Australian sports continue to top the international charts as its teams are not only aggressive but also cohesive, enabling it to keep giving its opponents a hard time. And while the teams comprise talented and well-trained members, they cannot deny that some players are the stars that propel the teams to consistent success. Let’s look at the players who wow fans with their unique talents and their achievements so far.
Who Are the Stars Today
Each sporting season, Australia enjoys a great mix of players in different sports categories who fly the national flag high. Who are they currently?
Australian Rules Football
Given that this is the most popular sport in the country, excelling in it requires players to train hard and smart, as these top names have shown:
⭐ Dustin Martin.
This forward has played hundreds of games in his career. In this time, he has scored hundreds of goals and made over 800 tackles. His work has not gone unnoticed, as he has won several awards.
⭐ Nat Fyfe.
You can’t talk about AFL without touching on this forward, who boasts hundreds of games and goals coupled with more than a thousand tackles. With Brownlow medals to his name, he’s made huge strides in his career.
⭐ Erin Phillips.
While Erin may not have as many games under his belt as his counterparts, he has proven to be quite a formidable player. This forward has tens of goals and game appearances, with over a hundred tackles. It thus makes sense that he’s been crowned the leading goalkicker twice.
Cricket
Each time cricket fans head to the stadiums to watch tournaments, they hope their favorite stars will be playing. But which players top these expectations?
⭐ Pat Cummins.
This bowler, who is known for his fast right arm, has made the following achievements:
- 60 test matches.
- 80 ODIs.
- 50 T20Is.
As one of the fastest bowlers in the world, this current Australian test team captain puts his opponents through a hard time as they never know what to expect.
⭐ Ellyse Perry.
Women’s cricket is lucky to have Perry on their side, as she excels in both batting and bowling. This all-rounded nature has enabled her to stand out with her right-hand batting style. She appeared as follows:
- Over 10 test matches.
- Over 150 ODIs.
- More than 130 T20Is.
These players not only dominate the domestic scene but have also made their mark in the international rankings.
Rugby
Anyone who wants to star in this sport must be willing to go hard, as evidenced by these players who have impressed fans in Australia and beyond:
⭐ Michael Hooper.
Everyone knows that Michael is not only a hard worker but also a good leader, traits that saw him rise to be captain of the Wallabies. His stats are just as impressive, with more than 100 turnovers wins, over 1,200 tackles, and 100 international caps.
⭐ Cameron Smith.
While this player may have hung his boots, he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire other players to put in the work required to be one of the greatest players in NRL history.
Many other players (think Rob Simmons and James Slipper) have also made the headlines.
Soccer (Football)
Football popularity has been on the rise in the past few years, and many attribute this peak to the stars in the industry.
⭐ Sam Kerr.
This forward is arguably one of the best female strikers globally. Consider her stats below:
- Over 100 international caps.
- Over 60 goals.
- More than 200 club appearances.
⭐ Mathew Ryan.
Goalkeepers usually have their work cut out for them. But for Mathew, this seemingly impossible task seems quite effortless to him. So good is he that he has made his way to La Liga and the EPL and currently boasts over 300 club appearances, more than 80 caps, and over 30 clean sheets.
In with the New – the Rising Stars to Watch
As renowned stars retire and set their eyes on new sights, who will take over the sports industry? Australia is in luck as there is a wealth of new talent ready to fill the holes as they appear. Consider the top options below:
⭐ Jordan Buckingham.
Cricket fans can already tell that this 23-year-old fast bowler has what it takes to take the sport to the next level, thanks to his two five-wicket hauls at state and national levels.
⭐ Reece Walsh.
This 21-year-old fullback has exhibited impressive strength and agility, which are just what he needs to make his mark in the competitive NRL world.
⭐ Garang Kuol.
You know a player is going places when international clubs come scouting, as is the case with this 19-year-old forward, who has impressed many with his goal-scoring accuracy.
These are but a tip of the iceberg when it comes to the kind of talent the country will see in the next decade – what an exciting time!
Conclusion
Australia has some of the best sporting talent in the world, which enables it to compete effectively in various sports. And as current and upcoming stars continue to show, this trend is not about to end, as many are eagerly throwing their hats into the ring, hoping to become the new top talent.