Sloane snubs move home: Wednesday, July 11

"Five more, five more, five more." You could tell how much it meant to the Crows' playing group when vice-captain Rory Sloane put pen to paper on a contract until the end of 2023. After much speculation Sloane would seek a return to Victoria, the Crows erupted into a chant when coach Don Pyke revealed the news. Sloane's loyalty was a major coup, having lost Jake Lever, Charlie Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield in recent years. The fans didn't miss out the following night either, a packed Adelaide Oval, with Sloane masks in hand, going ballistic when he kicked a crucial goal in the round 17 win over Geelong. - Mitch Cleary

Happy Hodge hammers Hawks: Sunday, May 20

That headline might be slightly misleading but after luring Luke Hodge out of retirement the previous off-season this was Brisbane's first match against his former club. What a day it was at the Gabba as the Lions – in their first national free-to-air television match of the season – handed Hawthorn a 56-point hiding to break an eight-game losing streak and notch their first win of the year. Lachie Neale's signature during Trade Period could also be considered a contender for the club's best day of 2018, further evidence that quality players are wanting to come to the Gabba. - Michael Whiting

Luke Hodge had a day to remember against his old mates. Picture: AFL Photos





The Blues flip the Bombers out of the finals picture: Saturday, May 12

There wasn't much to cheer for Carlton in 2018. But the Blues finally got their moment in the sun following a round eight victory over their old rivals. Winless going into the clash, Carlton displayed plenty of fight against Essendon in a match where neither side led by more than three goals all day. Ed Curnow's major 18 minutes into the final quarter proved the last of the match, with Carlton holding its nerve to close out a 13-point win. Not only was it one of just two victories for the Blues last season, but it also sent the Bombers to their sixth loss in seven matches and put a massive dent in the club's finals hopes. - Riley Beveridge

Charlie Curnow, Patrick Cripps and Harry McKay celebrate a stunning win over Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos





Pies' prelim stunner: Friday, September 21

The Magpies' shock shellacking of reigning premier and hot flag favourite Richmond in the preliminary final at the MCG – where the Tigers had won their previous 22 games, a record – is hailed by some Pies fans as the greatest Collingwood win they have witnessed. With American giant Mason Cox producing a phenomenal second quarter, Nathan Buckley's men inconceivably led 64-11 before half-time. And just when it seemed they might be overrun when their lead was slashed to 21 points early in the final term, they iced the game with the last three goals. The Pies ultimately lost the Grand Final at the death, but this was a night to savour. - Ben Collins

Bombers land Shiel: Wednesday, October 17

Essendon made its fans wait, but finally got the deal done with only minutes remaining in the NAB AFL Trade Period to get Dylan Shiel to the club. The Bombers had to pay up, giving Greater Western Sydney two first-round picks for the star midfielder and a second-round pick. But it was worth it, as the Bombers craved another midfield jet to add to their mix. The clearance specialist, with genuine pace, strength and dash, adds to a squad that is brimming with talent but needs to live up to it next year. Essendon has had some strong recruiting coups in the past couple of years but Shiel was a huge get. - Callum Twomey

The Dockers get their men: Wednesday, October 17

When coach Ross Lyon said the Dockers were "crying out for a big, strong man" in attack before the round 20 Western Derby he was only voicing frustration fans have felt for years. But in one fell swoop, Freo addressed that Achilles heel for now and at least five years into the future by securing Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb within minutes of each other on the last day of the NAB AFL Trade Period. The strong-marking targets immediately transformed Fremantle's spine and their arrival has helped paint a far rosier picture for 2019 than was apparent as last season came to an unsatisfying close. - Travis King

Tuohy to the rescue: Saturday, July 21

When Zach Tuohy received a tap on the shoulder from backline coach Matthew Scarlett at three-quarter time telling him to move forward, he thought it was a joke. Half an hour later, Tuohy was Geelong's hero. Having trailed by 29 points early in the final quarter against Melbourne, Tom Hawkins – celebrating his 30th birthday – got the ball rolling booting four of his seven majors for the night. Still four points in arrears with 20 seconds on the clock, the home crowd was going nuts when Daniel Menzel found Tom Hawkins on a fast-break who handballed to Mitch Duncan, pumping the ball inside 50. Tuohy, playing forward for the first time in his life, outmarked Neville Jetta on the siren before slotting the winner before pandemonium at GMHBA Stadium. - Mitch Cleary

