Footy fans are more blessed than any other in the world of sport.
No sport combines such astonishing physical feats with such chills of euphoria, heartbreak, and everything in between the way Aussie Rules does.
A simple kick through the big sticks can swing the mood of fanbases around the country for an entire week, while an Anzac Day speccy can drop the jaws of a nation for a fleeting moment.
2024 has already provided its fair share of thrilling plays, profound performances and memorable matches, this list will go through only a fraction of them during the season so far.
Here is our mid-year list of the top 10 moments of 2024...
Honourable Mentions:
- Jack Higgins' game-sealing out-of-bounds bomb (Round 2 vs Collingwood)
- Richmond hold on for first win under Adem Yze (Round 3 vs Sydney)
- Matt Cottrell controversial goal & dissent free kick seals win for Carlton (Gather Round vs Fremantle)
- Scott Pendlebury's 10,000th disposal (ANZAC Day vs Essendon)
- Izak Rankine clutch fourth-quarter snap on the left (Round 10 vs Collingwood)
- Alex Pearce set-shot goal and Cam McCarthy tribute (Round 11 vs Collingwood)
- McKay twins finally face off (Round 13 Essendon vs Carlton)
10. Nick Vlaustin's sky-high contender
- Round 5 (West Coast vs Richmond)
While the 30-year-old veteran Tiger had made a name for himself as one of the league's most reliable intercept defenders through Richmond's dynasty, no one saw this coming from Nick Vlastuin.
Marks like these are typically reserved for renowned high-flyers; the Jeremy Howe's and Liam Ryan's of the world.
Vlastuin bucked the trend with this hanger, rising early in a pack of five and getting some mid-air assistance to bring down probably the second-best mark of the season so far.
Vl-ost in the sauce with how good this grab was!
Congrats to Nick Vlastuin on taking home the @VirginAustralia Mark of the Year nomination for round five. pic.twitter.com/fwiP1nqDwg
— AFL (@AFL) April 18, 2024