2025 Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell grew up playing for the Canterbury Cobras. Image: Morgan Hancock / AFL Photos
AFL Victoria recognises the fantastic achievements of Victorian born and raised talents recognised on Monday night, including 2025 Brownlow Medallist, Matt Rowell (Canterbury Cobras), 2025 Telstra AFL Rising Star, Murphy Reid (South Melbourne Districts), Goal of the Year winner Noah Anderson (Hawthorn Citz) and Mark of the Year winner Sam Darcy (Glen Iris JFC/Hawthorn Citz).
Brownlow Medallist - Matt Rowell (Canterbury Cobras)
Rowell grew up playing for the Canterbury Cobras in the Yarra Junior Football League, before playing at the Boroondara Hawks with current Gold Coast SUNS Captain and Goal of the Year winner Noah Anderson (who began at Hawthorn Citizens JFC).
Childhood best friends and teammates, Rowell and Anderson were selected by the Gold Coast SUNS with pick 1 and 2 in the 2019 AFL Draft, and have gone on to be the foundation of the SUNS' side, helping them to an historic first finals win this season.
Goal of the Year - Noah Anderson (Hawthorn Citz)
As NAB Goal of the Year winner, Anderson receives $50,000 while NAB will donate a further $10,000 to his community club, Hawthorn Citizens.
It’s the latest accolade for Anderson who this year received his first All Australian blazer and was named as joint winner of the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year.
Rising Star - Murphy Reid (South Melbourne Districts)
Reid was selected with pick 17 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft after playing community footy with South Melbourne Districts Junior Football Club. He also represented the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League and was Victoria Metro’s MVP in its 2024 title-winning National Championships campaign.
The 19-year-old received the Ron Evans Medal and $20,000 thanks to Telstra, after polling a maximum five votes from nine of the 10-member All-Australian panel.
Mark of the Year - Sam Darcy (Glen Iris JFC/Hawthorn Citz)
Sam Darcy grew up playing local footy for Glen Iris JFC and Hawthorn Citz in the Yarra Junior Football League, before being drafted as a father-son selection by the Western Bulldogs with pick 2 in the 2021 AFL Draft.
Darcy beat his Western Bulldogs teammate Buku Khamis and North Melbourne’s Zac Banch to be awarded the Alex Jesaulenko Medal at Monday night’s Brownlow Medal Count.
The high-flying forward took to the skies at the MCG in the final minute of the match against Melbourne to help keep the Western Bulldogs' finals hopes alive.
As the winner of the 2025 Virgin Australia AFL Mark of the Year, Darcy receives $50,000 and two million Velocity Points thanks to Virgin Australia.
Congratulations to all award winners and the community clubs, parents and volunteers that helped them get to live out their AFL dreams.