Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

EIGHT of the best celebrations in AFL history

Inspired by Arnie’s big win at Tokyo, we remember some of the best moments of pure passion in the AFL.

Published by
Will Guthrie

This week saw something that we all love in sport; pure, unfiltered passion. Not in the AFL either. When Ariarne Titmus shocked the world to claim Gold in the 400m Women's Final at the Olympics in Tokyo this week, the icing on the cake was the celebration.

Though 'Arnie' looked spent, her coach Dean Boxall had plenty of energy to celebrate in style. While some in the saltier corners of the earth (read: United States) tried to rain on the parade, the bottom line is that this was an outpouring of emotion.

It's easy to forget that it's not just the athletes who give their heart and soul to a cause, the coaches are just as devoted. Boxall's celebration was the pressure valve releasing, his pride, relief and happiness all boiling over.

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By his own admission, Boxhall 'lost it' when he channeled the Ultimate Warrior in his now famous celebration. This doesn't, however, diminish, overshadow or steal the limelight away from Titmus' incredible achievement.

An Olympic Champion at just 18-years of age, anyone involved in this incredible feat has every right to 'lose it' if they want. It's that sort of passion that we love to see in sport and in our athletes, coaches and even administrators.

With all of that in mind, we take a look at some of the most memorable outpourings of emotion in the past two decades of AFL footy.

Chocco's Choke

It's impossible to forget the image of Mark Williams grabbing his tie and pretending to choke himself upon coaching Port Adelaide to their first AFL premiership.

Told that he wasn't the right man for the job by the club's chief sponsor Alan Scott, Chocco's emotions got the better of him at the final siren. Much to our delight.

Referred to as a 'chokers' due to successive finals failures after finishing top, the premiership was the sweetest of victories for Williams. The sheer delight in his teary eyes is impossible to forget. It's easy to see why anyone he coaches seems to love him so much, it's one of the most enduring moments of the AFL era.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Williams coach of the Power shows his emotions with minutes to play during the AFL Grand Final between the Port Adelaide Power and Brisbane lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground September 25, 2004 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Tom Boyd Arms Wide Open

Much maligned during his brief AFL career, unfairly it must be said, Tom Boyd delivered on the grandest stage of all. With the Bulldogs playing in their first Grand Final in over 60 years, he timed it perfectly.

Apart from taking a handful of contested grabs to help the Dogs build momentum in the second half, it was his iconic goal from the centre square that stole the show.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Tom Boyd of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal with Toby McLean (top) and Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs during the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 01, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

An absolute bomb that the crowd willed home, his raised arms celebration while his team mates mobbed him has become an iconic moment.

Besides Boyd's joyful scream as he celebrated, the outpouring of emotion the goal triggered from Dogs fans is what lives long in the memory. It was perhaps this moment above all the others during that game when Bulldogs fans really started to believe.

Jack The Killer

The Tigers' drought breaking Premiership in 2017 was matched by the celebrations that followed. Outside the MCG, all around the suburb of Richmond, the fans went full Philly Eagles.

But it was inside the G that the passion was on full view for everyone. Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt so elated to have achieved the ultimate that he took to the stage with US rockers the Killers.

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In full kit, with his medal around his neck, Jack belted out Mr. Brightside in scenes of pure joy and relief at having finally delivered for the Tiger Army.

Baby Bombers Breakthrough

With many tipping the Bombers to go winless in 2016 due to player suspensions, their first win was seminal moment for the club. Having endured several years of scandal due to the supplements saga, a team of mostly unknowns gave their fans some hope.

Wins against Melbourne, Gold Coast and Carlton gave Bombers fans something to cheer about at a dark time for the club. They also signalled the arrival of some future stars for the Dons, as Zach Merrett and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti announced themselves.

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To see the joy on the faces of Essendon fans, who had been so disheartened only weeks earlier were moments to remember. Wins that showed character and spirit, they provided a silver lining to an otherwise gloomy season for the Bombers.

Karmichael's Goal

There was no doubting that the AFL experiment didn't work out as planned for the NRL boys. Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt both gave it their all, however just weren't able to transition into long term players.

Hunt's time in the AFL lasted longer and at the very least, he left the code with an enduring memory. His goal after the siren to win the game was a special moment.

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A highly scrutinised player, the jubilant scenes that followed him slotting the winning goal were special. Mobbed by every single team mate, the moment highlighted his popularity within the squad.

It was sheer joy as they all felt for a player who had been singled out all too often by the media. In Gold Coast's short time in the competition, this was undoubtedly one of their most memorable moments.

McCartney Miracle

Perhaps the most emotional moment in AFL football from the past 25 years. Jason McCartney's return to football after a terror attack in Bali was incredibly special.

Having received extensive injuries from the bomb blast, McCartney battled hard to get back to the AFL in a show of sheer strength and will. Emotions were running high as he took the field in what would be his last game.

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While he didn't dominate, the passion on display when he marked and kicked truly gave you tingles. An extremely raw moment that transcended the game, you'd have been hard pressed to find any dry eyes in the house that night.

The Final Draw

It's not often that players are completely speechless, however the moments after the 2010 draw were unforgettable. For all the wrong reasons.

As anti-climactic as it was bizarre, having witnessed an incredible contest only for there to be no winner sucked the atmosphere out of the MCG.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jason Blake and Brendon Goddard of the Saints and Dayne Beams of the Magpies react as the siren sounds at the end of the game and it is a draw during the AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 25, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

As the confused masses stood around in their seats, the exhausted and dejected players slumped on the field told the story. With no one having any idea what to do, the AFL world packed up and went home.

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A week later, weddings around Australia would be ruined as the replay took centre stage. The feelings of sheer confusion and emptiness after the draw make this moment in AFL history a strangely emotional one.

Here It Is

After a premiership drought that extended to 72 years, the Swans breakthrough in 2005 delivered scenes of pure joy from a raucous MCG crowd.

A tense affair that lived up to the hype, the Bloods fans who had waited so patiently were treated to several moments that have become iconic.

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The scenes of joy as Leo Barry pulled down one of the most memorable marks in Grand Final history were capped off by the immortal line from the usually stoic coach Paul Roos.

"Here it is!" he roared as tears of joy flowed, you got the impression that you were witnessing images that would stand the test of time.

 

Published by
Will Guthrie