Aussies’ Google searches reveal the biggest sports stories and stars of 2023 – and it’s bad news for the NRL and AFL
Sam Kerr was among the country's top sporting Google searches in 2023, figures show – but while Aussies' mentions in the world's biggest search engine were great news for the Matildas, the opposite was true for the NRL and AFL.
The most popular question was how to watch the Women's World Cup, while Matildas strikers Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler were the two most searched for Australians.
However, the top sporting quest was the Cricket World Cup, and not the women's football tournament.
Domestic footy codes felt the pinch of a year of World Cup action, with the AFL missing out on all the top search lists and only Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh trending in Google for the NRL.
Record crowd attended Collingwood's AFL grand final win, but the numbers weren't so good in Google searches
Pat Cummins and the Australians winning the ICC Men's World Cup inspired many to look for more
Host network Channel 7 reported that 11.15 million viewers watched the Tillies during the World Cup, while a further 75,784 fans packed Stadium Australia for the Matildas semi-final against England on Wednesday night.
That translated into a lot of interest from Google in the Australian side, but it was nothing compared to the interest generated by the Australian men's cricket team during the ICC World Cup.
The World Cup was played in cricket-mad India and as many as 2.6 billion people watched the World Cup, including a lot of interest from Australia. Government data shows there are also around 710,380 Indian-born people living in Australia, increasing interest in the Australia-India final.
AUSTRALIA'S TOP SEARCHES
It's been a huge year for Sam Kerr, despite spending much of it on the back of injuries that saw her struggle during Australia's World Cup campaign.
Kerr (pictured left on the cover of Esquire magazine) was a force to be reckoned with when she was fit enough to take the field
2023 was the year Sam Kerr cemented her reputation as possibly the best female player in the world, even as she battled calf injuries for most of the year.
With the Matildas FIFA Women's World Cup being played on home soil, Kerr was the most searched for member of the team – and the most searched for Australian athlete overall.
Her teammate and fellow forward Mary Fowler came in second place, although there was no room for her celebrity Nathan Cleary in the top 10, despite the halfback's heroics to win the Penrith Panthers their third title in a row.
Athletes dominated the individual search category, with Matilda Ellie Carpenter, boxer Tim Tszyu, former Aussie cricket captain Michael Clarke and NRL star Reece Walsh also appearing in the top 10.
TOP SPORTS SEARCH
Men's cricket captured the heart of a nation as 710,380 Indian-born people in Australia also sought information and results
Travis Head's World Cup heroics helped Australia reach the final, with 2.6 billion votes to see them beat India in a huge upset
The Matildas were hugely popular at the FIFA Women's World Cup (pictured, Kerr reacts to the semi-final loss to England)
It was a great year for cricket, with the Australian men winning the Test Championship before retaining The Ashes in England in the long format of the game, before coming out of the clouds to win the ICC Men's World Cup in the 50-over. format.
Aussies were highly involved with their team while abroad, with the World Cup and Ashes taking the top two spots ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Big Bash League was also popular, coming in fifth after the Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fight.
The top 10 was completed by Champions League, UFC, the FA Cup, LIV Golf and the United Cup, with AFL, NRL and Super Rugby failing to crack the list.
TOP LOSS SEARCH
Cliff Lyons (pictured left) and Gavin Miller (right) with Tina Turner during a promotional tour in Australia, with the late singer performing at the NRL grand final
This was the year the world lost iconic rock singer Tina Turner, a much-loved part of the NRL family for her single 'Simply The Best'.
She was the fourth most Googled celebrity to pass in 2024, after Friends star Matthew Perry, MasterChef Australia star Jock Zonfrillo and the iconic Sinead O'Connor.
TOP 'HOW TO' SEARCHES
You know Aussies love their sport when more people turn to Google for information on how to watch the Women's World Cup and Rugby instead of buying tickets to see Taylor Swift.
The Ashes also appeared in the top 10 as sports-mad Aussies looked to follow their national teams abroad and at home.