After reviewing some of the greatest games in AFL history, I have narrowed down the five reasons that lead a match to be deemed an ‘epic’.
1. A close finish
Just about any game that goes down to the wire will be remembered. We love a close finish – at least when your team is not involved.
In Fox Footy’s list of the best 50 games of the last 50 years, 18 of the top 20 were decided by 12 points or less, with the two exceptions being the Bulldogs’ 2016 grand final and Hawthorn’s upset win in the 2008 grand final.
After sitting on the edge of your seat for what may feel like a 45-minute fourth quarter, there is no better feeling than seeing your team in front when the siren sounds.
These are the games that see one set of fans full of joy and the other in complete despair, and for that, they just never seem to be forgotten.
2. A compelling backstory
A common theme among many great games is the story behind the team having the success, seen in recent years with the Western Bulldogs’ 2016 finals series.
Fox Footy’s list had the grand final against Sydney at number four and the preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney as the second greatest game since 1970.
The contest at Spotless was up there with the best ever, but the so-called ‘last dance’ did not endure the same last-minute drama.
Yet despite other matches, such as the 2010 and 2012 grand finals, having much tighter and more tense finishes, the Dogs’ famous run from seventh on the ladder is held in higher regard.
Whether it be breaking a drought or an underdog bandwagon, everyone loves a feel-good story, and therefore when these fairytale scenarios come true, they will be looked back upon for generations to come.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
3. A match-defining moment
The difference between winning and losing often comes down to the finest of margins – a single kick, bounce or umpiring decision being the difference between jubilation and heartbreak.
There are so many ‘what ifs’ in the course of Aussie rules that would have altered the record books. If the ball had have bounced left for Stephen Milne, if Leo Barry didn’t cling on to his famous mark, or if Dom Sheed’s set shot swayed just a couple of metres to the right.
These fine lines are sport at its purest and in almost every great game, one or two big moments often act as the distinction between elation and devastation.
4. Everything to play for – no next week
The feeling of having no chance to redeem yourself next week and knowing that everything is on the line brings about additional pressure.
Finals games, and more specifically preliminary and grand finals – being so close to that elusive premiership – are the most-watched, most talked about and in the majority of cases the most remembered matches.
Footy fans relish the drama that September brings, with games that bring communities, families, and friends together – matches that are forever replayed by triumphant fans.
If football were to ever scrap the finals series and employ a top of the table premier, I don’t know if I could even follow the sport anymore. Surely the AFL could never consider this, even during a global pandemic, because fans live for those last four weeks of the season.
5. Rivalries
A built-up history or a sense of hatred between two sets of players and fans makes great games even better. Famous games where rivals played against each other often rank in the ‘best games ever’ conversation.
They need not even be historic rivalries, as the 2016 prelim showed, with incidents such as Toby Greene kicking Luke Dahlhaus in the face to the trades involving Ryan Griffen, Callum Ward, and Tom Boyd.
Still, many great finals have established the famous rivalries we know today. For Carlton and Collingwood there’s the 1970 grand final, and for Hawthorn and Geelong the 1989 decider.
Rivalries are an essential part of sport and whenever great foes meet in a big game it only adds to the occasion.
While few games meet each of these five categories, to be considered an epic you will need to tick a few of them. Although for many the best games are the ones where your team was victorious, especially in September, I would love to hear what anyone else factors into their view of the best ever game of footy.
Darwindee
Guest
Living in Perth at the time - i remember watching the comeback gainst Geelong and knowing the flag was heading west...
DarwinDee
Guest
1996, round 22... Friday night Melbourne V Hawthorn. Both teams dominated parts of the game, both teams lead by 5 goals at stages, Hawks won by 1 point. Both teams were desperate, because at that point it may have been the last game played by either club... a merger between the two was narrowly averted only weeks later. Now THAT was an epic!
Seymorebutts
Guest
I actually forgot they were in Adelaide.. I think those wins were what steeled them to win the flag in 2018.. they were 28 points down as well in that second one, and Port were well on to a number of times in the first as well. The Guv kicked a number of goals when JK was out that year, I think he is the natural successor if this is JK's last time round.
