View source for Mark of the Year

{{short description|Australian Football League award}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox award
| name           = Mark of the Year
| image          =Four'N Twenty AFL Mark of the Year logo.png 
| imagesize      = 
| caption        = 
| current_awards = 
| awarded_for    = The best [[Mark (Australian rules football)|mark]] taken each season in the [[Australian Football League]]
| presenter      = [[Australian Football League]]
| country        = Australia
| network        = 
| location       = 
| year           = [[2001 AFL season|2001]]
| year2          = 
| holder         = [[Bobby Hill (Australian footballer)|Bobby Hill]]
| website        = [https://www.afl.com.au/mark-of-the-year afl.com.au/mark-of-the-year]
|sponsor=[[Four'N Twenty]]|related=[[Goal of the Year (AFL)|Goal of the Year]]}}
[[File:Puopolo specky.2.jpg|thumb|Marks where one player jumps upon another's back for height – known as "[[spectacular mark]]s" – are often named Mark of the Year.]]
In [[Australian rules football]], a player can take a [[mark (Australian rules football)|mark]] by catching the ball from a [[kick (football)|kick]], which earns protection from tackles. In the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL), the mark subjectively judged the best in each season is named '''Mark of the Year'''.

The award is almost always given to [[spectacular mark]]s – those where one player jumps upon another's back to reach the ball. Although there are no formal rules prescribing what a good mark is, some important factors are how high the player leaps, how long he stays in the air, whether his catch is clean, whether he catches the ball with extended arms, and how dramatic his fall is.<ref name="atkinson">{{cite news |last1=Atkinson |first1=Cody |last2=Lawson |first2=Sean |date=2023-05-24 |title=GWS high flyer Harry Himmelberg, his road to the AFL, and what goes into taking a speccie? |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-25/marking-out-history-how-to-take-a-speccie-with-harry-himmelberg/102385180 |access-date=2023-07-10}}</ref>

The competition was inspired by a famous mark taken by [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]]'s [[Alex Jesaulenko]] in the [[1970 VFL Grand Final|1970 VFL grand final]]. Following Jesaulenko's mark, two [[Australian rules football in popular culture#Television|football television shows]] – [[HSV (TV station)|Channel Seven]]'s ''[[World of Sport (Australian TV program)|World of Sport]]'' and ''[[The Winners (Australian TV series)|The Winners]]'' on [[ABV (TV station)|the ABC]] – began awarding the title "mark of the year" to the best marks as judged by their panels of football experts. The two shows would often choose different winners. Seven's award was more prestigious because the winning player received a car, but the ABC's edition only bestowed lesser prizes like mugs and bicycles – a disparity bemoaned by several players who only won the latter.<ref name="atkinson" />

The award is run in conjunction with the [[Goal of the Year (Australia)|Goal of the Year]] contest, which recognises the best [[Goal (sport)#Australian rules football|goal]] kicked during an AFL season. Two players have won both the mark and goal awards in the same season: [[Peter Bosustow]] (1981) and [[Michael Mitchell (Australian rules footballer)|Michael Mitchell]] (1990).

==History==
The competition was initiated following [[Alex Jesaulenko]]'s mark over [[Graeme Jenkin|Graeme "Jerker" Jenkin]] in the [[1970 VFL Grand Final]] ; the medal awarded to the winner now bears his name.<ref name="100years">{{cite book |last1=Childs |first1=Kevin |title=100 Years of Australian Football 1897 - 1996 |last2=Weiniger |first2=Peter |last3=Dunn |first3=Roger |last4=Hutchinson |first4=Alex |last5=Cash |first5=Damien |last6=Duhengoh |first6=Ron |publisher=Penguin Books Australia Ltd – The Viking Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-1854714343 |editor=John Ross |edition=1st |location=Ringwood, Victoria, Australia |page=383 |editor2=Garrie Hutchinson}}</ref><ref name="JEzza-legend">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=59337 |title=You beauty! Jezza made an AFL legend |last=Broad |first=Ben |date=8 May 2008 |publisher=AFL.com.au |access-date=2008-11-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725014753/http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=59337 |archive-date=25 July 2008 }}</ref> During the 1970s and early 1980s, the award was decided by a panel of football experts on [[HSV (TV station)|Seven]]'s ''[[World of Sport (Australian TV program)|World of Sport]].'' During the 1980s and 1990s, the winning mark was determined by selected football journalists and experts.<ref name="100years" /> With minor modifications, the current selection process was first used in the [[1998 AFL season|1998 season]].<ref name="success">{{cite book|last1=McLeod|first1=Andrew|first2=Trevor D.|last2=Jaques|title=Australian Football: Steps to Success|publisher=Human Kinetics|year=2006|isbn=0-7360-6005-7|page=192 pages}}</ref>