Suns stun Swans in SCG boilover: Saturday, July 21

Five months after the fact, it's still hard to believe rank outsiders Gold Coast pulled off this remarkable upset. Coming off 11 straight losses and playing without key personnel Tom Lynch, David Swallow and Jack Martin it was hard to see any hope against one of the premiership fancies. And trailing by 29 points at quarter-time, the Suns seemed to have virtually no hope. But led by Aaron Young's four goals, Rory Thompson's blanket job on Lance Franklin and 23 touches and two long-range goals from Lachie Weller, they got home by 24 points. In a dark season, this was a clear highlight. - Michael Whiting

The Suns celebrate their stunning victory against the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos

A Giant performance against the odds: Sunday, June 3

Leon Cameron's men headed to Adelaide to take on the Crows on the back of four straight losses with their season on the line and walked away with one of the club's greatest wins. Inspired by co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward, the Giants answered the home side's challenge early in the final term to pull away by 16 points. Davis was a colossus down back alongside Lachie Whitfield, Ward and Josh Kelly dominated the midfield, and young forwards Harry Himmelberg, Zac Langdon and Daniel Lloyd combined for 23 tackles and four goals. It was the first of nine wins from the Giants' next 10 games which helped them to a third straight finals campaign. - Adam Curley

Hawk caps off brilliant year in Brownlow blitz: Monday, September 24

Returning to finals made for a successful Hawthorn season, but the Hawks didn't win one of the two they contested, so another day this year goes down as the most memorable. All clubs are about team success, but it's not every year one of your players wins the Brownlow Medal. Tom Mitchell's been a five-star recruit since arriving from Sydney at the end of 2016 and topped last year's heroics with a brilliant 2018. He was the Hawks' first Brownlow medallist since Sam Mitchell (2012) and Shane Crawford (1999). Hawthorn's announcement that four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson had re-committed until 2022 was a pretty good day, too. – Marc McGowan

Prolific midfielder Tom Mitchell won 'Charlie' with 28 votes. Picture: AFL Photos





The 'Weid' grows before our eyes on night of Demon Delight: Friday, September 7

A sense of nervous anticipation gripped the MCG as Melbourne took to the field to face off against Geelong in its first finals appearance in 12 years. Those anxious feelings were quickly replaced by uproarious excitement as the Demons blew the Cats away with a five-goal-to-nil first quarter. Melbourne's intensity at the contest was evident from the first bounce and young forward Sam Weideman's coming of age performance, which saw him boot three goals from 24 disposals and take seven marks was emblematic of the club's new order. The margin perhaps could have been greater, but Melbourne's 29-point victory over Geelong was perhaps a sign of things to come as the Demons look to stamp themselves as an AFL superpower in the coming seasons. - Ben Guthrie

Resurgent Roos pip Swans in thriller: Saturday, May 5

North was widely tipped to win the 2018 wooden spoon, but signalled from early in the season it was a far better team than that. The Roos' best moment came in round seven against Sydney at the SCG. After leading for most of the night, North looked set to come up short when the Swans kicked three of the first four goals in the final quarter to take a six-point lead. But the Kangaroos kept attacking, scoring four straight behinds before Mason Wood finally kicked truly in the dying minutes to secure a thrilling two-point win. Wood starred with four goals, while Shaun Higgins (31 possessions) and Ben Jacobs (29) dominated in the midfield. Even a serious knee injury to defender Ed Vickers-Willis in the final term could not dampen a stirring victory, which for us just topped North's 40-point smashing of eventual premier West Coast in round 19 at Blundstone Arena. - Nick Bowen

