THE BEST was certainly saved until last with the winners of the 2026 Virgin Australia AFL Mark of the Year and the Coles AFL Goal of the Year both coming in the final round of the home and away season.
Hawthorn pocket rocket Nick Watson's spectacular horizontal effort in the wet during the round 24 win over West Coast was judged the best mark of the year, while Brisbane forward Conor McKenna took out the goal of the year for his moment of brilliance against Collingwood.
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Watson climbed high onto the shoulders of Liam Baker to haul in a mark reminiscent of Gary Moorcroft's iconic hanger over Brad Johnson in 2001.
Watson was presented with the Alex Jesaulenko Medal at Monday night's Brownlow Medal after his mark was voted the winner ahead of Fremantle's Shai Bolton for his huge leap against Geelong in Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett's soaring grab against Richmond on Anzac Day Eve.
McKenna's goal against the Pies, when he intercepted the ball before showcasing his Gaelic background with a miraculous kick off the ground that sailed through the big sticks, was judged as this year's winner.
That effort beat out the Western Bulldogs' Bailey Williams, who danced around three Brisbane players before snapping on his right in Opening Round, and Demons star Pickett, who stunned the crowd in Alice Springs with a major from the tightest of angles in the pocket in round 12, to receive the Phil Manassa Medal at the Brownlow count.
The overall winner of each award was determined by the All-Australian panel.
Watson has received $50,000 and two million Velocity Points, thanks to Virgin Australia, while McKenna has won $50,000 thanks to Coles.