As we bid farewell some of the game's greats in 2017, we also saw a new breed of stars emerge, with one standout midfielder featuring in AFL.com.au's countdown of the 50 things we'll remember from this year. Three remarkable goals and a new frontier also make the list from 40-31.

Check out the previous edition: 50-41

40. Hypnotherapy does the trick

The MCG crowd held its collective breath in round 21 when Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw and St Kilda hard nut Koby Stevens charged at a contested ball. Playing his first senior game since round two and having suffered four concussions in the past 12 months, Brayshaw and Stevens clashed heads, putting the Demon's new helmet to the test in a heart-stopping moment. Brayshaw's mother, Deborah, had become a nervous spectator through her son's run of concussions. So much so that she underwent hypnotherapy to make her more comfortable when watching games. She was in the MCG stands when Brayshaw collided with Stevens and later said the treatment had worked. For Brayshaw, the hit gave him confidence, knowing it "was as hard a contest as what I'm probably going to face".

Angus Brayshaw clashes heads with Koby Stevens in the first quarter. #AFLDeesSaints pic.twitter.com/NCUAponRjr — AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2017

39. A Shanghai special

Port Adelaide forward Justin Westhoff put on a show for the Shanghai locals in round eight, producing a miraculous boundary line goal against Gold Coast in the first match for premiership points outside Australia or New Zealand. The AFL's Chinese experiment had its challenges, but Westhoff's improvised strike was one of the goals of the season and the highlight of a one-sided Power win. Most of the drama surrounded Gold Coast's jumper, with Port believing Chinese fans would gravitate to their opponents because they shared the country's national colours. Air quality and travel logistics were other hurdles, but the historic game was labelled a success and the Shanghai match will return in 2018. "Everyone sees the opportunity in China and they certainly can see it clearer today," CEO Gillon McLachlan said after the match.

Just incredible! Justin Westhoff kicks a miracle goal from the boundary. #AFLSunsPower pic.twitter.com/VzdoQ8ZE0z — AFL (@AFL) May 14, 2017

38. "Hollywood stuff" from Dockers debutant

Ryan Nyhuis was told the night before Fremantle's round 16 clash against North Melbourne that he was a strong chance to make his debut, with family making a late dash from the Northern Territory. At 10am the next morning it was confirmed and what followed was one of the more stunning debuts in memory, with the defender playing forward for the first time in his football career and kicking four goals to help the Dockers snatch a thrilling win. Rapper Flo Rida's hit My House became the soundtrack to his debut, with teammates re-working the lyrics to "welcome to Nyhuis" in the rooms and on the bus to the airport. It was "Hollywood stuff", captain Nat Fyfe said, and the celebrations were made possible because North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein missed a set shot from 15m out almost directly in front to win the game.

Surely not?! Ryan Nyhuis with a third goal on debut - and this is the best of the lot! #AFLNorthFreo pic.twitter.com/D3AlDsn6a3 — AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2017

37. The champ continues

The first clue came when Luke Hodge declined an invitation to take part in the Grand Final retirees' motorcade. We were left in little doubt when he told Channel Seven he had been in discussions with Lions coach Chris Fagan about playing on and "both parties are interested". It took a little while, but confirmation came in the final hour of the NAB AFL Trade Period and Hodge – one of Hawthorn's greatest – was officially a Lion. The three-time premiership captain said his passion for teaching young players was stirred in 2017 and at the Lions, he can be a much-needed on-field teacher before transitioning into coaching. "I still can't believe it's happening and I'm stoked for the club," young Lion Jacob Allison said, capturing the mood in Brisbane. "I can't wait to learn off him and ask as many questions as I can."

Luke Hodge has headed north with his young family to play with the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos



36. In defence of Bachar Houli

If it wasn't the most dramatic offence of the season, it was certainly the most dramatic hearing in the Tribunal room at AFL House in 2017. Houli was the first player to front the Tribunal in more than 12 months (four would follow) when his strike on Carlton's Jed Lamb was referred on by the Match Review Panel with a grading of intentional and high impact. That's where things got interesting. With character references from prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and television host Waleed Aly, Houli received a two-match ban that was seen as manifestly inadequate by many, including the AFL. The League announced an unprecedented challenge the next day and the saga stretched to a Thursday night Appeals Board hearing, where a disappointed Houli was handed a four-match ban.

