The 2022 AFL Season has been rich in feel-good, heartwarming moments since the beginning of the year and amongst a lot of negativity circling the AFL world, it seems right to look back on some of the best moments from this season thus far.
From players returning from injury to goals after the siren, we here at Zero Hanger have compiled a list of 10 of the very best stories of the year.
This list is in no particular order and is here to reflect on some of the best moments and, as always, let us know which is your favourite from this season.
Doc's remarkable comeback
Another remarkable story of courage and persistence from Carlton, Sam Docherty's return to football after a harrowing four years has been superb.
Docherty suffered two ACL ruptures in 2017 and 2018 and therefore missed the 2018 and 2019 seasons after a career-best year in 2017 where he was named in the All-Australian team.
The 28-year-old would then be diagnosed with testicular cancer for the first time in November 2020, before being diagnosed a second time in August 2021.
Docherty played 30 games between 2018 and 2021 but remarkably returned in Round 1 of this season against the Tigers.
'Doc' racked up 26 disposals, six marks and kicked a goal in an emotional victory for the Blues.
The reaction from the crowd, the players, and fans watching at home showed incredible support for Docherty in a heartwarming moment.
You couldn't have written a better script 💙
Sam Docherty kicks a goal in his first game back from testicular cancer pic.twitter.com/qM3YqB5pZM
— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 17, 2022
Since then, Docherty is having an incredible season to date and looks set to secure a second All-Australian blazer at season's end, when not many thought he could.
Averaging 28.3 disposals, 7.4 marks and 505.4 metres gained through all 16 games this season, Docherty is truly reminding all fans of how much of a star he is in defence.
He's been through so much in recent years, and every supporter in the AFL world will forever be a fan of Sam Docherty.
