The 2019 AFL season has presented a number of big new stories that have shaken the game to its core.
In a rough order, these 10 stories are up there as the biggest so far this season. Can you think of any others?
The fifth edition of the 'Big Freeze' was one for the ages. Showcasing some of Australia's well-known sports stars including a Freddie Mercury impersonator in the form of St Kilda legend Nick Reiwoldt.
Over $5 million was raised during the Big Freeze 5 campaign thanks to donations of the Australian public and those who purchased the beanies.
Of the 74,036 people that attended the Queen's Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, it could be said that well-over half the crowd were donning their blue 'Fight MND' beanie to show their support of the day and the cause.
The iconic photo of AFLW star Tayla Harris kicking a football was subject to many online sexual slurs and abuse. It caused an uproar, which saw 7AFL remove the photo, rather than moderate comments.
The backlash it had was severe. Not only did it affect Harris' life and her family's, but also aspiring women who choose to play this great game and the AFL name, which was taken through the mud.
It instilled a sense of fear and anxiety amongst women in all sports, highlighting the work that needs to be done to ensure that that feeling is extinct.
The amount of support received about the matter was touching, and reflected the change in mindset of the majority.
The photo taken by photographer Michael Wilson has drawn parallels to memorable moments in our game such as Nicky Winmar's stand against racism and AFL legend Ted Whitten's iconic photo too.
Michael Wilson says about the photo: "I just want people to see that photograph and be blown away by the athleticism. It doesn't matter that it's a man or a woman — it's just a beautiful football photo."
The nine rule changes that were implemented in season 2019 has seen mixed reviews from fans and players.
The new rules were to help with the flow of the game which would ultimately lead to more scoring and loss stoppages.
The major changes was the 6-6-6 starting positions rule and the kick-out, which allowed players more room to run from the goalsquare whilst not having to kick the ball to themselves.
These rules have contributed to the outcomes of games heavily, as defensive tactics are limited during the red-time of each quarter.
Despite minor tweaking and learning curves, these rules have effectively brought more excitement to the matches which has seen high scores and close games.
The introduction of the mid-season and pre-season supplemental draft can arguably be deemed as a success.
The pre-season supplemental draft allows teams to draft previously-listed footballers who spent a season or more out of the game as a Category A rookie.
This means that players such as Shane Mumford, Jonathon Marsh and Zac Clarke have been able to find AFL homes, despite being out of the game for a considerable time.
The mid-season draft was also brought in to limit the impact of long-term injuries and premature retirements at AFL clubs.
It allows teams to replenish their lists and give players that have been overlooked a chance.
As a result, 13 players were picked up by sides in their bid to make it at AFL level.
Of those chosen, only one Ryan Gardner, Bulldogs) has actually played a game.
These two new player movements have helped increase the possibility of those wanting to play AFL and should be labelled as a 'good news' story.
There are many stories you can take from the Lion's rise to finals contention.
The coming of Charlie Cameron, the emergence of Hugh McGluggage, the All Australian nod that is likely given to Harris Andrews and the consistency of veteran Dayne Zorko.
Combine all these alongside the support and direction from Chris Fagan and you have a genuine threat going into September.
Any football fan would love the watching the Brisbane Lions and are excited by their brand of footy.
Despite minor slip ups against Carlton and a thrashing at the hands of Collingwood, the Lions sit sixth at 8-5 and are poised for a big second half of season 2019.
Brisbane haven't made finals in over a decade and we've seen underdogs and fairy-tales come true in September in recent years.
There has been a lot of 'feel good' stories in previous years and given the even competition, there's a feeling it could happen again.
One of the darker days in the Hawthorn skipper's career.
Hawks captain Ben Stratton took stomping and pinching practice on Essendon players in round 13.
As a result of this, he was suspended for two weeks after pleading guilty to his wrongdoings.
Images were shown of Orazio Fantasia's arm, which had been battered and bruised by Stratton's constant pinching. Later that same game, footage emerged of Stratton stomping on the foot Shaun McKernan.
In his first year as captain, Stratton hasn't exactly been one to lead from the front and has gotten himself into hot water a few times.
This story sparked lots of media attention which tried to determine what Stratton did was labelled as 'niggling.'
There was mixed reviews, but it, like the Tayla Harris saga, threw the AFL name through the mud.
From the racist slurs in the stands directed at players to the brawls amongst fans, the AFL saw fit to intervene.
The AFL saw a beef-up in security as a necessary means to help remove any of these negative acts that threaten our game.
Although racial vilification of fans and players holds no place in our game, the feeling of being constantly watched in the stands leaves an eerie feeling.
Since the start of the season, we have seen a disabled man punched twice in the head, fights in the opening round and ANZAC day that have resulted in charges and umpire condemnation.
This instances have no place anywhere, let alone at the MCG or Marvel Stadium, but these fans who are involved in these incidents are the ones who encouraged such an over correction in security for the AFL.
Admittedly, finding the right balance between a high-level of security and safety and allowing attendees to do what they right is difficult.
