The debate of who is the Greatest Ever Australian Footballer is finally being decided and Australian football fans can play a part in the ultimate decision.
In 100 years of Australian football history there are many names which inspire pride and invite tribute.
Whether they have worn the green and gold strip of the Socceroos or Matildas, played at the Olympic Games or won the Asian Cup, they are all great players and representatives of their country.
Now, the debate of who is the Greatest Ever Australian Footballer is finally being decided and Australian football fans can play a part in the ultimate decision.
From 72 extraordinary players and coaches nominated by an expert judging panel, the public can vote online to decide:
• Greatest Ever Australian Football Team;
• Greatest Ever Australian Female Player;
• Greatest Ever Australian Manager/Coach;
• Greatest Ever Australian Footballer.
A judging panel selected the nominees based on criteria which requires:
• The player must either have been born in Australia* or played for Australia;
• Provided excellence on the national and/or international stage;
• Longevity;
• Contribution to Australian football or having left a positive imprint on the profile and growth of football in Australia.
The judging panel combines some of Australia's leading players, commentators and administrators - Jack Reilly, Andy Harper, Craig Foster, Melissa Barbieri, Les Murray, Jamie Warren, Moya Dodd, Anthony LaPaglia, George Negus, Michael Cockerill and David Davutovic.
Among the nominees selected by the judging panel as eligible for voting are Tony Vidmar, Joe Marston, Lucas Neill, Scott Chipperfield, Stan Lazaridis, Aurelio Vidmar, Tim Cahill, Charlie Yankos, Craig Moore, Manfred Schaeffer, Frank Farina, John Kosmina, Mark Bresciano, Jimmy Mackay, Johnny Warren, Paul Okon and John Aloisi.
Australian football fans will play a key role in deciding who our greatest ever footballers are. The public can vote as many times as they like by submitting their votes online at www.greatesteveraustralianfootballer.com by Friday 22 June 2012.
Public voting will be combined with the judging panel's votes on a 50/50 basis to determine the winners in each category and the Greatest Ever Australian Footballer.
Once all the votes are counted, Australia's football community will come together in a star-studded, once in a lifetime, gala event to celebrate the sport and its best.
Have your say at www.greatesteveraustralianfootballer.com