Kane Cornes has handed out several unique AFL awards from the 2023 season that he has put names to.
From the ‘Glenn Maxwell Award’ for best individual performance to the ‘Brodie Grundy Award’ for the worst long-term contract, Cornes has anointed his winners from the season that was.
Check out his awards and the winners in each category below … and also some small explanations on what his honours are about!
Glenn Maxwell Award
For best individual performance of the year.
Bobby Hill, 2023 Grand Final
“How could you go past Bobby Hill for his Norm Smith Medal performance?” Cornes asked on SEN Breakfast.
It was extraordinary. One on one speed, excitement, finishing ability, pressure.
“He wins the Glenn Maxwell Award for the best individual performance of the year.”
The Victor Wembanyama Award
For the player with the brightest future.
Nick Daicos, Collingwood
“Right now the future of the game is in great hands, we've got budding superstars everywhere.
“The winner is Nick Daicos. I don't know if there's ever been a player with a brighter future than him.
“He wins the Brownlow next year, doesn't he?
“You would just love to be Nick Daicos … the way that he carries himself … you could not find fault with Nick Daicos.”
Allan Border Award
Not that Allan Border Medal … this one of for the game’s best leader.
Toby Greene, GWS
“I wouldn't have said this three years ago, two years ago or even one year ago, but Toby Greene's the best captain in the game.
“He was rightly recognised with All-Australian captaincy and who would have thought that he would be leading the Giants the way that he is now a year ago?
“I just think it's one of the best footy stories I've seen from where Toby Greene has been.
“I think he's a top three player in the game and right now he's the best captain.”
The Robert Downey Junior Award
For a player that’s come back from off-field indiscretions.
Taylor Walker, Adelaide
“There is a couple of nominees here like Jordan De Goey … but Taylor Walker just over two years ago fronted the media in tears after he racially vilified SANFL player Robbie Young.
“The AFL suspended him for six weeks. Adelaide was uncertain whether he would even play again for them.
“He was named in the All-Australian team for the first time in 2023. The club wheels him out on all their social media to promote the club.
“It has been one of the most dramatic turnarounds and rebuilt reputations that we have ever seen.”
Brodie Grundy Award
For worst long-term contract
Aaron Naughton, Western Bulldogs
“The winner of the Brodie Grundy award for the worst long-term contract is Aaron Naughton.
“How could you go past Aaron Naughton?
“He's got the eight year extension until 2032.
“It's going be a disaster for the Western Bulldogs. You can mark my words on that.”
Nick McKenzie Award
For best AFL journalist
Tom Morris
“The winner is Tom Morris.
“He dropped the Damien Hardwick bomb that ensured he won the Alf Brown Award.
“Channel Nine have created a new role for him as its chief footy reporter.
“It's a huge get for Channel Nine.”
The NFL Overtime Award
For the dumbest rule in the sport.
Rookie list rule
“The rookie list rules in the AFL would have to be the dumbest rule in all of sports.
“How a club can delist 31 year old Chad Wingard or 31 year old Sam Reid and put them back on the rookie list to free up some list spots and some cash is an absolute mess.
“So Laura Kane, Andrew Dillon, you've been really good to start and you've adjusted some things, you've cracked down on clubs taking the mickey with their injury list.
“You’ve made sure clubs need to jump through a few extra hoops to sign players to those stupid long -erm deals.
“You've got to crack down on the rookie list.
“It's got to be for players under the age of 23 who haven't been on an AFL list before. Not the rubbish that we get right now.”