We look at the top 16 games of 2016 from last-gasp thrillers to surprise upsets
THERE were last-gasp thrillers and the upsets that no one saw coming. We look at the best games of 2016. HAVE YOUR SAY
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THRILLERS, upsets, solo performances and honourable losses.
In no particular order, we’ve looked at the best 16 games of 2016.
From Patrick Dangerfield’s demolition of Hawthorn in Round 1 to the Western Bulldogs nail-biting preliminary final win and fairytale premiership there were plenty of special moments.
Without further ado, here’s our nominations and you can have your say in the comments below.
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GWS GIANTS v WEST COAST, ROUND 21
West Coast 14.13 (97) defeat GWS 14.12 (96) at Spotless Stadium
Greater Western Sydney were riding a four-game winning streak and eyeing a maiden minor premiership. Enter Nic Naitanui. West Coast trailed by four goals in the final term before an Eagle blitz and with the final kick of the game, “Nic Nat” kicked a miraculous goal from the boundary throw in to secure the four points.
GEELONG v HAWTHORN, ROUND 1
Geelong 18.8 (116) defeat Hawthorn 12.14 (86) at the MCG
How would Patrick Dangerfield fit in at Geelong? Hawthorn found out in brutal fashion on Easter Monday. The new recruit collected 43 disposals but it could have been better as he finished with 0.3 in front of goal. Geelong got out to an early lead before Hawthorn fought back but the Cats surged again in the last term to win comfortably.
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GEELONG v HAWTHORN, QUALIFYING FINAL
Geelong 12.13 (85) defeat Hawthorn 12.11 (83)
You’ve got to feel for Isaac Smith (unless you a Geelong supporter perhaps). The chance to live the childhood dream and kick the winning goal after the siren turned into a nightmare for the Hawks winger. The Hawks led by three goals mid-way through the third term and for much of the fourth before Josh Caddy put the Cats in front with minutes remaining. Enter Smith, who had the chance to put Hawthorn into the preliminary final but he pushed it wide.
GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE, ROUND 12
Geelong 15.15 (105) defeat North Melbourne 12.2 (74) at Etihad Stadium
Undoubtedly the individual performance of the year. The Kangaroos were simply powerless to stop Patrick Dangerfield as he amassed 48 disposals, 13 marks, 13 clearances and two goals - for a massive 229 SuperCoach points. Danger’s 48 touches is the most in Geelong history and the equal best mark achieved at Etihad Stadium.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORN, ROUND 3
Hawthorn 14.9 (93) defeat 13.12 (90) at Etihad Stadium
Even before the drama of the final minutes, this was a cracking contest. The upstart Dogs taking it to the reigning premiers. It was goal for goal in the final term before one of the most iconic moments of 2016, Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy clutching his knee as and James Sicily marking before kicking the match-winning goal. His third in a pulsating final quarter.
RICHMOND v SYDNEY, ROUND 8
Richmond 14.17 (101) defeat Sydney 15.10 (100) at the MCG
Richmond didn’t have many bright spots in 2016 and the win over Sydney was definitely the high point. The Tigers looked down and out as the Swans charged in the final quarter, turning a two-goal deficit into a two-goal lead. A Ben Griffiths goal gave them hope and when Jack Riewoldt found Sam Lloyd 50m out with seconds left, the Tiger Army held it’s breath. Lloyd didn’t let them down, unleashing a brilliant match-winning goal.
FREMANTLE v GOLD COAST, ROUND 2
Gold Coast 19.12 (126) defeat Fremantle 14.16 (100) at Subiaco
On the face of it, this Round 2 encounter doesn’t look overly important. However, the Dockers were reigning minor premiers and the Suns finished 2015 third last. It was the first sign Ross Lyon’s men were in for the season from hell. Fremantle would follow it up with a loss to reigning wooden spooners Carlton in Round 4 as they lost their first 10 games.
