HITS

1. Adelaide Oval

Dare we suggest it, but this magnificent arena is rivalling those in the dreaded ‘eastern states’ as Australia’s finest. They have managed to take a beloved cricket ground and turn it into a stadium without stuffing it up. It is not going too far to suggest that it is having a transformative effect on an entire city. The footballing experience in the City of Churches has been taken to a new level, and it doesn’t look half bad on TV either.

The Adelaide Oval was a hit with fans and players. Photo: Getty

2. Lance Franklin

This bloke was going to ruin the Bloods’ culture and run the club off the rails. Actually, he is in career best form. Forget the dime-a-dozen midfielders, exciting forwards are where it’s at. The Buddy show has been the best in town.

3. The Tigers

As Gerard Whateley said, if Richmond didn’t exist we would have to invent them. OK, so they let us down by not finishing ninth. But making the finals on the back of nine straight wins is some substitute. Melodramatic defeat of catastrophic proportions no doubt beckons.

4. Eddie Betts’ goal from the third row

We loved his reaction after this stunning goal.

5. Dustin Martin

This time 12 months ago, Martin was universally unloved. ‘You can have him’ the football world told the Tigers, a remarkable state of affairs for such an impact player. After a bizarre tour of Greater Western Sydney, Martin returned to Punt Road with his tail between his legs. Perhaps that was the reality check he needed. Richmond kept its self-respect and Martin put his head down and blossomed in a tale of redemption.

6. Flying like a girl

Our picture of the year, from Herald Sun snapper Wayne Ludbey, showed the game at its rugged and graceful finest. Oh yes, and it was of a girl, 17-year-old Queenslander Tayla Harris, playing for Melbourne in the women’s match against the Western Bulldogs. Like Tayla, women’s footy is on the rise.

Tayla Harris marks @superfooty #AFLwomensmatch Demon victory @heraldsunsport the big women fly. pic.twitter.com/f5CwU9LHga

— Wayne Ludbey. (@WLudbey) June 29, 2014

7. Annoying small forwards

Ok, so these guys could easily go in the misses column. But, overall, we reckon the game is better off for having pests like Hayden Ballantyne and Boomer Harvey buzzing about, particularly now that Stephen Milne is gone. Both have had stellar seasons – when they haven’t been suspended.

8. A salute to the great McCarthy

In the final round, Greater Western Sydney’s shaggy-haired recruit Cam McCartney lived out a childhood dream by slotting an amazing goal from the boundary with his first kick in the big time. A feel-good story to keep us going over summer.

9. Mark Thompson press conferences

It used to be said that John McEnroe should pay to attend press conferences, because he was essentially using them for free therapy. Bomber’s not far away. He’s either a seriously unusual fish or a masterful dissembler – or perhaps a bit of both. It’s almost as though he is channelling former coach Kevin Sheedy. We may only have one more to enjoy.

10. Acknowledging champs

So the farewell for Lenny Hayes went on a bit too long, but one of the benefits of the game’s increasing professionalism is the recognition for retiring champions from their opponents.

Lenny Hayes had more farewells than Nellie Melba. Photo: Getty

MISSES

1. Scheduling

The tribe has spoken. If you treat TV ratings as more important than families that want to get kids in bed by midnight on a school night, then people will stay away. Fortunately, the new boss seems to be listening.

Spectators jostle for a seat at a Sunday night Carlton-Collingwood match in this naughtily cropped picture. Photo: Getty

2. The draw

A perennial bugbear, but gone to ridiculous levels now that Mick Malthouse gets to do have a say in the 2015 draw because his great aunt is turning 100 or some such milestone. Can you imagine a proper, grown-up sporting competition conducting itself in this manner?

3. BT’s poofter comment

Not just the comment, either. The inadequate apology and the insipid reaction from his network were just as disappointing.

Mick Malthouse was the rudest man in football in 2014. Photo: Getty

4. Mick Malthouse press conferences

So rude.

5. Waiting for the third umpire

Boring. It’s not like it’s as important as whether Alastair Cook nicked one.

6. The Western Bulldogs

The final round loss to GWS confirmed the Doggies as the most under-performing side in 2014. Brendan McCartney, everyone’s favourite uncle, surely needs to take the Dogs into September in 2015.

7. Cheap shots

Between the stranglers and the nigglers, there was a surprising number of low acts. Reece Conca, Ty Vickey, Brian Lake, Brent Harvey and Nat Fyfe, we’re looking at you.

8. Bruce

Please Bruce, ease back a little before you jump the shark. Not every six out of 10 pieces of play is worthy of the full guttural treatment. Bring back Bruce the pro, ditch Bruce the parody.

9. TESS

That is, The Essendon Supplements Scandal. Just. Go. Away.

10. Collingwood

Enough said.