In 2001, the AFL itself began operating an official Mark of the Year award in competition with Seven, which became the more prominent award. Certain sources, like the ''[[AFL Record|AFL Record Season Guide]]'', only acknowledge these official winners as having taken Marks of the Year. [[Chris Tarrant (footballer)|Chris Tarrant's]] mark in Round 10, 2001, was previously used as the basis of the [[silhouette]] for the Mark of the Year logo despite, ironically, being beaten to the honour by [[Gary Moorcroft]]'s Round 14 mark, considered by many to be one of the best marks of all time.

==Eligibility and prizes==
The competition is open to players in the AFL, Australian rules football's highest league.<ref name="100years" /><ref name="Harding">{{cite journal |last=Harding |first=Mike |date=3 May 1995 |title=Bare, Bald and Blue |journal=Sports Weekly}}</ref> As of 2024, winners receive a prize of [[Australian dollar|A$]]50,000 in cash, a $10,000 donation to their junior club, two million Velocity Points for air travel (valued at approximately $40,000–$80,000 depending on how they are used), and the [[Alex Jesaulenko Medal]]. The prizes are sponsored by [[National Australia Bank]] and [[Virgin Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=Eagles young gun, Pies high flyer win Mark and Goal of the Year |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1228438/collingwood-magpies-high-flyer-bobby-hill-west-coast-eagles-young-gun-harley-reid-win-mark-and-goal-of-the-year |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

For the majority of the competition's existence, the overall winner has been rewarded with a car, typically the model of whichever auto manufacturer was sponsoring the award at the time. In 1983, {{AFL Car}}'s [[Ken Hunter]] won a [[Holden Commodore (VH)|Holden Commodore SL/X]] for his mark of the year.<ref name="21 age2">{{cite news |last1=Pierek |first1=Jon |date=26 July 2021 |title=AFL mark of the year battle rises to another level |work=[[The Age]] |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/isaac-heeney-and-cody-weightman-put-down-nominations-for-afl-mark-of-the-year-20210726-p58cur.html |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref> The following year's winner, {{AFL Syd}}'s [[Wayne Carroll]], scored a [[Nissan Bluebird#Export markets|Nissan Bluebird TRX]] for his effort. {{AFL Ric}}'s [[Michael Mitchell (Australian rules footballer)|Michael Mitchell]] received a [[Ford Laser]] in 1990 for his win following a [[Phone-in|phone-in poll]] that attracted 250,000 callers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=George |date=1990-10-07 |title=Maggie-nificent |pages=61 |work=[[The Sun-Herald]] |url= |url-access= |access-date= |via=}}</ref> Throughout [[Toyota Australia]]'s sponsorship of the competition in the mid-2000s, players were often granted use of the latest Toyota vehicle (such as the [[Toyota Kluger|Kluger]] or [[Toyota Aurion|Aurion]]) for 12 months, alongside a $5,000 donation to their [[grassroots]] club.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-08-07 |title=Bateman earns Toyota AFL Mark of the Year nomination |url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/773542/bateman-earns-toyota-afl-mark-of-the-year-nomination |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Hawthorn Football Club]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rowston |first=Craig |date=2008-10-08 |title=Lloyd wins mark of the year |url=https://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/145561/lloyd-wins-mark-of-the-year |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Essendon Football Club]] |language=en}}</ref>

