Twelve of the Herald Sun’s most-read digital stories of 2018

In 2018, subscribers and loyal online readers devoured a mixture of news, business, sport and opinion — from a shocking school brawl to the passing of a Hells Angels biker. Here’s what you needed to know about more than anything else.

Some of the most-read digital stories of the year.

In 2018, subscribers and loyal digital readers have devoured a mixture of news, business, sport and opinion — from a shocking school brawl to the passing of a popular Hells Angels biker.

But one groundbreaking story dominated headlines for weeks, the culmination of five year’s work, the eight-part series on Lawyer X lifted the lid on Australia’s biggest legal scandal.

These are some of our most-read online stories of the year:

TORRENTIAL RAIN LASHES STATE, SPARKS FREEWAY RESCUE

The Hume Freeway near Wangaratta was a sight to behold. Picture: Taylor McPhail

Scores of drivers were rescued from their cars and trucks in northeast Victoria after storms and torrential rain smashed the state. Hundreds of vehicles became trapped on the Hume Freeway north of Wangaratta amid calls from emergency authorities to stay off the roads with about a month’s worth of rain falling in one day.

DIVERS ENTER THAI CAVE FOR SECOND RESCUE

Thai Navy divers in the Tham Luang cave during rescue operations. Picture: Getty

Readers were desperate to know more about the daring rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach. After a successful mission to rescue four boys, everyone was on high alert to pull the remaining boys from the cave. Professional divers — including Aussies — lead the boys out in pairs, with two divers escorting each boy and holding his tank to make his journey easier. Readers tuned in to watch live.

WILD SCHOOL BRAWL CAPTURED ON CAMERA

Footage of a brawl said to be at Wallan Secondary College.

A disturbing brawl between about a dozen students at a Victorian high school was captured on camera. They’re seen punching, kicking and throwing each other to the ground at a school in Wallan, north of Melbourne. Watch the clip.

WORLD’S BEST BASKETBALLERS TO PLAY IN MELB SLAM DUNK

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will be in Melbourne in 2019. Picture: AP/Tony Avelar

When it was announced the world’s greatest basketball stars were coming to Melbourne in one of the biggest sporting coups in the state’s history, you wanted to know more.

The Sunday Herald Sun revealed NBA legends LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant would lead the United States national team against an Australia line-up in a two-match series at Etihad Stadium in August next year. It will be one of the biggest sporting events staged in Melbourne — and the first time Team USA has played in Australia since the 2000 Olympics. Stay tuned for updates.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SUSPENDED OVER CHILD PORN CHARGES

St John’s Regional College in Dandenong.

When a deputy principal of a Catholic secondary school was suspended and charged with child porn offences earlier in the year worried parents flocked to the site.

The charges related to accessing child abuse ­material over a period of 10 months, knowingly possessing material and possessing a drug of dependence, GHB.

However, the hearing was adjourned and has been rescheduled for mid-2019.

AFL SUPERCOACH: HOW TO PLAY, GUIDE TO BEST ROOKIES

Which SuperCoach rookies should you pick in your side.

If there’s one thing Melbourne loves, it’s footy. And during footy season, everyone’s talking about SuperCoach. But starting your own team to be a part of Australia’s biggest and best fantasy game can be daunting. This was our extremely popular foolproof guide to how it all works.

And while we’re on that topic, everyone wants the right cheapies — after all it’s is the key to SuperCoach success. You’ll see dozens of names in that price bracket you’ve probably never heard of. So who do you pick? Our experts have been on call to help.

And it’s never too early to start your SuperCoach research for the 2019 season.

Get ahead of the pack with this detailed run-down of the best bottom-priced options in the backline, midfield, ruck and forwards for the year ahead. Don’t miss our latest SuperCoach bible.

COLOURFUL LIFE OF ‘OUTLAW’ BIKIE BALL BEARING

Chris “Ball Bearing’’ Coelho was an avid Harley Davidson rider and guitar player.

Hells Angels biker Chris “Ball Bearing’’ Coelho was a member of the world’s most infamous outlaw motorcycle club for 42 years — then quietly retired. His fascinating story of love with a woman 20 years his junior enthralled readers after his sudden death.

LIVE BLOG: ALL THE ACTION (AND RAIN) AT THE MELBOURNE CUP

On form to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day despite the downpour.

It was a Melbourne Cup win for the ages, and a day of torrential rain that flooded Melbourne. It took one cool ride from winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy to ensure Cross Counter sealed his place in Australian racing history. Our live blog covered every moment of madness, triumph and heartbreak on the day that stopped the nation (and public transport).

EDITORIAL: KNIGHT’S CARTOON NEITHER RACIST OR SEXIST

When cartoonist Mark Knight faced worldwide backlash over his Serena Williams dummy spat cartoon, the Herald Sun shared its side:

“The world has officially gone mad when a celebrated cartoonist is condemned by the social media hordes for depicting a famous sports star throwing an unedifying tantrum. Take a breath and consider the facts.” Continue reading.

HOW YOU CAN SEE THE ‘LUNAR TRIFECTA’ ECLIPSE

In January, Australians were able to catch a glimpse of a rare lunar trifecta.

Consisting of a total lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon, such an event hadn’t been seen for more than 30 years. And the Bureau of Meteorology said those in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs would have the best view. Readers turned up in droves to find out more.

OPINION: SEVEN DAYS, SIX DEAD WOMEN. WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP?

Another body was found in a park. How can we end this?

Six women were killed in the past week in October. Sixty-two women have suffered violent deaths since January 1. If this is not a national crisis, what the hell is?

If a terrorist killed six people in Australia, our country would be in lock down. What about a shark attack, or the strawberry crisis? But six women dying in a week in Australia? All I hear is crickets, wrote Sherele Moody.

RED ROOSTER, OPORTO ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE

Can you imagine a world without Red Rooster chicken with chips and gravy? Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian

More than 500 Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat restaurants across Australia could be at risk at going bust, a report has revealed. Craveable Brands, who operates the well-known restaurants, and its owner Archer Capital, came under fire in a senate inquiry submission.