Richard Hinds reviews the 2013 AFL season The Essendon scandal stained 2013. When Essendon's ashen-faced officials fronted the media in February to admit they had lost control of their supplements program - coincidentally, just before the "blackest day" press conference in Canberra - there was a slight air of defiance. Coach James Hird said he would take "full responsibility" for what had occurred at the club, but predicted Essendon "would be in a very good place" once details of the program he authorised were revealed. Ten months later chairman David Evans, chief executive Ian Robson and fitness adviser Dean Robinson were gone. The club had been excluded from the finals, lost precious draft picks, been fined $1 million and faced huge legal bills. Hird, football boss Danny Cor­coran and assistant coach Mark Thompson had been sanctioned. Although, in a concerted media campaign directed squarely at AFL boss Andrew Demetriou, Hird and his family would dispute the process leading to the 12-month suspension to which he had agreed. Despite ­having exploited a loophole that means he will retain his $1 million pay cheque. The players? Innocent victims in some eyes, but possibly not in the ­literal interpretation of the WADA code. If ASADA can penetrate ­Essendon's shambolic record keeping and elaborate on the circumstantial evidence that banned substances were used, those players could still be forced to take the responsibility the fabled Hird remains desperate to avoid. 10 bold AFL predictions PLUS best SuperCoach picks The AFL's reputation as the nation's best-administered sporting competition was built on its ability to accumulate wealth, leverage government support and keep its house in order. Yet when confronted with the ­Essendon drug scandal, the great strengths of The Court of King ­Demetriou became dead weight. The AFL clearly tried to manage the Essendon investigation - as it might a salary cap rorting claim - to get the best outcome for both the game and the players. But the in-house dealings with ASADA and the rush to impose sanctions in order to soften the impact on the game's image and ensure the integrity of the finals backfired spectacularly. The AFL had worked hard to ensure Essendon's players were protected as far as was possible under the binding WADA code. But its process allowed disgruntled Essendon officials - particularly Hird - to claim lack of due process. The shambolic outcome was deeply embarrassing for both the AFL, Essendon and Hird. September is usually a time of great excitement in the AFL. This one, after a season dogged by the Essendon scandal, came as a source of deep relief. Hawthorn were the deserved premiers. But, even before getting a crack at the vastly improved Fremantle in the grand final, they had to bury the Kennett Curse by beating Geelong in a pulsating preliminary final. The grand final was hard fought but - for anyone other than the Hawthorn faithful - anti­-climactic. Whether it was stage fright or a swirling breeze, the Dockers' inability to take their chances in the first half left the stronger Hawks to hold out for a 15- point win in a tight but scrappy contest. After Hawthorn's unexpected 2008 triumph was followed by some heartbreaking finals defeats, this was the premiership that ensured the Hawks extracted full value from an excellent list. One that would soon be greatly diminished in the trading period. Port Adelaide, under new coach Ken Hinkley, were the surprise improvers, not only making the ­finals but eliminating the flagging Collingwood. Melbourne's misery continued and their coach Mark Neeld was sacked, although the subsequent appointment of Swans legend Paul Roos provided some hope the floundering foundation club could climb off its knees. Defending a premiership that came a year earlier than most expected did not prove easy, particularly given a heavy injury toll that left the Swans' defence badly depleted. The finals series provided an accurate reflection. They were soundly beaten by eventual premiers Hawthorn and away to grand finalists Fremantle, but still good enough to eliminate the handy Carlton at home. The sting in the Swans' season came in the tail when they signed Hawthorn star Lance Franklin (pictured left) from under the nose of Greater Western Sydney on an unprecedented nine-year, $10 million deal. Is it a masterstroke that will, with Kurt Tippett, give the Swans an unbeatable attack, put them in the premiership window for years and provide the marketing appeal even premierships have failed to deliver? Or is it a disastrous indulgence which will upset team balance, cause player unrest and lumber future ­administrations with an onerous ­salary cap burden? Buddy Franklin in his Swans jumper. GWS's strategy of recruiting and growing a team of young champions, supported by expendable veterans, seemed laudable. The stellar season of forward Jeremy Cameron (pictured right) was just a sample of the talent on the Giants' books. But with just three wins - and only one last season - it is apparent GWS did not surround their stellar rookies with enough middle-aged talent to ensure they were more competitive in their first years. The off-season recruitment of Collingwood's Heath Shaw, Sydney's Shane Mumford and Geelong's Josh Hunt seemed a move in the right direction. New coach Leon Cameron officially steps into the shoes of Kevin Sheedy, having had his hands on the coaching controls already last year. The time is approaching when the club will be judged on results, not merely raw potential. Jeremy Cameron battles with Lachie Keeffe. It defied belief that during the AFL's indigenous round, Adam Goodes would be subjected to a racial taunt from a young Collingwood fan. Regardless of the age of the girl who called him an "ape," or her intent, Goodes' reflexive public protest was brave and poignant. Goodes' stand came 20 years after Nicky Winmar had pointed defiantly to his bare chest after being taunted at Collingwood's Victoria Park. That Goodes was subjected to a vile taunt all these years later might be considered a sign of how far sport, and society, has to come. Although, hearteningly, Goodes received overwhelming support. Collingwood president Eddie McGuire muddied the waters further with his clumsy assertion that, in the old days, Goodes might have been used to promote the musical King Kong. At the very best, an unfortunate slip of the tongue. But Goodes' gesture rose above the noise. Adam Goodes" gesture rose above the noise.