BEST OF THE REST

After 27 years at the helm, the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of Manchester United was significant — and to claim the EPL title for a 13th time was a grand way to make an exit.

He copped plenty of stick following his disastrous performances at the 2012 London Olympic Games, so Aussie star James Magnussen deserves a wrap after defending his 100m freestyle title at the world swimming championships in Barcelona.

The fact that Andy Murray became the first tennis player from Great Britain to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon was widely celebrated — and he won in style, blowing Novak Djokovic off the court in three sets.

It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when you consider the 12 months that they had endured, but Gai Waterhouse and Damien Oliver deserve credit for getting Fiorente over the line in first place in the Melbourne Cup.

The Essendon supplement saga bordered on disbelief and unfortunately for James Hird his reputation has been tarnished forever.

Former national coaches Mickey Arthur (cricket), Robbie Deans (rugby union) and Holger Osieck (soccer) getting the flick in favour of Australian trio Darren Lehmann, Ewen McKenzie and Ange Postecogolou.