Thursday, September 26, 2013

The VFL/AFL Grand Final: A Pictorial History

This Saturday is Grand Final day, the biggest date in an overcrowded local sporting calendar. This event has a rich history, stretching back to the second VFL season in 1898, when Fitzroy (5.8.38) defeated Essendon (3.5.23) in front of 16 000 at the St Kilda Cricket Ground.

The following is a brief pictorial history, across these years...


1909

South Melbourne players march onto the MCG.


1910

Collingwood and Carlton play in front of a huge crowd.


1928

Collingwood Grand Final side.


1930


Geelong v Collingwood.



1933

Nash Diggins of South Melbourne gets a kick away.



1947

Grand Final Footy Record, Carlton v Essendon.



1956

A crowd of 115 000 spills out onto the MCG. Neil 'Hassa' Mann and Ian Ridley 
clash, Melbourne v Collingwood.



1961

The beginning of a long period of dominance; Hawthorn v Footscray.



1963

From the cheap seats; Geelong v Hawthorn.


1966

St Kilda captain Darrel Baldock celebrates the Saints only Grand Final 
win to date, a one point victory over Collingwood. Baldock was 
photographed wearing a Collingwood guernsey, having swapped with 
his opponent after the final siren.


1967

Richmond centre half forward Royce Hart.


1970

Merchandise stand, outside entrance 6. Please note
that no change will be given at the turnstiles.





Jesaulenko you beauty!

A still record crowd for any AFL/VFL match.



1971

Hawthorn full forward Peter Hudson worse for wear at half time after a clash 
with St Kilda hard man Kevin 'Cowboy' Neale.



1972

Carlton v Richmond.



1976

Winning Hawthorn captain Don Scott, post match.


1977

Aftermath of the drawn Grand Final, Collingwood v North Melbourne.


1978

North Melbourne full foward Phil Baker takes a hanger, one of several.


1979

The defining moment. Out? In? Or just a blur?

Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser celebrates Carlton's 
win with a Fosters in the rooms.


1980

The Tigers on their way to (to date) their most 
recent Premiership.

Defeated Collingwood coach, Tom Hafey.



1981

A crowd of 112 000 turn out for Collingwood v Carlton. This was the final 
match played at the MCG with the old scoreboard (centre right). It was 
replaced with a digital scoreboard in 1982.



1982

Bruce Doull meets Helen D'Amico.

Members function room, old member's stand, after Carlton's victory.


1984

Tim Watson and Kevin Sheedy celebrate the 'Baby 
Bombers' famous upset of Hawthorn.



1985

Hawthorn v Essendon.

'Lethal' Leigh Matthews tearful after his final game.



1986

Olivia Newton John about to perform at half time.

Hawthorn v Carlton.



1987

Paul Dear and John Madden.


1988

Champion players from an era of dominance.


1989

Dermot Brereton moments after being cleaned up by 
Geelong's Mark Yeates.

Gary Ablett snr, on his way to 9 goals

Ablett and his direct opponent, Chris Langford, as the siren sounds.


1990

Gavin Brown is ko'd and a brawl is seconds away.

Collingwood fans celebrate outside Victoria Park. An estimated 30 000 
people descended on the small suburban ground as the Pies broke a 32 year 
Premiership drought.


1991

'Bound for Glory!' Angry Anderson and the Batmobile 
provide an unforgettable start to the 1991 decider at 
Waverley. Due to construction at the MCG, this was 
the first match played elsewhere since 1945.


1992

Dynamic West Coast wingman Peter Matera on his way to five goals and 
a Norm Smith medal.

Coach Mick Malthouse and captain John Worsfold celebrate. West Coast's
win was the first Premiership won by a a non-Victorian club.



1993

Michael Long celebrates his stunning, running, bouncing goal,
part of his Norm Smith Medal winning performance.


1994

West Coast built their second flag on a relentless, smothering defence.



1995

Justin Madden celebrates Carlton's most recent Premiership.



1996

Wayne Carey develops a pre-game skin condition.


1997

Darren Jarman kicked five goals in the final quarter as
Adelaide came from a long way back to upset the
Saints. It was the Crows first Premiership.


1998

Adelaide coach Malcolm Blight embraces 
Andrew McLeod. McLeod had just won his second 
consecutive Norm Smith medal.



1999

North v Carlton.



2000 - 2001



James Hird rides the roller coaster.



2002

Hall of Famer's, head to head.



2003

Simon Black, best on ground.



2004

Alistair Lynch snaps in his final game.

Winning Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams sends a message.



2005

Swans defender Leo Barry about to take a game saving mark in the dying 
seconds. After Jezza's effort in 1970, probably the most famous Grand Final 
mark.

Sydney coach Paul Roos, as the Swans break the longest Premiership drought
in the completion's  history; 72 year. 'Here it is!'



2006

Norm Smith Medal winner Andrew Embley, post match.



2007

The Abletts; Nathan and Gary jr.



2008

'That's what I'm talking abbbooouuttt!!!' Shane Crawford.



2009

Geelong full back Matthew Scralett gets a crucial toe to the ball in the last 
minute as the The Cats edges the Saints.



2010

Collingwood's Heath Shaw throws himself on Nick Reiwoldt's boot, 
stopping a certain goal.

The third drawn Grand Final.


2011

Meatloaf; top candate for worst entertainment option of
all time. Afterwards, both singer and AFL would blame each
other for the fiasco.

Collingwood's Mick Malthouse and Dale Thomas, in a Geelong blizzard.


2012

Sydney's Adam Goodes celebrates the Swans upset victory.



2013

Hawthorn's Ben Stratton starts a new victory tradition.


2014

Son of Chris Langford,  Hawthorn rookie Will Langford kicked three crucial 
goals.

Sydney champ Nick Malceski after his final game for the Swans. He would
move to play for Gold Coast the following season.


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