In the week before the AFL Preliminary Finals were to be played, the annual Australian Football Media Association (AFMA) announced its 2022 winners.
AFMA celebrates the reporting across all platforms covering Australian Rules Football.
The awards reporting period ran until August 30 2022, encompassing the 2021 AFL Finals, 2022 AFLW Season Six, the 2022 AFL Home and Away season and the lead-up to AFLW Season Seven.
Mediaweek below prints a full list of winners with the judges’ comments plus the commendable mentions.
BEST AFLW REPORTER/REPORTING – print, digital, radio, TV
Entrants judged on news breaking, impact and a high standard of reportage of AFLW stories.
Winner: Lauren Wood, Herald Sun
Lauren’s stories led the way for informative reporting, impact and insightful opinion across a range of topics. The standard of her reporting was exemplary, her insight and ability to break news across both the CBA debate and the AFLW draft led the pack in 2022.
Commendable Mention: Riley Beveridge, AFL.com.au and Kate O’Halloran, ABC Sport
Lauren Wood
BEST AFLW PROGRAM/FEATURE – print, digital, radio, TV
Entrants judged on insight into football, relevance, depth of discussion/feature writing and impact.
Winner: Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW, JAM TV
From the heartbreak of seeing, hearing and feeling a season-ending injury to the triumph of holding up the premiership cup this phenomenal piece of television humanises every element of what makes our game great. It also highlights why the rise of AFLW is so important without sugar-coating the challenges the individuals and competition faces.
Commendable Mention: Gemma Bastiani, AFL.com.au
BEST DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PRESENTATION – print, digital, radio, TV
Open to individuals and organisations, this award seeks to recognise outstanding media work supporting diversity and inclusion within the AFL system.
Winner: The Friday Huddle, Triple M
Without fanfare, promotion or hype, Dani Laidley joined Triple M’s The Friday Huddle for a pre-match conversation and in-match analysis. The questions asked of Dani were respectful, curious and thoughtful, the conversation was sensitive and open. They gave Dani the opportunity to explain terms such as gender dysphoria, and to talk about gender transition and her new life, where she’s truly herself.
The judges believe this was a bold and ground-breaking moment in football broadcasting. The discussion was both empathetic and educational. Triple M took the chance to open the hearts and minds of their audience about gender issues that some people aren’t yet comfortable to talk about, and they carried it off with care and with class.
Commendable Mention: The broadcasters from Yolngu Radio – Sylvia Nulpinditj, Baykali Ganambarr and William Gumbula.
BEST PODCAST
Must be a dedicated podcast, not a re-packaged broadcast product. Entrants judged on football insight, depth of discussion, entertainment, quality of analysis and relevance.
Winner: Credit To The Girls, AFL.com.au
Credit To The Girls is a sharp and entertaining podcast that has a great balance of light and shade. It moves effortlessly from serious subjects to more fun content and its cast analyse the AFLW with the depth that it deserves.
Commendable Mention: Sacked, Herald Sun
Podcasters Sarah Black, Lucy Watkin and Gemma Bastiani
PRINT/ONLINE
BEST OPINION/ANALYSIS
Entrants judged on the most impactful and articulate opinion and analysis.
Winner: Peter Ryan, The Age
Peter’s pieces were extremely well written, and his opinion strongly argued and well articulated. Peter demonstrated a capacity to break down complex topics in a concise and clean manner, weaving his points in a measured, well-rounded fashion. We were particularly impressed with Peter’s piece on the decision to overturn Patrick Cripps’ suspension for bumping and its broader impacts on the game. While his explainer on the role of modern AFL coaches was also highly detailed and insightful.
Commendable Mention: Jake Niall, The Age
BEST NEWS REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
Entrants judged on exclusivity in news reporting, accuracy and overall impact.
Winner: Jon Ralph, Herald Sun
Jon was a standout this year. He broke many stories during the season and most of those had a long-lasting impact across the season. And one story in particular brought some positive change. Jon’s stories on West Coast’s Patrick Bines’ debilitating neck injury resulted in a $500,000 compensation scheme to go towards Patrick’s rehabilitation.
Commendable Mention: Sam Landsberger, Herald Sun
BEST FEATURE REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
Entrants judged on overall impact and accuracy, exclusivity in storytelling, and insightful and excellent writing.
