IT WAS a year like no other in the AFL. The game was hit by tragedy, debate raged after Adam Goodes performed a war dance on the field, and Hawthorn won its third straight premiership. In between there were magical individual performances, shock upsets and records set. Over the next 12 days AFL.com.au will publish an article every two days, counting down the 50 things we'll remember from 2015, starting with 50-41.
50. The Giants make history
Jeremy Cameron was the hero when GWS notched their biggest win in its short history, upsetting reigning premiers Hawthorn by 10 points in round six. The Giants showed grit despite losing all the major stats and won their first game against the Hawks. For Hawthorn, it was a damaging loss at the time, and senior players Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis were criticised for missing the match after being suspended. Hodge was banned for elbowing Andrew Swallow while Lewis was suspended for a blatant late spoil on Todd Goldstein.
49. Adam Treloar picks "the better list"
It was probably just an innocent comment in a media interview, but boy did it cause a stir. And it'll be rehashed when Treloar's new team Collingwood meets Richmond next season in round two. Treloar left GWS at the end of 2015 and was pursued aggressively by the Magpies and Tigers, giving him a decision to make. He said he chose the Magpies because he thought they had "a better list, and a younger list, who in a couple of years' time can hopefully win a premiership". Richmond supporters took offence, Kevin Bartlett was outraged, and Treloar would later issue an explanation on social media. The midfielder's move from the Giants was messy from the beginning after he underwent surgery without his former club's knowledge when he was still on their list.
Who has the better list? We crunch the numbers
48. Hale off, Suckling on
It was a moment players around the country celebrated as David Hale left the ground during the Grand Final and put on the substitute's red vest. Matthew Suckling tossed aside the green vest and the substitute rule was finished. Since its introduction in 2011, the substitute rule has proved unpopular with everyone except boundary riders, and there was no longer a place for it in the game with interchanges to be reduced to 90 a match. Coaches will also rejoice that they no longer need to spend valuable time in the box debating who they should hand the red vest to.
47. The Bombers' biggest scalp
Essendon had given up a 41-point lead in their round one loss to the Sydney Swans, and with a team that had been handicapped through the NAB Challenge, there were questions about their ability to run out games. They held a 35-point lead late in the second term against Hawthorn but that too was whittled away. It was up to Cale Hooker, who drifted forward late in the match, to snap a stunning goal to secure victory in a memorable day for the Bombers players, who had endured another pre-season of uncertainty around their futures.
Essendon players celebrate their stunning win over Hawthorn. Picture: AFL Media
46. They call him Bruce!
Josh Bruce's brilliant mark against Greater Western Sydney was particularly memorable because of his obscurity as a player back in round one. Everyone knew Bruce's story by mid-season, when he emerged as a regular goalkicker and high-flyer for the Saints. But back then he was a fringe key position player who had earned a round one call-up. He leapt and sat on top of Adam Tomlinson and from there went on to kick 50 goals in one of the great individual stories of the season.
45. Harley's front-page news
Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell awoke in July to see himself on the front page of the Herald Sun in pictures that depicted him with what appeared to be an illicit drug. The photos, which were taken in 2013, were explosive nonetheless and added to Bennell's troubled reputation. They came at a time when his former mentor, Karmichael Hunt, had been charged with supplying cocaine. Hunt would later detail the extent of his cocaine use, throwing the Suns into more turmoil. Bennell was suspended and then traded to Fremantle at season's end.
44. JK's double figures
In a week during which West Coast was pondering how to replace injured defender Mitch Brown, Josh Kennedy showed them that more goals were the answer. Kennedy booted 10 against Carlton in round two in a brilliant performance. He was the only player to reach double figures all season and the first since Jack Riewoldt in round 10 last year. The Coleman medallist went on to boot 80 goals for the season with a high-scoring West Coast that found attack was the best form of defence.
Josh Kennedy celebrates his tenth goal against the Blues. Picture: AFL Media 
43. Kane Cornes joins the fire brigade
Cornes applied for the Adelaide Metropolitan Fire Service in November last year, with 1500 people fighting for 11 spots. His coach Ken Hinkley provided a reference but wouldn't have imagined losing the veteran in the middle of a season. Cornes was successful and his enrolment in a June recruit course could not be deferred. In some neat timing, Cornes was able to play his 300th game and retire as the only player to reach the milestone in Port's AFL era. It was refreshing to see a player prioritising his post-football career.
42. Richmond catches fire
Not when towels "spontaneously combusted" at Punt Road Oval in August, but when the team caught fire in round 10. The Tigers were untouchable against Fremantle in the first quarter at Patersons Stadium, booting eight goals to set up a 30-point lead at the first break. They were never caught from there, ending the Dockers' nine-game winning streak. It was also the Tigers' first win against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium since 2009. That memorable first quarter was some of the best football played all year.
The Tigers were on fire in round 10 against the Dockers. Picture: AFL Media
41. The Big Freeze
Neale Daniher was (and still is) a man on a mission in his pursuit to freeze motor neurone disease, sending a host of media personalities into a pool of icy water on Queen's Birthday at the MCG. As the frontman for the Cure for MND Foundation, Daniher helped raise $2.2 million at the MCG, with the football community getting behind the former Essendon player and Melbourne coach, whose life will eventually be claimed by the disease. Daniher's energy was inspiring and a throwback to his days as 'The Reverend' when he preached for Melbourne supporters and the business community to help the struggling club survive.
