It's little surprise the Suns' season highlight has Gary Ablett's fingerprints all over it. In round 17, Gold Coast sprung one of the upsets of the season by defeating Collingwood by seven points at Metricon Stadium. It was the first time they had beaten a top-eight team in its then 60-game existence. And Ablett was front-and-square, turning in one of the most virtuoso individual performances of the year with 49 disposals and two goals. The Suns captain scattered Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams who all ran with him at various stages. He had 27 touches in the first half as his side led at every change. And when they were challenged early in the last quarter, the 2009 Brownlow medalist did his thing – roving a boundary line throw-in, sidestepping Nick Maxwell, and snapping truly on the right foot from 35m. It was a remarkable performance both individually and from the team. - Michael Whiting

Collingwood had pulled to within six points of the Hawks and appeared to be threatening halfway through the third quarter of the teams' round three clash. That was when Brent Guerra, Ben Stratton and Lance Franklin combined to snatch back the momentum with one of the most scintillating passages of football all season. Guerra launched a torpedo from a kick-in, which spiralled perfectly all the way into Stratton's arms, just shy of the centre square. The defender played on and, just as he was tackled to the ground by Magpie Sam Dwyer, shot a handball to the galloping Franklin. The four-time All Australian hurdled the two falling players without breaking stride and, at top speed, launched a long left-foot drop punt to the vacant Hawthorn goalsquare. It skidded off the greasy MCG surface and through the goals ahead of a lunging Heath Shaw. All in all, the coast-to-coast effort took only 16 seconds, and completely deflated Collingwood's tyres. The Hawks booted 11 of the next 15 goals, running out 55-point victors. - Mark Macgugan

It's round 14. Melbourne had won just one game for the season. A 44-point lead with 10 minutes remaining had been reduced to three points with two minutes on the clock. Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd streamed out of the centre and bombed it long to the hot spot just in front of goal. Every Bulldog fan was praying for a mark. Enter Jack Watts. With four goals next to his name, he had set up the lead. Now it was his turn to protect it. He pushed behind the ball, set himself, rose above the pack and took the type of mark that has been too rare since he made his much-hyped debut in 2009. The match was saved and Watts was best on ground.  This was a moment he stood up and helped his mates get over the line under interim coach Neil Craig. It was Melbourne's last win for the season and a moment of hope for long-suffering fans and the first step for Watts on his road to redemption. - Peter Ryan

Nobody other than the club itself gave Port much, if any, hope of upsetting Collingwood in the elimination final. Whereas the Magpies fielded a finals-hardened team, most of Port's players were getting their first taste of business-end footy. But, just as David defeated Goliath, the Power's fairytale season continued as they eliminated the Magpies on their home turf. The defining moment of the game though was Jay Schulz's spectacular mark and goal early in the second quarter. He rose from the back of the pack to mark on his chest and then nailed the clutch set shot. The goal put the Power four goals up and, although Collingwood closed the gap in the third term, from that moment on the Power always looked to have the right answer. - Harry Thring

The enduring image of Richmond's season will be Chris Newman's celebration after the final siren in round 19. In the pouring rain at the MCG, the Tigers had knocked off premiership favourite Hawthorn, giving them 12 wins for the year and all but cementing their first finals appearance since 2001. For Newman, who hadn't played a final in his 231-game career to that point, it was a memorable moment as he clenched his fists and roared in celebration. The Tigers had led by 22 points in the first quarter but didn't kick a goal in the second. They then went on to kick 10 goals to three in the second half to win by 41 points. The win gave the Tigers – and Newman – belief they could knock off the best sides. "It was more relief coming off the game the week before and knowing it was a step closer," Newman said of his celebration. "I like to celebrate my victories when I get the opportunity because I obviously haven't had as many as I would have liked over the journey." - Nathan Schmook 

The Saints didn't have a great season but they did manage to end it on a high. Their final game was against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, and while the result didn't really matter to the finals-bound Dockers or the 16th-placed Saints, it was an emotion charged afternoon that ended in a red, white and black celebration anyway. Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake and Stephen Milne were playing in their final games, and Koschitzke and Adam Schneider were celebrating their 200th milestones. It was what Kosi called a "great St Kilda day" with the players' kids involved before and after. The 71-point victory was the cherry on top. - Jennifer Phelan

There was only one moment for the Eagles to savour this year and it came in round eight against North Melbourne. It was a night that nearly went the way of so many others for West Coast in 2014. When Brent Harvey goaled 11-minutes into the last quarter the Eagles trailed by 15-points and were staring down the barrel of a fifth loss in eight matches. Goals to Josh Hill and Luke Shuey cut the margin to three points. It stood at four points with 40-seconds left when Adam Selwood got a controversial free kick 80m from goal for high contact. He kicked long inside 50 in hope of a miracle. Nic Naitanui ran from seven deep to soar over the pack and bring down an amazing mark. The siren sounded as he stood motionless 30m out on a 40-degree angle. Naitanui never flinched and calmly slotted the set-shot to send Patersons Stadium into pandemonium. The Eagles season never reached a higher point than the apex of Naitanui's incredible leap that night. - Alex Malcolm