Reminisce with our list of the best AFL Grand Final games from the last 4 decades.
Which ones do you remember?
10. Carlton Vs. Geelong (1995)
Carlton were unstoppable during the 1995 season and the Grand Final was no different. Geelong had had a successful entry into the Grand Final, soundly beating Richmond in the Preliminaries, but they were no good for Carlton who thrashed them by 61 points.
9. Sydney Vs. West Coast (2005)
An aptly paired match between the Swans and the Eagles, soaring as the highest rated AFL game of all time. The low-scoring game remained close throughout, but the Swans held on and secured the Premiership by 4 points.
8. St Kilda Vs. Collingwood (2010)
One of only three matches in AFL Grand Final history to end in a draw, with both teams scoring 68 points. This hotly contested match ended in exhaustion for both teams, who replayed the following week with Collingwood soundly beating St Kilda by 56 points.
7. Essendon Vs. Hawthorn (1984)
This was a grand final Essendon were hungry for, having lost to the Hawks in the previous years’ Grand final by a whopping 83 points. The comeback was made in the final quarter with Essendon kicking 9 goals, to win by 24 points. The Bombers went on to win the Premiership the following year as well.
6. Western Bulldogs Vs. Sydney (2016)
This was the Bulldogs first Premiership in sixty-two years, breaking the longest drought in AFL/VFL history. The Doggies were the first team ever to win the Premiership coming from seventh place on the ladder. The game was close throughout, but the Bulldogs managed to stay in front for the most satisfying Grand Final win.
5. Richmond Vs. Collingwood (1980)
This was an almost humiliating match for Collingwood, which saw them not being able to be a threat of any kind to the Tigers. Richmond thoroughly beat Collingwood by 81 points and set a standard for Aussie Rules Football for the decades to come.
4. Essendon Vs. Melbourne (2000)
Essendon were back at their peak, losing only one match during the entire season and staying on top of the ladder. The result of the grand final was a culmination of all that hard work. Melbourne just could not compete with a clearly superior team and ended up losing by 60 points.
3. Essendon Vs. Carlton (1993)
Both teams entered with 13 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. Essendon showcased a younger team and their performance throughout the season earned them the well-deserved finals spot. The Bombers dominated the Blues the entire game and came out with a 44-point win.
2. Sydney Vs. Hawthorn (2012)
With a 20-point lead at quarter time, favourites the Hawks were looking to keep up the momentum. The Swans took the lead by 16 points at half time. The third quarter saw Hawthorn make a comeback trailing by only 1 point. The Swans had other plans though, scoring the last 4 goals and winning by 10 points.
1. Hawthorn Vs. Geelong (1989)
By far, one of the best AFL grand final games of all time. Fraught with drama and injuries. Hawthorn, led by a wide margin by the end of the first quarter and again at half time. The Cats tried to keep up, but the Hawks had a reply for every goal they kicked. The last quarter was tight, but the Hawks managed to come away with the victory by just 6 points.
What is the biggest grand final win in the AFL?
By terms of margin that honor goes to Geelong in the 2007 grand final who thrashed the Dockers by 119 points. By number of points, Essendon’s 1985 Grand Final attempt scored 170 points.
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