{"id":649831,"date":"2026-05-04T21:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T21:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/649831\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T21:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T21:50:09","slug":"bolt-from-the-blue-ranking-the-top-10-afl-surprise-standouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/649831\/","title":{"rendered":"Bolt from the Blue: Ranking the top 10 AFL surprise standouts"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In the wake of Sydney forward Malcolm Rosas<\/a> Jnr’s incredible seven-goal performance against Melbourne, it got the brain cogs thinking about similar standout efforts in football.<\/p>\n

Rosas, in a forward line consisting of Charlie Curnow<\/a>, Joel Amartey<\/a> and Tom Papley<\/a> as well as midfielders Isaac Heeney<\/a> and Chad Warner<\/a>, wasn’t tipped to heavily impact the scoreboard, but was the surprise packet in the Swans victory.<\/p>\n

The former Gold Coast Sun’s performance inspired a thought train, researching some of the best ‘bolt from the blue’ moments in football. However, he didn’t make it inside the top 10.<\/p>\n

Nor did Karmichael Hunt’s goal after the siren to defeat Richmond in 2012.<\/p>\n

Despite an embarrassment of riches, we’ve ranked the top 10…<\/p>\n

10Martin masterclass<\/p>\n

Overlooked in multiple drafts, Essendon picked up Nic Martin<\/a> via the Supplemental Selection Period ahead of the 2022 season.<\/p>\n

Martin only needed three months at an AFL<\/a> club to prove his worth, and earned a top-flight debut in Round 1 against Geelong. He didn’t disappoint.<\/p>\n

He kicked five goals from 27 touches and the umpires awarded him with two Brownlow votes despite the Bombers losing by 66 points.<\/p>\n


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