Season in short
Even Lin Jong himself thought his season was over after going down with a broken collarbone in the second quarter of the Bulldogs’ elimination final against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.
After a slow start to the season, the 23-year-old had played 11 straight games, had consolidated himself in the senior side, and was coming off his best game of the season; a 28 disposal, four tackle display against Fremantle.
Remarkably, the tough as nails midfielder made it back to win the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in Footscray’s second premiership in three years.
Drafted with pick 9 in the 2011 Rookie Draft, Jong signed a two-year contract with the Club in October.
The stat that mattered
Played 16 AFL games in 2016, a career high.
What they said
“At the start of the year I was in and out of the side due to form but when I went back to the VFL I thought I played well and managed to get back in the side and play consistent games.
“Unfortunately the collarbone happened and that was a set-back, but to make it back in time for the VFL premiership… I definitely didn’t think that (was a possibility) when I broke it, and to be a VFL premiership player again is amazing.
“I’m looking forward to getting that good fitness base and have a really good preseason as opposed to last year, getting some k’s in my legs and just coming back and training really well..”
Gram of the year
Everyone was happy when this one popped up in their feed.