Winner: Sam Landsberger, Herald Sun
Sam’s story on the abuse suffered by a series of women umpires in metropolitan Melbourne was well written, deeply reported and was an outstanding piece of journalism that went to the heart of the toxic masculinity that continues to surface in the game. His piece detailing the racist abuse encountered by Michael McLean was heartbreaking and was another example of his excellent work this year. This category was particularly difficult to judge because of the exceptional quality of so much of the work that was entered.
Commendable mentions: Jake Niall, The Age; Courtney Walsh, Code Sports; Mark Robinson, Herald Sun, Caroline Wilson, The Age.
BEST ACTION PHOTO
Entrants judged on an ability to best capture the highlights, emotion, storylines, and the highs and lows of the game.
Winner: Phil Hillyard, AFL.com.au/News Corp Australia
Phil Hillyard perfectly captured the magical moment when Lance Franklin booted his historic 1000th goal as fans, armed with their phone cameras, started their invasion of the SCG in their thousands. The jubilation and relief just before the mayhem started guarantees Hillyard’s photos will find a special place in the Franklin family photo album.
Commendable Mention: Darrian Traynor, Freelance/Getty Images
BEST NEWS/FEATURE PHOTO
Entrants judged on an ability to capture moments which best illustrate the non-game stories.
Winner: Michael Willson, AFL.com.au
It was one of the most significant events of the year when Sydney Swans forward Lance “Buddy’’ Franklin became just the sixth VFL/AFL player to kick 1000 goals. Willson perfectly captured the magic and mayhem which immediately followed when thousands of fans invaded the ground to congratulate Buddy and many to simply say: “I was there.” The photo will live on as part of the game’s history and only add through the ages to the Franklin folklore.
Commendable Mention: Michael Klein, Herald Sun
RADIO/TV
BEST NEWS OR FEATURE REPORTING BY AN INDIVIDUAL
Entrants judged on overall impact, exclusivity in storytelling, reporting excellence, originality and accuracy.
Winner: Ryan Daniels, The Seven Network
In a hotly contested category, Ryan Daniels’s story on former West Coast Eagle Daniel Venables and the abrupt end of his career caused by a head injury stood out. It was both poignant in its telling and significant in its impact. In a still burning issue for the AFL, Daniels’s story on Venables is likely to be remembered as a landmark. It was augmented by a solid body of work.
Commendable Mention: Caroline Wilson, 3AW, Channel 9
BEST OPINION/ANALYSIS – INDIVIDUAL
Entrants judged on the most impactful and articulate opinion and analysis. Open to radio and TV match broadcasters, as well as panellists on football programs.
Winner: Leigh Matthews, 3AW
Leigh Matthews could easily trade off ‘being Leigh Matthews’. When the Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend talks, people listen. But rather than take his standing in the game for granted, Matthews continues to bring articulate, considered and impactful opinion and analysis to 3AW’s coverage. Matthews doesn’t just offer his opinion, he delivers it with energy and enthusiasm.
Commendable Mention: Leigh Montagna, Fox Footy
BEST RADIO PROGRAM
Entrants judged on football insight, discussion depth, entertainment, analytical quality, relevance.
Winner: Whateley, SEN
In an exceptionally competitive category with a handful of outstanding submissions, SEN’s Whateley consistently delivered on the biggest issues and the unforgettable moments of 2022. The program was able to inform, entertain and engage its listeners, setting the agenda on a range of issues and boasting access to a rich array of guests and regular contributors. Whateley had a strong balance of analysis, in-depth discussion and football insight, while also paying respect to the history and traditions of an ever-changing game.
Commendable Mention: 3AW Football, Sportsday, The Run Home
Gerard Whateley
BEST RADIO MATCH CALLER
Entrants judged on clarity, accuracy, colour/flair, use of the language/ability to paint the picture.
Winner: Gerard Whateley, SEN
Whateley’s entry showcased the season’s most dramatic moments, providing theatre as well as some broader perspective and context. His ability to precisely articulate play stood him apart. The description of Collingwood as the ‘Grim Reaper’ in the final game of the home and away season against Carlton was testament to this.
Commendable Mention: Anthony Hudson, SEN
BEST TV PROGRAM
Entrants judged on football insight, discussion depth, entertainment, analytical quality, relevance.
Winner: The Front Bar, The Seven Network
The comic relief the Front Bar provides is a welcome antidote to serious football discussion, providing contemporary perspective on a range of issues, insight into the game’s characters through interviews and a reminder that footy is fun, attracting an audience as diverse as the game itself.
