WHILE millions of fans go to watch the AFL each week, the way we consume our national sport and everything we love about the game is largely through screens.

Whether it be the big screen in the living room, the sports bar at the pub or on your mobile device – the stuff we watch dominates daily footy conversation.

So, with that in mind this summer holidays, this is AFL.com.au's unofficial list of the top TV talking points of 2018.

12. Tony Jones and Damian Barrett's handball competition

Journos aren't meant to be the stars, and none of us are here for our skills … that's why it took a lot of courage for Tony Jones and Damian Barrett to go head-to-head in a handball contest on the Sunday Footy Show. Damo took the points, but TJ's performance stole the show.

11. James Brayshaw's arrival on Saturday night footy

The arrival of the former Channel Nine star boosted the class in the Channel Seven commentary box for Saturday night's showpiece game and was widely well received by viewers. 

10. Coaches go down the Big Freeze slide

In a moment which united the footy world, all 18 coaches went down the slide on Queen's Birthday to raise money for Neale Daniher's FightMND campaign. The former Demons coach took part in a number of interviews, including one on AFL 360 where he conceded he might not be around in 12 months' time.

9. Dylan Shiel deal goes down to the wire

With the trade deadline shifted to prime time, the AFL needed some drama, and it got it through the tense negotiations on Dylan Shiel's move from Greater Western Sydney to Essendon. It played out in part on air, thanks to AFL.com.au's exclusive cameras inside the deadline day hub.

8. Hannah Mouncey tells her story

With AFLW rules making it impossible for the transgender footballer to qualify for the women's competition, Mouncey shared her story in an emotional interview with Mike Sheahan on Fox Footy.

7. Dayne Zorko v Touk Miller

AFL.com.au's Access All Areas led the way in calling out Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko's snub of Gold Coast's Touk Miller. They then returned serve later in the year, when the whole thing blew up again. 

6. Kane Cornes calls Alex Rance a diver

The former Port Adelaide champion further cemented his place as one of the game's most controversial commentators, holding Alex Rance to account over his diving antics. The story ran for days, with the Tigers far from happy about Rance being questioned by reporters.

Alex Rance during the round 11 clash against Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos

5. Inside Carlton's draft night bunker

Carlton's list manager Stephen Silvagni makes the first of his back-to-back appearances thanks to unprecedented insight into the Blues' draft night bunker in a video produced by AFL.com.au. The vision takes fans inside the Blues' historic trade with Adelaide, which helped secure young gun Liam Stocker at pick 19.

4. SOS braves Footy Classified

If you're a footy person and you decide to go on Footy Classified, you know what you're in for. And Silvagni turned up to play, going head-to-head with Caroline Wilson and Matthew Lloyd in a heated exchange over who holds the power at Ikon Park.

3. Eagles' integrity man takes on news crews

Peter Staples is the West Coast integrity officer, but his run-in with news crews at Perth Airport made national headlines as Nic Naitanui, shattered after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament again, hobbled towards a waiting car.

2. Dusty caught on camera at training

When AFL.com.au cameras caught Dustin Martin reaching for his leg and leaving the track seven days out from Richmond's preliminary final against Collingwood, we were told there was nothing to see here. But on the following Friday night there was nowhere to hide as the Tigers bowed out and the full extent of Dusty's knee injury was revealed.

1. The Footy Show v The Front Bar

Could Eddie save The Footy Show? Ultimately no. McGuire was drafted back into the host seat in the middle of 2017 and started 2018 with a new set and panel. But as the year went on The Front Bar phenomenon hosted by Andy Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang would dominate the ratings. It left Sam Newman to effectively say farewell on the penultimate program of the year. Nine says Sam and Eddie will return with a handful of specials in 2019 and there will be a completely new weekly offering.