Our Top 5 Grand Finals of All-Time! - 25th September 2017

Sydney (8.10.58) defeated West Coast (7.12.54)

Who can forget this thrilling game! Sydney managed to get the lead out to 20 points at halftime, however, West Coast kept them goalless in the third quarter, allowing the Swans a slender 2-point lead at the final change. With seconds left on the clock, the ball was kicked into the Eagles forward 50, with the possibility to kick a goal to win the game on or after the siren. In the end, this wasn’t an option as Leo Barry took arguably the best mark of his career, with the famous words “Leo Barry you star” synonymous with this occasion. Sydney won by 4 points, in what was the closest Grand Final since the draw in 1977.

Collingwood (9.14.68) drew with St Kilda (10.8.68)

Rematch: Collingwood (16.12.108) defeated St Kilda (7.10.52)

Over 100,000 fans packed the MCG on the last Saturday in September to see Collingwood take on St Kilda in the 2010 Grand Final. There were a number of pivotal moments in the game, which had a major impact on the final result, including Dale Thomas having an opportunity to score a goal late in the third quarter but missed with a wild snap, or the unfortunate bounce of the Sherrin for Milne, who was in front of the Saints goals, with seconds left in the game. The ball bounced through for a point, levelling scores, with the first drawn grand final since 1977, and only the third in VFL/AFL history. Everyone had to come back and do it all again the following week, with Collingwood dominating St Kilda, to be crowned the premiers for 2010, in the Grand Final Rematch. 

Carlton (17.9.111) defeated Collingwood (14.17.101)

Having lost its past two Grand Finals by less than a kick, Collingwood started the game strong, keeping Carlton goalless in the opening quarter, and going into half time with a 44-point lead. However, Carlton was not going away without a flight, kicking 14 goals to 4 in the second half, to win by 10 points, handing Collingwood its third Grand Final loss in a row, in what is considered one of the greatest grand finals of all time.

Western Bulldogs (13.11.89) defeated Sydney (10.7.67)

Finishing on top of the ladder and featuring in their third grand final in five years, the Sydney Swans were somewhat used to the pressure associated with the last Saturday in September, while the Western Bulldogs were in their first grand final since 1961. The match was close throughout, with the Swans leading by 2 points at halftime, and the Bulldogs taking an 8-point lead at the final change. In the last quarter, the Bulldogs managed to further the lead to win their first premiership since 1954 and was their second overall. One of the notable memories from the presentation after the game is Bulldogs coach, Luke Beverage inviting injured Bulldogs caption Bob Murphy onto the stage and presenting him with his medal.