When accepting the 2021 rebel Goal of the Year award at Sunday night’s Brownlow Medal count, young Freo star Caleb Serong put his impressive snap down to luck.
He is the third Fremantle player to win the award, joining Hayden Ballantyne (2011) and Winston Abraham (1996).
Speaking to The West Australian at the event, Serong said his RAC Derby sealer was a once-in-a-career event.
“It was a fluke. I wouldn’t be able to do it again,” he said.
Serong also told The West that he had been working on his goalkicking skills from the pocket, with the fear of letting teammates down if he took a mark on a tricky angle.
“I couldn’t even kick a banana at the start of the year. I had to teach myself,” Serong said.
“I couldn’t kick one more than 15 metres. I’d just shank it every time. I did a bit of work with Andy Brayshaw and Adam Cerra. Cez’s banana goal last year up in Cairns was better than mine. He taught me a few things.
“I knew if I took a mark on the boundary line on that side, I’d probably have to go the left foot snap. I’m not very good at that.
“I didn’t back myself with the banana at all. It was nice for it to come off in that situation.”