Such is the ongoing public association between taking mark of the year and winning "the car", multiple players have believed such a prize was still awarded more than a decade after its cessation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Brendan |date=2017-05-25 |title=Dude, where's my car? NicNat not impressed by mark of the year prize |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dude-wheres-my-car-nicnat-not-impressed-by-mark-of-the-year-prize-20170525-gwd33n.html |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[The Age]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cotton |first=Ben |date=2023-05-16 |title='Thought I was getting a car!' Crows young gun stitched up by his own coaches |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/adelaide-crows/afl-2023-patrick-parnell-stitched-up-by-adelaide-crows-gets-told-hes-going-to-receive-a-car-for-huge-mark-video-practical-joke-latest-news/news-story/09c130a12d601f8c64f9becc39580577 |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Fox Footy]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Selection process==
After each round of the regular AFL season, three "mark of the week" nominations are selected by the AFL. Members of the public are then invited to vote for a weekly winner on the AFL website. Weekly polls can occasionally be subject to [[vote brigading]] by supporters of larger clubs, which has led to highly favoured marks being overlooked for the weekly prize by more underwhelming nominations.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-05-13 |title=Shai Bolton overlooked after Magpies fans hijack AFL mark of the year vote |language=en-GB |work=[[Guardian Australia]] |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/14/shai-bolton-overlooked-after-magpies-fans-hijack-afl-mark-of-the-year-vote |access-date=2023-08-28 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Under the current sponsorship arrangement with [[Four'n Twenty]], weekly voters go in the draw to win $5,000, a pie warmer and a year's worth of [[Meat pie (Australia and New Zealand)|meat pies]].

After the regular season's end, the title is given to a single mark;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-28 |title=Mark of the Year: Prizes and Terms |url=https://www.afl.com.au/mark-of-the-year/prizes |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[AFL.com.au]] |language=en}}</ref> at times, the eligibility process has extended into the finals series.<ref name=":0" /> The potential winner is not restricted to players who won mark of the week; indeed, in 2010, the two favourites both came in round 21, and although the public voted [[Brendon Goddard]] as mark of the week, the selection panel named [[Liam Jurrah]] as mark of the year. As of 2023, the AFL game analysis committee selects the three finalists from a list of 29 (the 24 weekly winners, plus five additional marks selected by [[AFL Media]]) based on a 5–4–3–2–1 vote given by each member of the committee.

The overall winner, currently announced on [[Brownlow Medal]] night, is then determined by a combination of committee voting (counted for 10 votes) and public voting (counted for one vote). At one stage, the overall winner was determined purely by the public, which led to widespread outrage in [[2017 AFL season|2017]] when {{AFL Ess}}'s [[Joe Daniher]] took out the title over a mark taken by {{AFL Col}}'s [[Jeremy Howe]], which many deemed to be one of the greatest of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waterworth |first=Ben |date=2017-09-26 |title=Outrage as Jeremy Howe snubbed for 2017 AFL Mark of the Year, won by Essendon's Joe Daniher |url=https://foxsports.com.au/afl/outrage-as-jeremy-howe-snubbed-for-2017-afl-mark-of-the-year-won-by-essendons-joe-daniher/news-story/ba8727b02b34b65b3614c2f21007398d |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Fox Footy]] |language=en}}</ref> Howe's manager at the time claimed that his player lost up to $40,000 in endorsements and image rights based on the unexpected loss.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Pierik |first1=Jon |last2=Lerner |first2=Ronny |date=2017-09-26 |title=Jeremy Howe missing out on AFL Mark of the Year left many scratching their heads |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/jeremy-howe-missing-out-on-afl-mark-of-the-year-left-many-scratching-their-heads-20170926-gyopg2.html |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[The Age]] |language=en}}</ref> The league amended the voting process following the public debate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Jon |date=2018-02-20 |title=AFL to unveil a new Mark of the Year judging process after Jeremy Howe debacle |url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/afl/afl-to-unveil-a-new-mark-of-the-year-judging-process-after-jeremy-howe-debacle/news-story/2671d9047788666280d8c739d98c5e30 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Cairns Post]] |language=en-AU}}</ref>

=== Debate surrounding finals exclusion ===
Because the award is traditionally awarded on Brownlow Medal night, which takes place on the Monday before the [[AFL Grand Final|AFL grand final]], the award for both Goal and Mark of the Year is not currently considered for marks and goals taken during the finals series, although this hasn't always been the case.<ref name=":0" /> This drew the ire of the press and fans alike in 2024 when [[Isaac Heeney]] was ineligible for the Mark of the Year in what is considered one of the greatest marks of all time, which he took in a qualifying final; similar complaints have been made regarding exceptional finals goals for the Goal of the Year counterpart. Ironically, the Alex Jesaulenko Medal itself was inspired by a famous mark he took in the [[1970 VFL grand final|1970 VFL Grand Final]], which, under the current rules, would not have been eligible for the award (had it existed at the time).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-08 |title=‘Saved his life’: Brilliant act in superstar Swan’s magical mark leaves mum saying thanks |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/sydney-swans/saved-his-life-brilliant-act-in-superstar-swans-magical-mark-leaves-mum-saying-thanks/news-story/0081c8d746ba78622e5a988b71dcaf4f |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref>

