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:
Followers
Toby Nankervis (Richmond)
It is hard to fathom that this bloke could not get a game for the Swans, who found himself behind the likes of Kurt Tippett, Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith in the pecking order. Named an emergency in their 2016 grand final losing outfit, Nankervis sought greater opportunities elsewhere and was traded to Richmond for a third-round pick. He went on to become the premiership Tigers' number one ruckman and arguably the most improved player in the competition.
Tim Kelly (Geelong)
Overlooked in as many as five AFL drafts, Tim Kelly has done it the hard way. After finishing runner-up in the Sandover Medal last year, AFL clubs could not sit on Kelly anymore. The Cats snatched him up with the 24th selection in the national draft, who has been arguably the best pickup of season 2018.
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
After dealing with a series of injuries early in his career, Robbie Gray was widely thought of as a player whose body simply was not up to the rigours of AFL footy. But Gray has powered through many setbacks to become one of the greatest players of the modern era, most recently fighting testicular cancer last year.
