Western Bulldogs forward Josh Bruce's 10 goals in the 2021 Good Friday clash stands out as the best performance on the public holiday, but does anyone else get close?

The AFL had previously refrained from playing football on Good Friday, but the thirst from its fans on the public holiday brought the game into the primetime slot from 2017 onwards.

North Melbourne was granted the position as hosts of the marquee clash, despite some queries over its ability to put on a show.

Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Essendon all had their time in the Good Friday sun, but Carlton, since 2023, has been the Kangaroos' opponents at the Docklands.

Across state lines, South Australian and Western Australian clubs also got a chance to feature on the public holiday as a double-header.

West Coast has played host three times while Fremantle and Adelaide have had their time in the spotlight.

Below I rank the top 10 Good Friday performances... Unfortunately, not many Kangaroos feature.

Honourable mentions:

  • Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne) in 2017 - 33 possessions, 10 clearances, 10 score involvements, six marks and four tackles
  • Jack Petruccelle (West Coast) in 2019 - 18 disposals, five goals, seven marks, eight score involvements
  • Peter Wright (Essendon) in 2025 - 17 touches, six goals, nine score involvements, seven marks

9Dahlhaus, in the middle of our street

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GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Luke Dahlhaus of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the round two AFL NAB Challenge Cup match between the Western Bulldogs and the St Kilda Saints at Simonds Stadium on February 19, 2014 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The in-and-under Luke Dahlhaus from the Western Bulldogs spent a fair chunk of his time in the shadows of the club's greats, playing a selfless role to contribute to the betterment of his teammates.

But in the inaugural Good Friday clash, he cast a shadow of his own as a forward-midfielder. 

Dahlhaus stacked the stat sheet, amassing 32 possessions, slotting two goals among his six tackles, four clearances and 14 score involvements.

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