With the season almost over, this is a reflection of some of most dramatic and tight blockbusters of 2016. There were plenty to choose from but this is a collection of the year’s best contests.
Western Bulldogs defeat Collingwood 95-92
The season was over for the Pies while the Dogs needed a win to keep their top four aspirations alive. The Friday night match was close from start to finish. Collingwood had missed some gimmes all throughout the night.
The Dogs had a 6-point lead at the 21 minute mark of the last quarter when future star Brayden Maynard, who had endured an otherwise quiet night, shrugged tackles to kick a goal from 45 metres out to make it, and for the eleventh time of the night, the scores were level. The Dogs managed 3 behinds in the dying minutes to ensure victory.
The midfield work of Marcus Bontempelli and Luke Dalhaus were significant performances for the Dogs while Adam Treloar’s silky skills and mature-aged first-year player Rupert Wills’ immense tackling pressure almost won the game for Collingwood.
Geelong defeat Hawthorn 85-83, second qualifying final
The traditional rivalry between the Cats and the Hawks delivered an unforgettable match, as it often does. The match tightened up as the contest went on, with the last 10 goals resulting in lead changes.
Despite Geelong appearing to have the upper hand all night, the Hawks kept nagging, as they always do. Isaac Smith had a chance to put his team into the preliminary final after the siren – he kicked from 40 metres out on a slight angle but hooked it.
In the end the Geelong stars stepped up better than those of the Hawks, earning themselves a win in one of the classic matches.
Hawthorn defeat Collingwood 112-111
On an overcast Melbourne afternoon, Hawthorn were out to leave a sour taste in Collingwood’s mouth going into the off-season as they vied for a top four finish.
The Collingwood army were cheering their boys for the last game of the season, and the Hawthorn faithful came out in force as well, giving the game finals-like tension.
Collingwood gave it everything and despite leading the contest for almost all of the first three quarters, their opponents Hawthorn came out fighting in the fourth.
Hawthorn were four goals up late in the last before Collingwood put everything on the line to go seven points up with less than three minutes left on the clock.
But Jack Fitzpatrick’s 70 metre goal as well as a Paul Puopolo behind ensured Hawthorn, as (almost) always, recorded a close win.
Adam Treloar was the best on ground, yet remarkably didn’t record a stat in the first quarter. The Hawks four-time premiership quintet all were standout contributors.
Hawthorn defeat Sydney 75-70
Hawthorn got the better of Sydney in a low scoring slog at the SCG. Both teams were desperate for a win to make for an easier finals campaign, as was obvious by the grit they both played with.
It was a gripping contest the whole game and in the end the result looked destined to go to whichever team was lucky enough to be in front when the siren went – not necessarily the better team, as it was virtually goal-for-goal throughout.
Cyril Rioli took a mark right on the 50 metre arc with almost two minutes left. Needing to kick it over 50 metres, in what would have been close to the longest kick in his career, Rioli kicked long and straight to give the Hawks a lead. The Swans had multiple chances in the last minute but Hawthorn’s defence proved too good.
Sam Mitchell was undoubtedly the best on ground with Shaun Burgoyne providing much assistance. For the Swans, Josh P Kennedy’s 35 disposals and Gary Rohan’s four goals were important performances.
Western Bulldogs defeat Sydney 83-79
Twilight matches are usually the boring, one-sided matches that need to be played but draw little enthusiasm. This game however, didn’t follow those rules – not that we mind.
Sydney had the better of the Bulldogs in the first half but a six-goal third quarter gave the Dogs faithful reason to believe victory was possible.
The Swans didn’t convert on some opportunities in the last quarter, kicking three goals, four behinds. When Jason Johannisen kicked a goal from 35 metres out, on his first match back from a longterm injury, the Doggies had the lead.
With only a few seconds to go, victory was beyond the Swans. Luke Parker was easily the best player on ground with 34 touches and 10 tackles. Marcus Bontempelli, Caleb Daniel and Jake Stringer were all prolific for the dogs.
St Kilda defeat Geelong 93-90
St Kilda, despite a promising 2016 to that point, were coming off a loss to an injury ravaged Gold Coast. Geelong however had just beaten three top eight sides in a row.
St Kilda went into every break with a lead but throughout the second half, most significantly the third quarter, Geelong were leaders.
Geelong’s lead was at nine points as the clock ticked down late in the last before Jade Gresham snapped from the boundary line to kick a miraculous goal and get the Saints back within a kick. Then Jack Steven kicked a goal off the deck to give the Saints the lead.
Still the Cats had enough chances to get the lead – none more so than an almost Jimmy Bartel mark with under 20 seconds left – but the St Kilda defence, led by Jarryn Geary, assured the Saints of an exquisite win.
Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan were ball magnets for the cats but St Kilda, led by a best-on-ground performance from Nick Riewoldt, outclassed the Cats.
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