==Annual winners==
=== Official recipients ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Table of winners<ref>{{Cite book |title=AFL Record Season Guide 2023: official statistical history of the AFL |publisher=[[Sports Entertainment Network]] |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-6456573-0-2 |editor-last=Lovett |editor-first=Michael |pages=649 |chapter=AFL Mark of the Year: Alex Jesaulenko Medal}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Winner
! scope="col" |Club
! scope="col" |Opposition
! scope="col" |Rd.
! scope="col" |Venue
|-
! scope="row" | 2001 
|{{sortname|Gary|Moorcroft}}
| {{AFL Ess}}
| {{AFL WB}}
| 14
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2002 
|{{sortname|Jonathan|Brown|dab=Australian footballer}}
| {{AFL BL2}}
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 17
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2003 
|{{sortname|Chris|Tarrant|dab=footballer}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 18
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2004 
|{{sortname|Ashley|Sampi}}
| {{AFL WC}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 7
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2005 
|{{sortname|Luke|McPharlin}} <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-c2xtpU2g&feature=youtu.be |title=2005 Mark of the Year announcement |date=2025-01-29 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-01-30 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
| {{AFL Fre}}
| {{AFL WC}}
| 3
| [[Subiaco Oval]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2006 
|{{sortname|Brad|Ottens}} <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61_fpIZ7ekI&feature=youtu.be |title=2006 AFL Mark of the Year nominees and winners. Brad Ottens. |date=2025-02-10 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-02-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
| {{AFL Gee}}
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 5
| [[Stadium Australia]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2007
|{{sortname|Michael|Newton|dab=Australian rules footballer}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| {{AFL Kan}}
| 17
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2008
|{{sortname|Matthew|Lloyd}}
| {{AFL Ess}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 18
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2009
|{{sortname|Brett|Burton}}
| {{AFL Ade}}
| {{AFL Car}}
| 22
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2010
|{{sortname|Liam|Jurrah}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| {{AFL PA}}
| 21
| [[Football Park]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2011
|{{sortname|Andrew|Krakouer}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 9
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2012
|{{sortname|Jeremy|Howe}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| {{AFL Syd}}
| 8
| [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2013
|{{sortname|Jamie|Elliott|dab=footballer born 1992}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL PA}}
| 14
| [[Football Park]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2014
|{{sortname|Chad|Wingard}}
| {{AFL|PA}}
| {{AFL StK}}
| 12
| [[Adelaide Oval]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2015
|{{sortname|Nic|Naitanui}}
| {{AFL|WC}}
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 9
| [[Subiaco Oval]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2016
|{{sortname|Majak|Daw}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| 18
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2017
|{{sortname|Joe|Daniher}}
| {{AFL Ess}}
| {{AFL StK}}
| 17
| [[Docklands Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2018
|{{sortname|Isaac|Heeney}}
| {{AFL Syd}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 21
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2019
|{{sortname|Liam|Ryan|dab=footballer}}
| {{AFL|WC}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| 9
| [[Perth Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
|{{sortname|Sam|Walsh|dab=footballer}}
| {{AFL Car}}
| {{AFL PA}}
| 7
| [[The Gabba|Gabba]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2021
|{{sortname|Shai|Bolton}}
| {{AFL Ric}}
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 8
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2022
|{{sortname|Mitch|Georgiades}}
| {{AFL|PA}}
| {{AFL Fre}}
| 16
| [[Perth Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2023
|{{sortname|Harry|Himmelberg}}
| {{AFL GWS}}
| {{AFL Ade}}
| 1
| [[Sydney Showground Stadium|Giants Stadium]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2024
|{{sortname|Bobby|Hill|dab=Australian footballer}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| 14
| [[Docklands Stadium|Marvel Stadium]]
|}

