Sports > List > AFL > Grand Final > Sprint > 2023

The AFL Grand Final sprint is an annual event which usually takes place at half-time of AFL Grand Final. It was first held in 1979. There has also been a kicking competition. Since 2021, there has also been a women's sprint event.

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2023 Winner: Max Holmes (Geelong)

The Coles 2023 Grand Final sprint was held before the main game. Two heats involving a player from each of the 18 clubs took place at 12.15pm, the final involving the top 8 held 20-25 minutes later.

Geelong's Max Holmes blitzed the field, crossing the line well ahead of Brisbane's Jaxon Prior and Melbourne's Jed Adams. Holmes was an experienced junior athlete, the son of dual Olympian and Commonwealth Gold medallist Lee Naylor, and had won the Australian under-18 400m hurdles title. He was the only runner to bring his own spikes.

Final Placings

1. Geelong Cats – Max Holmes
2. Brisbane Lions – Jaxon Prior
3. Melbourne – Jed Adams
4. Port Adelaide – Jed McEntee
5. Western Bulldogs – Ed Richards
6. Hawthorn – Josh Weddle
7. Adelaide Crows – Mitchell Hinge
8. Essendon – Nic Martin

Other Participants

• Carlton – Matt Owies
  
• Collingwood – Josh Carmichael
  
• Fremantle – Lachie Schultz
  
• Gold Coast Suns – Ned Moyle
  
• GWS GIANTS – Harry Rowston
  
• North Melbourne – Darcy Tucker
  
• Richmond – Kamdyn McIntosh
  
• St Kilda – Matt Allison
  
• Sydney Swans – James Rowbottom
  
• West Coast Eagles – Josh Rotham

See a video of the 2023 race

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Related Pages

• AFL Sprint Winners List
• See all the videos of the races we could find.
• AFL half time mile race from 1977 & 1978
• AFL Grand Finalists
• Grand Final kicking competitions.
• About Sport in Australia in 2023
• Rugby League sprint race