Through the highs and the lows, 2015 was another exhilarating year in the world of sport.
Darren Mara takes a look back at some of the greatest victories and defeats.
We start with football, and the Socceroos began the year on a high.
Australia hosted and won its first-ever Asian Cup in January, prevailing 2-1 over South Korea in the final.
In the A-League, the Melbourne Victory were crowned premiers and champions with a 3-0 win over Sydney FC in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
And Canberra United took out the W-League, defeating the Perth Glory 3-1.
The Matildas, meanwhile, put in a stirring midyear performance at the Women's World Cup in Canada.
They were knocked out by eventual finalist Japan in a heartbreaking, 1-0 quarterfinal loss.
Internationally, Barcelona won its fifth UEFA Champions League, and Chelsea won the English Premier League with three games to spare.
Off the pitch, Sepp Blatter was elected FIFA president for a fifth term in May.
"I'm not perfect. Nobody's perfect. But we will do a good job together, I'm sure."
But not good enough.
Just days later, Blatter announced he would step down amid investigations into corruption in world football.
He and UEFA president Michel Platini were later provisionally suspended from their roles ahead of FIFA elections early next year.
In cycling, Chris Froome stepped up a gear.
The Kenyan-born Briton won his second Tour de France in three years.
"Just an absolutely incredible feeling right now, because there were a few moments out there on the road where we really were under stress."
In cricket, Australia said goodbye to the man known as Pup.
Captain Michael Clarke oversaw an Ashes capitulation to England in July.
The fifth Test proved his last -- and not just wearing the captain's armband.
"(There's) no doubt it's been tough, and it always will be. But it's nice to have worn it for my last Test match."
In rugby union, the Highlanders proved too strong for the Hurricanes to claim the Super Rugby title.
And on the world stage, the All Blacks retained the Webb Ellis Cup.
England was the first host nation to be bundled out of the World Cup group stages.
New Zealand then defeated the resurgent Wallabies in the final to claim the world title.
"And, of course, the first team to win three rugby World Cup titles. And thoroughly deserved."
In the National Rugby League, it was a memorable finale in October.
"(Inaudible, then ...) He's got the field goal! He's got the premiership!"
The North Queensland Cowboys won their first-ever premiership, through the boot of Johnathan Thurston.
In the AFL, Sydney Swans veteran Adam Goodes hung up his boots after a tough year, which included racial taunting by small pockets of opposition fans.
On the oval, it was once again the Year of the Hawk, with Hawthorn claiming its third consecutive flag.
In tennis, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams stamped their dominance, each winning three of the four majors.
Djokovic especially savoured his success.
"It has been the best grand-slam season ever in my career, so I'm trying to cherish it and trying to enjoy every moment."
In golf, Australian Jason Day finished narrowly behind Jordan Spieth of the United States as world number two.
Spieth took out the US Masters and US Open, while Day won the PGA Championship.
There was no runners-up tag for the Diamonds, Australia's netballers winning their 11th World Cup trophy.
And Carissa Moore took out the World Surf League title, edging out Courtney Conlogue and Australian Sally Fitzgibbons.
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