FOX FOOTY LONGEST KICK 2016
Longest Kick Contestants
Alex Rance (Richmond)
After finishing third in last year's Longest Kick with a 49.8m kick, the star Tiger will have a point to prove, especially after eventual winner Drew Petrie delivered one of the all-time great baits to Rance during his post-kick winning interview.
WINNER - Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
Coming off a career-best season, Gibbs will have a big Carlton contingent behind him. He had the third-most kicks at Carlton and finished second on the club's goalkicking ladder this season, so he comes into the competition in excellent kicking form.
Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)
Saints fans have become accustomed to seeing Montagna streaming out of defence and clearing danger with lovely, long right-foot kicks. He might only be 178cm, but the veteran Saint shouldn't be underestimated.
Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)
The inaugural winner of the competition will again be hard to compete, with his winning torpedo last year sailing 60.4m across the Yarra River. While his career at the Kangaroos may be over, he shouldn't be underestimated on Grand Final day.
Tayla Harris (Brisbane Lions)
Does any player - male or female - have a better kicking action than the star forward? Arguably not. But not only does Harris' kicking action give photographers awesome shots, she can also roost the ball a long way, highlighted by her long goal from outside 50m for Melbourne during the recent women's exhibition game.
James Pennycuick (Springwood, QFC)
Pennycuick won his way through to the competition final after he was head and shoulders above the rest of the recent wildcard competition. With two monster left-foot torpedos, he recorded both the longest (73.9m) and second-longest (69.6m) kicks of the day.
Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
Coming off a career-best season, the Magpies' sole Longest Kick representative will be tough competition this season. While Grundy's most famous kick of his career to date was his snap match-winning goal against Richmond in Round 2 this year, the ruckman has the ability to roost the Sherrin a long way.
Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Following a disappointing 40m effort in last year's Longest Kick - and his side's recent finals exit - the big Texan will be out to prove his doubters wrong this season. Known for his trademark long-range goals from outside 50m, Walker will be one of the hot favourites to take out this year's trophy.
Bernie Vince (Melbourne)
He's not the Demons' designated kick out of defence by chance. But how far can he kick the Sherrin? Bernie Vince may have plateaued towards the end of 2016, but as one of the most competitive players in the AFL you can't count him out of the Longest Kick.
Jonathon Patton (GWS Giants)
The big Giant approaches the Longest Kick in stellar form, after booting 15 goals from his past four AFL games. A big boy at 198cm and 103kg, Patton could be a smokey to finish on top of the kicking table.
Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
Has there been a more famous long shot for goal than Hawkins' roost from outside 50m that won Geelong the game after the siren against Hawthorn in 2012? The big Cat looms as a dangerous threat to this year's competition.
Grant Birchall (Hawthorn)
The Hawthorn line-up is renowned for its brilliant kickers - and Birchall is arguably the best of the lot. Whether he can out-kick his rivals from a distance perspective remains to be seen.
