As the anticipation and excitement builds for the AFL grand final between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, the first tussle for the premiership between these two sides since 1954, it is timely to consider the best, most noteworthy ten deciders over the last 30 years.
As my previous article indicated, it is often the case that the preliminary finals produce the best games. Nonetheless there have been some historic and pulsating grand finals to consider. These are as follows in chronological order.
1992: West Coast 16.17.113 defeated Geelong 12.13.85
Norm Smith Medalist: Peter Matera
This one is notable for the first premiership going to a non-Victorian club. The Cats, seeking to end their premiership hoodoo, skipped out to a 28-point lead in the second quarter and looked to be on their way. However, they did not reckon on the power of the West Coast running brigade ably led by Dean Kemp, and a five-goal haul from Peter Matera from the wing no less, which landed the West Coast Eagles their first flag and Mick Malthouse his first flag, a feat repeated two years later against the same opponent.
1997: Adelaide 19.11.125 defeated St Kilda 13.16.94
Norm Smith Medalist: Andrew McLeod
The Adelaide Crows made many positional changes in the game, including the surprise selection and placement of Shane Ellen at full forward where he starred with five goals. Some Darren Jarman magic, including five goals in the last quarter, and a best afield performance by Andrew McLeod sealed the deal after St Kilda had got off the chain early in the match. Adelaide would go on to win back-to-back premierships, while for St Kilda, the grand final disappointments continued. The win was even more commendable given the absence through injury of Mark Ricciuto and Tony Modra.
(Tony Lewis/Getty Images)
2002: Brisbane Lions 10.15.75 defeated Collingwood 9.12.66
Norm Smith Medalist: Nathan Buckley
The Brisbane Lions were overwhelming favourites against a battling Magpies side who fell into fourth spot at the end of the home-and-away season. On a rain-sodden MCG, this game was a close-fought one from beginning to end. There was the usual Magpies controversy with the non-goal to Anthony Rocca, and it took a snap from Jason Akermanis at the death to finally seal the game for the Lions. For Collingwood, it was yet more grand final heartache, a fact that would be repeated the following year against the same team. An enduring image of the game is the photo of Mick Malthouse and Paul Licuria in tearful embrace, knowing that their side had given it their all.
2005: Sydney 8.10.58 defeated West Coast 7.12.54
Norm Smith Medalist: Chris Judd
The first of two pulsating grand finals between these two sides, this was the day that the Swans broke their 72-year-old hoodoo. After leading by 20 points at halftime, the Swans led at the final change by two points. The dour, tight struggle continued, punctuated by a howler from Luke Ablett, allowing Ben Cousins to goal from the goal square. Goals from Barry Hall and Amon Buchanan gave the Swans the edge. Of course, there was drama at the end when Eagles were in attack, held up by the “Leo Barry, you star” moment.
2006: West Coast 12.13.85 defeated Sydney 12.12.84
Norm Smith Medalist: Andrew Embley
The tables were turned just a year later as these two sides fought out another thriller. Some unheralded players, including Steven Armstrong with a clutch goal, stood up for the West Coast Eagles. It took a superb smother from Daniel Chick allowing Adam Hunter to goal that gave the Eagles some late breathing space but Nick Malceski goaled to get the Swans agonisingly close.
(Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
2009: Geelong 12.8.80 defeated St Kilda 9.14.68
Norm Smith Medalist: Paul Chapman
These two sides had played thrillers the whole season and it was not surprising that the decider was also played out in similar fashion. It was a tight, tough match, and it took a snap from Paul Chapman and a desperate toe poke from Matthew Scarlett to get the Cats over the line, continuing their trend of winning alternative years. For the Saints, the heartbreak continued.
2010: Collingwood 9.14.68 drew with St Kilda 10.8.68
Norm Smith Medalist: Lenny Hayes
Collingwood took the early ascendancy and skipped away to a 27-point lead, but were slowly and surely pegged back by the Saints. Then came the epic last quarter. A soaring pack mark and goal to Brendon Goddard, a huge dash and desperate smother by the Magpies’ skipper Nick Maxwell, and then that moment when the bounce eluded Stephen Milne, ensuring that the game was drawn as exhausted players lay strewn across the field. The Saints were literally just a few degrees of bounce away from a second premiership.
2012: Sydney 14.7.91 defeated Hawthorn 11.15.81
Norm Smith Medalist: Ryan O’Keefe
It took a snap from Nick Malceski to finally put the exclamation mark on this tight, tough affair. The Swans had to survive a fast start by Hawthorn and a withering burst by them in the third quarter. The Swans trailed the Hawks on every major indicator except the one that ultimately counts, the scoreboard. Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes and Lewis Jetta were prominent for the Swans, while the lesser known Mitch Morton chipped in with a few timely goals. The Malceski snap sent the Swans propelling to their second flag in seven years, while Hawthorn were soon to be on the brink of their three-peat in the years ahead.
Adam Goodes (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
2016: Western Bulldogs 13.11.89 defeated Sydney 10.7.67
Norm Smith Medalist: Jason Johannisen
As Bruce McAvaney put it, “the dam wall has burst” in describing the moment when the game was finally all over and the Western Bulldogs secured their first flag in 62 years, coming from seventh at the end of the home-and-away season. Raking runs from Norm Smith Medalist Jason Johannisen, a monster goal from Tom Boyd, an electric final quarter from Liam Picken, a cameo from the package Jake Stringer, and the cool poise of Jack Macrae – among other heroics – ended in a most famous victory for the traditional battlers from the west.
