Port Adelaide youngster Mitch Georgiades has taken out this year’s Mark of the Year award, while Essendon big man Sam Draper claimed the Goal of the Year title.
The 20-year-old got up on the shoulder of Fremantle opponent Brennan Cox in Round 16 and brought the mark down.
Remarkably, Georgiades’ grab wasn’t even the Mark of the Week when he took the hanger.
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“He was sitting up there for an eternity,” commentator Adam Papalia said at the time.
Docker Hayden Young took Mark of the Round honours in Round 16, but the AFL Game Analysis Committee was able to select up to five additional marks from the season to be considered as finalists.
Georgiades’ grab was then added to the running.
Georgiades beat out fellow finalists GWS’ Toby Greene and Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo.
The Port forward made his way to the stage at Crown Melbourne and accepted his medal from Carlton’s Sam Walsh.
The youngster laughed as he ran through his thoughts when he took the hanger.
“I was pretty tired at that stage – think it was the end of the quarter,” he said.
“I saw the ball come in and just had a jump – lucky it just stuck.
“Unfortunately missed the goal, but that’s it.”
Georgiades had two entries in this year’s Mark of the Year race, which is voted for by fans.
He’s the second Port Adelaide player to take home the title, after Chad Wingard won back in 2014.
Draper was a popular winner for Goal of the Year after his solo effort against Gold Coast in Round 18.
But the Essendon ruckman was not in attendance at the Brownlow Medal count and sent a video message instead.
“It is an honour to be recognised … and it’s something I’ll cherish for a long time to come,” he said.
He beat Collingwood’s Josh Daicos and Richmond’s Shai Bolton to claim the award.
