Clutch moments are the most epic moments in sport. They occur at the most crucial times, when a player or team delivers under immense pressure.
They happen when needed the most, producing a tick of brilliance that differentiates from winning and losing.
Round one of the AFL season was filled with nail bitters and influential plays, here I break down the biggest clutch moments of the round.
Sam Lloyd’s superb finish
The Blues displayed plenty of promise in Thursday’s season opener, heading into the three quarter time break with a nine-point lead.
Around 13 minutes remained in the final term with the Tigers needing a player to stand up.
After already a goal to his name in the final term, Sam Lloyd exhibits a spectacle to put his team in front.
Lloyd gathers the crumb, bolts through the Blues defenders, spins out of trouble and finishes with a superb 35-metre snap at the biggest moment of the game, ultimately giving his side the lead.
Connor Menadue’s snatch
With Richmond dominating the final term and snatching back the lead, Carlton was pushing hard for a fight back.
With five and a half minutes remaining, Sam Kerridge had possession at the half back flank, as the Blues trailed by 10 points.
Richmond’s Connor Menadue seizes the moment, intercepts the kick, quickly handballs over the top to Anthony Miles who drills a goal from 45 metres out, sealing the win for his side.
Heroic Hogan
If 2015 wasn’t enough of an indication that Jesse Hogan is a megastar in the making, Saturday’s match-winning, three-goal final term confirmed any doubts.
In just two minutes of brilliance Hogan had kicked back to back goals as the demon Jack Watts placed the ball out in front, providing the 6 foot 3 forward plenty of space to display his key moments of magic.
Hogan’s two goals drew back the margin to just three points, producing the goods when the game was in the balance.
The 21-year-old was far from done, the Demons trailing by four points as nine minutes remained, Hogan had a free kick and a clutch shot to put his side back in front.
With a touch of class in the pressure situation, Hogan lines up and delivers through the big sticks, acting as a major key in the two point victory for the demons and orchestrated a glimpse of an exciting season ahead.
Classic Boomer strikes again
After an impressive first half from the Adelaide crows, North Melbourne found themselves in quite a buffer heading into the main break.
The Kangaroos needed an impact player to work themselves back into the contest after the margin stretched to 24 points early in the third term.
Who better to look for in need of six minutes of pure brilliance than 37-year-old favourite son, Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey?
Like on countless occasions before, Harvey dominated the premiership quarter with an explosive patch of spark, scoring his first goal of the quarter.
This followed by a 50-metre drop punt just a few metres in from the boundary line that almost blew the roof off Ethiad Stadium.
Boomer’s passage of influence shifted the momentum for his team and went a long way in their successful come-from-behind victory and first Round 1 win since 2009.
Have I missed something? What was your biggest clutch moment of the round?
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
I was particularly impressed with Lang's last quarter. While Dangerfield was everywhere and best on ground (in my opinion) he missed those sitters in the 4th term. Smith's first half was exceptional!
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
Yes it was fantastic, continues to have an impact time and time again.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Never heard it until recently. I'll stick with critical. By the way, your new quarterback is clutching his a#se off.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Why what is wrong with it? adjective (informal) 1. (in sport) denoting or occurring at a critical situation in which the outcome of a game or competition is at stake. "they both are hard-nosed players who seem to thrive in clutch situations" (of a player or action) achieving or characterized by success at a critical moment in a game or competition. "a clutch quarterback"
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Someone put a brake on the term "clutch" being used in this manner.
Gecko
Guest
Good write-up Nicholas. In the Geelong-Hawks game, Dangerfield threatened to provide the clutch moments, with two shots on goal in the 4th Q. In the end, however, he missed both and it was little known Darcy Lang who kicked the goals that mattered.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Zac Smith set the tone early for the Cats, his two tackles inside the attacking 50 that resulted in holding the ball frees and goals were fantastic. Dangerfield was everywhere all game. Hendo snuck down forward to kick a very important goal near the start of the 4th quarter when the game was in the balance and Darcy Lang popped 3 through the big sticks in the final quarter to seal the win. Hard to pick out just one moment.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Boomer was super as the whole team lifted - and the cheer at 3/4 time when the siren sounded was as if we'd won - and yet we were 1 point down.