The greatest Grand Final in AFL history

just following on from this comment, the 1967 grand final was to my mind the pick of the Golden Era of AFL - VFL Grand Finals. In 1964 Collingwood led by 2 points in time on to be freakishly pipped by at the post by a goal from the Melbourne Back pocket player. Two weeks earlier in their second semi final clash with the Demons at the same stage of the game they trailed by 88 points. In 1966, St Kilda edges forward by one point with seconds to go, 1967 Geelong and Richmond level four times in the last quarter, 1968 an undermanned but gallant Essendon in a low scoring rugged encounter just fail to catch the Blues - (the next emerging super power at the time with Richmond) losing by 3 points. This still stands as the only AFL Grand Final where the winning team kicked less goals than their opponent. In 1969 Richmond leading well at half time with Carlton held to two goals meet a full True Blue onslaught in the third quarter and then trail by 4 points. However in the last quarter the Blues go defensive and Richmond kick 4goals 7points to 2 points and win flag by hard earned 25 points. (Interestingly Carlton kick same last score tally to Collingwood in 1981 to take pennant by 20 points e.g 4 gls 7 to 2 points) 1970 has been well covered in your story and what about 1971. Hawks 20 points down at 3/4 time and charge home to win by 7. We all remember the jinx on Peter Hudson that day, especially in the last quarter when he would ordinarily put the issue beyond doubt. Some interesting snippets of trivia that show the uncanny nature of the great game. In the 1950's and '60's only four centuries were reached in each decade by grand final teams. Footscray 1954, Melbourne 1956 /57/59. Geelong 1963 /67 Essendon 1965 and Richmond 1967 Geelong were the first side ever to kick a century as a losing Grand Final side.(correct me if I'm wrong) Whereas the 1970's saw 12 centuries scored, four of them by runner up sides. Collingwood's losing score of 14 goals 17 points in 1970 was their highest ever Grand Final score to that date. Essendon's comprehensive premiership winning side of 1962 saw them kick only two centuries during the season and one century in the second semi final. Essendon's average score was 82 points a game to 60 points against and at the time Essendon was coached by John Coleman, claimed by many to be the greatest goal kicker to that date.

No doubt it was one of the greatest. I still think Richmond v Geelong of 1967 was the best overall i have seen. The skill levels were exceptional from start to finish. Richmond were marginally better in the first half holding a 16 point lead at 1/2 time. A lucky free to Ronaldson made the tigers scoreline look a bit better at that stage. The third quarter saw Geelong really hit their straps and jump to an 8 point lead early in the third quarter with Richmond looking rattled. The young tigers had no grand final experience, but the talent and skill of Barrett, Bartlett, Frank Bourke and Royce Hart saw them regain poise and the lead by three quarter time. The last quarter saw Geelong tiring but peppering the goals for points (8 in all) and the scores level four times till the 23 minute mark. Controversy surrounded two marks by veteran captain Fred Swift on the goal line. Geelong outscored Richmond 8 goals 9 points to 7 goals 8 points in the second half but failed by 9 points at the final siren. I was twelve years old when I saw that game. I have supported Essendon all my life and can view the game with some neutrality. Richmond were the better side (not by much) but Geelongs grievances after the game were fair enough. sadly as it was this year someone had to lose but Geelong was glorious in defeat, as were Collingwood in 1979 and its sad nothing can honour their day. Geelong's effort was more memorable than 1963 or even the 2007 win

Jason, You mentioned Collingwood's superiority in the first half. Yet they missed many opportunities to build an even bigger lead. Because they built up a big lead quickly, they became 'loose' in their play. One lesson here is to make the most of your opportunities, because circumstances can & will change. The other great lesson is from Carlton, or Barassi. Firstly, hang in there for the same reasons above, because circumstances can & will change. However, the phycology is compelling. Barassi basically told his guys, "We're starting a new game. Forget what has just happened". He also gave them a new tactic to emphasize the new game theory - 'handball'. Carlton came out firing, Collingwood were relaxed. By the time the Magpies realised the momentum had shifted, the Blues had well & truly bolted!

I still find it hard to believe how Collingwood could slip a 44 point halftime lead, especially when they were playing like a premiership side. Watching the video, it seems that the Magpies were VERY slow to react to Carlton's tactics and no-one in the Collingwood side were quite sure how to handle Ted Hopkins.