Bachar Houli has been reported for this incident with Jed Lamb. #AFLTigersBlues pic.twitter.com/Yqafn9KxsM — AFL (@AFL) June 25, 2017

35. Josh Kelly arrives as a star

When Josh Kelly was the subject of a nine-year, $10m offer from North Melbourne, the Kangaroos looked to be investing in potential. By the end of the season, however, the GWS midfielder looked every bit a million-dollar player. Kelly, who eventually re-signed with the Giants, produced a fine season in 2017 that saw him finish fifth in the Brownlow Medal and win his first club champion award. He did it all while speculation swirled about his future, underlining his special qualities. His standout performance came in round 22 when he racked up a club record 43 possessions and eight clearances against West Coast. The moment of his season came in the fourth quarter of that game when he picked himself up after a brutal hit from Josh Kennedy and kicked the game-sealing goal.

Josh Kelly left the field with the blood rule after this clash with Josh Kennedy. #AFLGiantsEagles pic.twitter.com/SB0zdvT06Q — AFL (@AFL) August 19, 2017

34. Jack gets his revenge, but Dees say goodbye

Eight years after he was bullied as a teenager by Collingwood in the Queen's Birthday blockbuster, Jack Watts finally got his revenge. Clinging to a five-point lead in the dying stages of the Demons' marquee game, a sealer was needed and Watts was in the right place at the right time. He had options as he streamed inside 50, but this was Watts's moment and he delivered, coolly taking a bounce, settling and converting on the run. It was the highlight of a mixed season that saw the 26-year-old dropped to the VFL late in the year. Things took a more dramatic turn in September when coach Simon Goodwin said the club had encouraged its No.1 draft pick from 2008 to explore his options in a trade. There was no turning back and Port Adelaide became Watts' new football home in exchange for pick No.31.

Jack Watts kicks the sealer and the crowd erupts. #AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/hg0Uarav1a — AFL (@AFL) June 12, 2017

33. It takes something special to beat Betts

When you have as many cracks at winning Goal of the Year as superstar Eddie Betts, it takes a monumental effort to grab his crown. That's what Daniel Rioli produced against West Coast in round three when he danced around two opponents on the boundary, combined with Dion Prestia for a 'give-and-go', and then snapped a checkside gem under pressure. Rioli's goal wasn't voted goal of the round by fans in the week it was kicked, but the All Australian selection panel voted for it to be one of the three finalists at the end of the season, alongside Betts's snap against the Lions and Lance Franklin's run down the wing against Adelaide that finished with a goal. Rioli won the award with 45.8 per cent of the vote, ending Betts's two-year run.

32. Hawthorn's horror start leaves Saints laughing

The Hawks found themselves winless and sitting on the bottom of the ladder when Gold Coast trounced them by a record 86 points in round three. It was a situation that left St Kilda laughing more than anyone else after a trade that saw the Saints secure Hawthorn's first-round pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft during last year's Trade Period. By the end of the season, Alastair Clarkson had righted the ship with some savvy positional changes and game plan tweaks. Having fielded the oldest line-up in the AFL in that round three loss, a new breed of Hawks were suddenly rallying for finals. That charge fell short, but a finish of 12th with 10 wins was a positive. It left the Saints with pick No.7, which was used to select Dandenong Stingrays defender Hunter Clark.

The Hawks trudge off the MCG after the second loss to Gold Coast for the season. Picture: AFL Photos



31. Jesse Hogan's courage

In a wretched year, marked by personal tragedy, illness and injury, it is worth first remembering the high point on the field for Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan. Returning early from a broken collarbone in his 50th game in round 22, Hogan was the difference against the Brisbane Lions, keeping the Demons' season alive with six goals. But Hogan's talent didn't have the opportunity to shine often in 2017. He was suspended early in the year for two matches, then took personal leave in round six after the death of his father, Tony, following a long battle with cancer. In May, Hogan was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery, sidelining him for eight weeks. Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said at the time: "We're confident with what we've already seen he'll bounce back. He's a very resilient character." In 2017, Hogan proved it.

Nathan Schmook's top 50 countdown

- 50 things we'll remember: 50-41

- 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