FOOTY took a trip down memory lane this weekend as we launched our Toyota Fixture Throwback series.

In the absence of live action, we aired classic matches from years gone by featuring the teams that were initially set to do battle in round two of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

Game nine – Round 21, 2014: Fremantle 17.8 (110) defeated Hawthorn 13.13 (91) 

This one was sweet for those at Subiaco. Having lost the Grand Final to Hawthorn the year prior, Fremantle poured on seven of eight goals after half-time to completely overrun the reigning premiers on its home turf. It ensured the tiniest slice of revenge following the fateful events on the last Saturday in September one season ago and kept the Dockers in the flag hunt for another week. 

Stats stars: David Mundy (33 disposals, nine clearances), Matthew Pavlich (21 disposals, five goals), Jordan Lewis (44 disposals, seven clearances), Paul Puopolo (12 disposals, four goals)

Game eight – Round 20, 2017: St Kilda 15.13 (103) defeated West Coast 14.11 (95) 

Jack Billings had endured a horror stretch in front of goal, but his calm finish with just 24 seconds left on the clock made up for it in this classic. St Kilda fought from 14 points down early in the last quarter to hold a two-point lead late in the match. West Coast was coming with all its might, until Billings' smooth conversion from deep inside the pocket ensured a sweet victory for the hosts.

Stats stars: Jack Steele (26 disposals, two goals), Dylan Roberton (20 disposals, eight marks), Shannon Hurn (22 disposals, eight marks), Josh Kennedy (14 disposals, five goals)

Game seven – Round 3, 2015: Geelong 16.9 (105) defeated Gold Coast 13.18 (96)

An entertaining affair at Kardinia Park reached its climax when Jack Martin snapped a classy goal to bring Gold Coast to within three points of its highly fancied opponents with 90 seconds remaining. It ensured a grandstand finish, before Mark Blicavs eventually secured victory for Geelong. His composed set-shot from beyond 50m stretched the hosts' lead to more than a kick and meant the Cats escaped with all four points. 

Stats stars: Joel Selwood (38 disposals, one goal), Josh Walker (nine disposals, four goals), Michael Rischitelli (27 disposals, eight clearances), Jack Martin (21 disposals, three goals)

Game six: Round 19, 2013: Port Adelaide 17.5 (107) defeated Adelaide 15.13 (103)

It was the last showdown at Football Park, and it was one for the ages. Port Adelaide were hunting their first piece of September action since 2007, but it looked to be slipping away at the last break, having conceded seven goals in the third term to be down by 12. Enter Chad Wingard and Angus Monfries. The former kicked three final-quarter goals, including the winner, while Monfries' "right-angle" goal from the pocket had to be seen to be believed.

Stats stars: Chad Wingard (24 disposals, five goals), Travis Boak (29 disposals, seven clearances), Brad Crouch (28 disposals, eight clearances), Lewis Johnston (17 disposals, four goals)

Game five: Round 11, 2010: North Melbourne 12.18 (90) defeated Brisbane 13.11 (89)

An inaccurate North Melbourne just squeaked home over Brisbane, courtesy of a Levi Greenwood winning goal. A very fast start saw the Roos jump to a 34-point lead at the first break, which the Lions whittled down to just 13 by three-quarter time. Brisbane then booted the first three majors of the final term. Enter Greenwood, whose goal took back the lead with just two minutes left on the clock and devastated Lions fans.

Stats stars: Brent Harvey (30 disposals, six inside-50s), Lachie Hansen (17 disposals, nine marks, two goals), Brendan Fevola (eight disposals, five goals), Travis Johnstone (37 disposals, 16 marks) 

Game four: Round 10, 2007: Carlton 21.12 (138) defeated Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128)

It was a shootout at the MCG, with the teams going into quarter-time with seven goals each on the board. A see-sawing affair saw the Dogs take a 15-point lead into half-time, before the Blues responded with an astonishing eight-goal third term. The Bulldogs came within just two points before Marc Murphy – in just his second season – kicked the settler.

Stats stars: Matthew Lappin (13 disposals, five goals), Jarrad Waite (25 disposals, three goals), Adam Cooney (24 disposals, 11 clearances), Brad Johnson (20 disposals, three goals)

Game three: Round 1, 2016: Melbourne 12.8 (80) defeated GWS 10.18 (78)

Jesse Hogan booted three final-quarter goals as Melbourne kicked six of the last eight majors of the match to snatch a two-point win. The Giants had dominated vast portions of the match, but 2.6 in the third term left the door ajar for a fightback. With nothing to lose, the Dees played with flair in the final quarter, seeing Aaron vandenBerg dribbling home the winning goal.

Stats stars: Jack Viney (32 disposals, six tackles), Jesse Hogan (17 disposals, three goals), Heath Shaw (30 disposals, seven marks), Callan Ward (28 disposals, 14 contested) 

Game two: Round 14, 2017: Sydney 11.20 (86) defeated Essendon 12.13 (85)

When Gary Rohan marked on the goal line with just 17 seconds left in the match, there was never going to be any doubt. Sydney would win with a routine kick after the siren. However, achieving victory hadn't been that straightforward. Seven consecutive Essendon goals on either side of three-quarter time had built the visitors a 19-point buffer before a dramatic late turnaround. The Swans kicked three goals in the last eight minutes to down the Dons in a thriller, with Rohan's the final and decisive goal in an unpredictable contest.

Stats stars: Josh Kennedy (36 disposals, seven clearances), Isaac Heeney (21 disposals, two goals), Michael Hurley (30 disposals, eight marks), Zach Merrett (33 disposals, eight clearances)

Game one: Round 2, 2016: Collingwood 13.9 (87) defeated Richmond 12.14 (86)

Brodie Grundy's last-gasp snap sealed a dramatic Friday night thriller for Collingwood back in 2016. Forced to claw their way back from 17 points down late in the match, the Pies kicked three goals in eight minutes to complete the incredible comeback. Grundy's effort, delivered with just four seconds left on the clock, sparked wild celebrations. It ensured Collingwood responded from a horror 80-point loss to Sydney the week before, while it sparked a run of six straight losses for Richmond.

Stats stars: Alex Fasolo (14 disposals, six goals), Adam Treloar (32 disposals, eight inside 50s), Trent Cotchin (38 disposals, eight clearances), Jack Riewoldt (16 disposals, three goals)