It is an equal tie with all flags won by Essendon...counting back 2000, 1993, 1985, 1984, 1965, 1962..... you get the drift :-) Redb

Jason, I heard the record was probably even more than that because fences were broken down in an attempt to get into the ground. It might have had something to do with that being the only place to see the game (rather than hear it), unless you wanted to travel across the border to Adelaide. Can you imagine not being able to see the game even if you wanted to today. There would be riots in front of AFL House.

Jason it's a good point about the live television coverage. You occasionally stumble across the odd Sydney person who mentions that that particular grand final was their introduction to aussie rules. If you're going to see your first ever game, that one would have been as good as any.

You have to feel for Collingwood coach, the late Bob Rose. If losing the 1964 Grand Final to Melbourne (4 points) and 1966 to St Kilda (1 point) was bad enough, then this loss (1970) was like death by a thousand cuts. Especially when you consider how superior Collingwood were in that first half of the 1970 grand final. Another interesting thing came up when watching the 1970 Grand Final. Mike Williamson on Channel Seven mentioned that Channel 7 stations in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra were taking the game 'live', but the 'replay' of the grand final were beamed into Victoria and Tasmania later that night. It is still hard to fathom why, despite the record of 121,696 people, the VFL would not allow a live telecast into Melbourne and Victoria as well. It wasn't until 1977 that the VFL allowed a live telecast to be beamed throughout Australia.

Pip, Not from Melbourne, no. had no idea that they played old GF on GF eve. I just thought that people talking about them had actually seen them, or had them on DVD etc. Watching the old great grand finals is on my to do list. The 89' GF was high up there, but i feel it may bring back too many memories of last year now.

Two interesting points abto uthat match. Firstly, Collingwood's lead of 44 points at half time was in fact reached at the 10 minute mark of the 2nd quarter. Thereafter, Carlton was able to hold them to that lead. What many people do not realise is that Carlton made TWO comebacks in that second half. The initial burst after half time was a staggering 7 goals in 12 minutes which resulted in reducing Collingwood's lead to 2 points!!! However, from that point onward until just after 3 qtr time Collingwood stretched their lead once more to 23points!! Surely the greatest game ever.

If you watched the highlights of the first half of the '70 Grand Final, you'll notice that Carlton in the latter stages were starting to get a share of the ball. It wasn't showing on the scoreboard, but it did show the Blues had a massive job ahead of them. Interestingly, had Carlton lost the 1970 Grand Final, the Blues wouldn't have reappointed Ron Barassi as coach. A couple of Carlton committeemen had decided before that game that Barassi's contract was not to be renewed. Victory in the 1970 Grand Final helped Ron Barassi to keep his job.

The three most memorable games I have had the good fortune to attend are the 1980 GF in which Richmond slaughtered Collingwood by 81 points, 1966 when Tasmania/St Kilda won the Saints' two flags (their first and last), and the 1967 Tasmanian State Premiership between Wynyard and North Hobart (the goalposts game, which nobody won).

Interestingly, Teddy Hopkins is best remembered for coming on in the 2nd half of this grand final and kicking 4 goals to completely change the game, but he barely played another game for Carlton again. That was definitely his 60 minutes of fame - but there are plenty of footballers who would give up all their games and individual trophies to have done what he did. It's a funnly ol' game. Teddy Hopkins is now best known as the man behind Champion Data which has revolutionised the collecting of stats during an AFL game. A stack of new terminology and tactics have emerged from his stats alone. A players individual stats can be broken down from the bare kicks, marks, handballs to an absolute myriad of different components the highlight a player's effectiveness that run into the dozens upon dozens. For any footballing fan with a penchant for stats - it's a veritable gold mine! Also worth mentioning that the super coach/dreamteam comps rely heavily on these sorts of stats to calculate the points a player earns each week.

Martin Flanagan wrote a great book on this grand final, in particular, the memories of some of the players on the day. To read the memories of players in a game that is now etched in footballing folk lore is quite fascinating. One marvels at the different perceptions and recollections. Forgetmenot I think I recall reading that you're not from Melbourne, so you haven't had the pleasure of staying up all night during the grand final eve marathons where they would play all the old black and white clips of great finals games. This one got played every single year! So a few of us on the Roar have seen it many times!

I havent watched many older Grand Finals, but out of the ones that i can remember, the Swans and West Coast ones stick out, as does last years where i think everyone was expecting Geelong to suddenly come back and beat the Hawks.