IN 2016 we fell in love with Fremantle star Nat Fyfe, but 2016 was the year of Patrick Dangerfield. The Geelong superstar launches the next instalment of the top 50 moments from 2016 as we count down from 10-6, also reflecting on an unexpected call into a Melbourne radio station.
10. The mark of a champion
It was the grab that launched one of the great individual seasons of recent times. Patrick Dangerfield leapt and sat on top of Hawk Ben Stratton in the most memorable moment of his round one debut for Geelong. The superstar midfielder went on to dominate 2016, averaging 32 possessions and winning a season-high 48 touches against North Melbourne in round 12. As a result, he was the shortest-priced Brownlow Medal favourite in history, and he won in record-breaking style with 35 votes. By the end of the season, Dangerfield was voted the best player of 2016 by the umpires, the coaches and the players, but his Cats bowed out in the preliminary final against Sydney. Always conducting himself with class, the explosive midfielder was the game's most accessible star. Having moved home to Victoria's surf coast, he praised his "life balance" for contributing to his unyielding form. His season was one enjoyed by all football fans, not just the grateful Cats.
9. "Anything is possible" in a remarkable road to the Grand Final
Selection night on Wednesday, September 7 was the biggest all season for the Western Bulldogs. It was a case of roll the dice or be rolled for the underdogs, who made five changes and launched a remarkable September with a 47-point win against West Coast. "We didn't in our wildest dreams think we were going to play that well," coach Luke Beveridge said after the club's first finals win on the road. From there, it was off to face Hawthorn at the MCG, where Marcus Bontempelli shone and Liam Picken booted three goals. The Bulldogs hit the road again for their preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney. By this point, they were well and truly the sentimental favourites and they rode that wave to Spotless Stadium. The nail-biting preliminary final made a hero out of Clay Smith, who kicked four first-half goals shortly after the death of one of his closest mates. It was a final for the ages, and it wasn't settled until Tory Dickson marked inside 50 in the final minute of the game, ending a 55-year Grand Final draught and causing an outpouring of emotion.
8. One escape too many for Hawks and Isaac Smith
The Hawks were racking up single-digit wins like they do premierships in 2016, and they looked destined for their greatest escape of the season in the qualifying final. Isaac Smith marked inside 50 against Geelong with just seconds remaining and his team trailing by three points. He lined up from 45m on a slight angle, but he hooked his shot after the siren to the right. How different the finals could have been as the Hawks went into elimination mode in a semi-final against the Bulldogs, rather than straight through to a preliminary final. Everything about Smith's kick, including a nervous smile he flashed the umpire, was scrutinised. Coach Alastair Clarkson was quick to point out how influential the wingman had been in the Hawks' run of flags. "I can remember him kicking a 65m goal in a Grand Final against Freo … he's been a ripper for us. So keep your chin up, mate, and let's get into next week," Clarkson said. Smith spoke to the club's website and pointed out that his previous 11 shots on goal in finals had been converted. "Unlucky to miss that one and if I get the opportunity again I look forward to nailing it," he said.
7. Brent Harvey reluctantly retires
The bombshell news that the VFL/AFL games record holder would not be offered a new contract came via a media release on Wednesday, August 24. "North Melbourne has made the difficult decision not to re-contract four of its most decorated players," it read. Michael Firrito, Drew Petrie and Nick Dal Santo were the others, but it was Harvey's forced exit that hit like a ton of bricks. The circumstances of the announcement had been dictated by Harvey, who asked for a decision before the Kangaroos' final home-and-away game so he could farewell family and friends in a home match, rather than an away final. With emotions high, supporters threatened to protest the club's decision, but eventually they came around. So too did Harvey, who considered playing on at a new club before eventually confirming his retirement in an emotional speech at the club's best and fairest. "I would like to tell everyone in this room tonight that my decision is not to pull on another team’s jumper … it has been an amazing journey," he said.
6. Sam Mitchell is on the line
When news broke that Sam Mitchell could be headed to West Coast, it was met with disbelief. Perth radio station 6PR broke the story, and the next morning Mitchell himself was on the phone to Melbourne's SEN from New Zealand. It made for extraordinary listening. "I can't tell you either way at this point (where I'll be playing) … it's better to get it from the horse's mouth," Mitchell said. The midfielder outlined then and there that coach Alastair Clarkson had raised the possibility of him playing at West Coast from 2017 before moving into coaching. "You could have knocked me over with a feather," he said of that conversation on Brownlow Medal day. The proposition of Mitchell leaving the Hawks blindsided fans. Some were angry, many were sad, and a pragmatic few saw what Clarkson must have seen as the Hawks looked to a future with Jaeger O'Meara and Tom Mitchell. It was still hard to believe until the paperwork went through, sending the 2016 club champion and a four-time premiership player to West Coast, effectively in exchange for pick No.88.
