Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd and Collingwood’s Leon Davis have claimed the 2008 Toyota AFL Mark and Goal of the Year Awards.
The 2008 Mark of the Year award caps off a rare double for Lloyd after he took out Goal of the Year last season.
Lloyd, 30, received this year’s honour after his high flying pack mark against Melbourne at the MCG in Round 18.
Davis’ nomination came in Round 22 at Subiaco against Fremantle after he tackled an opponent, gathered the disputed ball and goaled skilfully on the run from 50 metres out on the boundary line.
He becomes the third indigenous player to receive this award since 2004 following Daniel Wells (2004) and Eddie Betts (2007).
Both awards were decided by the All Australian selection committee from the pool of weekly winners as voted by footy fans at afl.com.au and the AFL’s expert panel. All-Australian selectors had until Monday evening to finalise their selections following the nominations from the Grand Final.
Lloyd will receive the Alex Jesaulenko medal for his winning mark, while Davis will accept the Phil Manassa medal.
Both players will receive the use of a Toyota TRD Aurion for 12 months and as part of its ongoing commitment to grassroots football, Toyota will also award $5000 to Lloyd and Davis’ grassroots clubs; Avondale Heights (Lloyd) and Maddington Football Club (Davis).
Toyota Senior Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, David Buttner congratulated the two players for their achievements.
""Toyota is a proud supporter of the Mark and Goal of the Year Award.
""In a season that has seen record attendances at AFL matches, it is important to honour the spectacular and unique aspects of the game that fans love to see,"" Mr Buttner said.
Matthew Lloyd said the Mark of the Year award would sit proudly next to last year’s Goal of the Year gong.
""It’s a great honour to win this award and I want to thank the fans and All-Australian selectors for voting for me. Taking that mark was a big thrill for me and to win this great prize is icing on the cake,"" Lloyd said.
""Importantly, my junior club Avondale Heights gets to share in this award and I am proud that I have been able to help them.""
Leon Davis said: ""To kick the winning goal in my home state of Western Australia, on a ground in which I'm very familiar, makes this award particularly memorable.""
In a change introduced this year, the award encompassed the entire 2008 Toyota AFL Premiership season, including the finals series.