Seymorebutts
Guest
I think that is a point often overlooked... the Eagles were dead and buried TWICE as far as I was concerned. After their disastrous start , then heroically working their way back into it at 3/4 time, my heart sank when the Pies got those first two goals of the last quarter.. I figured there was no way back now and they had shot their bolt just trying to get back into it. The Pies were on fire and looked like they were going to run away with it. So for me, given it was a Grand Final, (championship game, no tomorrow) the huge deficit halfway through the first quarter, Sheeds ''impossible goal'' to win it.. the drama of the final minutes, including Jacks dropped martk.. (dear lord!!). . I think the 2018 was the greatest game of all time. The Pies were still in it with 15 seconds to go..if Yeo's kick gets smotherd, as it almost was, the Pies have 4 players running forward of the centre, ball in hand with almost nobody in front of them... phew!! Interesting note, the Pies are the most successful VFL club, the Eagles are the most successful of the new clubs, so it was fitting that they played in such an epic decider. Ive re watched it another few times.. I still get nervous even though I know the result and ask myself ''how the f&^%ck did they end up winning this game'' ;-)
Lukey Miller
Guest
2018 GF for mine, until another belter comes along. It had just about everything. To be 5 goals behind early and a very long way from home base must have been the ultimate test. It did set the scene for an epic comeback against a more than worthy opponent.
WCE
Roar Rookie
2006 round 10 West Coast V Geelong , 54 points down near the end of the 3rd quarter then the Eagles make a remarkable comeback to win the game, then the following week at Subi against the blues, West Coast 44 points down heading into the final quarter the kick into gear and again triumph over the line for another incredible win
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
It sure was. Arnie straightened up the next week for a second grand final bag of 5. Meanwhile Phil Baker, who kicked 6 of 9 in the drawer was all over the shop the next week kicking 3.5 and missing some deadset sitters. Exciting times though.
Raimond
Roar Guru
strange game, Briedis 0.7 :crying:
RT
Roar Rookie
Delicious!
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
I preferred Carlton’s comeback against Port at Adelaide Oval so we could finish ninth and get into the finals (because Bombers were banned). This then enabled us to comeback against Tigers the following week so their finals misery stretched a bit longer. Yeah I know things have panned out a bit different since then...
Gary
Roar Rookie
Geelong 07 were a great team.... it got a bit bad/cringeworthy seeing Port capitulate so badly. We usually have lunch at halftime of the GF, it is about 1.30pm AWST, and admittedly, no one paid much interest for the rest of the game from memory... we still had a kick down the oval after the siren though.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
North's comeback from 27 points down at 3 qtr time in the 1977 draw was pretty epic.
Dean
Guest
My two favourite finals are the 2007 elimination final against Adelaide. 35 points down and the emergence of buddy and the 2013 preliminary against the Cats. Great comeback and got broke the Cats hoodoo.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
That game sucked, was over halfway through the first
Paul D
Roar Rookie
yeah agreed on that I forgot the detail of that one. I just remembered the 144-138 ending. But yes, wasn't close.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Port came back at Adelaide oval against st Kilda and Patty Ryder taps to Robbie Gray with 12 seconds to go, kicks from 50......GOAL, 10,000 people had gone home only to hear the roar from the stands, not me though, I stuck with the boys.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
For those who haven’t seen this, I love it. Captures why some of us get entranced by the game. https://youtu.be/cHqafEsTRl8
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Best worst game ever, extra time in an elimination final, it still hurts, the year before knocked us out of the finals race.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yes for enjoyment I’ll of course take 90 and 2010 but Ablett Snr in a GF, the hit by Yeates and Dipper bravery , the Cats comeback...what theatre!
ConnorJoyce
Roar Rookie
Collingwood lost 8 grand finals in a row between 1964 and 1981 (excluding '77 draw) and have won just 2 of their last 16, since 1958.