What Is 2016 AFL Mark of the Year

Overview

The 2016 AFL Mark of the Year remains one of the most celebrated highlights in recent Australian Football League history. Awarded to Jeremy Cameron of the Greater Western Sydney Giants, the honor recognized an exceptional mark taken during a Round 15 clash against the Western Bulldogs.

This moment stood out not only for its athletic difficulty but also for the context in which it occurred. The award, officially known as the Alex Jesaulenko Medal, celebrates the most spectacular mark of the home-and-away season and is voted on by a panel of experts.

• Jeremy Cameron captured the mark in the third quarter of the GWS vs. Western Bulldogs match on July 2, 2016, at Spotless Stadium, showcasing elite timing and elevation.
• The mark was taken at approximately 3 meters high, with Cameron leaping over Bulldogs defender Easton Wood to secure the ball in full flight.
• Cameron received a perfect 100% score from the judges, making him the first player to achieve a unanimous decision under the AFL’s revised judging criteria introduced in 2015.
• The catch occurred during a low-scoring contest, where GWS ultimately won 74–58, and Cameron’s mark became the defining moment of the match.
• As a 22-year-old at the time, Cameron became the first Greater Western Sydney player to win the award, highlighting the club’s growing impact on the league.

How It Works

The AFL Mark of the Year is determined through a structured judging process that evaluates the difficulty, spectacle, and context of each nominated mark throughout the season.

• Definition: A mark is awarded when a player catches the ball from a kick that has traveled at least 15 meters without touching the ground or another player.
• Judging Panel: A panel of five experts, including former players and media personalities, evaluates each weekly nominee based on height, difficulty, and defensive pressure.
• Weekly Nominees: One mark is selected each round as a nominee, with fans able to vote online to influence the final shortlist.
• Final Selection: The final winner is chosen from the 23 weekly nominees by the judging panel, with scores combined to determine the recipient.
• Perfect Score: In 2016, Jeremy Cameron received 100% of the judges’ votes, a rare achievement that underscored the mark’s dominance.
• Award Ceremony: The winner is announced during the AFL Grand Final broadcast and presented with the Alex Jesaulenko Medal, named after the legendary 1970 World Cup final mark.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of recent Mark of the Year winners, highlighting key details such as date, height, and scoring:

The table illustrates how Cameron’s 2016 mark stood out for its unanimous acclaim. While other winners received strong scores, none matched the perfect 100% tally, emphasizing the exceptional nature of his performance.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Mark of the Year is more than just a highlight—it represents the peak of athletic achievement in Australian rules football and influences fan engagement and player recognition.

• The award elevated Jeremy Cameron’s profile, contributing to his selection in All-Australian squads in subsequent seasons.
• It demonstrated the growing prominence of the Greater Western Sydney Giants as a competitive force in the AFL.
• The mark has been replayed extensively in AFL promotional content, becoming a benchmark for future nominees.
• It reinforced the importance of aerial ability in modern forward-line play, influencing team selection and training priorities.
• Winning the award brought increased media attention and sponsorship opportunities for Cameron.
• The moment remains a fan favorite, often cited in discussions of the greatest marks in AFL history.

Ultimately, the 2016 AFL Mark of the Year exemplifies how a single play can capture the imagination of fans and leave a lasting legacy in the sport’s culture.