AFTER another extraordinary season of footy from behind the lens, the AFL is proud to announce Melbourne photographer Daisy Nitsch as the winner of Footy Focus 26. 

Now in its latest edition, Footy Focus continues to celebrate the people, moments and passion that make Australian football unique. This year's competition attracted more than 5000 entries from over 600 photographers, including nearly 200 first-time entrants, showcasing community football from every corner of the country. 

From emotional victories and muddy contests to unforgettable moments of connection, the quality and diversity of submissions made selecting a winner no easy task. 

The Footy Focus judging criteria recognise photographs that best capture the heart of community football through a balance of storytelling, visual impact and photographic excellence. Judges assess each image across five key areas: 

• Essence: How well the photograph captures the spirit and culture of Australian football
• Impact: The emotional connection and overall visual strength of the image.
• Composition: Effective use of framing, timing, perspective, light and visual elements
• Technical Quality: Photographic execution including focus, exposure and image clarity
• Creativity: Originality, unique perspectives and innovative storytelling

Together, these criteria ensure winning images not only demonstrate strong technical skill, but also celebrate the people, moments and passions that make community football so special. 

WINNER

Daisy Nitsch - 'Champions Entrance'

Michael Willson says: "This joyful picture really grew on the judges. The more we looked at it, the more details we discovered and the more certain we became that it was our winner. It’s a wonderfully balanced composition – the colours, the crowd, you can feel the excitement and sense of community coming through the image. Then there is the joy on the faces of the players, and even the small details like 'woof' written on the fingers of the RockDog player leading the charge make this image a very deserving winner of Footy Focus 26. 

>> SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE REST OF THIS YEAR'S TOP 10

A moment of pure joy 

Nitsch's winning image was captured at Melbourne's iconic Reclink Community Cup, held at Victoria Park in Collingwood, and depicts members of the RockDogs running onto the ground surrounded by a sea of colour, excitement and anticipation. 

The image immediately stood out to judges for its joyful energy, layered storytelling and ability to capture the sense of belonging that makes community football so special. 

A volunteer photographer at the event, Nitsch knew they were witnessing something special as it unfolded. 

"I realised in the moment I was capturing something special because the players and fans were all beaming with joy, so whatever I captured in that moment would feel special," they said. 

The photograph features members of the RockDogs, a team made up of people from across the music industry who come together each year to participate in the much-loved community event. 

For Nitsch, the image embodies everything they love about photographing football: "Having other people feel the joy and pride of seeing themselves in an image and making a difference to their lives." 

The heart of community football 

Community football has become a significant part of Nitsch's photographic journey, and it remains the people who continue to inspire them. 

"Community footy means the world. Community footy is a place everyone is welcome and you can be exactly who you are and want to be. This is where the best people are and true connections are made," Nitsch said.

"The people keep bringing me back. They have so much love and joy for this that it spreads like wildfire and you can feel it in your soul." 

That sense of connection is evident throughout the winning image and helped it resonate strongly with the judging panel. 

"Everyone has a big heart and all they want is to feel connected to others. People can feel connected to this image without even being there," Nitsch said. 

>> VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE FOOTY FOCUS 26 IMAGE HERE

A dream realised 

When AFL chief photographer Michael Willson surprised Nitsch with the news, the emotions were immediate. Daisy broke down in tears. 

"Unreal, it's like I'm dreaming. I'm so incredibly proud of this achievement, not only for myself but for shining a light on my community. I'm so happy I can't stop smiling," they said. 

For a photographer who has spent years building their craft and telling stories from community grounds around the country, the recognition carries special significance. 

"It's huge. I've worked so hard to get here and hustled so much, so to win this is massive for me," Nitsch said.  

"I was in disbelief but also so much joy. There was such a build-up of emotion from the past years of hard work to get here. I just melted. I was shocked." 

As the Footy Focus 26 winner, Nitsch will also receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to Toyota, joining the AFL Photos team to photograph an AFL round one match from the boundary line at the MCG in 2027. 

"I'm excited to push myself outside of games I'm used to shooting and see just how capable I can be and where I can go next. Of course, I'm very excited to be shooting at the MCG with thousands of fans," Nitsch said.

Looking ahead, Nitsch has no shortage of ambitions. 

"I'd love to be a full-time photographer for the AFL or Getty Images, to have that place to tell stories through my eyes. I'd also love to photograph the Olympics," they said. 

Celebrating our top 10 

While only one image could claim the title, Footy Focus 26 showcased an incredible standard of photography from across Australia. 

The top 10 finalists captured everything from grassroots action and emotional celebrations to the volunteers, players, families and communities who bring football to life every weekend. 

The AFL congratulates all finalists and thanks every photographer who shared their unique perspective on the game this year. 