=== Channel Seven and ABC recipients ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Table of winners
|-
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Winner
! scope="col" |Club
! scope="col" |Opposition
! scope="col" |Rd.
! scope="col" |Venue
! scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!1970
|[[Alex Jesaulenko|Alex Jeasualenko]] (Seven)
|Carlton
|Collingwood
|GF
|MCG
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
!1971
|[[Peter Knights]] (1) (Seven)
|Hawthorn
|
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1972
|[[Peter Knights]] (2) (Seven)
|Hawthorn
|Footscray
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1973 
|{{sortname|Alan|Atkinson}} (Seven)
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 21
| [[Waverley Park]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1974
|{{sortname|Billy|Picken}} (1) (Seven)
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 9
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref name="collingwood marks">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
!1975
|[[Peter Knights]] (3) (Seven)
|Hawthorn
|Carlton
|
|Princes Park
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1976 
|{{sortname|Billy|Picken}} (2) (Seven)
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL StK}}
| 16
| [[Victoria Park, Melbourne|Victoria Park]]
| <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
!1977
|[[Trevor Barker]] (1) (Seven)
|St Kilda
|South Melbourne
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1978 
|{{sortname|Peter|Moore|dab=Australian rules footballer}} (Seven)
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL Car}}
| 18
| [[Princes Park (stadium)|Princes Park]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 1979
|{{sortname|Trevor|Barker}} (Seven)
| {{AFL StK}}
| Essendon
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIvXkkcPhEU&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport 'Marks of the Year' 1970-1979. Stephen Phillips. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|{{sortname|Michael|Roach|dab=footballer}} (ABC)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| {{AFL Haw}}
| 5
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=BBK7Qa9D0yXoNeXI&v=5A7pdHMQM18&feature=youtu.be |title=1979 Marks & Goals of the year Channel 2 |date=2017-08-27 |last=Gezza1967 |access-date=2024-12-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
!1980
|[[Alex Jesaulenko]] (ABC)
|[[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]]
|[[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]]
|4
|[[Moorabbin Oval]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOYq56Hlyog&feature=youtu.be |title=1980 ABC Mark of the Year Winner - Alex Jesaulenko. |date=2024-12-12 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2024-12-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 1981 
|{{sortname|Peter|Bosustow}} (Seven)
| {{AFL Car}}
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 18
| [[Princes Park (stadium)|Princes Park]]
| <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=jHlRBBrQ7oSZjBkv&v=O5LbQRm6Sj4&feature=youtu.be |title=World of Sport Mark of the Year Presentation 1981 - Peter Bosustow |date=2020-04-04 |last=Jarooosa |access-date=2024-12-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ricky Barham]] (ABC)
|[[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]]
|[[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]]
|18
|[[Melbourne Cricket Ground|MCG]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eArdY8SIUE0&feature=youtu.be |title=Ricky Barham wins 1981 ABC Mark of the Year. |date=2024-12-17 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2024-12-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" |1982
|[[Geoff Raines]] (Seven)
|Richmond
|Fitzroy
|2
|Melbourne Cricket Ground
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B7pMB9a238&feature=youtu.be |title=Geoff Raines winning 1982 Channel 7 Mark of the Year. |date=2025-04-24 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|{{sortname|Geoff|Raines}} (ABC)
| {{AFL Ric}}
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 2
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=DOcSMt-_W1Fxt1yD&v=p2z9l3NwSuA&feature=youtu.be |title=Goal and Mark of the year 1982 - ABC |date=2014-07-24 |last=Jarooosa |access-date=2024-12-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | 1983 
|{{sortname|Ken|Hunter}} (Seven)
| {{AFL Car}}
| {{AFL Ric}}
| 1
| [[Princes Park (stadium)|Princes Park]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=IVNuMW4TF4pEkwuh&v=ptiUZKurRfw&feature=youtu.be |title=1983 Mark of the year on WOS - Ken Hunter of Carlton |date=2019-06-30 |last=WOS |access-date=2024-12-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|{{sortname|Peter|Bosustow}} (ABC)
| {{AFL Car}}
| colspan=3 | {{data missing|date=July 2023}}
|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zurbo |first1=Matt |title=Almanac Footy Books (and Lunches): An extract from Matt Zurbo's 'Heart & Soul' – Ken Hunter |url=https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-footy-books-and-lunches-an-extract-from-matt-zurbos-heart-soul-ken-hunter/ |access-date=9 July 2023 |work=The Footy Almanac |date=6 June 2019}}</ref> {{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | 1984
|{{sortname|Wayne|Carroll}} (Seven)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 16
| [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Main |first1=Jim |author1-link=Jim Main |date=25 July 2011 |title=Swan Songs: with Wayne Carroll |work=[[Sydney Swans]] |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/750849/swan-songs-with-wayne-carroll |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="1984 marks">{{cite news |last1=McFarlane |first1=Glenn |title=Banks robbed of Mark of the Year |work=[[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood Forever]] |url=https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/banks-robbed-of-mark-of-the-year/ |access-date=8 July 2023}}</ref> {{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}
|-
|{{sortname|Denis|Banks}} (ABC)
| {{AFL Col}}
| {{AFL Foo}}
| 10
| [[Western Oval]]
| <ref name="1984 marks" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=i4ToCKeRhSI8rVR5&v=0cx-aRY6TU4&feature=youtu.be |title=The Winners (ABC)1984 Mark and Goal of the Year Competition |date=2018-03-17 |last=xtremeactionvideos |access-date=2024-12-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 1985 
|{{sortname|Gary|Ablett, Sr.}}
| {{AFL Gee}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| 5
| [[Kardinia Park]]
| <ref name="20 age">{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |date=28 April 2020 |title=The Man who helped Ablett and Capper to fly high |work=[[The Age]] |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-man-who-helped-ablett-and-capper-to-fly-high-20200428-p54nuz.html |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[Peter Knights]] (4) (ABC)
