IT WAS the year of the Tiger. Led by its hero Dustin Martin, Richmond made 2017 its own, but there were so many more moments to savour in a season full of close finishes and brilliant individual performances. Over the next 11 days AFL.com.au will count down the 50 things we'll remember from 2017, starting with 50-41.

50. Never write off a champion

With Steve Johnson down in all key indicators at the start of the season and coming off an interrupted summer, critics were circling the GWS forward. He entered the round eight clash against Collingwood with two goals in his past four games, but when his time came he delivered. Johnson's front and square goal to win the match against the Magpies with 40 seconds left was a magnificent piece of football few players are capable of. It was also a reminder of the role Johnson, with his big-game reputation, could still play at 33. The champion forward went on to play 18 games, kicking six goals in the Giants' semi-final win against West Coast before retiring after 293 games and three premierships with Geelong.

Steve Johnson: he knows how to win them #AFLGiantsPies pic.twitter.com/EZxjfopwag — AFL (@AFL) May 13, 2017

49. Langford's miracle bounce

GWS became the first team to draw consecutive games since Carlton in 1921 when Hawthorn scrambled a late goal in round 16 in a thrilling clash at University of Tasmania Stadium. After a six-goal final term comeback, the Giants conceded the last goal of the game when Will Langford snapped from 30m, with the ball landing in front of defender Heath Shaw but bouncing over his head. The Hawks then had a rushed behind disallowed in the frantic final seconds, with the final siren hard to hear. GWS had shared the points with Geelong one week earlier, but coach Leon Cameron conceded the team was "just going" after the second draw.

Will Langford managed to bounce one through to let the Hawks scrape through for a draw. #AFLHawksGiants pic.twitter.com/t0jrl469Qv — AFL (@AFL) July 8, 2017

48. Goddard's costly kick-in

There were 28 seconds to play when Essendon defender Brendon Goddard played on from a kick-in against Sydney in round 14, with his team clinging to a five-point lead. He hung on to the ball just too long, "waiting for something to open up" and giving Tom Papley the chance to smother and force the ball out of bounds deep in the Swans' forward line. Dane Rampe manufactured a kick forward out of the stoppage and Gary Rohan marked on the goal line, converting after the siren for a one-point win. It capped a remarkable final two minutes that also saw Joe Daniher and Lance Franklin take brilliant contested marks. It also put the Swans into the top eight for the first time after an 0-6 start to the season.

47. A farewell "bigger than Texas"

Fans lined the streets and the Collingwood players of today formed a guard of honour as family, friends and an adoring public said goodbye to Lou Richards at a State Funeral in May. His great mate Ron Joseph spoke at the service, telling those assembled and a television audience that Richards had assured him his farewell would be "bigger than Texas". Joseph hit all the right notes as some of the game's biggest names – including Ron Barassi and Kevin Sheedy – packed into Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral to farewell a football and media icon. "Lou is still a legend. In fact, Lou is bigger than a legend," Joesph said. "Decency, loyalty, gentleness, warmth, kindness, integrity, humility, cheek and fun all in equal parts gave us Lou Richards." Richards died on May 8, aged 94.

Magpies fans pass the Lou Richards statue after the legend's funeral. Picture: AFL Photos



46. It's a fun game for Joe Daniher

The Essendon star was compelling viewing in 2017, from his magnificent goalkicking feats and high marking to his occasional yips in front of the big sticks. But, bizarrely, it was Daniher's relaxed on-field demeanor that caused a stir. He drew criticism for ruffling Adelaide opponent and friend Rory Atkins's hair, hugging former teammate Michael Hibberd, and smiling after a run of six straight behinds was ended with a goal. Daniher's joy for the game is obvious, and his on-field approach worked over the course of the season, with the 23-year-old kicking a career-best 65 goals. "I put a big emphasis on enjoying football," he said after signing a three-year contract extension in June. "I think it's critical, anything you do in life you have to make sure you're happy and enjoying it."

It's all fun for Joe Daniher on the field. Picture: AFL Photos



45. The AFL takes a stand with executive pair

The biggest story in the game in mid-July was the resignation of League executives Simon Lethlean and Richard Simkiss after the pair had "inappropriate relationships" with younger women from the AFL industry. It was a story that prompted debate in the corporate world around the AFL's moral stance and whether the parting of ways was a reasonable outcome from two separate consensual affairs. "We are being clear about what we stand for as an organisation," CEO Gillon McLachlan said at the time. "We will continue to make change because it is a journey and we are not where we want to be yet." The turmoil at League headquarters followed the exit of diversity manager Ali Fahour, who was banned from local football for life after receiving a 14-week suspension for striking.

44. Eagles win fight to open Perth's new stadium

In Western Australia, the fight to play the first game at the newly named Optus Stadium in 2018 was an important one that both Fremantle and West Coast were desperate to win. We might not remember – or care – who hosted the opening game in 10 years, but it was a battle fought on all fronts, with the Eagles emerging triumphant. The campaign to open the 60,000-seat stadium took place at the same time a user agreement for the venue was thrashed out between the AFL, WA Football Commission and State Government and a long and nostalgic goodbye was bid to Subiaco Oval, an historic ground that has hosted 545 VFL/AFL games. Subiaco and Peel Thunder squared off in the WAFL Grand Final, the last game played at the venue.

Optus Stadium will host its first AFL matches next season. Picture: AFL Photos



43. "I am ashamed and I am embarrassed"

Nathan Broad made a "very bad drunken decision" when he distributed a photo of a topless women without her permission in the aftermath of the Tigers' premiership triumph. It was a decision that he said had caused heartache and distress for the woman involved and her family, and left him feeling ashamed and embarrassed. There were so many great stories in Richmond's drought-breaking flag – including Broad's own rise from a mature-age recruit to premiership defender – but his actions dampened the celebrations. He was left with a three-match club suspension to start 2018.

Nathan Broad faces the media with Richmond president Peggy O'Neal. Picture: AFL Photos



42. Essendon starts a new era

The roar for Jobe Watson when he took a mark on the wing in the opening two minutes of round one told the story – the Bombers were back. A record crowd of 78,294 turned out at the MCG to see the Bombers take on Hawthorn and the atmosphere was electric as six of the 10 listed players who served WADA suspensions returned. It was an emotional night for players and fans as the team got its comeback off to the perfect start with a 25-point win, launching an exciting season that saw the Bombers play finals after last year's wooden spoon nightmare.

What a start to the last quarter it was from Dyson Heppell! #AFLDonsHawks pic.twitter.com/8MRNbicYJQ — AFL (@AFL) March 25, 2017

41. The best five minutes of Nathan Vardy's career

The Western Bulldogs were surging in the final minutes of an important round 15 clash at Etihad Stadium, and West Coast desperately needed someone to assert themselves on the contest. Recruit Nathan Vardy was the man for the moment, crumbing his own hit-out deep in the forward line and snapping a crucial goal that gave the Eagles a seven-point lead with three minutes remaining. To make sure of things, the former Cat pushed deep into defence and soared to take a pack mark that all but ended the Bulldogs' chances with 40 seconds to play. It was an important road win for the Eagles, who had dropped their previous three games in Melbourne, and Vardy was the match-winner.

Nathan Vardy stepped up right when the Eagles needed him! #AFLDogsEagles pic.twitter.com/6VpJlGUB2O — AFL (@AFL) July 1, 2017

Nathan Schmook's top 50 countdown

- 50 things we'll remember: 40-31

- 50 things we'll remember: 30-21

- 50 things we'll remember: 20-11

- 50 things we'll remember: 10-6

- 50 things we'll remember: 5-1