Nick Watson's wet-weather mark wins AFL's Mark of the Year amid fan backlash
Hawthorn's 21-year-old Nick Watson won the award for a chest mark against West Coast, but many fans believe other finalists deserved it.
Nick Watson, Hawthorn's small forward, claimed the AFL's Mark of the Year award for a stunning grab in wet conditions against West Coast, leaping on Liam Baker's back and taking the ball on his chest. The 21-year-old 'Wizard' walked away with $50,000 and two million Velocity Points from Virgin Australia.
The award sparked immediate backlash on social media. Fans argued his mark did not stand above finalists Shai Bolton's effort for Fremantle in Round 15 or Kysaiah Pickett's Round 7 mark for Melbourne.
One viewer said the decision was "the worst MOTY in my 50 years of watching football". Others questioned whether Watson's size or the wet weather had swayed the all-Australian voting panel.
Watson's mark was voted the winner by the AFL's All-Australian panel.
- Nick Watson, Hawthorn
- Winner
- $50,000
- Prize money
- Two million
- Velocity Points
- 170 centimetres
- Player height
Why it mattersMark of the Year often stirs debate, but this year's pick sparked rare consensus among fans that a rival deserved the honour.
AustraliaAFL fans across Australia immediately questioned the award, making it the night's most talked-about talking point on social media.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
