SEASON 2019 did not disappoint.

From several upset results to kick off the year, through to an engrossing finals series, the season was dotted with memorable occasions that left fans both joyful and heartbroken.

But what were the best?

AFL.com.au continues its countdown of the 10 most memorable games of last season.

COUNTDOWN The best games of 2019: 10-6

5. Round 17: Essendon 12.14 (86) def North Melbourne 12.9 (81) at Marvel Stadium

In a game with dramatic momentum swings under the Marvel Stadium roof, Essendon narrowly prevailed to keep its finals push alive, winning a fifth game from its previous six starts. After the Bombers led by 18 points at the final change, big Ben Brown inspired a Kangaroos' revival, booting two of his six goals to give North a two-point lead late in the contest. Just when Essendon thought it had blown the four premiership points, up stepped Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti to kick a dead-eye right foot snap with 30 seconds to go, sparking wild jubilation. Walla's goal was his fourth for the afternoon and capped a brilliant performance.

4. Round 22: Brisbane 10.15 (75) def Geelong 10.14 (74) at the Gabba

Players dream of spectacular performances against their former clubs and it doesn't come much better than Lincoln McCarthy's effort against his old Cats teammates. After barely getting a touch all day in the late-season top-of-the-table clash, McCarthy lifted the roof off the sold-out Gabba, taking a sky-scraping mark inside the final two minutes and calmly slotting the goal from 30m to put the Lions in front. The victory was Brisbane's ninth straight and assured a double chance in September.

3. Preliminary final: Greater Western Sydney 8.8 (56) def Collingwood 7.10 (52) at the MCG

Entering the match without a host of key players, including the suspended Toby Greene, the Giants were huge underdogs in front of a partisan MCG crowd. But on the back of midfielder Zac Williams and forward Jeremy Cameron, they built a seemingly insurmountable 33-point lead early in the final term. Then the drama came. Collingwood surged with four straight goals, including one to Josh Thomas that was clearly touched off the boot and not overturned, to get within six points. In the frantic final 10 minutes Taylor Adams hit the post and big Shane Mumford secured victory with a memorable baulk and clearing kick around Scott Pendlebury from his own goalsquare.

2. Semi-final: Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83) def Brisbane 11.14 (80) at the Gabba

This was almost everything you could ask for from a final. The Giants kicked four goals before you had time to settle in your seat, but almost as quickly the Lions responded with five before quarter-time to take the lead. With a preliminary final spot up for grabs, there was plenty of niggle. Not surprisingly, Toby Greene was at the centre and his face massage on Lachie Neale ultimately got him suspended, while spot fires broke out everywhere with Nick Haynes, Adam Kennedy, Nick Robertson and Dayne Zorko right amongst it. After Brisbane peppered the goals for little return in the final quarter, it was diminutive Brent Daniels that stole the show, kicking a miraculous running right foot banana from 25m for the 10th and final lead change to earn the Giants a passage to the final four.

1. Round 22: Richmond 13.10 (88) def West Coast 13.4 (82) at the MCG

In the penultimate round of the home and away season, many thought this could be a Grand Final preview, and although ultimately it wasn't, the contest lived up to the hype. In wet conditions on a chilly Sunday afternoon at the MCG, the Eagles roared out of the gates to lead by five goals at quarter-time, playing some of the most clinical and professional football of the season. But as the day wore on, Richmond showed its class. Dustin Martin was sublime with 35 disposals and a goal, Bachar Houli controlled the backline and Shane Edwards and Dion Prestia were relentless in the midfield. Then, with the game in the balance in the dying minutes, Jack Riewoldt stepped up, kicking the clutch go-ahead goal off one step to put the Tigers into the top four and on their way to a second flag in three years.