9 - Dick Pratt dies
Former Carlton president and billionaire businessman Dick Pratt lost his battle with prostate cancer in April at the age of 74. Pratt took over the Carlton presidency when the club was battling financially and in on-field dire straits after winning consecutive wooden spoons. With Pratt's arrival the finances were soon in order, facility upgrades were on the agenda and the talent started to flow back to Visy Park. Pratt resigned as president when he was charged with criminal offences over price fixing. His company had earlier being fined $36 million by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The charges were dropped soon before his death.

8 - Port bailout
Port Adelaide got on the stadium deals bandwagon, chasing a handout because of its poor arrangement with AAMI Stadium. The Power also had to deny a story that said they were about to move to Tasmania. The AFL said it was right behind Port with its financial woes, and then demonstrated that when they joined the SANFL in propping up the ailing club.

7 - Campbell Brown continues his tradition of exploding
Hawthorn had to do a little fence-mending with Campbell Brown after he was linked to Port Adelaide as part of the trade for Shaun Burgoyne. Several different stories emerged from the Hawks' Waverley bunker about the potential deal, after Brown exploded when Port came calling to see if he was interested in moving to SA. It was an interesting finish to a forgettable year for the Hawks.

6 - Dom Cassisi is steering the ship
Port managed to make the news on a regular basis in 2009, but the most bizarre occasion was when Dom Cassisi was appointed the club's new captain. Coach Mark Williams was reportedly miffed, preferring either Chad Cornes or Shaun Burgoyne. However, Cornes said the players were more than happy with the decision to give the West Australian the job.

5 - Draft moves to primetime
The NAB AFL Draft generates a fair bit of excitement in the off-season, and it took another step towards the status the event enjoys in US sports when it was broadcast to a primetime audience. Moving from Saturday morning to Thursday night, and shown on Fox Sports, having a live audience and a 10-to-one countdown added to the drama. While the talent of the draftees won't be realised for several years yet, the evening brought tension and a greater profile.

4 - Lloyd retires
Essendon champ Matthew Lloyd finally pulled the pin after a couple of months of 'will he or won't he?' The 31-year-old played 270 games and kicked 926 goals for the Bombers after making his debut in 1995. He played in the 2000 premiership and twice kicked 100 goals in a season. Lloyd takes with him into retirement a four-week ban, copped in round 22 when he charged off the front of the square and laid out Hawk Brad Sewell to open the second half. The club gave him the option to play on despite his suspension, but after a few weeks of consideration he finally decided to go.

3 - Bucks spurns North, goes Pies
It was a big year for Nathan Buckley, and July was a big month. Senior coach Dean Laidley quit the Kangaroos, and the club offered Bucks the senior job before they even began their search for candidates. But the Brownlow Medallist knocked them back, and then joined his former club Collingwood as Mick Malthouse's eventual successor. Watch this space for how well that works.

2 - Cousins returns, the circus continues
Ben Cousins' return to the field simply continued the frenzy that came with his lifeline from the Tigers in late 2008. The season started with an intra-club game that saw a thousand or so fans - and opposition coaches - watch Cousins wear yellow and black for the first time. He then played a 'real' game in the NAB Cup, which led to hospitalisation with concussion. He tore his hamstring in round one, broke his hand, was the focus of a 'please explain' for flipping the bird at a TV camera in the rooms, and after 15 games earned a new two-year deal.

1 - Richo Man!
One of football's most beloved characters, Richmond's Matthew Richardson, pulled a pre-season shock when he called curtains in November. After 282 games and 800 goals, Richo's hamstring couldn't cope and so his 17-year career came to an end. To many, including his new coach, Richo was a very popular figure. He inspired and exasperated, thrilled and infuriated. There were safer kicks for goal, but no one could generate drama quite like him. Ah, Richo. Footy won't be the same without you.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.