Commendable Mention: Fearless, AFL 360
Andy, Mick and Sam from The Front Bar
BEST TV MATCH CALLER
Entrants judged on colour/flair, accuracy, use of the language and an ability to marry the words with the pictures.
Winner: Dwayne Russell, Fox Footy
Dwayne Russell’s commentary provides the necessary information, the nuance and the respect for each moment. His words, rhythm and expertise are an exceptional complement to the game’s iconic images.
Commendable Mention: Anthony Hudson, Fox Footy
Dwayne Russell
CLUB
BEST CLUB CONTENT
Entrants judged on originality, impact, creativity, public interaction.
Winner: One-Eyed GIANT, GWS
For creativity and originality, it was hard to go past the One-Eyed Giant series from GWS. Using pop culture and sassy scripts to jazz up match reports, the GWS content team made the Giants brand relevant to more than just the ironed-on footy fan. A special mention goes to the Giants anti virus software too, which must have been working hard as they downloaded that many YouTube clips each week. Real Limewire vibes.
Commendable Mention: Hawthorn Football Club, “Stop Racism”
AFMA MAJOR AWARDS
ALF BROWN AWARD
Presented to the overall best media performer. To qualify, the winner must have not only been successful in a 2022 award category, but also have been put forward by the judges of that category for consideration for this award. A separate panel of judges determine the Alf Brown Award.
Winner: Gerard Whateley, SEN/Fox Footy
Gerard Whateley is the consummate all-round media performer, excelling as a caller and a host of popular programs on both radio and television. He is a worthy winner of the 2022 Alf Brown award as the outstanding media figure in the fiercely competitive field of AFL football. Whateley knows his subject intimately, understands his mediums and brings authority, wisdom and passion to every debate.
Commendable Mention: Jon Ralph, Herald Sun
LOU RICHARDS MEDAL
Presented to a former or current league footballer now working in the media. The award is to recognise the qualities displayed by Lou Richards throughout his career on and off the field. Judges were asked to vote on the entrant’s personality, use of language and humour, as well as care for and knowledge of the game.
Winner: Matthew Richardson, The Seven Network
Just like the legendary Lou Richards, Channel Seven expert commentator Matthew Richardson doesn’t take himself too seriously, but at the same time is highly insightful with his commentary as games unfold. Richo hosted the Friday Night Countdown pregame show, before jumping in the commentary seat for Seven’s Friday Night Footy. His rapport with current day players is a gift and his interview immediately after Lance Franklin’s iconic 1000th goal was a highlight of his year in broadcasting.
Commendable Mention: Nathan Buckley, Fox Footy
CLINTON GRYBAS EMERGING TALENT AWARD
Presented to the best emerging talent in football media. No age criteria, and discretion on “emerging” talent to be determined by an editorial executive of the organisation at which an entrant has worked. The award is open to media people who have had work published or broadcast (including match-day coverage), as well as those who work behind scenes in production.
Winner: Luca Urso, JAM TV
The judges were unanimous in awarding Luca Urso the 2022 Rising Star. Luca’s people skills, work ethic, intelligence, humour and his combined football knowledge and strong news sense have seen him move quickly through the production ranks at both the Nine Network, where he has produced The Sunday Footy Show for the past two years, and Fox Footy, where he produces AFLW matches. A highlight of Luca’s work has been the superior content that punctuates that match coverage.
The judges also highlighted Luca’s senior role on Footy Classified which includes key oversight of Wednesday night’s Ross the Boss segment and his inventive 2022 AFLW season opener production on Fox Footy.
Commendable Mention: Jess Webster, Fox Footy, ABC Sport
AFMA Life Membership: Mark Robinson
Fox Sports highlighted that Fox Footy, 3AW and Herald Sun footy reporter Mark Robinson was awarded Life Membership at the awards.
Robinson was interviewed by News Corp Australia National Sports Editor and long-time friend Matthew Kitchin, who moved in with Robinson after he underwent open-heart surgery last year. The Herald Sun chief football writer reflected on his love for newspapers, as well as his stints with various radio and TV organisations during his storeyed career.
Mark Robinson with his AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley
Main image at top is courtesy Fox Footy.
Fox Footy’s AFMA winners: Mark Robinson, Gerard Whateley and Dwayne Russell.
See also: 2021 AFMA Awards: Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson + all AFL media winners