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.
Best of 2020: 20-18
Best of 2020: 17-15
Best of 2020: 14-12
Best of 2020: 11-9
Best of 2020: 8-6
Best of 2020: 5
Best of 2020: 4
Best of 2020: 3
Best of 2020: 2
1: West Coast win
The win against the West Coast Eagles was a huge moment for the Bulldogs in 2020.
From a team perspective, holding on against a high-quality opponent was enormous. In the context of the season, it was a critical win. And in terms of individuals, there were plenty of big moments – defining moments that shaped the outcome of this contest.
At the start of round 16, the Bulldogs knew they would almost certainly need three wins to play finals football.
A week earlier, they’d let one slip against Geelong – after holding a six-goal lead at quarter time.
The Bulldogs hadn’t beaten any team that would go on to finish in the top eight.
It was all on the line.
But the Eagles kicked the first four goals of the game and led by 22 points at the first change.
It looked like an uphill battle for the Bulldogs at that point, but they made some adjustments and by half time scores were level.
From the midway point of the second quarter to the final siren, the margin was never greater than six points either way.
Twice in the final term, the Eagles kicked goals to take the lead. But twice, the Bulldogs fought back with goals of their own.
This will be remembered as a famous win.
There were individual moments aplenty.
Ryan Gardner’s desperate touch on the mark to deny Jack Darling, on the half-time siren.
Toby McLean’s game-defining tagging role on star Eagle, Andrew Gaff.
Zaine Cordy’s big tackle on Josh Kennedy.
Tim English’s mark down the line, in the final minute.
And skipper Marcus Bontempelli stepping up to the plate from outside 50 with a captain’s goal, that – just – cleared the goal-line and got his team home.
