AFL.com.au's daily countdown of the football year's biggest stories has reached the top 20. There are stars aplenty in this latest edition, but their appearance isn't always for the right reasons.

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20. Prolific Hawk's season for the ages

We knew Tom Mitchell was a quality player in Sydney's star-studded midfield, but his emergence as the Hawks' No.1 onballer and a dual All Australian in the past two years has opened plenty of eyes. There are still some who question the value of his possessions, although those critics are shrinking by the game. Mitchell's 2018 campaign got off to a bang with a VFL/AFL record of 54 disposals in the season-opener against Collingwood, which is regularly tormented by the gluttonous ball-winner. He had 11 games in total with at least 40 touches and averaged a nonsensical 35.7 possessions (16 contested) overall. On top of that, his per-game numbers included 7.9 clearances, 6.3 tackles, five inside 50s and 453.1 metres gained. Mitchell deservedly had the Brownlow Medal around his neck by season's end, along with winning the AFL Players' Association MVP and a second straight Peter Crimmins Medal. Now he's eyeing a spot in Hawthorn's leadership group.

Tom Mitchell capped off a brilliant season with the Brownlow Medal. Picture: AFL Photos



19. New Pie the subject of ASADA investigation

There was barely a hint of what was to come when the Pies withdrew Sam Murray from their round 22 side the night before the game for "personal reasons". The story was out one week later: Murray had recorded an elevated reading in a post-match drugs test, possibly after the round 19 game against Richmond. Collingwood confirmed an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation was underway. The Magpies were in a similar situation in 2015, when Josh Thomas and Lachie Keeffe were banned for two years after illegal substance Clenbuterol was detected in their system. Murray is serving a provisional suspension and training away from the Pies in Melbourne as he awaits a hearing date, with the potential of a maximum four-year ban hanging over his head. The former Swan was in his first season at the Holden Centre and was delisted in October then redrafted as a rookie.

Sam Murray played 13 games for the Pies this year. Picture: AFL Photos



18. The not-so-private coffee that kept on giving

It started with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson bemoaning Sydney defenders' blocking tactics – "they're getting away with blue murder" – and accelerated with an otherwise-harmless coffee with AFL chief Gillon McLachlan. 'Clarko' even had a laptop handy to show some examples. News soon spread about their early morning conversation at a Prahran café, three days after the Hawks' loss. Swans coach John Longmire was quick to label the catch-up "unusual and unnecessary", while three weeks later Dane Rampe, who Clarkson named as a chief culprit, chimed in as well. Rampe had a free kick for holding paid against him, after which he offered this to the umpire: "Clarko would be happy with that. Well done. Did you have a coffee with him, too?" The saga ended on an amusing note the next day, with Clarkson taking to the Big Freeze slide dressed as Longmire, complete with Sydney jacket and a rubber horse's head (in reference to Longmire's nickname). Oh, and he also pulled a coffee cup from his jacket before going down.

"Clarko would be happy with that!"



Dane Rampe proved he has been keeping up to date with current affairs in the AFL with this one liner.#AFLSwansBlues pic.twitter.com/u7LKdsX9yU — AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 1, 2018

Alastair Clarkson dressed up as John Longmire. Picture: AFL Photos



17. Score review shockers too common

Technology in sport typically divides fans, regardless of whether it's cricket, tennis, soccer or whatever else. The AFL's score review system is no different and certainly had its critics in 2018, including Gillon McLachlan, who said: "It pisses me off when there are mistakes." There were several examples that could be plucked out, but Josh Jenkins' match-winner in the second Showdown of the year took the cake. The goal umpire thought it was a behind and even Jenkins believed it hit the post – demonstrating post-match honesty his grandmother would be proud of – but the score reviewer deemed it a goal. Elsewhere, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick dubbed the system "embarrassing" after being on the wrong end of an error in round 10. The AFL admitted two days later that the Tigers had suffered from a number of score review mistakes. A separate shocker came in round seven, when a Billy Hartung goal was allowed despite Jarrad McVeigh appearing to get his fingertips on the Sherrin. The Roos won by two points that night.

"My grandma raised me not to tell fibs. I think it hit the post."



Josh Jenkins was very honest post-game.#AFLCrowsPower pic.twitter.com/EocGmBXEa0 — AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2018

16. The Mummy Returns but not before drug ban

In October, damning footage emerged of retired GWS ruckman Shane Mumford snorting a white powder. The grainy video, filmed in 2015, sent a powerful message about the use of drugs in the AFL. The scandal made headlines after Mumford's comeback plans were already public knowledge. The Giants were aghast and Mumford eventually received a two-match ban (meaning he won't be able to return until at least round three next year) and a $25,000 fine. GWS pushed on with its plan to recruit the ruckman, securing him under new rookie rules that allow clubs to sign a previously listed AFL player without them nominating for the draft again. Only time will tell whether resurrecting Mummy (a former Swan and Cat) will pay off for the Giants.

