Sport is entertainment, at the end of the day.
There were some massive personalities that emerged, plus some partnerships that rose and fell.
Let’s go back over it quickly, summing up all the awards we handed out in our podcast season finale.
The Only Sports Show | LISTEN TO OUR FULL AWARDS EPISODE:
NOMINATIONS for Breakout Cult Figure:
JACK GINNIVAN
JASON ‘CUMDOG’ CUMMINGS
NEDD BROCKMANN
ANDREW REDMAYNE – ‘THE GREY WIGGLE’
Some huge personalities made this award really tough to decide.
Jack Ginnivan impressively embraced becoming a footy villain in his rookie season, playing some incredible ball for the Pies. Nedd Brockmann did the impossible, running the entire width of the country in an enormously brutal but successful fundraising mission; letting the entire nation get to know the person he is.
And two footballers emerged during the Socceroos’ incredible World Cup qualification journey and subsequent run to the Round of 16.
WINNER: Nedd Brockmann
NOMINATIONS for Breakout Megastar:
ERLING HAALAND
CARLOS ALCARAZ
IGA SWIATEK
There were breakouts in 2022 and then there were breakouts.
These three names are going to be household names and at the top of their game for many, many years to come.
But it was hard to go past Iga Swiatek, who was essentially unbeatable on the WTA circuit this year.
WINNER: Iga Swiatek
NOMINATIONS for Most Controversial Breakup:
BEN SIMMONS & MAYA JAMA
DEVIN BOOKER & KENDALL JENNER
TOM BRADY & GISELE BÜNDCHEN
DANIEL RICCIARDO & MCLAREN
This one was unanimous.
WINNER: Tom Brady & Giselle
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NOMINATIONS for Best Bromance:
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE & STEVE SMITH
NICK KYRGIOS & THANASI KOKKINAKIS – THE SPECIAL Ks
THE SCOTTISH SOCCEROOS
The Scottish Socceroos, including the Cumdog, certainly became a big deal down under at the back end of this year.
The heartbeat of Australia’s Test batting lineup have also stepped up so far this summer, in a big way. The camaraderie Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have displayed has been so wholesome.
But the question is this – would Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis be Australian Open doubles champions if not for their tight bond and friendship? The answer is no.