AFL is a game of personal stories, triumphs and successes and season-defining moments. So as we move closer to the brink of the 2015 grand final in early October, it's well time to look back nostalgically on 'those moments' that made sporting headlines, made your year, and perhaps even made AFL club history.
Here's my top season-defining moments from 2015 featuring eight of Australia's top clubs.
Marngrook Footy Show celebrates featuring sporting legends and music, live from Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on Friday October 2, 7.30pm on NITV (Channel 34 free-to-air & Channel 144 Foxtel).
1. FREEMANTLE TOPS THE LADDER
The club finished on top of the AFL Ladder after 22 home and away games.
They beat Sydney in Perth in the Elimination Final!!
Freemantle is well placed to win the club's first ever premiership, having lost only five games.
In my view, they can go all the way to take out the whole season.
Matt de Boer of the Fremantle Dockers during the 2015 AFL Finals Series in the qualifying final at Domain Stadium between the Fremantle Dockers and Sydney in Perth on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. Fremantle won the match 69-60.(AAP Image/Tony McDonough) Source: AAP
Freemantle is well placed to win the club's first ever premiership, having lost only five games.
2. WEST COAST BOUNCES BACK
After a disappointing 2014 season, West Coast bounced back in 2015 to finish second on the ladder, behind Fremantle.
Marking a set of classic moments, it was remarkable that the players endured a numer significant injuries but still managed to win a host of important games.
Sharrod Wellingham goes up for a mark for the Eagles during the round one AFL game between the Western Bulldogs and West Coast Eagles played at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Saturday, April 4. 2015. (AAP Image/ David Crosling) Source: AAP
It was remarkable that the players endured a numer significant injuries but still managed to win a host of important games.
3. HAWTHORN INTENSIFIES THE PRESSURE
They Hawks finished in third position, having lost out to the West Coast Eagles in the Elimination Final in Perth. The three peat looks shaky with a number of key players out of form. The pressure is certainly building.
Hawthorn Hawks player Josh Gibson possess the ball against the Adelaide Crows in the second semi-final of the AFL at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) Source: AAP
The pressure is certainly building.
4. SYDNEY SWANS DEALT HEAVY BLOW
Buddy Franklin, Luke Parker and Kieren Jack were all injured just before the finals and their finals chances are dealt a heavy blow.
They go down to Freo in their first final in Perth.
Adam Goodes of the Swans reacts during the first AFL semi-final between the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) Source: AAP
They go down to Freo in their first final in Perth.
5. RICHMOND RECEIVES FLOGGING
The club beats a depleted North Melbourne in the last home and away game, only to be beaten the following week. Three final losses in a row in consecutive years leaves a huge question mark over the club's ability to stand up to finals pressure.
Richmond Tigers captain Trent Cochin is tackled by North Melbourne Kangaroos player Shaun Higgns in the first qualifying final of the AFL at the MCG Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) Source: AAP
Three final losses in a row in consecutive years leaves a huge question mark over the club's ability to stand up to finals pressure.
6. WESTERN BULLDOGS BOAST A NEW LOOK
A new coach and game plan sees the Bulldogs play an exciting brand of footy. The light is switched on early in the season with a big win against Collingwood in the NAB Cup, giving the Bulldogs an entry of confidence and self belief.
Western Bulldogs player Marcus Bontempelli kicks for a goal against the Adelaide Crows during the AFL second elimination final in at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) Source: AAP
The light is switched on early in the season with a big win against Collingwood in the NAB Cup.
7. ADELAIDE ENDURES TRAGIC LOSS
After the tragic loss of their coach Phillip Walsh in the middle of the season, the club bounces back to finish seventh on the ladder. They rise up to beat the Western Bulldogs in the first Elimination Final at the MCG!
Adelaide Crows player Patrick Dangerfield possess the ball against the Hawthorn Hawks in the second semi-final of the AFL at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) Source: AAP
They rise up to beat the Western Bulldogs in the first Elimination Final at the MCG!
8. NORTH MELBOURNE'S MIGHTY BOUNCE
In the last game of the year against Richmond, they rest nine players and lose to the Tigers. A week, later the Kangaroos bounce back and beat Richmond by 17 points before a crowd of 90,000. The coach Brad Scott is vindicated resting so many players.
The Kangaroos celebrate their win over the Swans during the first AFL semi-final between the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) Source: AAP
The coach Brad Scott is vindicated resting so many players.
Watch the Marngrook Footy Show's AFL Grand Final celebration: a special event featuring sporting legends and music, live from Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on Friday October 2, 7.30pm on NITV (Channel 34 free-to-air & Channel 144 Foxtel).
