Cam Rayner has been nominated for Goal of the Year for the first time in the 2019 AFL Premiership Season for a brilliant soccer-styled goal in the fourth quarter against Hawthorn on Saturday.
Rayner becomes the first Lions player aside from Charlie Cameron to be nominated. Cameron has been nominated three times, in Round 1, 9 and 10.
Coincidentally, Rayner’s goal came from an overstepped handball by Cameron. In the leadup, Cameron and Hipwood had soccer kicked the ball to get within the Lions’ inside 50.
Dan McStay picked it up, handballed to Cameron who then over-passed to Rayner. With a bit of magic and “Jackie Chan” styled leg extension, according to commentator Brenton Speed, Rayner managed to kick the ball inside the goal, with only centimeters to work with.
The goal was critical, as it gave the Lions’ a 12-point lead with seven minutes to spare.
