SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
The finalists: Richie McCaw (rugby), Benji Marshall (rugby league), Ryan Nelsen (football), Jossi Wells (freeskiing).
The smart pick: McCaw had another extraordinary year, Marshall inspired the Kiwis to a Four Nations win, and Wells dazzled on the slopes.
But it is hard to go past Nelsen for his leadership of the All Whites and his world-class individual performances.
The wildcard: McCaw is the best player in the best team in New Zealand's favourite sport. Why is he never considered a favourite for the Halberg Award?
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
The finalists: Valerie Adams (athletics), Nikki Hamblin (athletics), Joelle King (squash), Alison Shanks (cycling), Casey Williams (netball).
The smart pick: A very close category.
Adams lost her world shot put title but set a Commonwealth record.
King won two squash medals in Delhi but both were in doubles. Williams will need to lead the Silver Ferns to a world championship to secure her legacy.
My pick would be Shanks, because her gold in the individual pursuit was in a strong field and was arguably the best individual New Zealand performance at the Games.
The wildcard: Hamblin's dual Commonwealth Games medals were in glamour running events, and she obviously has a huge future.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
The finalists: All Blacks (rugby), All Whites (football), Kiwis (rugby league), Eric Murray and Hamish Bond (rowing), Silver Ferns (netball).
The smart pick: A category full of winners but surely the award must go to a team that had three draws.
The All Whites' performances at the World Cup were unexpected, extraordinary and memorable.
Pure achievement plus feel-good factor equals award time.
The wildcard: The All Blacks, Kiwis and Silver Ferns all won the games they had to.
But only the rowing boys bought home a world title.
Do two people really constitute a team?
And remember, they get an opportunity every year, not once every four.
COACH OF THE YEAR
The finalists: Ricki Herbert (football), Graham Henry (rugby), Stephen Kearney (rugby league), Gordon Tietjens (sevens).
The smart pick: Has to be Herbert.
Kearney is a rising star, though, and Henry will be a hero if he can win the World Cup in October.
The wildcard: Tietjens is an absolute master in his sport.
His ability to spot rising talent is unmatched in this country.
EMERGING TALENT
The finalists: Jacko Gill (athletics), Gareth Kean (swimming), Tyler Bleyendaal (rugby), Julia Edward (rowing).
The smart pick: A world shot put champion at 15.
And what a name.
Come on down, Jacko.
The wildcard: Those within the borders of the Evil Empire believe Bleyendaal is the second coming of Daniel Carter.
We'll see.
HALBERG AWARD
The finalists: The winners of the three major awards.
The smart pick: The All Whites.
The wildcard: Would it be fair to single Nelsen out?
FAVOURITE SPORTING MOMENT
Too many finalists to mention.
But my pick is Winston Reid's goal against Slovakia (the timing, the significance), followed by the Silver Ferns' overtime victory in Delhi, Brendon McCullum's twenty/20 century, and Adam Hall's recovery at the Paralympics.
all world sport players
all world sport players
all world sport players
all world sport players