2018: West Coast 11.13.79 defeated Collingwood 11.8.74
Norm Smith Medalist: Luke Shuey
As is their wont, Collingwood opened up the game in blazing fashion, skipping to a five-goal lead in the first quarter, before in the manner of a dripping tap, the West Coast slowly inched back and scores were level at the end of the third quarter. A couple of early goals in the last quarter had the Magpies faithful stirring, only for the moment of controversy when a free kick to Brayden Maynard was not awarded followed by a miracle goal from Dom Sheed. Collingwood still had their chances but a late saving mark by Jeremy McGovern cruelled yet again the premiership chances for the black and white.
Erik Tabain
Guest
This article ranks the AFL grand finals from 1990-2015. https://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/26/ranking-best-grand-finals-afl-era/ The 2016 and 2018 grand finals would be included in the top ten.
Lukey Miller
Guest
Sheed was nowhere near Maynard when the ball came in from Ryan, that was the problem. Perhaps Riolli might have been in Maynard's way, but Sheed just took the mark and kicked an unbelievable goal to practically win the game for West Coast. Collingwood had a number of chances to seal the game a bit before Sheed's mark, but they couldn't manage to take their opportunities.
Jon Kay
Guest
I’d put Geelong vs Port Adelaide 2007. It was a clinical display by Geelong who dissected Port so well. Yes it was a blow out, but I think it showed the determination of Geelong, who rarely relented all day to win and win epically.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Well X, I can comment on 2020 because I was there and I take it you weren’t. It started before the game when the rain was like a tropical storm that had been building for months when it hit Brisbane early afternoon. We took our chances and bolted from the Pineapple to get to the game under light rain from the remains of the storm. Give the Cats credit, they hit the deck hard early on and shot to the lead. When Vlastuin went down you could feel cloud of concern fill the hearts of Tiger fans in the stadium. Then Junior went off and it felt like the situation was even. At this point no one knew Houli had pinged his calf. To say that there were questions over the Tigers was an understatement. My mate turned to me and said, “do you think the Tigs can get back into it”? Just then Dusty’s burst on the scene held off the Cats defender in one arm and threw the ball on his boot with his other arm to kick his first just before half time to keep us in the game. In the third when Dusty swooped on the ball, brushed past a defender to kick the slider and put us in front, it nearly blew the roof off the Gabba. The third was a ridiculous goal from 55 out that sealed the game and the 4th was a freak show leaving Danger in his wake. Once in a generation showman at work. You got to dial the clock back to God to see goals like that in a final - great game!
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
I am biased but I would have included Essendon v Carlton in 93. A team of kids who would go on to be stars had already had 3 incredible match ups with Carlton that year, for a net result of 1-1 and 1 drawn. Young stars like Hird, Fletcher, Miciti and Mercuri went toe to toe with a great brigade of Carlton stars including Bradley, Kernahan, Williams, Sylvagni. Long played an incredible game out of the middle ro win the Norm Smith, and despite a quiet day, T Watson completed a fairytale return from retirement. A blow out in the end but plenty of theatre in the match up.
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
2011 was much closer than the final margin suggested. Was an absolute seesawing cracker for 3 and a bit quarters
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
The Best Grand Final was 2016 The Western Bulldogs,coming from 8 Postion on the Ladder beating West Coast Eagles,GWS Giants,and Sydney Swans in the Grand Final was great....My Dad followed Bulldogs since 1954,he told me in 2015 The Bulldogs will Play FINALS in 2016,and they did,My Dad did not See the Bulldogs Win there 2rd PREMIERSHIP in 2016,as he passed away 2rd of August 2015..?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
The Grandfinals I loved was 1970,1972,1979,1981,As l loved David Swan McKay playing for Carlton As he was great...
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Thanks Stirling. That’s what I’ve pretty much accepted with the passing of time. I just wish Rosebery barracked for the Pies.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
2004 for Port Adelaide's 1st premiership & the Chocco choke moment!
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
Generally Maynard doesn’t make too many mistakes. He would beat Rioli in a one on one because eye is a defender. He wold mark the ball, and just kick long. But the fact that Rioli stayed with him and kept trying to mark even though Maynard is probably going to, is the definition of a block. I don’t think he was really interested in marking the ball. Sheed came from behind as well, by rioli having made space for him.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Not a free kick. Rioli wasn't past the flight of the ball and is therefore entitled to protect that space in order to take what could've been a one-on-one mark. The fact Sheed floated across the pack to take the grab doesn't retrospectively make Rioli's action illegal. If Rioli was shepherding Maynard when he was past the flight of the ball, it would've have been a block - but he wasn't.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Gabe, it was Rioli shepherding Maynard out of the way to allow Sheed to mark unchecked. In the days and weeks that followed I thought it should have been paid but once the hurt faded, I now think it can be argued Rioli and Maynard were jostling for a possible contest. Also in GF’s the umpires put their whistles away so it would have been out of the ordinary in that game for Maynard to get that free. De Goey held back when McGovern took that mark looking for a cheapie over the top too. Ultimately, West Coast were peppering the goals second half and we were probably lucky to be that close. Maybe that gives you comfort or maybe nothing will.
XI
Roar Guru
Sheed didn't take him out. It was a different West Coast player. Sheed marked uncontested because of that shepard
XI
Roar Guru
I seriously don't get the love for 2016 or 2020 as contests. They were not good games. 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2011 were all better matches.
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
That Maynard non-free should’ve been paid. Sheed deliberately takes him out of the contest in order to mark. 3 years on and I STILL can’t get it out of my head. But I guess all grand finals have some dodgy calls here and there.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
How many times can a guy kick 5 in a GF and not be a Smithy? But to have 2 guys kick a handful and someone else still comes away with the Smithy. Only a magician can do that. —— In other news McLeod is my fave player to have played in the AFL of all time.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Other good GF’s for the most part were 1996, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011, and 2020, where for the majority of the game, the result was in the balance, and late in the third quarter/start of the fourth, one team just managed to turn the screw which eventually overwhelmed the other side.