Just as it did last year, the MCG will rock with greater-than-usual excitement on grand final day. Once again, a success-starved Victorian team is the underdog against a powerful team from another state.
While Adelaide doesn’t have the same Melbourne support as that of the Swans, thousands will cross the border to back the Crows. As for the Tigers’ backing, well, last Saturday was surely one of the most amazing football events anyone has ever witnessed.
Notwithstanding sadly inadequate ticket allocations to competing clubs, Richmond will again be strongly supported.
And just as the emotional ingredients are all there, so are the football elements. The game will pit the best offensive team of 2017 against the one that defends best. Both teams have midfields that run deep and which are playing superbly.
Hopefully – for the unaligned at least – it will be close for a long way.
Fifty years ago, Richmond won a drought-breaking premiership in what was a great grand final of its time. Can Saturday’s game, like that one, place itself among those special matches which retain their mystique through the years?
Here are five grand finals from my time – first as a follower of the game, then as a professional observer – that warrant the description ‘classic’.
Don’t scoff at the apparently cumbersome nature of the old replays – the game may have been amateur back in the day, but the skills were the best that could be offered in their time.
The game might’ve been slower and less skilled, but it had an unpredictability that kept crowds enthralled.
1. 1958: Collingwood d Melbourne by 18 points
It was a long time ago and the pictures, and memories, are sepia-toned. The historical significance, though, will never die.
The Demons were certainties to win and equal Collingwood’s jealously held record of four straight flags from the late-1920s. Phonse Kyne, the Magpies’ coach, ensured the men of Jock McHale’s legendary ‘Machine’ were in the rooms pre-match.
As he neared the end of a passionate pre-match address, he beseeched his players: “Don’t let these men down!”
In 19 encounters at the MCG between 1955 and 1965, the Pies would beat Melbourne just once. This was it. And it was the one they simply had to win!
This game affirms what supporters clutch at every time they watch their team run out as an underdog – on any given day, if a group of players is sufficiently committed, they can move mountains.
2. 1970: Carlton d Collingwood by 10 points
It probably should take a share of the gold medal. A record crowd of 121,696 that will never be broken. The VFL’s two greatest rivals. The biggest-ever grand final comeback (Collingwood led by 44 points at half-time).
The day football changed. The day Ron Barassi became a legend. The day that broke Bob Rose’s heart.
You could go on, I often do…
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3. 1989: Hawthorn d Geelong by 6 points
The opening sequence could have been from a blockbuster movie. Dermott Brereton running in off the line, looking to intimidate with Mark Yeates, in the shadows, waiting for him.
Gary Ablett kicking a goal while Dermie lies on his back in the middle – the Hawthorn coaching box is in chaos.
Then, the Hawks kick eight goals to one by quarter time.
But the battle toll mounts as a brutal day wears on. Hawthorn still lead by 36 points at the last change but the champions have been weakened.
The Cats charge with eight goals to three in the final term but run out of time. Ablett kicks nine in a losing team. This, too, could take a share of gold.
4. 2009: Geelong d St Kilda by 12 points
Two great teams on a damp and icy day. The Cats still in domination mode, but the Saints under Ross Lyon now a ground-breaking defensive unit.
St Kilda won 19 straight before two one-kick losses, then ploughed into the grand final. But the Cats were on a mission of atonement following the previous year’s shock loss.
The Saints lead at every change – by two, six, and seven points – but the Cats graft the only three goals of the last quarter.
The second of them, with the game hanging in the balance, produces an immortal moment with Matthew Scarlett toe-poking to Ablett Junior in a crucial mid-field exchange, then running behind, shepherding, exhorting, as the Little Master puts the ball into the right spot for a crumbed goal and the lead.
Prior to another one after the siren, the Cats led by six points, although five of these had come courtesy of a goal umpiring error after a Tom Hawkins shot grazed the post.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
5. 1977: The Collingwood v North Melbourne draw
There have been three drawn grand finals and now, with the extra-time rule, there won’t be another. At least one has to sit among the classics.
I’m choosing 1977 because, as though Barassi willed such things, it was a game of remarkable swings. North kicked four goals to one in the opening term, then didn’t kick another in the next two quarters. Collingwood led by 27 at the last change and the Colliwobbles were about to be buried.
