This year has been a year like no other - but there are plenty of moments worth celebrating with 2020 now nearing the end.
We’re counting down 20 of the best football moments from the year – across our AFL and AFLW seasons.
17: Mum calls time
After four years in the red, white and blue, premiership Bulldog Nicole Callinan called time on her AFLW career.
Announcing her retirement in a team meeting at the end of the shortened 2020 season, the 37-year-old managed 24 games – including the 2018 Grand Final win – since being drafted with pick 85 in 2016.
Affectionately known as ‘Mum’ to her teammates, Callinan was part of the Bulldogs leadership group for three seasons.
16: Dead-eye Dicko hangs them up
It was a low-key exit for premiership hero and fan favourite Tory Dickson.
Dickson announced his retirement behind closed doors to his teammates late in the season, calling time on a career which brought 181 goals from 114 AFL games.
He took the long route to the AFL – as a mature-aged draftee, following stints with Noble Park, Frankston and Bendigo – but at his best was one of the competition’s deadliest forwards.
Best known for his sharp-shooting in front of the sticks, Dickson kicked 90 of his goals across the 2015-16 seasons. He snagged 10 majors in the 2016 finals series, including three in that famous premiership win.
This year also marked the retirement of Matt Suckling, Jackson Trengove and Sam Lloyd – and we thank them also for their efforts in red, white and blue.
15: Bruce bags six
Off-season recruit Josh Bruce turned it on against North Melbourne.
Bruce had a field day against the Kangaroos, kicking six goals in round five to take home three Brownlow votes in a 49-point win at Marvel Stadium.
The key forward had three at the major break and added two more in a streak of five unanswered third quarter goals, before putting the icing on the cake with a sixth in the final term.
Bruce was dangerous in the air – in packs or on the lead – finishing with 10 disposals and six marks, three of those contested.
