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Fremantle Docker Caleb Serong wins Goal of the Year for controversial effort against West Coast in Western Derby

Headshot of Catherine Healey
Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
VideoCaleb Serong kicked this epic Goal of the Year contender to help Fremantle secure their famous derby win.

It was either a miracle or a mistake depending on which WA team you support. And now Docker Caleb’s Serong’s remarkable goal in Fremantle’s drought-breaking western derby win has it’s own title — 2021 Goal of the Year.

Serong, the 2020 Rising Star, added another gong to his already impressive resume by nabbing the Goal of the Year at Sunday night’s Brownlow Medal count.

WATCH THE GOAL IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

“I don’t think much was going through my head in the situation,” Serong admitted.

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“I just got up as quick as I could and slammed it on the boot.”

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But the goal itself was full of controversy and will live on as one of the most talked about goals in derby history.

The passage of play almost stopped on multiple occasions in the lead-up with the ball straddling the boundary line, and one camera angle appeared to show Adam Cerra holding the footy on the wrong side of the line as play-on was called.

Serong’s stunning snap put an end to an Eagles’ resurgence and saw Fremantle win their first western derby since April 2015.

Docker Caleb Serong talks to the media after winning the Goal of the Year.
Camera IconDocker Caleb Serong talks to the media after winning the Goal of the Year. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

The youngster also walked away with the Glendinning-Allan Medal for best on ground to cap his performance.

Speaking next to teammate Nat Fyfe, who presented Serong the Goal of the Year medal, and host Abbey Holmes, the young Docker brought plenty of cheers from the Perth crowd when he discussed the next award in his sights.

“Hopefully a flag next year for the Dockers,” he said.

A mistake or miracle ... it’s now etched in AFL history.

Serong beat young Demon Kysaiah Pickett and Brownlow Medal hopeful Marcus Bontempelli for the title.

Serong becomes just the second Docker to win the title after Hayden Ballantyne back in 2011.

BOLTON HITS NEW HEIGHTS

West Aussie Shai Bolton has taken out the Mark of the Year award in 2021.

The young Tiger used Geelong’s Mark Blicvas as a human stepladder to reach new heights in the MCG goalsquare back in round eight.

“I was just waiting there for a while,” a modest Bolton said.

“I guess it was a good mark.”

Bolton beat teammate Jack Riewoldt to the award and Hawk Tim O’Brien.

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