From leather poisoning to bags of goals, we look at the best performances of 2016
LEATHER poisoning, bags of goals and match-winning efforts. Who turned in the best solo performances of 2016? HAVE YOUR SAY
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FROM bags of goals to cases of leather poisoning, there were plenty of memorable solo performances in 2016.
The likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Kennedy and Nick Riewoldt filled up the stat sheet.
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Meanwhile, unheralded stars such as Clay Smith and Alex Fasolo proved matchwinners in bursts that stunning their rivals and will stay with fans for years to come.
In no particular order, here are our best 16 of 2016.
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PATRICK DANGERFIELD - Geelong v North Melbourne, Round 12
OK, we said no particular order but we’re started with the clear No.1. Dangerfield was simply unstoppable against the Kangaroos, collecting 48 disposals, 13 marks, 13 clearances and two goals for a gigantic 229 SuperCoach points. The Cat’s possession count was the highest in Geelong history and the equal most ever recorded at Etihad Stadium.
JOSH KENNEDY - Sydney v W.Bulldogs, Grand Final
While it proved fruitless, Kennedy’s effort in the biggest game of the season - and the first half in particular - was something special to behold. The midfielder had it on a string early, collecting 22 touches and two goals to halftime and looked a shoo-in for the Norm Smith should Sydney win. He would finish with 34 disposals, six tackles, six clearances and three goals.
TOM ROCKLIFF - Brisbane v Carlton, Round 11
Like the Lions, Rockliff had an up and down season but his performance against Carlton was spectacular. While Brisbane would lose the game, “Rocky” contributed 48 disposals, eight marks, nine tackles, 13 clearances and a goal, which saw him post a massive 204 SuperCoach points. His 48 touches was a career-high.
NICK RIEWOLDT - St Kilda v Brisbane, Round 23
Riewoldt put on a masterclass in the Saints’ final game of the year in an effort to rival Dangerfield. “Saint Nick” gave retiring Lion Daniel Merrett a sending off he will want to forget, amassing 26 disposals, 21 marks and nine goals for 187 SuperCoach points. Riewoldt’s nine majors was the most kicked in a game in 2016 and his 21 marks the most taken since Brian Lake’s 22 in 2010.
JOSH KENNEDY - West Coast v Brisbane, Round 1
If you’re looking to defend your Coleman Medal title, this is a good way to start. With the Eagles hosting Brisbane, Kennedy put on a clinic, bagging 8.2 to go with 25 disposals and 16 marks for 180 SuperCoach points. Kennedy would go on to boot seven against Fremantle and Port Adelaide to claim back-to-back goalkicking titles.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD - Geelong v Hawthorn, Round 1
Welcome to the Dangerfield Show. In his first game for Geelong, Patrick Dangerfield put Hawthorn to the sword at the MCG. His 43 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and Mark of the Year contender was eye-catching enough and it would have been a whole lot better if not for his 0.3 in front of the big sticks. It was just a taste of what was to come.
JOSH GIBSON - Hawthorn v West Coast, Round 2
Defenders aren’t known for their ball-winning ability and Gibson in particular is better known for his fists. In his 191 previous games, Gibson had collected more than 30 disposals six times with a best of 36. However, he smashed that record in Round 2 with 44 disposals as the Eagles let him off the chain. Throw in nine marks, 191 SuperCoach points and the third goal of his career, we’d call it a good day at the office.
HEATH SHAW - GWS Giants v W.Bulldogs, Round 9
Shaw must have had to put his foot in ice after this one. His 36 kicks was a season-high and the most kicks in a game since Peter Featherby’s 40 for Geelong in 1980. Shaw finished with 38 disposals, which was also a career-high as well as six tackles and 14 marks for a whopping 203 SuperCoach points. The big question is why did he have to handball it twice?
KIEREN JACK - Sydney v Geelong, Round 16
Talk about under the pump. Ahead of his 200th game, Jack was swamped by controversy as news of a bitter family feud broke. Playing Geelong at Geelong probably didn’t make it any easier. However, the Swans’ co-captain rose above it all to play one of the greatest games of his career and 2016. Jack inspired the Swans’ win with 24 disposals, 10 tackles and three goals.
ALEX FASOLO - Collingwood v Richmond, Round 2
When the Magpies needed him, “Faz” stepped up. Fasolo inspired the Magpies’ dramatic final-quarter comeback with three of his six goals in the final term before Brodie Grundy finished the Tigers off with a last-gasp winner. The forward’s six majors (almost half his team’s total) was a career-high.
CLAY SMITH - W.Bulldogs v GWS Giants, Preliminary Final
If Tom Boyd had have claimed the Norm Smith he’d be here and Liam Picken’s inspired elimination final could be as well, but we’re going with Clay. And for good reason. After losing one of his best friends on the Monday before the game, Smith put on a show in the preliminary final, bagging four first-half goals to almost single-handedly keep the Dogs in the game. He would finish with 26 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances. There’s no doubting his impact on the game and the Bulldogs’ fairytale run to the premiership.
MAX GAWN - Melbourne v Hawthorn, Round 20
On the face of it, Gawn’s 41 hitouts, 16 disposals, 11 marks, five tackles and one goal might seem just another day at the office for the star big man. But when you consider eight of those grabs were contested and several came in the dying minutes as Hawthorn charged, his impact only grows. Gawn and Giant Rory Lobb both took eight contested marks in a game in 2016, just short of Wayne Carey’s mark of 10, set in 2000 against Collingwood.
BRYCE GIBBS - Carlton v Geelong, Round 10
In the upset of the year, Gibbs was inspirational. As Carlton secured a drought-breaking win over Geelong at Etihad Stadium, the star midfielder was at his very best. His 34 disposal, seven tackles, nine clearances and two goals were crucial. While his post-season headlines might have stolen the focus, there’s no doubting this performance.
STEELE SIDEBOTTOM - Collingwood v Essendon, Round 5
Pretty hard to look past the Anzac Medal winner when it comes to end-of-year reviews and Sidebottom’s effort is no different. In a stellar all-round performance, the Magpie would amass 33 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and four goals for 166 SuperCoach points. This was definitely one of the year’s best.
JACK STEVEN - St Kilda v Essendon, Round 16
The Saints star lit up the Bombers twice in 2016 but Round 16 was his best effort. In an eye-catching performance, Steven finished with 41 disposals, 12 tackles, 12 clearances and a goal which eclipsed his 40 touches, five marks, four tackles, 10 clearances and goal in Round 9. His Round 16 special netted 170 SuperCoach points. Put the “C” on him against the Bombers next year.
TODD GOLDSTEIN v MAX GAWN - North Melbourne v Melbourne, Round 3
We’ll finish on a special one. We’ve counted the Goldstein v Gawn epic as one entry as it should be remembered as one of the best one-on-one showdowns in recent years. Gawn (63 hitouts, 18 disposals, five marks, seven clearances and two goals) might have won the ruck battle but Goldstein (38 hitouts, 19 disposals, three marks, five tackles, nine clearances and five goals) certainly won the war around the ground and on the scoreboard. Both scored 172 SuperCoach points.
Originally published as From leather poisoning to bags of goals, we look at the best performances of 2016
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