A weekend that is being touted as a feel-good fixture, the return of Swans defender Alex Johnson and debut of Saints speedster Nathan Freeman highlight a heartwarming round of footy.
In honour of the round, we have put together a best 22 of players that have overcome significant injury, scrutiny or hardship of any kind - the best feel-good stories in football today.
Here is Zero Hanger's best 22 feel-good stories of players currently in the league:
Half-backs
Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
The former pick three was forced to take a leave from the game in early 2017 after suffering four concussions in the space of 12 months. One year later and the helmet-wearing hard nut finds himself as Melbourne's most improved player in a year where they look destined to end a 12-year finals drought.
Liam Jones (Carlton)
One of the most scrutinised players in the league, Liam Jones' career was written off by many after he failed to breakthrough as a key forward at the Bulldogs between 2010-14. The Blues threw him a lifeline, which seemed like a failure at first, until he reinvigorated his career as one of the Blues' chief key defenders.
Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
One of the most damaging half-backs in the league, Brodie Smith tore his ACL for the grand final-bound Crows during the qualifying final against GWS last year. Smith missed out om every young athlete's boyhood dream of playing in the big dance, but returns for Adelaide in this weekend's Showdown.
