Norm Smith Medal Explained

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:Bobby Hill (2023)

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). 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.[1]

Dustin Martin (2017, 2019 and 2020) is the only player to win the award three times.[2] 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.[3] 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 Collingwood's Bobby Hill.

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.[4] Each panellist independently awards 3 votes, 2 votes and 1 vote to the players they regard as the best, second best and third best in the match respectively. These votes are tallied, and the highest number of combined votes wins the medal.[5]

There is no chance of a tie for the medal; if two players are tied for votes, the following countbacks will apply in order:

Paul Chapman is the only player to win on a countback,[6] after he and Jason Gram tied with nine votes apiece in 2009.[7]

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.[8] 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.[8] After the match, three of the five judges suggested they would have voted differently if they had lodged their votes after the final siren.[8]

Prior to the 2016 season, if the Grand Final resulted in a draw, the game would be replayed the following week.[9] In such instances, a separate Norm Smith Medal was awarded in each game.[10] Since 2016, a drawn Grand Final would result in the use of extra time to determine the winner, rather than a full match replay.[9]

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;[11] as of 2019, Gary Ablett Sr. is the only former winner to decline presenting the award; 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.[12]

Recipients

Table of recipients
scope=col Yearscope=col Recipientscope=col Clubscope=col class="unsortable"
1979scope=row [13]
1980scope=row [14]
1981scope=row [15]
1982scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" ^[16]
1983scope=row
1984scope=row
1985scope=row [17]
1986scope=row
1987scope=row [18]
1988scope=row (2)
1989scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" ^[19]
1990scope=row
1991scope=row [20]
1992scope=row [21]
1993scope=row
1994scope=row [22]
1995scope=row [23]
1996scope=row [24]
1997scope=row
1998scope=row (2)
1999scope=row [25]
2000scope=row
2001scope=row [26]
2002scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" ^[27]
2003scope=row [28]
2004scope=row [29]
2005scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1;" ^[30]
2006scope=row [31]
2007scope=row [32]
2008scope=row [33]
2009scope=row [34]
2010scope=row [35]
2010 (R)scope=row [36]
2011scope=row [37]
2012scope=row [38]
2013scope=row [39]
2014scope=row (2)[40]
2015scope=row [41]
2016scope=row [42]
2017scope=row [43]
2018scope=row [44]
2019scope=row (2)[45]
2020scope=row (3)[46]
2021scope=row [47]
2022scope=row [48]
2023scope=row [49]

Players with multiple wins

Table of multiple recipients
scope=col Playerscope=col Teamscope=col Medalsscope=col Years
scope=row Dustin MartinRichmond32017, 2019, 2020
scope=row 21986, 1988
scope=row 21997, 1998
scope=row 22008, 2014

Club totals

Table of clubs' totals
scope=col Clubscope=col Totalscope=col Years
scope=row 8
scope=row 5
5, 2019, 2020
scope=row 5
scope=row 4
scope=row 4
scope=row 4
scope=row 2
scope=row 2
scope=row 2
scope=row 1
scope=row 1
scope=row 1
scope=row 1
scope=row 1
scope=row 0—
scope=row 0—
scope=row 0—

