2024 is almost over, with the year - from an AFL lens - packed with drama, excitement and controversy.

Reflecting on the year that was, we've listed our biggest moments and stories from the past 12 months that combined to make 2024 a memorable one for the AFL.

From in-game drama to off-field headlines, these are the nine biggest AFL stories of the year...

8. Premiership pair among quartet forced to retire

Sport can be pretty un-serious a lot of the time, so it's easy to forget that athletes are quite literally putting their bodies on the line for our entertainment.

In 2024, the AFL saw four players make the tough decision to hang up their boots following medical intervention due to repeated head knocks that began to impact their daily lives.

Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw was the first to medically retire following a history of concussions and an unfortunate and controversial knock from Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard that sparked nationwide discourse and a rule change.

Maynard's teammate Nathan Murphy lived a similar fate after coming into contact with Brisbane's Lincoln McCarthy in the 2023 decider prior to further setbacks over the pre-season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Nathan Murphy of the Magpies reacts on the bench after leaving the field for tests after a contest during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 30, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Collingwood's Josh Carmichael was another player to put an end to his footballing days after multiple training incidents that left him fragile.

The mid-season pick-up had started to impress his Pies coaches, but he was unable to solidify his progress with consistent appearances on the football field.

And finally, Western Bulldogs youngster Aiden O'Driscoll, who'd been in the AFL system for six months after being drafted in 2023, suffered a concussion during pre-season training in January and, after consultation with the AFL's medical panel, decided to care more for the later than the now.