Stab Magazine | Mick Fanning will maybe, definitely win The Don award

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

441 Views

Mick Fanning will maybe, definitely win The Don award

Heard of The Don award? It’s a Sport Australia Hall Of Fame Award named after the first hall of fame inductee, cricketer Sir Donald Bradman. Each year it’s delivered to the Australian sportsman who most inspired the nation. And this year, there’s three surfers in the mix. Obviously, Mick Fanning is front and centre. How could he not be, after surviving a shark brawl at the start of a world tour event final? Then there’s Julian Wilson, who was also in that final, and after a second of processing what was happening, started paddling as hard as he could towards Mick, planning to assist in any way he could. Also in the mix is Sally Fitzgibbon, who blew out her eardrum during the Fiji Pro, but strapped her head up and kept surfing to win the event. Other nominees include golfer Jason Day, Rugby League star turned NFL player Jarryd Hayne, and the Socceroos. There’s 12 nominees who’ll be trimmed down to four finalists before the winner is announced at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame event in October. It’s hard to imagine that one of the three surfers won’t be awarded the induction, and most likely Mick given the nature of the “most inspired the nation” criteria and the fact that, for a time, it was impossible to turn on any television or smart device without seeing that thrashing fin and that blue jersey. Unfortunately, Mick and Jules will be in Portugal on the night that the awards are held. Sally, however, will be on a break between France and Maui.

news // Mar 8, 2016
Words by Stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Heard of The Don award? It’s a Sport Australia Hall Of Fame Award named after the first hall of fame inductee, cricketer Sir Donald Bradman. Each year it’s delivered to the Australian sportsman who most inspired the nation. And this year, there’s three surfers in the mix.

Obviously, Mick Fanning is front and centre. How could he not be, after surviving a shark brawl at the start of a world tour event final? Then there’s Julian Wilson, who was also in that final, and after a second of processing what was happening, started paddling as hard as he could towards Mick, planning to assist in any way he could. Also in the mix is Sally Fitzgibbon, who blew out her eardrum during the Fiji Pro, but strapped her head up and kept surfing to win the event.

Other nominees include golfer Jason Day, Rugby League star turned NFL player Jarryd Hayne, and the Socceroos. There’s 12 nominees who’ll be trimmed down to four finalists before the winner is announced at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame event in October.

It’s hard to imagine that one of the three surfers won’t be awarded the induction, and most likely Mick given the nature of the “most inspired the nation” criteria and the fact that, for a time, it was impossible to turn on any television or smart device without seeing that thrashing fin and that blue jersey.

Unfortunately, Mick and Jules will be in Portugal on the night that the awards are held. Sally, however, will be on a break between France and Maui.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 3, 2025

When Surfer’s Eye Is Actually Cancer

Erin Campbell's brutal journey from surf camp dreams to chemo drops, cryotherapy, and surgical horror.

Jul 3, 2025

Surfing’s 2025 Q2 Report

An assessment of surfing's vital signs throughout the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 2, 2025

What Actually Happened to Occy’s Mad Max Plunger Pool In Yeppoon?

Surf Lakes’ brass talks: internet hecklers, the unplugging of the plunger, and the Tom Curren…

Jul 2, 2025

Poor Goofy Foots 

Data shows that the world is stacked against goofs — they even make 15% less money than…

Jul 1, 2025

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media hackings, debts unpaid — and yet, reopening looms.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025

Saq Wrap: Italo Celebrates Mid-Heat, Griff Drops A Freestyle, Jordy + Yago Continue BBQing 20-YOs

Top seeds sow ruin, Final 5 starts to crystallize.

Jun 27, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 26, 2025

SEOTY: The ‘Once-In-A-Decade’ Caribbean Swell That Kelly Slater Passed On

Michael Dunphy stars in Jimmicane's 'Blue Veil'

Jun 25, 2025

Who Owns Bingin? Legal Fight To Stop Demolition Begins

Eviction notices served for all businesses built on state land.

Jun 25, 2025

Tony Hawk Just Named Hughie Vaughan’s Internet-Breaking Air Because… No One Else Can

89% of our IG poll respondents claimed the 'stale fish flipper' was the best air…

Jun 25, 2025

German Surfers: AN INVESTIGATION

Truth is the light by which the world can see. 

Jun 24, 2025

“I Lost Everything I’ve Ever Owned, But This Board Came Back”

One month after the LA wildfires, a surfboard washed ashore.

Jun 24, 2025
Advertisement