Cartoonist Mark Knight’s review of 2020

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight reveals this year’s headline makers.

Mark Knight.

A ROLLERCOASTER provides a fitting backdrop for Mark Knight’s front-page cartoon tribute to the biggest headline-makers of 2020, a year that will go down as one of the most tumultuous in global history.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is sitting in the front seat with his “frenemy” Prime Minister Scott Morrison for the political white-knuckle ride of their careers.

It was also the year that doughnuts signified more than a fatty, tasty treat – Victoria celebrated zero cases at the end of the second lockdown with doughnuts.

The pandemic response claimed the political career of former Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, left hanging and isolated from the Andrews’ Cabinet.

The biggest other news story of 2020 was the US and President Donald Trump lost the poll, his MAGA cap and his grip on political reality. Besides him is victor Joe Biden whose future is so bright he has to wear shades.

Josh Frydenberg looks a worried man, wondering how to repay mountains of debt caused by COVID hand-outs. Not so worried is Chinese President Xi Xinping whose nation continues to wield its trading muscle.

Our COVID politicans take centre stage.

Duelling premiers Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk took State of Origin to another level in their border battles.

Richmond, marshalled by Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin, crossed the border to the Gabba to claim the AFL flag. Again.

Frontline health workers and firefighters are the real heroes of 2020 dealing with the double whammy of pandemic and bushfires.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton emerged as an unlikely heart-throb among his female fans.

And Victoria said farewell to one of its favourite sons when cricketer Dean Jones died in September.

And beside him is another great of the state – Gary Ablett Junior said goodbye to footy after 19 stellar seasons.

Sporting heroes brush shoulders with our healthcare workers and firefighters.

The royal family.

The Queen and Prince Phillip faced another troubled year as Harry and Meghan decided to jump off the regal train.

Lawyer X -a.k.a. Nicola Gobbo - was never far from the headlines but also hiding out somewhere far from Melbourne.

While coronavirus dominated world headlines, the Black Lives Matter movement grew in force, sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. Floyd is depicted being shadowed by a police officer in riot gear.

Victoria’s sporting prowess shone bright in a dark year, with premiership winners Vixens netball captain Kate Moloney and Storm rugby league legend Cameron Smith typically out front.

AFL premiership coach-turned horse trainer Denis Pagan holds aloft the Victoria Derby trophy after Johnny Get Angry saluted in a boilover at Flemington.

Before the pandemic the Australian women’s cricket team won the world cup in front of a bumper MCG crowd (remember them?).

Cameron Smith and Kate Moloney lead the sporting train.

Aussie Formula One ace Daniel Ricciardo’s famous shoey was empty this year thanks to an underperforming Renault but his trademark smile still won plenty of admirers.

Behind him is soccer legend Maradona who blessed the football world with his heavenly skills and died on November 25, aged 60.

Another lost sporting great was Lakers’ Kobe Bryant who is drawn cuddling his 13-year-old Gianna who also died in a helicopter crash.

The first Tuesday in November was quieter than ever. Before empty Flemington stands, Jye McNeil rode Twilight Payment to victory in the 160th Melbourne Cup.

At the back of the sporting train is Hawks super coach John Kennedy Snr, no doubt urging everyone ahead of him to “DO SOMETHING!”

At the centre of the picture is a lone hotel security guard, distracted by his phone and oblivious to the chaos surrounding him.

But coming over the hump is British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, fresh from a Brexit trade deal but with a health system on the brink of life support.

Cardinal George Pell looks impassive after a year in which the High Court overturned his sexual offences conviction, he was released from jail and returned to the Vatican.

Behind Pell is Hollywood scoundrel Harvey Weinstein who in February was convicted of sexual assault and rape charges.

Two greats of the entertainment world are waving farewell – Helen Reddy with a microphone and Sean Connery in James Bond guise with a gun.

State MP Adem Somyurek is looking nervous after being dumped by the Labor Party amid branch stacking allegations.

And former judge Jennifer Coate just 10 days ago delivered the highly-anticipated report into hotel quarantine.

Riding the peaks of unpopularity at the start of the pandemic was the superspreader Ruby Princess cruise ship just behind the Holden name which came to the end of the line in February.

Tennis star Dylan Alcott is seen riding high of course, courtesy of two 2020 grand slam wins and finishing the year as the world No 1 for quad singles.

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