rioli}}^ | {{AFL Ric}} |
| 1983
! scope=row | {{sortname|Colin|Robertson|dab=Australian rules footballer}} | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 1984
! scope=row | {{sortname|Billy|Duckworth}} | {{AFL Ess}} |
| 1985
! scope=row | {{sortname|Simon|Madden}} | {{AFL Ess}} |
| 1986
! scope=row | {{sortname|Gary|Ayres}} | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 1987
! scope=row | {{sortname|David|Rhys-Jones}} | {{AFL Car}} |
| 1988
! scope=row | {{sortname|Gary|Ayres}} (2) | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 1989
! scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" | {{sortname|Gary|Ablett Sr.}}^ | {{AFL Gee}} |
| 1990
! scope=row | {{sortname|Tony|Shaw|dab=Australian rules footballer}} | {{AFL Col}} |
| 1991
! scope=row | {{sortname|Paul|Dear}} | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 1992
! scope=row | {{sortname|Peter|Matera}} | {{AFL WC}} |
| 1993
! scope=row | {{sortname|Michael|Long|dab=footballer}} | {{AFL Ess}} |
| 1994
! scope=row | {{sortname|Dean|Kemp}} | {{AFL WC}} |
| 1995
! scope=row | {{sortname|Greg|Williams|dab=Australian footballer}} | {{AFL Car}} |
| 1996
! scope=row | {{sortname|Glenn|Archer}} | {{AFL NM}} |
| 1997
! scope=row | {{sortname|Andrew|McLeod}} | {{AFL Ade}} |
| 1998
! scope=row | {{sortname|Andrew|McLeod}} (2) | {{AFL Ade}} |
| 1999
! scope=row | {{sortname|Shannon|Grant}} | {{AFL NM}} |
| 2000
! scope=row | {{sortname|James|Hird}} | {{AFL Ess}} |
| 2001
! scope=row | {{sortname|Shaun|Hart}} | {{AFL BL}} |
| 2002
! scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" | {{sortname|Nathan|Buckley}}^ | {{AFL Col}} |
| 2003
! scope=row | {{sortname|Simon|Black}} | {{AFL BL}} |
| 2004
! scope=row | {{sortname|Byron|Pickett}} | {{AFL|PA}} |
| 2005
! scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" | {{sortname|Chris|Judd}}^ | {{AFL WC}} |
| 2006
! scope=row | {{sortname|Andrew|Embley}} | {{AFL WC}} |
| 2007
! scope=row | {{sortname|Steve|Johnson|dab=Australian footballer}} | {{AFL Gee}} |
| 2008
! scope=row | {{sortname|Luke|Hodge}} | {{AFL Haw}} | {{cite news |title=Luke Hodge wins 2008 Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/hodge-judged-best-afield/news-story/b514d6b15c764ada0cb26f3dbcdc228c?sv=6053f49836e5e64ecb5515ecb65ed3fb |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=The Courier-Mail |agency=AAP |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=27 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820051614/http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/hodge-judged-best-afield/news-story/b514d6b15c764ada0cb26f3dbcdc228c?sv=6053f49836e5e64ecb5515ecb65ed3fb |archive-date=20 August 2017 |location=Brisbane |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} |
| 2009
! scope=row | {{sortname|Paul|Chapman|dab=Australian footballer}} | {{AFL Gee}} |
| 2010
! scope=row | {{sortname|Lenny|Hayes}} | {{AFL StK}} |
| 2010 (R)
! scope=row | {{sortname|Scott|Pendlebury}} | {{AFL Col}} |
| 2011
! scope=row | {{sortname|Jimmy|Bartel}} | {{AFL Gee}} | {{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Jon |title=Jimmy Bartel wins Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jimmy-bartel-wins-norm-smith-medal/news-story/7bdf7e3c3b64def36981828ef33dda96 |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909064235/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jimmy-bartel-wins-norm-smith-medal/news-story/7bdf7e3c3b64def36981828ef33dda96 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |location=Melbourne |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} |
| 2012
! scope=row | {{sortname|Ryan|O'Keefe}} | {{AFL Syd}} |
| 2013
! scope=row | {{sortname|Brian|Lake}} | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 2014
! scope=row | {{sortname|Luke|Hodge}} (2) | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 2015
! scope=row | {{sortname|Cyril|Rioli}} | {{AFL Haw}} |
| 2016
! scope=row | {{sortname|Jason|Johannisen}} | {{AFL WB}} |
| 2017
! scope=row | {{sortname|Dustin|Martin}} | {{AFL Ric}} | {{cite news |last1=Hytner |first1=Mike |title='A dream come true': Dustin Martin wins Norm Smith medal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/30/a-dream-come-true-dustin-martin-wins-norm-smith-medal |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618174636/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/30/a-dream-come-true-dustin-martin-wins-norm-smith-medal |archive-date=18 June 2018 |url-status=live}} |
| 2018
