Most memorable moments: 50-41
A CONTROVERSIAL Tribunal case features in the next installment of AFL.com.au's 50 things we'll remember from 2015. The Mark of the Year from one of the game's superstars is also among the list from 40-31, while a young star announces himself in style.
40. Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas "start again"
The decision to take what was likely an illicit drug laced with banned substance clenbuterol cost the Collingwood pair two years of their AFL careers. Delisted but re-rookied by the Magpies, they won't be able to play until 2017 and were fined $50,000 by the club. "At no stage did we knowingly take clenbuterol," Thomas said when the pair fronted the media and read a brief statement. How well they were supported by the Magpies during their testing was a point of contention, but they'll be grateful now for a chance at redemption.
39. Jack Billings arrives in style
In the Saints' round six clash against the Western Bulldogs, Billings was running tirelessly but not getting reward for effort. But his fortunes changed entirely in the final quarter, with three crucial goals sealing a come-from-behind win for his team. It was a performance that announced Billings as a superstar of the future. His skills were peerless on the day and his temperament was proven when he took on the responsibility to kick the match-winning goal on the run from 40m, rather than passing off. He made the right decision.
Click here for the most memorable moments: 50-41
38. Melbourne seals Geelong's fate
Simonds Stadium was the place of nightmares for the Demons. It was a venue at which they hadn't won in 10 years, with a disastrous 186-point loss there in 2011 still haunting fans. In round 12 those memories were overridden by the sheer joy of a stunning 24-point win that came out of nowhere. Making it even sweeter, young ruckman Max Gawn was the hero. For the Cats, the next match against Adelaide was called off and they lost to North Melbourne one week later, sliding to 11th with a 6-7 record. They missed the finals for the first time since 2006.
Demons skipper Nathan Jones celebrates the shock win over Geelong. Picture: AFL Media
37. Ratten returns to the box
Hawthorn assistant coach Brett Ratten took personal leave in August to mourn the tragic death of his 16-year-old son Cooper, whose life was claimed in a car accident. The popular coach returned ahead of the Hawks' round 22 clash against the Brisbane Lions in Launceston and was embraced by his colleagues post-match. When the Hawks went on to win the premiership, Ratten was a crucial part of the brains' trust and was embraced by all Hawthorn. President Andrew Newbold said the premiership was not his to gift, but declared the flag had been won for Ratten in a difficult year.
36. Dangerfield's new fans
Mid-season, when Geelong travelled to face Adelaide, the Geelong Advertiser wrote a list of reasons Dangerfield should return home to play for the Cats. On the return trip in round 23, when the superstar travelled to Simonds Stadium for the 'Paddy Dangerfield Cup', the newspaper started a campaign to win his signature. Fans got on board and when Dangerfield had a set shot after the siren they stood and cheered him right around the ground until he took his kick. It was a final plea to come home, and the Cats were rewarded as soon as the free agency window opened.
Geelong fans got what they wanted when Patrick Dangerfield signed on. Picture: AFL Media
35. Nic Naitanui's mark against Geelong
"He took his armchair with him and sat up on top!" yelled commentator Anthony Hudson when Nic Naitanui took the eventual Mark of the Year against Geelong in round nine. Mark Blicavs, Jared Rivers and ruck partner Callum Sinclair were the unlucky players used as stepladders as Naitanui flew on the wing, getting horizontal and crashing back to earth with a thud. "I reckon he had a look at City Beach there for a while given how high he was up," coach Adam Simpson said. Most importantly, Naitanui went back and slotted his set shot.
34. Masten bites off more than he can chew
In the first biting case since Chris Lewis was banned for three matches in 1991, West Coast midfielder Chris Masten pleaded not guilty to biting Nick Suban in the second Western Derby of 2015. He was caught out by broadcast audio of Suban yelling to the umpire he had been bitten by Masten, and the Docker didn't back down at the Tribunal. In the most complex case of the year, Masten called on a dental surgeon to give evidence and John Worsfold for a character reference. It was a case that escalated tensions between the WA clubs, with the player's code discarded.
Chris Masten was happy after winning the Derby, but copped a two-week ban for biting. Picture: AFL Media
33. Bachar Houli's kick in from hell
The Tigers did everything right when Houli was kicking in from full-back with 72 seconds to play and a two-point lead to protect against Fremantle in round 17. They gathered on one side of the ground, giving Houli a pack to kick to, which would surely force another stoppage out of the dangerous area. Instead, Houli went down the guts to Kane Lambert, who was on his own but immediately swamped by three Dockers, forcing the ball to ground and allowing Garrick Ibbotson to swoop and David Mundy to finish with an ice-cold set shot. That was the end of 'Big Boy Month' and a top-four spot was out of reach for the Tigers.
32. Alastair Clarkson pushed to the limit
There was only so much Clarkson could handle when a group of intoxicated Port Adelaide supporters made him their target after the round four loss at Adelaide Oval. Walking back to the team hotel, rather than taking a bus, Clarkson and football manager Chris Fagan were first approached, antagonised and then stopped by the group, prompting Clarkson to shove one of them forcefully. The ugly incident was filmed by one of the drunken men and Clarkson later expressed his regret for shoving him rather than walking away.
31. The Riewoldts embrace before Maddie's Match
St Kilda's round 16 clash against Richmond was more than just a game as the two clubs honoured Nick Riewoldt's late sister Maddie, who lost a long battle with bone marrow failure syndrome. Before the match Nick and Maddie's cousin Jack came together for the toss of the coin and embraced in another sign it was more than a game. Together with their families and supporters, shoelaces, t-shirts and pins were sold to support the charity Maddie Riewoldt's Vision. The match raised $314,000 and the charity raised a remarkable $750,000 in 16 weeks.