THE REST OF THE TOP 10

Highly commended

Claire Henderson - 'Pre-season Scratch Match' 

Players take part in West Football Club pre-season training at Jim McConville Oval in Alice Springs, Northern Territory ahead of the 2026 CAFL Series on March 12, 2026. Picture: Claire Henderson 

Michael Willson says: "This is a beautiful picture that has so much going for it. Gorgeous light, spectacular backdrop, carefully considered exposure to still show detail in the players' silhouettes. And the ball isolated in the sky caps off a very strong composition."

Highly commended

Ryan Sheridan - 'In Fog, Under Lights'

Players compete in a ruck contest during the Terrigal-Avoca v Saratoga match in the Hunter Central Coast AFL competition at Hylton Moore Oval on June 12, 2026. Picture: Ryan Sheridan 

Michael Willson says: "I love that the photographer has made a spectacular picture out of nothing here. Quite often suburban venues are dimly lit and offer very little as far as creativity for photographers. But here the script has been flipped, using the low light and fog to their advantage, silhouetting the players and getting the angle right to make a really strong image."

Brooke Sleep - 'Chase'

Lacey Dutton of the Bond University Sharks is chased by Grace Roberts-White of the Coorparoo Kings, during a QAFLW Seniors match in Brisbane, Queensland on April 25, 2026. Picture: Brooke Sleep 

Michael Willson says: "Strong action, great light and razor-sharp focus make this a sensational action picture. The droplets coming from the players' boots, lit up perfectly by the fading light, make this a really strong composition."

Jordan Smith - 'Stacks On'

An Allansford player tackles a South Rovers player during the match between Allansford and South Rovers in the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League (WDFNL) at Allansford Recreation Reserve in Allansford, Victoria on July 18, 2026. Picture: Jordan Smith

Michael Willson says: "I love the desperation on the faces here, as well as the shape of the stacked players, it makes a really interesting composition. Also the low angle to the ground makes it a really dynamic action picture."

Brooke Sleep - 'Pocket Goal'

Kaiya Hides and Tia Magarry of the Wilston Grange Gorillas celebrate a goal during the QAFLW Seniors match between Wilston Grange Gorillas and Maroochydore Roos at Hickey Park in Brisbane, Queensland on April 11, 2026. Picture: Brooke Sleep

Michael Willson says: "You can’t help but feel the joy and excitement coming through in this image. It’s been treated so well in post, cropping loosely and using the dark background to really make the players pop."

Riley Lockett - 'Missed Out'

A Dandenong West player who was not selected in the premiership side is embraced by a teammate after the SFNL Seniors match between St John's and Dandenong West at Dingley Reserve in Dingley, Victoria on September 6, 2026.  Picture: Riley Lockett

Michael Willson says: "Love the emotion coming through here. Really shows the power of footy, and the amazing ability it has to connect people."

Michael Lovell - 'Wet-Weather Precision'

Xavier Tweedly, Luke Smith and Edmund Walsh contest for the ball under relentless rain, in the Hampden League match between the Port Fairy Seagulls and Cobden Bombers in Cobden, Victoria in July 2025. Picture: Michael Lovell

Michael Willson says: "Such an interesting and dynamic action picture. Perfect timing from the photographer to capture the peak moment. The rain speaks to the skill of the footballer, but also the resilience of the photographer!"

Sebastian Kitchener - 'Magpie in the Shadows'

A Glenorchy player kicks for goal in harsh sunlight during the Southern Football League Round 6 match between Clarence and Glenorchy at Ninja Stadium in Hobart, Tasmania, on May 9, 2026. Picture: Sebastian Kitchener

Michael Willson says: "I look at this picture and think the photographer has really planned this shot, probably took a gamble and it’s paid off handsomely. Looks like a streak of light on one part of the ground that would not have been there for long. Waiting for some strong action to pass through it would have tested the patience, but when the moment arrived the photographer has nailed it with technical precision, exposing for the highlights and creating a striking action picture."

Bruce Povey

Nash Ramage of Rochester Football Netball Club attempts a mark over a pack of Rochester and Mansfield players during the Goulburn Valley League Round 2 match between Rochester and Mansfield at Moon Oval in Rochester, Victoria on April 11, 2026. Picture: Bruce Povey

Michael Willson says: "Bush footy at its best! An absolute belter of a frame that shows off the very best part of our game. A monster leap in a huge pack, ball and face clearly visible. Reminds me of the famous Michael Roach picture from 1979 vs Hawthorn."

Vote for the People's Choice Winner 

Now it's your turn - vote for your favourite Footy Focus image and help crown Australia's inaugural People's Choice Winner! 

The photographer whose image receives the most public votes will be named the 2026 Footy Focus People's Choice Winner and receive an unforgettable 2027 Gather Round experience in Adelaide. 

Help decide our very first People's Choice Winner and celebrate the very best emerging photographers in the country. Voting closes at 5pm AEDT on Wednesday, October 7, and only one vote per person is permitted.

>> VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE FOOTY FOCUS 2026 IMAGE HERE

That's it for Footy Focus 26, thanks to Toyota’s Good for Footy program. Head to the Footy Focus hub to check out the weekly highlights and features, and get ready for Footy Focus 27!