ESSENDON v NORTH MELBOURNE, ROUND 8
North Melbourne 10.14 (74) defeat Essendon 8.12 (60) at Etihad Stadium
It’s not often a team gets a standing ovation after a loss but Essendon’s 2016 was anything but ordinary. The Kangaroos kicked the first seven goals of the game, keeping the Bombers to 0.4 in the first half. It was the club’s lowest half-time score since 1915. However, John Worsfold’s men rallied and kicked eight goals to three in the second half. A performance celebrated by the fans.
ESSENDON v GOLD COAST, ROUND 21
Essendon 11.9 (75) defeat Gold Coast 9.15 (69), at Etihad Stadium
After a club-record 17-game losing streak, the Bombers were finally back in the winner’s circle. The Suns would be thinking “what if” after registering four more scoring shots in the six-point loss. It was a tale of two quarters in the second half as first the Suns jumped away then the Bombers turned it around. A late Gold Coast comeback fell just short.
CARLTON v GEELONG, ROUND 10
Carlton 16.8 (104) defeat Geelong 12.13 (85) at Etihad Stadium
Carlton’s win over Geelong edges out St Kilda’s win over the Cats for upset of 2016. The Blues were left devastated by Geelong great escapes - twice - in 2016 but not this time. After 15 attempts, Carlton finally had its first win over the Cats at Etihad Stadium. Bryce Gibbs had 34 disposals while Andrejs Everitt was the surprise destroyer with four majors.
MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN, ROUND 20
Melbourne 17.8 (110) defeat Hawthorn 11.15 (81) at the MCG
The Demons have ticked off a few hoodoos under Paul Roos. The beat Geelong last year to end a 10-game losing streak and in Round 20 ended a 13-game curse against Hawthorn that dated back to 2006. The Hawks were top of the ladder heading into the game but were no match for Melbourne’s last quarter fireworks. Max Gawn and Jack Viney were colossal in the win.
ESSENDON v GWS GIANTS, ROUND 13
GWS 17.15 (117) defeat Essendon 12.18 (90) at Etihad Stadium
The longer this match went the more enthralling it became as Essendon chased the most unlikely of upsets. The Bombers shocked the more fancied Giants as they jumped out to a 12-point lead at half-time. However, they couldn’t hold on as GWS found their game. Essendon threatened again in the final term but inaccuracy in front of goal let them down.
GWS GIANTS v HAWTHORN, ROUND 6
GWS 24.14 (158) defeat Hawthorn 12.11 (83) at Spotless Stadium
It’s not often the reigning premiers get lit up in such spectacular fashion but that’s exactly what the upstart Giants did to Hawthorn. GWS piled on a club record 158 points at Spotless Stadium as Steve Johnson kicked five goals to haunt the old enemy. The Giants were clinical as they increased their lead at every change to stamp themselves as genuine premiership contenders.
HAWTHORN v COLLINGWOOD, ROUND 23
Hawthorn 17.10 (112) defeat Collingwood 17.9 (111)
Collingwood was looking to finish the year on a high while Hawthorn were looking to sure up a top-four berth. The Hawks led by three goals late in the final term before the Magpies launched a late comeback, stealing the lead with minutes remaining. However, Jack Fitzpatrick stood in their way. A clearance, the long-bomb and one of the most incredible goals of the year, secured Hawthorn the win.
GWS GIANTS v WESTERN BULLDOGS, PRELIMINARY FINAL
Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) defeat GWS 12.11 (83)
Whoever won, it would be a momentous moment. The Giants - on home turf - looking for a maiden Grand Final berth and the Bulldogs looking to break a 55-year curse. Early in the final term, GWS looked to be running away with it but the Dogs would not be denied. Jack Macrae put the visitors in front with five minutes remaining and long-suffering fans held their breath. The Giants had two late chances to win but couldn’t finish.
SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS, GRAND FINAL
Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) defeat Sydney 10.7 (67) at the MCG
The Bulldogs completed the fairytale on the first day in October, winning their first premiership in 62 years. The finals run, Tom Boyd’s heroics, Josh Kennedy’s first-half onslaught, Johannisen, Picken and Morris and Luke Beveridge’s gesture to injured captain Bob Murphy all added up to one of the games - spectacles - of the year.
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