AFL fans have been left confused after Geelong star Shaun Mannagh picked up the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player Award.

There’s no doubt Mannagh has made a big impression since making his AFL debut last year, but it was a strange sight to see the classy forward win the award.

That’s because he is 28 years old, which in AFL terms is hardly “young” as the award stipulates.

Mannagh was taken with pick No.36 in the 2023 draft, finally earning his chance after years of toiling away in the VFL.

He has since played 32 games for the Cats and starred in his first final for the club with three goals in last year’s win over Port Adelaide.

Mannagh polled 35 votes to finish ahead of North Melbourne gun Colby McKercher (32) and West Coast emerging superstar Harley Reid (31), who are both 20 years of age.

While fans were quickly outraged by Mannagh beating the young stars, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation.

The award is based on performances in a player’s first two seasons in the AFL and is determined by the weekly votes of the AFL coaches.

However, it’s fair to say the majority of fans were unaware of the eligibility rules for the award.

“Shaun Mannagh (28 years old) winning best young player against 20-year-olds Colby McKercher and Harley Reid. Super serious league,” one fan said.

“Best young player award ... 28 year old Shaun Mannagh wins it. Just another AFL twist up this year. What a bush league we play in,” another said.

“28 years old, is this is a prank?” Another said.

“This competition has just lost any credibility that was left … best young player ... the guy’s age should be a darn clue that he’s ineligible,” another said.

“How embarrassing for both him and the AFL. AFL is a clown show,” another said.

“So Pendlebury a chance for Rising Star,” another joked.

“Best young player? He is about 3 years from retirement!” another added.

“Might need to tweak eligibility! Standard AFL,” another said.

While Mannagh is the oldest player to win the award, he isn’t the first mature-aged recruit to take the crown.

Tom Stewart (2018) and Tim Kelly (2019) both won the award as 25-year-olds.

Mannagh was presented the award by coach Chris Scott, who made sure to mention his age when announcing it.

“It’s my pleasure to announce the winner of the best young player is 27-year-old Shaun Mannagh,” he said with a smirk.

Obviously, Scott doesn’t keep tabs on birthdays because Mannagh actually turned 28 earlier this month.

“Scotty’s looked after me there, I’m actually 28 now,” Mannagh said with a laugh.

“You chuckle to yourself, but someone’s gotta win it, I guess,” he added.

Mannagh also delivered a classy speech in thanking his family and coaches for helping along the way before adding another quip as he left the stage.

“Since it’s a young player award, hopefully I got another 8-10 years left,” he said.

Mannagh’s award was the only point of contention from the AFL Awards night.

The All-Australian team threw up plenty of controversial omissions, as usual, but it was the selection of Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron as captain that caused the biggest stir.

Cameron was picked despite never captaining a side throughout his entire career.

And also despite the team featuring five club captains: Jordan Dawson, Harris Andrews, Noah Anderson, Marcus Bontempelli and Max Gawn.

“Honestly I’ve never captained anything,” Cameron said.

“It’s a privilege to be named the captain, I’m still trying to figure out why.”