In amongst the rancour that footy does generate, the sheer joy of the game shone through across the round.
There were five goals that had five different virtues.
Read about them and watch them below:
Lachie Sullivan - Patience
A 26-year-old journeyman through the VFL who was good enough to win best and fairests at state league level, but never quite trusted to do it at the higher level.
Trains the house down across the summer at Collingwood to secure a supplementary spot.
Injury gives him a look in, then injury gets him on the ground as the sub in front of more than 88,000.
And two minutes later he’s a fan favourite.
26-year-old debutant Lachie Sullivan kicks his first goal in the big time and don't the Pies love it!@Toyota_Aus | #AFLBluesPies pic.twitter.com/BRD9vupX6l
— AFL (@AFL) May 3, 2024
Jack Hayes - Resilience
Recruited from SANFL, makes an impact at the start of 2022 before doing his knee.
A foot injury then compounds things and he only gets back for the last home and away game last year.
Knee injury again before being called up in Round 8 for just his seventh game in three seasons.
Now at 27 years of age he again makes an immediate impact.
It's not Jack Hayes' first goal, but the Saints were celebrating like it was! 🙌
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 4, 2024
That's how much Hayes return means to St Kilda.
📺Watch #AFLSaintsNorth on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/c5VwhmeFbG
✍️BLOG https://t.co/bFApbDOuIZ
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/VW267BqBqY pic.twitter.com/s41JFO6NdS
Logan Morris - From nowhere
Pick 31 in the draft but makes his debut in circumstances you could never imagine.
He’d already run his 13kms in the VFL and fuelled up on Maccas when he’s told he has to play.
Doesn’t have his boots, so wears Will Ashcroft’s pair that are too small.
And kicks his first goal.
What a day Logan Morris has had!
— AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2024
A VFL game, called upon to replace Brandon Starcevich minutes before the bounce and now he's kicked his first AFL goal on debut 🙌#AFLLionsSuns pic.twitter.com/JtLIG3G0oM
Calsher Dear - Raw emotion
Perhaps the most sentimental father-son selection we’ve ever had.
Son of Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
His wife Cherie becomes a game-changing advocate for the cause.
Calsher is enlisted by the Hawks, and he looks a player.
Calsher Dear slots his first AFL goal 🤎💛#AFLDogsHawks pic.twitter.com/V2gBXsrPto
— AFL (@AFL) May 5, 2024
Bayley Fritsch - Sheer brilliance
We were in the terraces on Saturday night.
The Fritsch slider made everyone smile for its sheer skill and audacity.
Bayley Fritsch with a HUGE goal at a very critical stage of this match!
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 4, 2024
📺 Watch #AFLDeesCats on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/c5VwhmeFbG
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/YHPutQjkqu
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/IIqQ0DxK7P pic.twitter.com/BgTvvCzv34
Plus the best bit of the round.
Nick Daicos
NICK DAICOS PUTS THE GAME ON HIS BOOT 💥 pic.twitter.com/dSn4YaJkTB
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 3, 2024
