The best 10 AFL games of the past decade
There have been more than 2000 games of AFL footy since the start of the 2010 season, but which was the best? We rank the incredible comebacks, epic slugfests and shock upsets.
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Incredible comebacks, epic slugfests and shock upsets. More than 2000 games of AFL footy have been played since the start of the 2010 season, but which was the best?
Senior Herald Sun footy writer Glenn McFarlane nominates his top 10. Did he get it right? Leave a comment below.
1. 2010 GRAND FINAL
Collingwood 9.14 (68) drew with St Kilda 10.8 (68)
Go back and watch the last quarter of this game and listen to your heartbeat rise to fever pitch.
There were so many massive moments that have gone down in footy history – Brendon Goddard’s mark and goal, Nick Maxwell’s desperate lunge on the goal line as well as his mark on the wing and decision to play on, Travis Cloke’s late goal, Lenny Hayes’ behind with the bounce of the ball eluding Stephen Milne.
It was theatre of the highest order – no wonder it was made into Melbourne Symphony Orchestra event – in what will forever be the last Grand Final draw.
2. 2018 GRAND FINAL
West Coast 11.13 (79) def Collingwood 11.8 (74)
This was a pulsating Grand Final where one side (Collingwood) stormed out to a sizeable early lead and the other (West Coast) staging a sustained but well-timed comeback. It was thrilling heart-in-the-mouth stuff.
We know how it ended.
Just when it seemed the Magpies would hang on, the Eagles produced one of the most remarkable passages of play in history.
A strong mark from Jeremy McGovern in defence saw him start the chain. Nathan Vardy marked on the wing. A flying mark from Liam Ryan followed before the ball landed in Dom Sheed’s hands in the forward pocket on a tough angle.
Sheed slotted it through at the 28-minute-mark to give the Eagles the lead and to break the Magpies’ hearts.
3. 2016 PRELIMINARY FINAL
Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) def Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83)
If this had been a Grand Final, it would likely have been No.1.
This was one of the most compelling matches of all time, let alone of the past decade.
A seesawing contest between the Bulldogs and the Giants that saw many ebbs and flows, it came down to the final dying moments.
Scores were level until Jack Macrae gave the Bulldogs the lead just before the 28-minute-mark, as the two sides slugged it out like two punch-drunk boxers refusing to concede.
Finally, after moves and counter moves forward, the Bulldogs held on to win by six points to qualify for their first Grand Final in 55 years.
4. 2013 PRELIMINARY FINAL
Hawthorn 14.18 (102) def Geelong 15.7 (97)
It wasn’t just the end of ‘Kennett’s curse’, it was also the pathway through to Hawthorn’s three-peat of flags.
In a cliffhanger, the Hawks trailed by 19 points seven minutes into the final term as best afield Sam Mitchell helped to drive his team back into the contest.
Three goals in succession in the mid-to-late stages of the quarter gave the Hawks back the lead before a missed shot from Travis Varcoe that would have tied the scores close to the final siren ended Geelong’s chances.
The Hawks won by five points in an absolute classic.
5. 2011 PRELIMINARY FINAL
Collingwood 10.8 (68) def Hawthorn 9.11 (65)
Was it any wonder Mick Malthouse – in his penultimate game as Collingwood coach – couldn’t hide his emotions moments after the Magpies prevailed in the preliminary final encounter in 2011?
The Hawks looked to have the edge on the reigning premiers, leading by 17 points at the last change, but the Magpies weren’t done with yet.
Malthouse’s team rallied and led after a goal kicked just before time-on. But Lance Franklin scored a classic major at the 23-minute-mark to wrest the lead back.
Then some Luke Ball nous at a stoppage saw him gather the ball and goal just two minutes later as the Magpies held on by three points.
6. 2012 GRAND FINAL
Sydney 14.7 (91) def Hawthorn 11.15 (81)
Has there ever been a Grand Final where the momentum of each team fluctuated as much or as often as the 2012 Grand Final?
The fortunes of Sydney and Hawthorn oscillated wildly. The Hawks led by 19 points at the first change; the Swans by 16 at the long break.
The margin was a behind in Sydney’s favour at the last change.
It was a thrilling encounter, with the high-octane pace of the game highlighted by a sprint down the wing from Lewis Jetta with Cyril Rioli chasing.
It went almost to the wire. The Swans led by four points with 40 seconds left before a snapped shot from Nick Malceski provided the sealer.
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7. ROUND 13, 2013
Brisbane 15.13 (103) def Geelong 14.14 (98)
Geelong looked set to record a comfortable Gabba win against Brisbane when Steve Johnson put his team 52 points clear at the 21-minute-mark of the third term.
Somehow, against the odds, the Lions staged a “Lazarus-like” comeback.
While the Cats would only manage one more goal, the Lions went on a flurry of six-pointers, with Daniel Rich’s goal at the 28-minute-mark of the last quarter levelling the scores.
A behind to Tom Hawkins two minutes later gave the Cats the lead back.
But the Lions move the ball from one end to the other at breakneck speed as it landed in the arms of Ash McGrath only a second or so before the siren.
McGrath’s goal from just outside 50m capped off one of the most remarkable comebacks of the decade.
8. 2017 ELIMINATION FINAL
West Coast 12.6 (78) def Port Adelaide 10.16 (76)
This was a shocker for much of the game, but it’s hard to recall many better final terms.
The Power looked home – twice – but couldn’t seal the deal.
Scores were level inside the last minute when an act of pure genius from Eric Mackenzie edged the ball over the boundary line instead of the goal line.
It was a draw.
Port rushed out to a 13-point lead late in the first period of extra-time before the Eagles staged another fightback.
A controversial free kick to Luke Shuey on the final siren gave the Eagle midfielder the chance to live out a childhood dream of kicking the winning goal.
9. ROUND 19, 2012
Geelong 18.10 (118) def Hawthorn 17.14 (116)
This was a real pendulum swinger.
Hawthorn trailed by as much as 51 points early in the second term before staging a spirited revival against their old nemesis Geelong.
Six goals in the final term seemed to give them the edge, and when Clinton Young scored a behind at the 32-minute-mark, the Hawks led by four points.
The Kennett curse looked all but over.
But one last passage of play turned the match one final time. The Cats extracted it from defence and it ended up in the arms of Tom Hawkins, who kicked his sixth goal and the matchwinner, extending the pain for Hawks fans.
10. ROUND 19, 2013
Port Adelaide 17.5 (107) def Adelaide 15.13 (103)
Another game with huge momentum swings.
Adelaide led early, Port Adelaide piled on seven goals in the second term to take control before the Crows wrested back the lead in the third term.
The stage was set for what promised to be a huge final term.
The Crows pushed out to a 20-point lead going into time-on before three Port goals in six minutes cut the margin back to two points.
Then a set-shot from Chad Wingard – with half a minute remaining – produced one of the Power’s greatest wins.
A year later, in a preliminary final against Hawthorn, Port Adelaide narrowly missed out by three points in a game that would have almost made the list if they had won.
Originally published as The best 10 AFL games of the past decade