The good, the not so good, the exhilarating, the heartbreaking… we’ve taken a look at the Moments That Mattered during the AFL season.
From now until the full playing group returns for the start of pre-season on November 25, westernbulldogs.com.au will count down 19 moments that had a big impact in 2019.
**
A day to celebrate quickly turned to heartbreak for the Bulldogs’ faithful.
The AFL return of Dale Morris.
For the second year running, the inspirational defender sought to return from a pre-season ACL injury without surgery.
In 2018, it worked a treat. Morris came back to play 11 AFL games.
In 2019, unfortunately Morris’ knee didn’t make it through game one.
After four successful games at VFL level, the veteran defender earned a call-up to face Fremantle, alongside debutant Rhylee West.
Few footballers have had to overcome an injury toll as significant as the much-loved Bulldog’s.
And again, it looked as though Morris had triumphed against all odds.
He was tested immediately in his comeback game, thrust into a one-on-one battle inside his defensive 50.
Morris prevailed.
But the news wasn’t as promising from there.
He came from the field early in the game before coming back on. But in the third quarter, a change of direction ended Dale’s day – in what scans revealed was a knee injury which would require a full reconstruction.
However, in true Dale Morris style – he stayed on the bench, offering advice to teammates.
And post-game as he left the rooms, stayed to sign autographs for fans.
Counting down the 2019 Moments That Mattered…
#12 THE HANGER
#13 THE TENSE FINISH
#14 THE UPSET
#15 THE ALL AUSTRALIANS
#16 THE RISING STAR
#17 THE FIGHTBACK
#18 THE DEBUTANTS
#19 THE MIGHT OF THOR