Fans have now taken to social media to fight for their rights as supporters of the game in the stands.
Some big names such as 'Joffa' has threatened to not attend games as he feels that he cannot support the game in the way he wants.
Fans have duct-taped their mouths to signal their inability to talk at games, otherwise they'd be thrown out.
This saga has the AFL against one of its biggest stakeholders. The fans.
This issue must be resolved in the near future, otherwise it could see the attraction of going to the footy declining by the day.
The review system was brought in to remove any ambiguity with scores that may have gone over the post, hit the post or been touched by a player before the goal line.
Years prior to the system, we saw incorrect calls by the umpires that have affected the outcomes of games.
Who could forget the infamous Tom Hawkins poster in the 2009 AFL Grand Final that was awarded a goal but shouldn't have been. The Cats went on that day to win by 12 points, given that a goal came after the siren by Geelong forward Max Rooke to extend it to that margin.
The system was brought in to prevent any of these situations and for the most part, it has been successful.
However, as times go on and technology improves, you'd think that the incorrect calls initially made by the umpires would be close to none.
Yet in the past few months, we have seen seven key errors made by the bloke upstairs.
What instantly comes to mind is the Fremantle vs Collingwood game which saw Michael Walters be awarded a goal he shouldn't have.
Walters spun out of a tackle and snapped toward goal from 30 out directly in front. In an attempt to prevent the goal, a Collingwood player streamed to the goalsquare but touched it over the line.
All Pies players were signalling to the umpire to check that the ball was touched shortly after Walters kicked it and not on the goal-line. They didn't.
Instead, the goal stood. It can be argued that the six-points given was a determining factor in the outcome of the game. The Dockers won by four points.
The system is there to prevent such a thing happening and the AFL must continue to work with new technologies and its umpires to ensure that the correct decision is made all the time.
Being an AFL player has its perks with luxuries,
However, at a young age, even as young as 17, players are forced to into a professional environment with pressures coming in from all angles.
Stephenson, Pick No. 6 at the 2017 draft, made an immediate impression in his debut year.
He kicked 38 goals from 26 games, including two in the losing grand final.
The 2018 Rising Star winner was primed for a big season in the black and white alongside the small fleet of forwards such as Jordan De Goey, Josh Thomas, Will Hoskin-Elliot, Jamie Elliott and Travis Varcoe.
How quickly it came crashing down.
Based on the rules handed down to players by the AFL, it stipulates that no player can bet on any AFL match.
Stephenson decided otherwise.
In three separate bets which totaled to $36, Stephenson was banned for 22 matches, albeit 12 of those suspended and fined $20,000.
This was the heaviest sanction for a player who has breached the AFL rules related to betting.
He is eligible for the first week of the finals, if Collingwood make it.
"It was an incredibly stupid thing to do and I now realise the seriousness of what I've done," said Stephenson, who fought back tears at a media conference.
"I'm embarrassed that I've let myself, my family, my teammates and our loyal fans down," he said.
"I'm devastated that I won't be able to pull on a Collingwood jumper for the next 10 weeks."
AFL general council Andrew Dillon said there was no excuse for Stephenson betting on league matches.
"This is the toughest penalty we've had for a player under the wagering rules," he said.
"There is no clearer instruction — AFL players, club and league officials are banned from betting on Australian rules football in any form.
"The rules are very clear and if you breach them you will be penalised.
"Jaidyn's actions have compromised the integrity of the game."
After all the sagas and stories that have filled our news papers and screens throughout the season so far, the jobs of the 18 AFL coaches and in particular those who are under scrutiny or who have lost their jobs are deemed as the biggest stories in the AFL world.
Two coaches have been sacked, whilst a few more are being questioned if they are the right man for the job.
Firstly, North Melbourne's Brad Scott officially stepped down as coach prior to the Bulldogs clash in round 10, which saw him coach his last game.
In inspired win, the Roos knocked off the dogs by 25 points as they were full of emotion from the departure of their coach since 2010.
"I have always preached that you do what is right for the club and put the club first in all of your dealings and let the cards fall where they fall," Scott said.
"While I would love the opportunity to coach this football club with all the impediments removed, I said to the board that the club needs fresh air in my view to do the things that it needs to do.
The second coach to depart from their club was Carlton's Brendon Bolton, who was under immense pressure from the Carlton board and its fans.
Of the 82 games he coached, only 21 of those were wins and the board felt that it was necessary to depart with Bolton.
His last game as coach was against the Bombers on a wet and rainy day at the MCG. The Bombers defeated Carlton by 41 points.
As a result of the sackings, two interim coaches have been appointed and both have made an immediate impact.
Rhyce Shaw (North Melbourne's interim) won his first two outings as coach as the fans saw a different take implemented by the coach.
Carlton's interim, David Teague, also won his first game against a young and determined Lions, despite conceding the first six goals of the game.
Since, both teams have performed respectively and look to continue a little spurt of form into the back half of the year.