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If the 2011 AFL season will be remembered for one thing, it will be for the success of expansion club, Gold Coast Suns. The side, led by former Geelong champion Gary Ablett, earned both respect and credibility.

AFL 2011 – Key moments of the season

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If the 2011 AFL season will be remembered for one thing, it will be for the success of expansion club, Gold Coast Suns. The side, led by former Geelong champion Gary Ablett, earned both respect and credibility.
The Suns' introduction also heralded the arrival of former NRL star, Karmichael Hunt, who shocked many of his critics in a solid season playing as a defender.
But it was Geelong who had everyone talking early in 2011. Written off by many as being too old and too slow, the Cats shot out of the blocks, winning their first 13 matches.
Reigning premiers Collingwood may have raised eyebrows when they sent several players to a mid-season training camp, but it proved an inspired decision that helped Dane Swan finally win the Brownlow Medal.
Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin secured the Coleman Medal as the league's leading goalkicker (71), but it was little consolation for the Hawks who endured a painful end to their year at the hands of Collingwood in a preliminary final.
West Coast Eagles also bombed out in the preliminaries, but were widely lauded for an extraordinary season after finishing 2010 on the bottom of the ladder. John Worsfold was named coach of the year.
Carlton also had their fans dreaming as skipper Chris Judd led the Blues to 14 wins and into the second week of the finals. It was enough to secure Brett Ratten's future as coach of the club.
James Hird's presence at Essendon also sparked renewed optimism at Windy Hill, with the Bombers great making no secret of his wish to improve and develop a young list in 2011.
Dyson Heppell was the Bombers' main success story, showing maturity beyond his years as he won the AFL's Rising Star award.
Some would say that 2011 also marked the return of the high grab. Among a swag of contenders, Collingwood's Andrew Krakouer (left) pipped Carlton's Andrew Walker for Mark of the Year.
But where there were highs, there were also dramatic lows. Neil Craig's departure from Adelaide in July sparked an avalanche of sackings that rattled coaching ranks.
Dean Bailey was the next to go, shown the door at Melbourne after the Demons suffered a humiliating 186 point loss to Geelong.
On August 17, Rodney Eade also paid the price for his club's slide, with the Bulldogs missing the finals for the first time since 2007.
But an even bigger shock was to come as Ross Lyon announced on September 15 that he was turning his back on St Kilda to become Fremantle coach.
Lyon orchestrated the move without the knowledge of his management company, but denied he had deceived anyone.
But try telling that to the man he ousted, Mark Harvey, whose sacking sparked widespread condemnation and suggestions that he had been 'shot by one of his own'.
Matthew Primus also endured a season from hell in his first year as coach of Port Adelaide, whose dire season on the field was compounded by near financial ruin. In the end, the AFL was forced to come to the rescue.
$Speaking of rescues, no-one could have predicted two sickening collisions that felled Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown. The courageous forward spent most of the year on the sidelines with multiple face fractures.$ Speaking of rescues, no-one could have predicted two sickening collisions that felled Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown. The courageous forward spent most of the year on the sidelines with multiple face fractures.
Richmond appeared to be headed in the right direction under the tutelage of coach Damian Hardwick. Trent Cotchin (pictured) emerged as one of the rising stars of the competition.
North Melbourne were also back to their competitive best, with a fit Drew Petrie reminding fans why he is regarded as one of the game's most formidable forwards.
Barry Hall meanwhile decided it was time to hang up the boots, with his colourful career - and a biography - earning plaudits from self-confessed Bulldogs fan, Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Sydney also farewelled a favourite son, with Irishman Tadhg Kennelly paying tribute to the club that he said helped 'make him a better person'.
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