Best sports photography

This award recognises published images that capture the passion, drama and colour of sport. Entries may be either a single photograph or a series on the same subject.

2021 Winner

Jay Town, Tennis Australia ‘Eye on the ball’

Jay Town was determined to capture the expression of concentration on Rafael Nadal's face as he hoisted the ball into the air for service during the Australian Open. With extraordinary timing, Town captured Nadal’s eye in sharp focus through his fingers as he served to Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rod Laver Arena.

Finalists

Daniel Pockett, Getty Images ‘To the moon and back’

Using in-camera multiple exposure, Daniel Pockett has created a striking image of Jason Behrendorff of the Perth Scorchers fielding in the moonlight during the January 23, 2021 Big Bash League match against Melbourne Stars at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

David Gray, Agence France-Presse ‘Unusual scenes at the Australian Open’

The 2021 Australian Open tennis championships were like no other, with COVID-19 restrictions meaning many matches were played without crowds. This unusually quiet environment led to David Gray capturing scenes of players interacting with their surroundings, such as Naomi Osaka carefully removing a butterfly from her dress, Rafael Nadal blowing a dandelion from his sweaty palm, and Frances Tiafoe serving in 'spotlight sunlight' in an empty stadium.

Phil Hillyard, AFL ‘Buddy is Back’

When Lance Franklin signed a mega $10 million dollar, 9-year deal to join the Sydney Swans ahead of the 2014 AFL season many expected he wouldn’t see it out. After missing much of the 2019 season, injury struck again in the 2020 pre-season and he did not play a single match that year. Franklin returned in Round 2, 2021 at the SCG in a new-look Sydney Swans team. He went on to play 17 games of the home-and-away season, once again winning games off his own boot and bringing fans through the gates.