Wines to mature at Port until 2022: Tuesday, June 19

The thrilling five-point win over Adelaide in the round eight Showdown was the on-field highlight for Port Adelaide in an ultimately disappointing 2018 season, but the club's real highlight came when star midfielder Ollie Wines re-signed for four more years. At 190cm and 99kg, the 24-year-old is today's prototypical inside midfielder and has become the Power's driving force in the middle of the ground. The Victorian could almost have named his own price to move to a club in his home state, so his recommitment showed tremendous loyalty and was a huge boost for Port. Following Travis Boak's recent decision to stand down as captain, Wines shapes as the Power's likely new skipper. It's hard to think of a better person to lead the club into a new era. - Nick Bowen

Ollie Wines resisted the temptation to return home to stick with Port Adelaide. Picture: AFL Photos





Footy's worst-kept secret confirmed, Lynch chooses Richmond: Tuesday, October 2

There had been speculation all year Gold Coast co-captain and restricted free agent Tom Lynch would be heading to Punt Road for the 2019 AFL season and at the start of the free agency period, Lynch finally confirmed it. For Tigers fans still smarting from a shattering preliminary final loss at the hands of Mason Cox and Collingwood, it was a nicer note to end the season on. Other good days for the club included the 93-point thumping of Brisbane (holding the Lions goalless until the third term), sewing up the minor premiership in round 22 and the re-signings of leadership group members Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance. - Sarah Black

The Saints mastermind a Metricon miracle: Saturday, June 16

The pressure was ramped up on St Kilda coach Alan Richardson after seven straight defeats. An eighth consecutive loss – this time to the struggling Gold Coast – looked on the cards at three-quarter time in round 13. And it might have been enough to see Richardson's job put on the line. However, trailing by 31 points at the final change, an inspired last term at Metricon Stadium saw the Saints kick five unanswered goals and claim a thrilling two-point win. Jade Gresham was the hero, with his goal from deep inside the pocket handing the Saints the advantage with around a minute to play. In a disappointing year, this was a day to savour. - Riley Beveridge

Jade Gresham booted the winning goal as the Saints overran the Suns. Picture: AFL Photos





AJ's emotional return: Saturday, August 4

There were times during his fight to return to senior footy from a fifth knee reconstruction that Alex Johnson himself would have doubted it would ever happen. When the Swans defender took the field against Collingwood at the SCG in round 20 for the first time since the 2012 Grand Final, it was an extraordinary night. Sydney pulled off an amazing last-gasp win over the Pies and Johnson played a key role in defence, making the atmosphere electric for those in attendance. History will show that Johnson's comeback and his career was cruelly ended just one week later, but that hot August night is a memory that won't be forgotten in a long time. - Adam Curley

The 'most impossible goal' delivers the sweetest premiership: Saturday, September 29

You couldn't have scripted a more spine-tingling finale to West Coast's rollicking 2018 than an epic comeback against Collingwood sealed by Dom Sheed's ice-cold set shot after one of the most memorable passages of play in Grand Final history. The shell-shocked Eagles had to face their 2015 demons after falling 29 points behind following the Pies' opening quarter onslaught and rose to the challenge, led by Luke Shuey's incredible Norm Smith Medal-winning performance. After a season that had everything, the Eagles silenced their doubters under Adam Simpson and secured undoubtedly the sweetest of the club's four flags, with free agent Andrew Gaff's re-signing days later the cherry on top for jubilant fans. - Travis King

Dogs coup as Bontempelli signs: Tuesday, November 20

Surviving a Harry Taylor shot after the siren against Geelong in round 15 for a two-point triumph was perhaps the best performance but in a mediocre season on the field, Bulldogs supporters had their biggest reason to smile in late November when star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli signed a two-year contract extension until the end of 2021. The 23-year-old is vital to the club's plans going forward and despite the deal being slightly tempered by Bontempelli admitting to the influence of free agency in his decision to not extend further, it is a significant moment. He was a standout against St Kilda in round 20, kicking four goals in the third term to help turn a 28-point deficit into a 35-point win. - Paul Bastin