Geelong veteran Isaac Smith claimed the Norm Smith Medal after playing a tremendous hand in the Cats’ AFL grand final thumping of the Swans — and he dedicated the honour to his beloved grandfather.
Smith was awarded the best-on-ground gong after the Cats belted the Swans by 81 points at the MCG on Saturday.
The 33-year-old tallied a match-high 32 touches (11 contested), registered five clearances, made 771 metres and booted three goals, including a major that helped put the result beyond doubt.
READ MORE: Cats slaughter Swans to win 2022 grand final
READ MORE: ‘Big call’ backfires as Swans gamble fails badly
READ MORE: Robbie Williams’ touching tribute to Shane Warne
Smith received a handball from Jeremy Cameron as Geelong led Sydney by 48 points midway through the third quarter, before setting his radar on the run and blasting home a goal from the 50-metre arc.
Later in the afternoon at a sold-out MCG, the wingman collected his fourth premiership medal, adding to the three gongs he won as a member of Hawthorn’s threepeat.
But the first medal he had draping around his neck on Saturday was for the best-on-ground performance, paving the way for his beautiful tribute.
“I’d like to give a shout-out to my family: my beautiful wife Candice and my hero growing up. Pop, I love you,” Smith said on stage after receiving the Norm Smith Medal.
The New South Welshman kissed his black armband and pointed to the heavens.
Smith boots it from 50m
He created his own slice of history in the best-afield showing, becoming the oldest player in history to win the medal.
Smith edged 1980 Norm Smith Medallist Kevin Bartlett and 1995 winner Greg Williams, who were 32 and 31 respectively.
Smith polled 14 votes in the Norm Smith Medal voting, outdoing Patrick Dangerfield (10) and Tyson Stengle (four).
He was presented the honour by former Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley, the winner of the 2002 medal, prompting his teammates to swarm him in a moment to cherish.
Selwood kicks fairytale captain’s grand final goal
Norm Smith Medal voting
14 | Isaac Smith (Geelong)
10 | Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
4 | Tyson Stengle (Geelong)
1 | Sam De Koning (Geelong)
1 | Mark Blicavs (Geelong)
Judges’ voting
Andrew McLeod (chair) | I Smith 3, P Dangerfield 2, M Blicavs 1
Jonathan Brown | P Dangerfield 3, I Smith 2, T Stengle 1
Michael Gleeson | I Smith 3, P Dangerfield 2, S De Koning 1
Abbey Holmes | I Smith 3, P Dangerfield 2, T Stengle 1
David Mundy | I Smith 3, T Stengle 2, P Dangerfield 1
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
AFL grand final in pictures: Joel Selwood’s beaitful Ablett moment
