Hawthorn’s 63-point thrashing of the Sydney Swans was a big win, there’s no doubt. It was comprehensive and entertaining, but in terms of the history of the competition, just how big was it, exactly?
Well, it’s the biggest grand final margin since 2007, when the Cats absolutely thumped Port Adelaide by a margin of 119 points, when they were at the peak of their powers. It is also not as big as the West Coast Eagles thrashed Geelong 20.23 (143) to 8.15 (63).
So the Hawks’ win is not the biggest winning margin in a Grand Final in the AFL era, but it is the third biggest since the name Australian Football League was adopted.
If you include the VFL era, it’s not even close! There were plenty of drubbings back then, including bigger margins in 1949, 1956, 1980, 1983 and 1985 and 1988. Towards the end of the VFL era were some seriously big margins, with the ’83, ’85 and ’88 games all very close to 100 points.
Nothing gets close to that Geelong game though.
But let’s look at the AFL era. Since 1990, it is the third biggest, after the aforementioned wins from West Coast and Geelong in ’94 and 2007. Interestingly, the Grand Final replay in 2010 comes third on this list.
Here’s the top five since 1990:
1. 2007: 119 points
Geelong 24.19 (163) def Port Adelaide 6.8 (44)
2. 1994: 80 points
West Coast Eagles 20. 23 (143) def Geelong 8. 15 (63)
3. 2014: 63 points
Hawthorn 21.11 (137) def Sydney 11.8 (74)
4. 1995: 61 points
Carlton 21. 15 (141) def Geelong 11. 14 (80)
5. 2000: 60 points
Essendon 19. 21 (135) def Melbourne 11. 9 (75)
So, as you can see, it’s not the biggest Grand Final win of all time, and when you factor in the years of VFL before this one, it’s not close!
Take nothing away from the Hawks though, as this was a truly emphatic performance from a champion team.
Well done Hawthorn, the 2014 AFL premiers!
EDIT: A nice stat here from Roarer Griffo:
Also this is largest losing margin by a minor premier in the grand final. The old record was 57 points in 1926 when Melbourne beat Collingwood. Those other four you’ve listed from the AFL era have the minor premier winning against an inferior competitor
[roar_cat_gal]
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Death, taxes, and Jack Ginnivan getting ignored!
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement through concussion to prioritise a "full and healthy life"…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
