With 13 different grand finalists over the last decade and a half, no two grand finals have been alike, and while not all have been close, all have been fascinating for one reason or another.
To celebrate the lead-up to Saturday’s grand final, let’s take a look at the five best deciders of the last 15 years.
2006, West Coast Eagles defeated Sydney Swans
In the closest grand final for 40 years, Sydney looked like they were going to snatch it from West Coast for the second year running, after making up a five-goal first-quarter deficit.
In one of the most intense fourth quarters in grand final history, the Eagles were able to keep Sydney at bay by matching them goal-for-goal, and eventually just hang on by the slimmest of all margins to avenge their loss.
But more on that later.
2012, Sydney Swans defeated Hawthorn Hawks
Another classic grand final involving the Sydney Swans, this grand final may not have been as close as 2006, but had a final quarter with just as much, if not more drama.
The game had been even all day, with each team dominating play for different periods of time, and when risks were there to be taken and the match was there to be won, Sydney proved they are one of the great modern-day teams, kicking two huge goals late to snatch the game from the more fancied Hawks.
2010, Collingwood Magpies drew with St Kilda Saints
While I may not have adjudged this the best grand final of the past 15 years, it is without a doubt the most remarkable and unique. At the end of four quarters of utter heroism and desperation from Collingwood and St Kilda, the final match of the year ended with scores locked at 68, for only the third time in VFL/AFL history.
While Collingwood recovered far better and won the replay a week later by 10 goals, it is the first encounter that will not only go down as one of the great grand finals of its time, but of all time.
2009, Geelong Cats defeated St Kilda Saints
In one of the toughest and statistically closest grand finals of all time, the combined total of 214 tackles made is the second most in any game, ever.
The intensity, desperation, desire and absolute refusal to lose brought to the table by both teams was incredible, with casualties on both sides, including St Kilda star Brendon Goddard playing on despite a broken nose and collarbone.
In the end, Geelong executed when they needed to in a finale that the 1989 Cats and Hawks would’ve been proud of.
2005, Sydney Swans defeated West Coast Eagles
There has been a lot of debate over whether the original or the sequel is better, and for me, it’s the unforgettable moments in football history that the original gave us that sees it get the nod for me.
The final few minutes of the match are possibly the greatest and most intense minutes of football ever played, culminating in Leo Barry’s unforgettable grab.
The rest is history.
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