ANDREW Krakouer's remarkable return to the AFL has been capped by winning the Mark of the Year for his spectacular high mark against Adelaide in round nine.

Krakouer beat an impressive field of Hungry Jack's Mark of the Year contenders, with Carlton's Andrew Walker, Melbourne's Ricky Petterd and West Coast's Nic Naitanui all putting in significant bids that could easily have won the award.

But it was Krakouer's effort in soaring above a pack for the Magpies in the final quarter of the round nine win over the Crows that was judged best.

A long left-foot kick from Magpie Dale Thomas had Dayne Beams and Adelaide's Luke Thompson standing underneath before Krakouer leapt over both to take the grab.

It was one of many highlights this year for the exciting Magpie small forward who was recruited by the Magpies after a sensational season with WAFL club Swan Districts last season.

Krakouer began his AFL career with Richmond in 2001 where he played 102 games over seven seasons.

But he was delisted by the Tigers and served 16 months in jail after a serious assault in Fremantle in 2006.

After his release, Krakouer joined Swan Districts and starred, winning the Sandover Medal for the WAFL's best and fairest in 2010 as well as the Simpson Medal for best on ground in the Grand Final along with a premiership medallion and club best and fairest.

Gold Coast had the recruiting rights to Krakouer as a formerly listed AFL player but traded him to Collingwood for pick 25 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.

Another small forward, Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne, was awarded the Panasonic Goal of the Year for his brilliant effort against Geelong in round two at Patersons Stadium.

Ballantyne received a handball from teammate Rhys Palmer with two minutes left in the match before taking a bounce and kicking to Matthew Pavlich.

Pavlich's mark was spoiled by Cat Harry Taylor but Ballantyne crumbed the contest, gave the handball to Pavlich who dished it back to Ballantyne. The Fremantle small man calmly slotted a goal from 45m out.

Krakouer wins the Alex Jesaulenko Medal and a $10,000 cash prize from Hungry Jack's.

Ballantyne wins the Phil Manassa Medal and a Panasonic Prize pack valued at $9000.