Top 10 Greatest AFL Marks of All Time

Discussing the plethora of spectacular marks taken in the history of the VFL/AFL and ordering them into a list often generates plenty of debate from supporters who claim that they seem to have a definitive idea of whose grab is best. While this ASF Countdown doesn't aim to settle everything once and for all, as these lists are always based on opinion, it gives a fair crack at naming the very best ten based on spectacularness and degree of difficulty. Therefore, Leo Barry and Brendon Goddard don't get a guernsey in this list as while the timing of their grabs was nothing less than perfect, they don't squeeze into our top ten best marks.


10 Nick Riewoldt (St.K) vs Syd, 2004
Courageous marks don't often get the recognition they deserve, but a lot of the time they don't stack up in comparison to the high flyers. Riewoldt's mark is an exception. Watch him start running at the 0:10 mark - the Saints star never takes his eyes off the footy and risks his own safety to take arguably the most courageous mark of all time.



9 Andrew Walker (Carl) vs Ess, 2011
Criticise me for placing a mark from the season not even completed in this list, but Walker's mark was undoubtedly spectacular. You know you've taken a ripper mark when fans of the opposition team stand up and cheer, and Walker's mark prompted exactly that. The Blue's big sit has also been shown worldwide on many news stations and websites resulting in the video going viral with nearly 3 million views - a great advertisement for our great game.



8 Brett Allison (NM) vs Coll, 1991
If you thought Walker kneeling on Jake Carlisle's shoulders was good, how about Brett Allison literally standing on a bloke's head! The young Roo climbed up to take the 1991 Mark of the Year in what has become a criminially underrated mark. Allison's grab starts at 0:06 on the video.



7 Brett Burton (Adel) vs Carl, 2009
Brett Burton has always been a high flyer, but this soaring pack mark in the twilight of his career rates as his best. Burton flew so high that he almost hit his head on the roof.



6 Tony Modra (Adel) vs NM, 1997
Another one from the underrated book, but this mark speaks volumes about Modra's persona and characteristics out on the field - cheeky and talented. The charismatic Crow perched himself on Mick Martyn's shoulders in the goalsquare (the hardest position to take a mark on the ground) and waited, almost in slow motion, for the ball to reach him. Modra does a half turn on Martyn's head and takes the mark in his chest just before the line - a truly spectacular mark.



5 Michael Roach (Rich) vs Haw, 1979
Roach's classic juggling pack grab has becomed etched in football folklore and regularly features in these lists. The 70s camera angle doesn't show how high that "Disco" actually did get up.



4 Jeff Farmer (Melb) vs Rich, 1998
"The Wizard" was an enigmatic player during his time at the Dees and Freo - freakishly awesome at best, and disappointingly lacklustre at worst. Farmer showed off his high marking skills at the G in 1998 with this cracker. No hands in the back, no boosts or lifts - just all jump.



3 Ashley Sampi (WCE) vs Melb, 2004
The highlight of Ashley Sampi's short but eventful career was this monster leap at the MCG against Melbourne. Sampi got the ride and then the extra boost on top of that, landing cat-like on his feet.



2 Gary Moorcroft (Ess) vs WB, 2001
Moorcroft was never quite the same player after this mark, but this was his night. Six goals, highlighted by this spring-heeled jump off Brad Johnson's back. What would now probably be a push in the back was fair game ten years ago, and the side slow motion view of this mark truly magnifies how amazing Moorcroft's launch was.



1 Shaun Smith (Melb) vs Bris, 1995
Named by the AFL as the Mark of the Century, Shaun Smith's grab on teammate Garry Lyon's head is generally accepted as the greatest mark ever and it happily slots into my list at the top spot. Smith's launch is not made as pretty by the lack of camera angles at Carrara, but the freeze frame shows Smith clearly stand fully extended on Lyon's head as he takes the mark.



Everyone has an opinion - what's your best mark of all time? What grabs that aren't listed here would make your top 10? Leave a comment below.