Looking back at an awesome 2011 AFL season

NOW that the dust has settled and everyone has calmed down a bit, we can reflect on what was a truly brilliant AFL season.

Unless of course you’re not a Cats supporter and the focus has been squarely shifted onto next year, with 2011 nothing short of ancient history. Alas we must go back and reminisce on why this year in particular was so bloody good.

Firstly, the return of the speccy. It was as if Jesus had blessed the Sherrin before each match. Each week, hangers were being plucked, each more hung than the last. Some even had Bruce McAvaney reaching for the nebulizer, although this was a regular occurrence and no one took much notice.

Secondly, man on man footy returned to thunderous delight. Contested possessions doubled this year, and it had much to do with coaching staff realising that punters didn’t want to see a glorified game of above ground water polo. As a result we saw genuine battles all day and the footy getting kicked to the actual full forward, playing on the actual fullback. Bliss.

Thirdly, the Torp. There’s nothing like a good barrel to impress the ladies and like a ripe mango, there’s nothing sweeter than when one connects. Again these were seen on a weekly basis and proved so popular, the torpedo punt even had its own cheer squad.

Fourthly, Hope was given when all seemed lost. The Eagles couldn’t hit the side of a barn in 2010 and weren’t expected to tie their own bootlaces this year. So much so that coach John Worsfold was an early favourite to cop a public stoning in the West. But for reasons that have been best left unsolved, the Blue and Gold blokes played a great brand of footy that saw them finish fourth and one win away from a GF. The term ‘ there’s always next year’, never held so much weight.

So now that there is a massive hole in your life, what now? Foetal position? Hibernation? Try to master Macramé? Have a go at that IKEA flat pack bookshelf you’ve been putting off? Whatever you do to pass the hours until season 2012, remember that footy is always the winner. Godspeed.