Three women associated with defining national sporting moments lead new DemosAU research into Australia’s most admired sporting figures, while state results reveal sharp differences between NRL and AFL heartlands.

A new DemosAU poll of more than 5,000 Australians has found that Cathy Freeman, Ash Barty and Sam Kerr are the three Australian sporting figures most admired by the public.

Cathy Freeman leads nationally, named by 10 per cent of Australians, followed closely by Ash Barty and Sam Kerr on 9 per cent each.

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is fourth on 6 per cent, while Formula One driver Oscar Piastri rounds out the national top five on 5 per cent. Respondents were asked to name up to three Australian sportspeople they admired via an open ended question.

DemosAU Head of Research George Hasanakos said the results demonstrated how Australia had embraced women’s sport over recent decades.

“It really shows Australians will revere sporting heroes regardless of their gender. It’s the achievements and the sportsperson’s character that matters.”

He said the three women likely stood out from the crowd in part because each had featured in unifying national moments.

“Nothing brings Australians together like major sporting occasions and millions of us watched Cathy Freeman’s Olympic gold medal, Ash Barty’s Australian Open win and the Matilda’s 2023 World Cup campaign.”

The research also reveals substantial regional differences, with rugby league identities prominent in New South Wales and Queensland, while AFL figures appear strongly in Victoria and South Australia.

NSW’s Most Admired Sporting Figures

Cathy Freeman records the strongest result of any sportsperson in New South Wales, named by 13 per cent of respondents.

Penrith Panthers and New South Wales rugby league star Nathan Cleary ranks second on 10 per cent, demonstrating the prominence of the NRL within the state. Ash Barty follows on 8 per cent, Sam Kerr on 7 per cent and cricketer Steve Smith on 6 per cent.

“Nathan Cleary’s strong result in New South Wales shows how state-based sporting culture continues to influence which athletes people feel closest to,” Mr Hasanakos said.

“At the same time, Cathy Freeman’s commanding lead demonstrates that the most powerful national sporting memories can reach well beyond any one code or generation.”

Victoria’s Most Admired Sporting Figures

Ash Barty is the most admired sportsperson among Victorian respondents, selected by 10 per cent.

Former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher, who passed away recently from motor neurone disease (MND), ranks second on 9 per cent, level with Sam Kerr. Cathy Freeman follows on 8 per cent, while Melbourne-born Formula One driver Oscar Piastri records 7 per cent.

Mr Hasanakos said Daniher was widely admired for not only his sporting achievements but also his MND advocacy and personal battle. 

“This really shows that he was held in great admiration by the Victorian public for his personal character, resilience and public contribution, as well as his achievements within football.”

“It is also notable that Victoria’s top five spans tennis, AFL, football, athletics and motorsport, suggesting admiration is distributed across a particularly broad range of sports.”

Queensland’s Most Admired Sporting Figures

Ash Barty leads her home state on 10 per cent, followed by fellow Queenslander Cathy Freeman and rugby league great Johnathan Thurston, both on 8 per cent.

Sam Kerr and Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh complete the Queensland top five, each on 6 per cent.

“Queensland’s results combine nationally admired figures with a strong local rugby league identity,” Mr Hasanakos said.

“Johnathan Thurston’s enduring standing and Reece Walsh’s emergence among the most admired figures show that both established legends and current stars can attract strong public affection.”

Western Australia’s Most Admired Sporting Figures

Sam Kerr is the clear leader in her home state of Western Australia, named by 12 per cent of respondents.

Ash Barty ranks second on 9 per cent. Cathy Freeman, Shane Warne and Oscar Piastri are tied on 6 per cent each.

“Sam Kerr’s lead in Western Australia reflects both her national standing and the particularly strong connection people feel to sporting figures from their own state,” Mr Hasanakos said.

“Her prominence also demonstrates the extraordinary impact of the Matildas’ World Cup campaign, which brought women’s football into the centre of Australian public life.”

South Australia’s Most Admired Sporting Figures

Former Crows captain Taylor Walker leads the South Australian results on 11 per cent.

Cathy Freeman follows on 9 per cent, with Sam Kerr and South Australian cricketer Travis Head both on 8 per cent. Pat Cummins completes the top five on 7 per cent.

“South Australia produces one of the most locally distinctive results, with Taylor Walker leading and Travis Head also featuring prominently,” Mr Hasanakos said.

“It reinforces the strength of AFL culture in the state, while also showing that national figures such as Cathy Freeman and Sam Kerr retain broad appeal.”

Methodology

The DemosAU research was conducted online among 5,361 Australians aged 18 and over between 27 May and 18 June 2026. The effective sample size after weighting was 3,326, with an effective margin of error of plus or minus 1.7 percentage points. Results were weighted using demographic, geographic and attitudinal variables. See our Report for more information.

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