The annual Deadlys were held at the Sydney Opera House last night – they’re the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, entertainment and community awards. Each year, the event also presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase our top Indigenous sporting talent. Check this out for a line-up of winners …

Claiming the Most Promising New Talent In Sport award was Mariah Williams, who recently debuted for the Hockeyroos and was part of the Jillaroos’ Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifiers.

Sydney Swans veteran, legend and all-round good-guy Adam Goodes took out the AFL Player Of The Year gong. The 2012 premiership-winner beat home no less than Lance Franklin, Eddie Betts, team-mate Lewis Jetta and Cyril Rioli.

The NRL Player Of The Year Award, meanwhile, went to another people’s favourite, the heart and soul of the North Queensland Cowboys, Johnathan Thurston. The great “JT” held out challenges from Bulldogs and soon so be Bronco Ben Barba, South Sydney and Maroons superstar Greg Inglis, Broncos enforcer Sam Thaiday and Bunny speedster Nathan Merritt.

The Female Sportsperson Of The Year Award was a true showcase of amazing Indigenous talent: Kyah Simon, Vanessa Stokes Stacey Porter and Shannon McCann among the finalists. Scoring the ultimate accolade, though, was emerging tennis hero Ashleigh Barty, who claimed the 2011 Junior Wimbledon championship and has proven a solid campaigner on the women’s circuit ever since.

The Male Sportsperson Of The Year you might know from a famous boxing bout held very early this year. Tasmanian Daniel Geale landed the points against an awesome field featuring NBA basketballer Patrick Mills, rugby superstar Kurtley Beale, recent NFL signing Jesse Williams and Australian national soccer team member Jade North. Maybe it was Geale’s appearance on the cover of our February 2013 edition in the lead-up to his showdown with Anthony “The Man” Mundine which sealed the “Deal” for Geale … Or maybe not.

Congrats to all finalists and winners.