But no, the Kangaroos came back. They claimed the lead late, then surrendered it when a cool Ross Dunne torp tied the scores. The Kangas won the replay handsomely, but the draw is better remembered.
So many great games, so many memories. Lest anyone feel aggrieved, there are lots of honourable mentions.
The Saints’ win in 1966, Tommy’s Tigers in ’67, Big Nick’s master-plan in ‘72, Sheedy’s first in ’84, the Swans, after 72 years, in 2005, the Hawks’ monumental boilover in ‘08, the 2010 draw, and then there’s last year.
Now… what does Saturday hold in store?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Woulda, coulda, shoulda regards old Fab Phil. Why would you bother hitting Michael Tuck? North streeted Hawthorn by 11 goals in the prelim as opposed to your lot who scrapped home. For bad luck, North lost Crackers Keenan for striking Don Scott (worth hitting at least) in the second semi, then lost Malcolm Blight early in the 1978 GF and still only lost by 3 goals. Not sure Clokey and Rocca were dubious but agree with you Cotchin and Ellis are only playing because the AFL broke their own rules regarding high contact.
Matto
Guest
All of the best players in the NBL that can go to the NBA do so. Not all of the best players went to the VFL even when they were chased very hard.
Rick
Guest
I agree that the VFL was a great comp, said that in my first post to you, what I take offence to is your rant that the SANFL and WAFL were second rate comps. That line of thinking highlights the high and mighty attitude we all get a bit sick of, like calling me "recalcitrant" haven't heard that one since our pompous Paul Keating used it - means "having a obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline" - like who made you the Queen. My point about the aboriginal boys was to point out how you like to re-write history to suit yourselves, which talking about suiting yourselves how's K.B and Caroline Wilson banging o about not wearing your traditional jumper, if wasn't for a national comp you might not have even still had a team - they need to grow up and move on. And we're not trying to dictate to your high and mighty selves and force our history on you, that's been your agenda - embrace the brand new world TTF, enjoy your side, well done for getting to the GF but don't disrespect what was once great comps in other states because clearly you have no idea. BTW THE 1981 WAFL GF, comes to mind, about a dozen players that all went on to play VFL, including 2 players that went on to win Brownlows and one that would win a Norm Smith, not to mention Basil Campbell who when he had the opportunity to "mix it " with The Big Boys from the east in the 1977 State of Origin, laid out Don Scott, when he tried to "seagull" Basil in the middle of a brawl - not bad for a "second rate comp" eh TTF
Cat
Roar Guru
I don't see the point of your straw man, guess we're even.
Nick
Guest
You ignore the fact that the VFL was not a profesisonal competition - guys like (and I will add one per decade so you can understand) Walker, Kilmurray, Green, Michael simply didn't go because it wasn't worth it business or family wise - the fact that not every sandover medallist or margarey medallist up to the mid 80's didn't go to the VFL should make it obvious that yours was a good comp - but didn't necessarily have the best players - and go and read a bit of history or ask people who know how the original Farmer (WA) captained Geelong team went against the Cable captained South Suburban (think VFA) representative side in the early 70's - and celebrate your 11th flag - Port and East Fremantle have about 50 between them - the pre AFL VFL is like pre-NFL competitions - quaint history
Nick
Guest
What about when Barry Cable - hands down greatest player of all time returned to WAFL after leading the Kangaroos to a flag to take East Perth to a 2 point win over Perth (his old club) in 1978 - breaking Perth's stranglehold on the WAFL
Mattyb
Guest
Gene,I don't think think the NBA has gone broke chasing NBL players forcing the NBA to incorporate the NBL to survive,so I don't see your point.
Cat
Roar Guru
If the competitions were all roughly even why did the elite talent that decided to change competitions go to the VFL? Why wasn’t there as much talent leaving the VFL to play for SANFL or WAFL? It’s easy to explain, it’s like the Australian basketball players who leave the NBL to play in the NBA. Just because a league produces some elite talent doesn’t make the entire league as talented as another. No one would ever claim Australia’s NBL is anywhere near the NBA, yet a few players have started in the NBL and gone on to have good NBA careers.
Bruce
Guest
Exactly, Hawkins shot slicing off the post evened it up. And at least his shot was in general play and not gifted by the umps.
guttsy
Guest
And Tigers should not forget the very good player that was Robert Wylie. While not considered a great of the game (rightly or wrongly), he was still one of Richmonds best in their last grand final victory in 1980.
