Who is the greatest Australian Sports Star on a global scene today?

For the sports-mad folk in Australia, a key question I am always asked is - who is the greatest sports person representing Australia on a global scale as of right now. The question always has me thinking twice, three times if not more. To further help me determine just who takes the prize as the best performed Australian sports person on the global stage I have shortlisted a number of candidates which I am now seeking validation from the public to finally identify just who is the greatest at present. The list is as follows:


1. Stephanie Gilmore: Burst onto the professional surfing scene in 2007 winning her first world title and has never looked back. Gilmore has been ranked No.1 ever since winning four straight world titles at the ripe age of 22. With no end in sight and a driving passion to continue to succeed, if not dominate, Gilmore will no doubt eclipse Layne Beachley's record of 7 titles. Of more importance was the recent quote by current mens world No.1 Mick Fanning declaring Gilmore can win an unprecedented 10 world titles, since she is already almost half way there. 


2. Mark Webber: The much maligned F1 racing driver has had to undergo a long and often bumpy ride to where he is today. As the leader of the 2010 F1 racing championship for much of the 2010 season, Webber has enjoyed successes in his Red Bull car. Whilst only recently losing the lead for the championship to Fernando Alonso, Webber is still a large show to become the first Australian F1 champion since Alan Jones in 1980.


3. Andrew Bogut: The Australian big man has entered territory no Australian basketballer has accomplished, being the No.1 draft pick for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2005, after having a stellar final year of college in Utah. Bogut like so many 7 ft centres has taken time to develop into a top-line big man in the NBA which has not been helped by a number of injuries, however last season he had a breakout year, as arguably the 2nd best big-man in the Eastern Conference behind Dwight Howard, before his horrible injury incurred before the playoffs. Despite spending much of the Summer in rehab and getting his touch back, Bogut has begun the season solidly averaging a double-double as Milwaukee look to clinch the Central Division since 2001. 


4. Tim Cahill: Arguably in the top ten forward-midfielders in the world game today and has an uncanny knack of positioning himself in the right place at the right time to convert goals for his club Everton and more importantly at international level for Australia. Cahill has scored the most goals by any Australian at the World Cup and continues to shine on the global scene. To further highlight Cahill's performance he has scored over 100 goals in the English Premier League. 


5. Jamie Dwyer: Australia's hockeyroos captain has been named the world's best player 3 times, 2004, 2007 and more recently 2010. Dwyer captained Australia to the gold medal in the 2010 World Cup defeating Germany 2-1. Dwyer has scored over 150 goals in over 245 caps for the hockeyroos. Dwyer will no doubt go down in history as Australia's greatest hockey player reknowned for his elimination and goal scoring prowess.


6. Lauren Jackson: Nobody can dispute the achievements of Jackson. She is the Andrew Gaze to female basketball yet so much more accomplished on the world stage. Her accomplishments are never-ending as follows: 

• WNBL MVP (1999, 2000, 2004)
• WNBL Grand Final MVP (2006)
• WNBL All-Star (1999-2004)
• WNBA Champion (2004, 2010)
• WNBA MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)
• WNBA Finals MVP (2010)
• All-WNBA First Team (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Seven-time WNBA All-Star (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009)
• Best WNBA Player ESPY (2004, 2005, 2008)
• WNBA's All-Decade Team (2006)
• Women's Korea Basketball League MVP (2007)

More importantly Jackson is now delivering in big games much like previous champions in basketball complete as they mature throughout their careers as evidenced by her WNBA MVP award in 2010. 


This by no means is an exhaustive list, just a short list of Australia's global sports talent that is succeeding, delivering and putting Australia on the map. No doubt there are many more stars performing in their relevant sports. Hopefully this list will evoke other opinions in identifying just who is the greatest Australian sports star today on the global stage.