|[[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]]
|[[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]]
|10
|[[Princes Park (stadium)|Princes Park]]
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgfKIB4uwOw&feature=youtu.be |title=1985 ABC Mark of the Year nominees and winner. Peter Knights |date=2025-01-06 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-01-07 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | 1986
|{{sortname|Tony|Morwood}} (Seven)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| {{AFL Fit}}
| [[1987 VFL season#Finals week 2|{{abbr|SF|Semi-final}}]]
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Eva |first1=Bruce |date=16 September 2011 |title=Soaring Swan |url=https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE9288411&file=FL17478197&mode=browse |magazine=[[AFL Record]] |location=Melbourne |publisher=[[AFL Media]] |page=81 |access-date=7 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
|{{sortname|Alan|Ezard}} (ABC)
| {{AFL Ess}}
| {{AFL Car}}
| 5
| [[Waverley Park]]
| <ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Eva |first1=Bruce |date=20 April 2011 |title=Answering the ANZAC Day call |url=https://issuu.com/slattery/docs/aflrecord_r5_2011 |magazine=[[AFL Record]] |location=Melbourne |publisher=[[AFL Media]] |page=62 |access-date=7 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1987 
|{{sortname|Warwick|Capper}} (ABC)
| {{AFL Syd}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| 10
| [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqljQymy8ko&feature=youtu.be |title=1987 ABC Goal and Mark of the Year winners |date=2025-01-15 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-01-16 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1988 
|{{sortname|Stephen|Silvagni}}
| {{AFL Car}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| 14
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Gerald |date=25 August 1997 |title=No escape this time as Swans' minds wander |page=27 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |quote=... CV includes the Mark of the Year in 1988 when he majestically ascended over Collingwood's Craig Starcevich to meet the footy about 4m above the MCG turf ...}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1989
|{{sortname|Alastair|Lynch}}
| {{AFL Fit}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| 16
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |date=30 June 2021 |title='Like father, like son': How Hawk high-flyer took Buckley back to 1989 |work=[[The Age]] |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/like-father-like-son-how-hawk-high-flier-took-buckley-back-to-1989-20210629-p585eb.html |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1990 
|{{sortname|Michael|Mitchell|dab=Australian rules footballer}}
| {{AFL Ric}}
| {{AFL Fit}}
| 5
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenburg |first1=Tony |date=23 May 2017 |title=Michael Mitchell a Homecoming Hero |work=[[Richmond Football Club]] |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/289362/michael-mitchell-a-homecoming-hero |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1991 
|{{sortname|Brett|Allison}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| 11
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrG-7vOz2XA&feature=youtu.be |title=1991 AFL Mark of the Year nominations and winner announcement. Brett Allison. |date=2025-02-26 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-02-27 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1992 
|{{sortname|Nicky|Winmar}}
| {{AFL StK}}
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 16
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Nice |first1=Chris |date=3 July 2019 |title=On This Day: Nicky Winmar takes Mark of the Year |work=[[St Kilda Football Club]] |url=https://www.saints.com.au/news/33605/on-this-day-nicky-winmar-takes-mark-of-the-year |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1993 
|{{sortname|Tony|Modra}}
| {{AFL Ade}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| 8
| [[Football Park]]
| <ref name="modra marks"/> 
|-
! scope="row" | 1994 
|{{sortname|Gary|Ablett, Sr.}} <small>(2)</small>
| {{AFL Gee}}
| {{AFL Col}}
| 7
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5mXgjrW4jc&feature=youtu.be |title=1994 AFL Mark of Year announcement. Gary Ablett (Geelong) |date=2024-12-25 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2024-12-25 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1995 
|{{sortname|Shaun|Smith|dab=Australian rules footballer}}
| {{AFL Mel}}
| {{AFL BL}}
| 22
| [[The Gabba]]
| <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a6-OtxQQVk&feature=youtu.be |title=1995 AFL Mark of the Year winner announcement: Shaun Smith |date=2025-04-08 |last=Rhettrospective |access-date=2025-04-09 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1996 
|{{sortname|Ben|Hart|dab=Australian footballer}}
| {{AFL Ade}}
| {{AFL StK}}
| 8
| [[Football Park]]
| <ref>{{cite news |date=14 August 2013 |title=Footy Park: 1994-96 |work=[[Adelaide Football Club]] |url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/25170/footy-park-1994-96 |access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1997 
|{{sortname|Tony|Modra}} <small>(2)</small>
| {{AFL Ade}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| 17
| [[Football Park]]
| <ref name="modra marks">{{cite news |last1=Shilton |first1=Bryce |date=14 June 2017 |title=On this day: Mods wins Mark of the Year |work=[[Adelaide Football Club]] |url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/7990/on-this-day-mods-wins-mark-of-the-year |access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1998 
|{{sortname|Winston|Abraham}}
| {{AFL NM}}
| {{AFL PA}}
| 18
| [[Manuka Oval]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Woods |first1=Dan |date=12 October 2021 |title=Trade Flashback: Winston Abraham |work=[[North Melbourne Football Club]] |url=https://www.nmfc.com.au/news/1025087/trade-flashback-winston-abraham |access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 1999 
|{{sortname|Matthew|Lappin}}
| {{AFL Car}}
| {{AFL Ess}}
| 1
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Trantino |first1=Julian |date=18 October 2015 |title=Top Trades: #4 - Matthew Lappin |work=[[Carlton Football Club]] |url=https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/384234/top-trades-4-matthew-lappin |access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | 2000 
|{{sortname|Tony|Modra}} <small>(3)</small>
| {{AFL Fre}}
| {{AFL Gee}}
| 1
| [[Subiaco Oval]]
| <ref name="modra marks" />
|}

