It was a zero-to-hero finish for Barney in 2023. Yes, the Asti recipient for 2022 turned his frown upside down when his Burley Hurlers (Serge, Barney and Digger) won the grand final at Mrs Herberts Park on 22 October 2023.

The day’s crescendo was as close as a grand final can be, as the winner needs a two-point margin and the Burley Hurlers pipped Gonad 8-6.

Gonad had had a great day. He started his campaign by prevailing in the battle to avoid the Asti, scraping past the Dukes of Normandy (SNHDT and Stella), 7-6.

The minor premiers, Burley Hurlers, made a statement early, dispatching the second-placed Better than Charles (SuperMario and Brad) 9-3, thereby slotting themselves into the grand final and pushing BTC into a semi-final.

The Second Eleven (Cannonball, Reg and HRH Prince Andrew II) were no match for Athletes for Life (Banker and RE, sans Buzz Lightbeer), going down 2-8, with both teams moving to the semi-finals.

In the final game of the second round Motherchucker lost to the in-form Gonad 4-7, with Gonad thereby qualifying for the semis and Mochu qualifying for a rest until next season.

In the first semi-final, BTC was also better than the Second Eleven, with another 7-4 result.

Despite AFL starting its semi-final with a three-point advantage over Gonad, the second semi saw Gonad emerge victorious, 7-5, securing a preliminary final date with BTC.

By this stage, Gonad was on a roll and he made very short work of Brad and SuperMario, taking a confidence-boosting 7-1 victory into the grand final.

The grand final was indeed grand. It was a terrifically tempestuous and tense tussle, terminating in a tight result – an 8-6 victory to the Burley Hurlers.

The Dukes of Normandy were the Asti recipients. Despite the cunning disguise, most of our survey respondents were able to recognise Stella in the photo from the award ceremony.

The Stolichnaya Trophy for Shot of the Day went to HRH Prince Andrew II.

The Munted Reindeer Trophy for Best Dressed went to Barney, for his fetching bi-seasonal ensemble.