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Norm Smith made AFL Legend . 22 July 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 20 July 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161029015200/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-07-19/norm-smith-made-afl-legend/2507848 . 29 October 2016.
  2. News: Porter . Ashley . Greatest AFL finals heroes: Andrew McLeod, No.2 . 27 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 29 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627101823/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/greatest-afl-finals-heroes-andrew-mcleod-no2-20160926-grp0q1.html . 27 June 2018 . live.
  3. News: Grand final focus: Medal no comfort for Judd . 22 July 2018 . . . Fairfax Media . 22 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140624074005/http://www.smh.com.au/news/afl/grand-final-focus/2005/09/25/1127586746434.html . 24 June 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  4. News: Harrington . Anna . David King says AFL coaches should take over the voting for the Norm Smith Medal on Grand Final day . 27 June 2018 . news.com.au . News Corp Australia . 23 August 2017 . 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 . 25 August 2017 . live.
  5. News: Paton . Al . Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten heads Norm Smith Medal voting panel . 27 June 2018 . news.com.au . News Corp Australia . 28 September 2012 . 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 . 27 June 2018 . live.
  6. News: Auciello . Michael . 2009 Geelong Cats premiership: Paul Chapman wins Norm Smith Medal . 28 June 2018 . . News Corp Australia . 5 September 2014 . 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 . 30 June 2022 . live . dmy-all .
  7. News: Ralph . Jon . Does Jason Gram deserve a retrospective Norm Smith Medal? . 28 June 2018 . . News Corp Australia . 29 September 2011 . 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 . 28 June 2018 . Adelaide . live . dmy-all .
  8. News: Quayle . Emma . Emma Quayle . AFL to delay medal vote until siren . 28 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 1 October 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712075335/https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/30/1033283436564.html . 12 July 2017 . Melbourne . live.
  9. News: AFL drops replays for drawn grand finals, extra time to decide level scores . 27 June 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 19 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161108000044/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-19/afl-to-drop-grand-final-replays/7339308 . 8 November 2016 . live.
  10. News: Green . Warwick . Warwick Green . Humble Saint Lenny Hayes a true champion . 27 June 2018 . news.com.au . News Corp Australia . 15 July 2014 . 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 . 27 June 2018 . live.
  11. News: James Hird to present Norm Smith Medal at AFL grand final, league confirms . 27 June 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 10 August 2017 . 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 . 17 December 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  12. News: Black . Sarah . Buckley OUT, Black IN: Former September stars to present key medals for finals . 20 January 2020 . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 2 September 2019.
  13. News: Bidmeade . Robert . Blues take flag by five points . 28 June 2018 . . Fairfax Media . 30 September 1979 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628074756/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110601648/12392601 . 28 June 2018 . 17; 24–25 . . live.
  14. News: Connolly . Rohan . Rohan Connolly . AFL finals heroes: Numbers don't lie on Richmond's Kevin Bartlett . 28 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 30 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628071842/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-finals-heroes-numbers-dont-lie-on-richmonds-kevin-bartlett-20160930-grrwhr.html . 28 June 2018 . Melbourne . live.
  15. Web site: De Bolfo . Tony . Bruce Doull in Carlton homecoming . carltonfc.com.au . Telstra Media . 28 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628072103/http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2012-07-17/bruce-doull-in-carlton-homecoming . 28 June 2018 . 17 July 2012 . live.
  16. Web site: 50 years of MCG memories: Maurice Rioli wins the Norm Smith Medal . richmondfc.com.au . Telstra Media . 28 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161224033107/http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-06-24/50-years-of-mcg-memories-maurice-rioli-wins-the-norm-smith-medal . 24 December 2016 . 24 June 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  17. News: Connolly . Rohan . Essendon's back-to-back premiership men reach milestone . 28 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628072511/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/essendons-backtoback-premiership-men-reach-milestone-20150227-13qppp.html . 28 June 2018 . Melbourne . live.
  18. News: Pierik . Jon . How the Carlton Blues won the 1987 premiership . 28 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 18 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306094400/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/how-the-carlton-blues-won-the-1987-premiership-20170816-gxxheu.html . 6 March 2018 . Melbourne . live.
  19. Web site: Browne . Ashley . Ablett snr reminisces 1989 GF . geelongcats.com.au . Telstra Media . 28 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628072928/http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2014-05-19/ablett-snr-reminisces-1989-gf . 28 June 2018 . 19 May 2014 . live.
  20. Web site: Twomey . Callum . Son of Norm Smith medallist on Hawks' radar . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224092602/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-24/hawks-eye-new-dear . 24 December 2014 . 24 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  21. News: McGrath . John . Tears flow as Matera calls it quits . 27 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 18 March 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20040503033803/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/17/1047749723064.html . 3 May 2004 . Melbourne . live . dmy-all .
  22. Web site: Draft steals: Dean Kemp . westcoasteagles.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627102718/http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2017-11-21/draft-steals-dean-kemp . 27 June 2018 . 21 November 2017 . live.
  23. Web site: Macgugan . Mark . Brownlow medallist Greg Williams 'can't remember large chunks of playing days' . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180425000145/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-24/footy-great-reveals-brain-disease . 25 April 2018 . 24 February 2013 . live.
  24. News: Little . Craig . How a player can cope with the madness of an AFL grand final . 27 June 2018 . The Guardian . 28 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618174648/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/28/how-an-player-copes-with-the-madness-of-a-grand-final . 18 June 2018 . live.