! scope=row | {{sortname|Luke|Shuey}} | {{AFL WC}} | {{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Martin |title=Shuey wins Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/shuey-wins-norm-smith-medal-20180929-p506si.html |access-date=30 September 2018 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930093855/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/shuey-wins-norm-smith-medal-20180929-p506si.html |archive-date=30 September 2018 |url-status=live}} |
| 2019
! scope=row | {{sortname|Dustin|Martin}} (2) |{{AFL Ric}} |
| 2020
! scope=row | {{sortname|Dustin|Martin}} (3) |{{AFL Ric}} |
| 2021
! scope=row | {{sortname|Christian|Petracca}} |{{AFL Mel}} |{{cite web |last1=Whiting |first1=Michael |date=2021-09-25 |title=On Trac for greatness: Record-breaking Demon clinches Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/680331/on-trac-for-greatness-record-breaking-demon-clinches-norm-smith-medal |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=2021-09-25}} |
| 2022
! scope=row | {{sortname|Isaac|Smith|dab=footballer}} |{{AFL Gee}} |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/848672/history-maker-veteran-cat-defies-age-to-clinch-norm-smith-medal |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=2022-09-24}} |
| 2023
! scope=row | {{sortname|Bobby|Hill|dab=Australian footballer}} |{{AFL Col}} |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1045021 |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=2023-09-30}} |
| 2024
! scope=row | {{sortname|Will|Ashcroft}} |{{AFL BL}} |
= Players with multiple wins =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Table of multiple recipients |
| scope=col | Player
! scope=col | Team ! scope=col | Medals ! scope=col | Years |
|---|
| scope=row | Dustin Martin
|3 |
| scope=row | {{sortname|Gary|Ayres}}
| {{AFL Haw}} | 2 |
| scope=row | {{sortname|Andrew|McLeod}}
| {{AFL Ade}} | 2 |
| scope=row | {{sortname|Luke|Hodge}}
| {{AFL Haw}} | 2 |
= Club totals =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Table of clubs' totals |
| scope=col | Club
! scope=col | Total ! scope=col | Years |
|---|
| scope=row | {{AFL Haw}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 8 | {{sort|1983|1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL Gee}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 5 |
| scope="row" |{{AFL Ric}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 5 |
| scope=row | {{AFL WC}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 5 |
| scope=row | {{AFL Car}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 4 |
| scope=row | {{AFL Col}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 4 | {{sort|1990|1990, 2002, 2010 replay, 2023}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL Ess}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 4 |
| scope=row | {{AFL BL}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 3 |
| scope=row | {{AFL Ade}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2 |
| scope=row | {{AFL NM}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2 |
| scope=row | {{AFL|PA}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | {{sort|2004|2004}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL StK}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | {{sort|2010|2010}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL Syd}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | {{sort|2012|2012}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL WB}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | {{sort|2016|2016}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL Mel}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1 | {{sort|2021|2021}} |
| scope=row | {{AFL Fre}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 0 | — |
| scope=row | {{AFL GWS}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 0 | — |
| scope=row | {{AFL GC}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 0 | — |
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book |last1=Holmesby |first1=Russell |last2=Main |first2=Jim |author-link2=Jim Main |title=The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 |date=2009 |publisher=Bas Publishing |location=Melbourne, Victoria |isbn=978-1-921496-00-4 |edition=8th |ref={{SfnRef|Holmesby & Main|2009}}}}
- {{cite book | title=AFL Record Season Guide 2010 | editor=Lovett, Michael | year=2010 | publisher=G. Slattery | isbn=978-0-9806274-5-9 |ref={{SfnRef|Lovett|2010}}}}
External links
- [http://www.afl.com.au/stats/awards/norm-smith-medal Norm Smith Medal - AFL.com.au]
{{Norm Smith Medal}}
{{AFL BOG medals}}
{{Australian Football League awards}}
{{Australian Football League}}
{{featured list}}
Category:Australian Football League awards
Category:Australian rules football awards
Category:Awards established in 1979