== Similar competitions ==
[[State league|State leagues]] such as the [[Mark of the Year (SANFL)|South Australian National Football League]] and the [[West Australian Football League]] hold their own mark of the year competitions each season, with public voting determining the overall winner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milbank |first=Zac |date=2021-10-06 |title=Cameron Craig wins Skilled Careers Mark of the Year |url=https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/cameron-craig-wins-skilled-careers-mark-of-the-year/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[South Australian National Football League]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Readings |first=Mark |date=2022-09-30 |title=2022 WAFL Mark and Goal of the Year winners |url=https://www.wafc.com.au/news/22953/2022-wafl-mark-and-goal-of-the-year-winners |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[West Australian Football Commission]]}}</ref> Many other semi-professional and amateur Australian rules football leagues also run an equivalent competition, with the increasing prevalence of league-wide web broadcasting allowing for a more comprehensive nomination process.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2013-09-13 |title=VAFA mark of the year finalists |url=https://www.vafa.com.au/news/2013/09/13/vafa-mark-of-the-year-finalists/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Victorian Amateur Football Association]] |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-06 |title=It's time to vote for the 2022 Harvey Norman Mark of the Year! |url=https://www.facebook.com/aflbarwon/videos/its-time-to-vote-for-the-the-2022-harvey-norman-mark-of-the-year-the-5-nominees-/628120832249769/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=[[Facebook]] |publisher=AFL Barwon |language=en}}</ref> Nation-wide promotions are also intermittently run, encouraging local footballers of all age groups to submit their home videos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Deborah |date=2022-04-05 |title=Four'N Twenty returns with Local Legends Mark of the Week |url=https://www.c-store.com.au/fourn-twenty-returns-with-local-legends-mark-of-the-week/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Convenience & Impulse Retailing |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Alex Jesaulenko Medal}}
{{Australian Football League awards}}
{{Australian Football League}}

[[Category:Australian Football League awards]]
[[Category:Australian rules football awards]]
[[Category:Australian rules football-related lists]]