Nick
Guest
Milne took small steps cos he feared getting cleaned up - if he had ticker he gets a free kick or a goal
Nick
Guest
Have a look at national championships and state of origin to see how dominant the AFL wasn't really
fairsuckofthesav
Guest
Lot of respect for Tim but here are some other classics: Glenelg V North Adelaide 1973 Glenelg's first flag since 1934 Port V Norwood 1984 Norwood first team to win from the fifth position featuring an all time gutsy mark from Keith Thomas running backwards Port Adelaide V Sturt 1976 67,000 record crowd Sturt V Norwood 1978 Norwood won by one point after Norwood player ran into the Sturt coaches boundary box allegedly upsetting the normally unflappable Sturt Coach Jack Oatey Speaking of Oatey coached Sturt to five flags in a row 1966-1970 and developed the checkside Yes there is a rich history of grand finals across the country
truetigerfan
Guest
Well, Rick. Yeah, I may be arrogant but don't consider myself ignorant in the way you suggest. I'm more than well aware of Tasmanians and South Aussies in particular who have contributed to both the Richmond FC and the VFL/AFL over the years. Bruce Monteith captained our last Premiership whilst starting on the bench. Maurice Rioli an absolute champion! Royce Hart! The list is long and illustrious. You fail to understand my whole point. Why did these players test the waters in the VFL, Rick? Because it was the BEST comp in the country! Period. Your rant about aboriginal players should be directed elsewhere, in another conversation. Irrelevant to my argument and one I didn't allude to. Yes, you paid big money for your licences and have been rewarded tenfold. Still doesn't entitle you to dictate and force your history upon everyone. And while the competition today is better than ever don't be so high and mighty to think the interstate clubs are responsible for this. So many factors have contributed . . . professionalism, sports science, talent identification, etc. etc. etc. When the Tiges win tomorrow it will be our 11th flag and nothing recalcitrants like yourself say will alter that fact! All the best, TTF.
Internal Fixation
Guest
He is a Victorian Ostrich - maybe that's what the VFL team could have been called in the SANFL after they all went broke.
Rick
Guest
The VFL was a great comp but to call the SANLF and the WANFL (as it was known, before dropping the "N") second rate only highlights your arrogance and ignorance. You must have forgotten your last premiership captain was from South Fremantle and was followed by another South Freo player that played that well for your Tigers he became the first player in a losing team to win the Norm Smith medal - his name was Maurice Rioli. Still Maurice was just one of many of the aboriginal fellas that showed you blokes how well they could play, Polly Farmer, Syd Jackson, Jim and Phil, Barry Cable and Phil Narkle to name a few, you blokes had no idea how good these boys were, now we have to listen to clowns like Sheedy pretending he invented the concept of the aboriginal footballer. Through in a few Brownlow medalist winners like Moss and Hardie, oh and our own Mal Brown - who did he play for ttf?? - I remember little Cam Clayton getting a whack from one of "your big Vic boys" big John Nichols, while the rest of the Tiges were standing around it was the West Aussie Brownie who squared it up with Big Bad John. You should thank the other states, the millions of dollars injected by non-Vic clubs buying franchises saved your own clubs and gave us the competition it is today. By the way, if you're lucky enough to get up tomorrow that will be your first flag, no-one outside Victoria counts your old comp.
india dreaming
Guest
Melbourne ummmm Melbourne Melbourne.....Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne.....ummm Melbourne. Like the Bulldogs last year and now Richmond this year....the interstate teams are just lucky to be playing in the Melbourne cup!!!
Wang
Guest
How did you go in state of origin premier competition
Griffo
Guest
It didn't finish in 89 because of an abitrary name change. How was 1990 so different from 87, 88 and 89? All were 14 team competitions with a final 5.
Mattyb
Guest
TTF,if the SANFL and WAFL were such poor competitions in comparison to the VFL why did the VFL clubs have such an obsession to recruit players from these leagues,an obsession that led to the bankruptcy of the VFL club and contributed to the subsequent formation of the the AFL? Plenty of champion footballers from other states have both come over to the VFL and dominated while other champions didn't bother. I trust from your comment you do know who John Todd and Tim Evans are? Anyway you look at it they are true champions of the game and could clearly stand with any player from any competition.