  25. Web site: Bowen . Nick . AFL names the presenters of major medals . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160901141531/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-31/afl-names-presenters-of-mchale-smith-coleman-medals- . 1 September 2016 . 31 August 2016 . live . dmy-all .
  26. News: Religion lifts Hart to football's heights . 27 June 2018 . The Age . AAP . Fairfax Media . 30 September 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030302084331/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/29/1033283388473.html . 2 March 2003 . Melbourne . live . dmy-all .
  27. News: Saltau . Chloe . Decorated, devastated . 27 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 29 September 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170109081651/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/28/1032734372726.html . 9 January 2017 . Melbourne . live.
  28. News: Blake . Martin . Black right on the ball . 27 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 28 September 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170908142605/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/27/1064083247266.html . 8 September 2017 . Melbourne . live.
  29. News: Pickett claims Norm Smith medal . 27 June 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 26 September 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161027203900/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-26/pickett-claims-norm-smith-medal/557978 . 27 October 2016 . live.
  30. News: Victory to the Swans . 27 June 2018 . The Sydney Morning Herald . AAP . Fairfax Media . 24 September 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103094233/http://www.smh.com.au/news/afl/victory-to-the-swans/2005/09/24/1126982265994.html . 3 January 2014 . live.
  31. Web site: Norm Smith medallist Embley pulls the pin . AFL.com.au . AAP . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160413211011/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-28/beloved-eagle-calls-time . 13 April 2016 . 28 August 2013 . live.
  32. News: Steve Johnson: GWS and former Geelong forward announces retirement at end of 2017 . 27 June 2018 . ABC News . AAP . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 10 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171219132852/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-10/giants-stevie-j-to-retire-at-the-end-of-2017/8792146 . 19 December 2017 . live . dmy-all .
  33. News: Luke Hodge wins 2008 Norm Smith Medal . 27 June 2018 . . AAP . News Corp Australia . 27 September 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170820051614/http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/hodge-judged-best-afield/news-story/b514d6b15c764ada0cb26f3dbcdc228c?sv=6053f49836e5e64ecb5515ecb65ed3fb . 20 August 2017 . Brisbane . live . dmy-all .
  34. News: Paine . Chris . Cats crowned 2009 AFL premiers . 27 June 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 26 September 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161030040915/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-09-26/cats-crowned-2009-afl-premiers/1443354 . 30 October 2016 . live.
  35. News: Hand . Guy . Hayes wins Norm Smith Medal . 27 June 2018 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media . 25 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627093811/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/hayes-wins-norm-smith-medal-20100925-15rmw.html . 27 June 2018 . live.
  36. News: Pendlebury wins Norm Smith medal . 27 June 2018 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media . 2 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627093544/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/pendlebury-wins-norm-smith-medal-20101002-161u4.html . 27 June 2018 . live.
  37. News: Anderson . Jon . Jimmy Bartel wins Norm Smith Medal . 27 June 2018 . . News Corp Australia . 1 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170909064235/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jimmy-bartel-wins-norm-smith-medal/news-story/7bdf7e3c3b64def36981828ef33dda96 . 9 September 2017 . Melbourne . live . dmy-all .
  38. News: Stevens . Mark . Norm Smith Medal winner Ryan O'Keefe hard as a ROK . 27 June 2018 . news.com.au . News Corp Australia . 29 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627092209/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/norm-smith-medal-winner-ryan-okeefe-hard-as-a-rok/news-story/5b0b77cdb75d82090817eb736f532d60?sv=32f7ae38146d9fe73d7627b5323729a0 . 27 June 2018 . live.
  39. Web site: Ryan . Peter . Recruiting gamble pays off as Hawk defender Lake storms to Norm Smith Medal . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170314064833/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-28/norm-smith-medallist . 14 March 2017 . 28 September 2013 . live.
  40. Web site: Schmook . Nathan . Luke Hodge joins Hawthorn greats by winning second Norm Smith Medal . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180422062645/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-09-27/norm-smith-medal-winner . 22 April 2018 . 27 September 2014 . live.
  41. News: Quayle . Emma . A family affair: Cyril Rioli wins the Norm Smith Medal . 27 June 2018 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 3 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627090853/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-grand-final-2015-cyril-rioli-wins-the-norm-smith-medal-20151003-gk0mo5.html . 27 June 2018 . Melbourne . live.
  42. Web site: Schmook . Nathan . Norm Smith: Bulldog Jason Johannisen springs a medal surprise . AFL.com.au . Telstra Media . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161106135213/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-01/jason-johannisen-surprises-with-the-norm-smith . 6 November 2016 . 1 October 2016 . live . dmy-all .
  43. News: Hytner . Mike . 'A dream come true': Dustin Martin wins Norm Smith medal . 27 June 2018 . . 30 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618174636/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/30/a-dream-come-true-dustin-martin-wins-norm-smith-medal . 18 June 2018 . live.
  44. News: Blake . Martin . Shuey wins Norm Smith Medal . 30 September 2018 . . . 29 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180930093855/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/shuey-wins-norm-smith-medal-20180929-p506si.html . 30 September 2018 . live.
  45. Web site: Dustin Martin wins Norm Smith Medal in 2019 AFL grand final. Ryan. Peter. 2019-09-28. Brisbane Times. en. 2019-09-28.
  46. Web site: Yellow and black to back: Tigers stun Cats in epic Grand Final comeback. Twomey. Callum. 2020-10-24. AFL.com.au. en. 2021-08-27.
  47. Web site: Whiting . Michael . 2021-09-25 . On Trac for greatness: Record-breaking Demon clinches Norm Smith Medal . AFL.com.au . . 2021-09-25.
  48. Web site: Schmook . Nathan . 2022-09-24 . History maker: Veteran Cat defies age to clinch Norm Smith Medal . AFL.com.au . . 2022-09-24.
  49. Web site: Schmook . Nathan . 2023-09-30 . Bobby dazzler: Pies recruit caps magical season with Norm Smith . AFL.com.au . . 2023-09-30.

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