IT WILL be remembered as the year of the Bulldogs, but 2016 had so much more to offer football fans. From the on-field brilliance of Eddie Betts to a Trade Period with unprecedented drama, there wasn't a dull moment. Over the next 11 days, AFL.com.au will publish an article every two days, counting down the 50 things we'll remember from 2016, starting with 50-41.
50. Leppitsch sees the writing on the wall
Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch could only stomach so much when it came to speculation about his future and by June he'd had enough. "Here we go again. Can we stop these silly questions? I'm getting a bit over it to be perfectly honest," he said after an 83-point loss to Fremantle. One month later, the Lions were hammered by 23 goals at the hands of a ruthless Adelaide, and Leppitsch seemed to know what was coming at the end of the season. He criticised the AFL for playing a role in the club's on-field demise. "We've been given nothing as a footy club," he said. "No extra concessions and money."
49. Kochie demands answers
A "disgrace" is how Port Adelaide chairman David Koch described his team's 86-point loss to Greater Western Sydney in round four, promising "questions are being asked and answers demanded". The comments, which Koch made on social media, "rattled" the club's players and led to captain Travis Boak taking the issue up with the chairman. Port Adelaide had just announced a deal to play a match for premiership points in China and the team's lackluster performance had undermined an historic week, Koch said. If the players were troubled by his feedback, the chairman and Channel Seven personality said they should "harden up".
48. Aliir Aliir and the United Nations
As Sydney's season gained momentum in 2016, so did the burgeoning career of defender Aliir Aliir, whose story made it all the way to world political stage. The 22-year-old grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya, after his family fled the bloody civil war in Sudan, and he moved to Australia with his family when he was seven years old. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his story was a shining example of the success of Australia's migrant policy. "Tall, fast and agile, Aliir was a natural for Australian Rules football and once he took up the game hasn't looked back," Turnbull said at a UN General Assembly meeting in September.
47. Jonas embarrassed by stray elbow
The largest suspension of the season was handed to Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas in round nine when the decision to argue his case at the Tribunal backfired. Jonas was referred directly to the Tribunal for a late hit on Andrew Gaff that left the Eagle knocked out. He sought to have the intent downgraded from intentional to careless and it cost the defender his right to a one-match discount, resulting in a six-game ban – the equal longest since 2008. "It's a little bit embarrassing. I took the soft option and was scared for my own safety," Jonas told the Tribunal. "At no time during the incident did I have the intention of striking Andrew Gaff."
46. Good Friday Footy revealed
North Melbourne was a pioneer for Friday night footy and now the Kangaroos have succeeded in their long-time push to play on Good Friday. There are football fans opposed to football being played on the religious holiday, but the AFL believed a majority would welcome the move and the League was right. The challenge has now been set for the Kangaroos and Western Bulldogs to make the timeslot their own, with general manager of clubs and operations Travis Auld declaring the Good Friday teams and locations could change beyond 2017. "The AFL acknowledges the requests from a number of clubs to play on Good Friday and we will consider the appropriate match-up and venue on a year-to-year basis," Auld said.
45. Eddie McGuire's tough year
It started in May when Collingwood lost to archrival Carlton by three goals, prompting Eddie McGuire to publicly question his own role as club president. "Completely shattered" after that defeat, which left the Magpies 2-5, McGuire had worse to come in June when he made the crude on-air comment that he'd like to see senior football journalist Caroline Wilson take part in the Big Freeze charity event and stay under the pool of freezing water contestants slide into. "I'll put in 10 grand straight away, make it 20. And if she stays under, 50," McGuire said on Triple M. The season ended with the disastrous short-lived appointment of Graeme 'Gubby' Allan as football manager, said to be a McGuire 'captain's pick'.
44. McDonald-Tipungwuti the star and sportsman
One of the season's most uplifting stories was the emergence of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, an Essendon rookie who took his chance in a team of 'top-ups'. Known affectionately as 'Walla', the 23-year-old's story is one of persistence after moving from Melville Island, off the Northern Territory coast, to pursue his dreams. 'Walla' thrilled Essendon supporters in a difficult year with his speed, skills and bravery, with one moment standing out. In round 13 against Greater Western Sydney, he landed a full-blooded but fair bump on Lachie Whitfield, sending the Giant flying over the boundary line. The Bomber's first instinct was to offer Whitfield a hand up, a great act of sportsmanship from a man who plays the game hard but fair.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti helps up Giant Lachie Whitfield. Picture: AFL Photos
43. "He's a ducker" claim lands coach in hot water
Brad Scott is one of the League's most passionate coaches, and he can struggle to hide his feelings in post-game news conferences. In round 13 he walked into the Etihad Stadium media room particularly fired up, believing an umpire had said Kangaroos forward Lindsay Thomas was not receiving free kicks because he was "a ducker". It was information shared with him by a club staffer that was later disproved. But Scott shared his suspicion of umpire bias with the media. Once the accusations were disproved, Scott was fined $50,000 and North $30,000 for failing to adequately control the situation. Both apologised unreservedly and accepted the penalties immediately.
42. Daw and Daniher duke it out for Mark of the Year
So high did Majak Daw soar when taking his Mark of the Year winner, he had time to make a cup of tea while sitting on Jonathon Marsh's shoulders. So went the joke, anyway, from the powerful Kangaroos forward who won from a brilliant field. For some, including coach Brad Scott, it was the best mark they had ever witnessed. Just three weeks earlier, Bomber Joe Daniher had one hand on a new car for his soaring grab over Saint Luke Delaney. With his arms completely outstretched, it could have been the highest anyone had ever taken. Most other years, the crown would likely have been his, highlighting how spoiled football fans were in 2016.
41. Tigers skipper speaks too soon as Grundy seals win
Collingwood's round two win over Richmond came with high drama on the field and fallout in the days that followed. With four seconds remaining and the Magpies trailing by five points, Brodie Grundy snapped the winning goal from close range. Recruit Adam Treloar, who played a key role in the build up to that moment, had joined the Magpies during the off-season and said he chose the club ahead of the Tigers because they had "a better list". With the Tigers in control of the game 10 minutes earlier, captain Trent Cotchin had told Treloar he had spoken too soon. Post game, the pair shook hands, with Treloar giving Cotchin a wink and ruffling his hair.