Shane Mumford will be back in GWS colours in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos



15. Buckley survives then thrives, leading Pies to Grand Final

At 0-2, then trailing Carlton by 19 points and with Jordan De Goey still serving a club-imposed drink-driving ban, the Magpies' decision to re-sign Nathan Buckley for two years looked dubious. But Buckley saw something in that round two defeat to the GWS Giants that gave him reason to be positive. Little did the rest of us know the Pies would go on to eliminate reigning premier Richmond in a blockbuster preliminary final and lead West Coast by five goals in the Grand Final. It was a remarkable turn of events for a club and coach under such crippling pressure one season earlier and that hadn't contested a final since 2013. AFL Coaches' Association members saw fit to make him their Coach of the Year. Buckley reflected that night on his tumultuous times and the faith shown in him: "We've had a fair few challenges thrown in front of us, as all clubs do … and we're a stronger club for it."

Nathan Buckley looks on after the Pies' heartbreaking GF loss. Picture: AFL Photos



14. Mixed-messages Beams back in black and white

Brisbane rode a rollercoaster of Dayne Beams-related emotions this year. Beams' father, Philip, lost his long cancer battle in March, his grave illness being the reason the star midfielder requested a trade to the Lions from Collingwood in 2014. Beams naturally struggled to deal with the loss and subsequently relinquished the Brisbane captaincy in May. But he appeared to put to bed suggestions he was considering going back to the Pies at the Lions' best and fairest function. He admitted he had thought about the prospect, but "the one thing I kept coming back to is this group and you blokes – I bloody love you, I really do". After an outstanding season, Beams requested a trade back to Collingwood and was granted that wish in the final hour of the NAB AFL Trade Period.

Dayne Beams returned to Collingwood after four years at Brisbane. Picture: AFL Photos



13. Kelly's going, going … staying

Mature-age recruit Tim Kelly proved an instant star for the Cats after a long wait to become an AFL footballer. The West Australian's form was rewarded with a runner-up finish in the best and fairest. However, the Kelly narrative for much of the year was about his playing future, which reached a crescendo when he requested a trade. The catch was the Kelly camp was set on West Coast despite their desperation to get home and Fremantle's interest. That's when the games started, with Geelong demanding a top-10 pick and the Eagles publicly declaring Kelly's compassionate case with a young family. West Coast's ultimately unsuccessful bid wasn't for a lack of trying, with a bundle of draft picks believed to be worth pick two at the offer's most generous point. The Cats stood their ground and Kelly will be back in 2019, although his partner Caitlin took another shot at them post the NAB AFL Trade Period. As for the Eagles, they will try again next year.

Tim Kelly enjoyed an incredible debut season for Geelong. Picture: AFL Photos



12. De Goey puts troubles behind to arrive as a star

A drink-driving charge wasn't the start Jordan De Goey or Collingwood had planned for his 2018 season. An indefinite club ban and $10,000 fine followed that also forced him to train with the VFL squad – and he wasn't sighted at AFL level until round four. Throw in De Goey's bad boy history, star potential and out-of-contract status and it was a potent cocktail for the media to work with. Rivals were reportedly willing to spend up to $1 million a season to lure him, but the Pies remained confident about retaining him and he re-signed with the Pies for two years in July. De Goey enjoyed easily his best season despite the news storm, booting 48 goals from 21 matches and turning his potential into reality. The 22-year-old was magnificent in the finals, including kicking three excellent goals in the Grand Final.

11. Swan's knee woes hit him for six

Elation and devastation were never far separated in Alex Johnson's AFL career and that was rammed home in rounds 20 and 21 this year. He hadn't played at the highest level since Sydney's 2012 Grand Final triumph until his emotional return against Collingwood in August. There were 2136 days, some amazing faith from the Swans and five major knee injuries in between that took a huge amount of resilience to overcome. But here Johnson was back on the AFL stage and looking pretty good. It was the round for comebacks, with Nathan Freeman, Aaron vandenBerg and Brodie Smith all playing after various setbacks. That exhilaration was replaced by familiar agony the next week, when Johnson suffered his sixth ACL rupture – this time on his 'good' right knee. Nic Newman was among the Sydney players in tears. Worse was to come when the Swans confirmed they were delisting him. Johnson hasn't given up, and he accepted a dual playing-coaching role at VFL club Northern Blues in November. This journey isn't over yet.

"It's sort of similar to my first one."



Alex Johnson said his knee injury "doesn't look great."#AFLDeesSwans pic.twitter.com/lRo6jnEfgg — AFL (@AFL) August 12, 2018

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TOP 50 STORIES Check out 50-41

TOP 50 STORIES Check out 40-31

TOP 50 STORIES Check out 30-21

TOP 50 STORIES Check out 10-6

