AFTER almost four years and 291 games of footy, AFL.com.au photographer Adam Trafford is returning to his country roots. 

Among the highlights of Adam's time at the AFL was his win at the 2018 Australian Football Media Association Awards, where he took out the most outstanding single action photograph for his stunning shot of Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Swan Zak Jones. 

Here he reveals the stories behind some of his favourite photos. 

Round 1, 2017, MCG - Alex Fasolo

Love the emotion in this shot. I remember this being an exciting night to shoot with Travis Cloke's first game back against the Pies. Quite a lot of feeling in a contest always makes for good photos.

Round 1 2017, MCG - The Bombers

It's not the prettiest picture I've taken in my time here but it is one of my favourites as an Essendon supporter. The win against Hawthorn as the first match back for the suspended players definitely ranks as the highlight of my time at the AFL. There were numerous moments throughout the night that were just unbelievable to experience from my seat on the sidelines, but the team song capped off the night perfectly. If you watch the footage you can probably see me in there having a little sing to myself.

Round 7, 2016, Simonds Stadium - Patrick Dangerfield

This shot's a funny one. When I took it I thought I had something really special for it looks like a pretty incredible mark. I was confused afterwards to find the mark was hardly noticed, to the point that it hadn't even made the match highlights. It seems sometimes a photo can look better than the vision. 

Round 12, 2017, MCG - Jeremy Howe

Was very happy to get this one at the time. I could definitely live without Watts and Aish in the foreground but I'll take it. Hearing the commentary on the radio afterwards, I thought I'd gotten lucky and taken the photo of mark of the century. Turns out, thanks to Joey Daniher, it wasn’t even mark of the year. Even more of a letdown was the fact that Daniher took his mark right in front of me and I managed to muck that up by going too tight and chopping his hands off in the frame. I think I was the only person as disappointed as Jeremy Howe on Brownlow night when mark of the year was announced.

Round 19, 2018, Etihad Stadium - Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Zak Jones

An interesting shot in the sense that when I took it I didn't notice any special moment. From memory it was a bit of a messy scrap that didn't seem like it warranted a picture. I don't think it was until after the game when going back through my download that I noticed the ball wedged between their faces. 

Round 15, 2018, Etihad Stadium - Ollie Florent and Jason Castagna

Big collisions can often seem exciting in the moment, only to pull up the shots on the computer and realise that each frame just hasn't captured it well. They're often not quite sharp, particularly under lights when our shutter speed is on the lower end required for something like this. Occasionally you get a nice one where the players are frozen in the air, legs going everywhere, and, where possible, a bit of sweat and grass flying around always tops it off.

Round 17, 2018, University of Tasmania Stadium - The Lions

It's rare a coach joins in a team song so there's usually a nice atmosphere in the rooms when it happens. A big win for the Lions and a special one for Fagan after his time at Hawthorn and also being down in his home state of Tasmania.

Round 23, 2017, Etihad Stadium - Bob Murphy and Luke Hodge

It was hectic post-match for this one. Matthew Boyd was also saying farewell, so there was a lot to capture. Being AFL photographers, we're lucky to be allowed past the boundary line after the game to be able to get closer when the players come together. One of my favourite parts of a game is chasing little moments like this. You often have little combinations of players you try and get together. A player going up against his brother, someone playing against their former club, best mates playing each other for the first time. It can often be messy when it does come up, but getting a nice clean shot like this on a special night is always nice.

Round 9, 2018, MCG - Lance Franklin and Luke Parker

Not shooting the Swans as much as the Melbourne clubs over the years, I was always on the hunt for that perfect Buddy celebration pic. In your head, you're always hoping for him to slot one right in front of you, turn towards the crowd and let loose with a beautiful SCG sunset over the old grandstand in the background. Wasn't to be, but I don’t mind this one from the 'G. It's a thrill to have photographed one of the greats.

Grand Final, 2017, MCG - Taylor Walker

Shooting the huddle is a real privilege we are afforded as AFL Media photographers. Since we are out there to shoot the coin toss, we can also run back with the captain to the huddle. You're often one of the only people out on the ground aside from the players at that time. The atmosphere one minute before the bounce of a Grand Final is obviously pretty amazing, so to be out there for moments like this is pretty special.

Grand Final, 2017, MCG - Dustin Martin

Always nice to get a good goal celebration of a superstar player, especially during a big match. So much can go wrong with getting blocked by players, trainers and umpires, so it's great to get clean frame. If only he wasn't wearing their clash guernsey. 

Grand Final, 2016, MCG - Tom Boyd and the Bulldogs

Shots like this aren't necessarily the most incredible photographs, but it is exciting to have captured some key moments of big games. It's nerve-racking in the seconds leading up to a crucial kick at goal like this one. You know while you're tracking him that if it goes through then something special might be about to unfold, so don't muck it up!!! 

Preliminary final, 2016, MCG - Corey Enright

With every cut-throat final you always need to be mindful of players that may potentially retire if they lose. It can get a bit hectic after a game, so I was lucky I happened to notice Enright in tears (which jogged my memory in this circumstance). You're often so focused on the winners you can forget these photos which turn out to be quite important in the bigger picture. 

Preliminary Final, 2017, MCG - The Tigers

I usually enjoy shooting a prelim more than a Grand Final just for the pure emotion involved. The players often seem more excited by making the Grannie, than actually after a premiership win. A lot of photographers you speak to will often say they get stronger images out of a prelim than a Grand Final for that reason.

Preliminary Final, 2017, MCG - Daniel Rioli

Always a great thing when a final-siren shot ends up like this one. It's usually a mad scramble in the last few minutes to remind yourself the siren is coming and to pick someone to focus on. You might have the captain right in front of you with 15 seconds to go, then, by the time the siren goes, he's taken off and is 80 metres across the ground. From memory, Rioli was the only player anywhere near me and was lucky enough he faced my side and the full crowd filled out the frame nicely.