From Marlion Pickett’s debut to the end of the Colliwobbles, Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph remember 30 great Grand Final moments
From the end of the Colliwobbles to Marlion Pickett’s debut and Matthew Scarlett’s inspired toe-poke, Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane rate their top 30 Grand Final moments from the past 30 years.
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Grand Finals have so often been decided by one moment of brilliance.
From Leo Barry’s 2005 mark with the flight to Matthew Scarlett’s 2009 toe poke, seconds have defined the outcome of deciders during the past 30 years.
A period which started with Collingwood finally vanquishing the Collingwood ended with one of footy’s most remarkable stories when Marlion Pickett completed his redemption story with a Grand Final debut.
Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane reflect on the past 30 Grand Finals and name their top 30 moments.
Catch Fox Footy’s Grand Final Week coverage on Kayo. Stream all the latest news and insight right up until first bounce plus halftime and full-time analysis from the Fox Footy commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph’s 30 great Grand Final moments from 1990-2019
MEET MARLION, 2019
Marlion Pickett’s third-quarter goal in Richmond’s 89-point annihilation of Greater Western Sydney capped off footy’s ultimate redemption story. The 27-year-old’s journey from jail as a teenager to the AFL’s Holy Grail was extraordinary. Every Tiger teammate ran in to celebrate with the man of the moment who won a flag in Game 1.
IS DOM, IS GOOD, 2018
Has there ever been a more perfect transition of play than the one West Coast executed in the dying moments of the 2018 clash against Collingwood? Trailing by two points, with just over two minutes left, the Eagles took it from one end of the ground to the other into the hands of Dom Sheed. Sheed coolly split the middle from an acute angle with a goal that will forever be etched in Grand Final history.
Dom Sheed reflects on 'that goal' with Daisy. #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/sXC1yPt0UL
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 29, 2018
DUSTY’S DROUGHT-BREAKER, 2017
Newly re-signed Tiger Dustin Martin capped off one of the greatest individual seasons when he dominated in Richmond’s drought-breaking 2017 Grand Final success. He kicked the Tigers’ last goal to close out a 37-year premiership drought as former Tiger Matthew Richardson shed tears on the sidelines late in the game.
BEVO’S BOB GESTURE, 2016
In one of the most heartwarming Grand Final moments, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge handed his Jock McHale Medal to sidelined skipper Bob Murphy after calling him to the dais. It was a stirring moment on a day when the red, white and blue broke a 62-year flag drought.
THE MORRIS TACKLE, THE BOYD GOAL, 2016
Even the Brothers Grimm couldn’t have conjured a fairytale as captivating as the Western Bulldogs’ 2016 flag. They lost key personnel during the season; won two finals interstate; and were the first team to win the flag from seventh. A Dale Morris game-defining tackle on Lance Franklin led to a Tom Boyd 60m last quarter goal that sealed the Bulldogs’ first flag since 1954.
What an absolute champion Dale Morris is. Easily the greatest tackle by a bloke with a broken back in the history of the AFL, followed by goal number 3 for @Tom_Boyd17 - a truly iconic moment in Bulldogs Club history. #MightyWest pic.twitter.com/AKnFIc4N10
— The Bont is God (@TheBontIsGod) August 30, 2019
DELICIOUSLY CYRIL, 2015
Hawthorn’s three-peat of premiership wins had two distinctive 2015 highlights. There was Cyril Rioli emulating his uncles Maurice Rioli and Michael Long as Norm Smith Medal winners, and Luke Hodge’s freakish goal from the pocket in the second term that set the scene.
Whenever @HawthornFC & @WestCoastEagles play, I can't help but think of Luke Hodge's incredibly underrated goal in the 15' GF
— Ned Balme (@NedBalmeLives) May 27, 2018
To be that composed under pressure and loft a checkside over a smother attempt in such a small window of time was gorgeous#AFLHawksEagles #AFL pic.twitter.com/tU3cbRQtop
KISS THIS GOODBYE, 2014
Swan Lance Franklin took on his former club Hawthorn in the 2014 Grand Final. But while Buddy kicked four goals, it was Luke Hodge and the Hawks who had the last laugh. Hodge won a second Norm Smith Medal and landed a mock kiss on Franklin’s cheek late in the game.
SPEED THRILLS, 2012
A high-octane contest that was highlighted by a sprint down the wing by the fleet-of-foot Lewis Jetta, chased all the way by Cyril Rioli. It was breathtaking. Then, with only 40 seconds left in the game, and with Sydney leading by four points, Nick Malceski snapped the sealing goal for the Swans.
VARCOE SHOW, 2011
It’s still hard to fathom how Travis Varcoe mustered the energy to do what he did eight minutes into the final quarter of the 2012 Grand Final. With the game still in the balance, he competed for a mark deep in Collingwood’s attack, then produced some gut-running to nail the game’s sealer at the other end with a left foot snap.
Travis Varcoe was the source of so many great memories through a golden era.
— Kyle Pollard (@KylePollard) October 11, 2020
But this goal - this magic, exhausting goal - is THE highlight.
From fullback to full forward. It sealed the game.
Thanks for everything Trav. pic.twitter.com/YQNLWkKXf9
SMOTHER OF THE CENTURY, 2010 REPLAY
When Nick Riewoldt was lurking deep in attack and the ball was sailing to him at the 20-minute-mark, the hearts of Collingwood fans sank in the 2010 Grand Final replay. The Saints seemed certain to kick their first goal. Enter Heath Shaw. Almost from nowhere, the Collingwood defender emerged to produce one of the most inspirational passages of play in Grand Final history, smothering Riewoldt’s kick. Shaw still calls it “The Smother of the Century”.
Heath Shaw gave Nick Riewoldt nightmares with this smother!
— AFL (@AFL) September 28, 2018
Re-live some of the best finals moments: https://t.co/SbvIjYJkpB pic.twitter.com/4vXXu0AvUV
THE MILNE BOUNCE, 2010 DRAW
The 2010 Grand Final ran for 126 minutes, but it all came down to one passage of play. Lenny Hayes drove the ball forward with the Saints one point down and Magpie Ben Johnson and Saint Stephen Milne were the only players deep in attack. Johnson slipped. Milne looked perfectly poised to kick the winning goal. But the ball bounced at right angles away from him and trickled through for a behind that levelled the scores. This all but guaranteed the third and final Grand Final draw.
SACKED: STEPHEN MILNE, STEPHEN BAKER’S SAINTS CAREERS
The mark to bring home a 🆠… almost! #SACKED | Brendon Goddard Pt 2 - The toe poke, bounce & heartache
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) May 11, 2020
LISTEN | https://t.co/txFpwxEwOl pic.twitter.com/9unsyCg9Ps
THE GODDARD GRAB, 2010 DRAW
If the Saints had won that 2010 Grand Final, Brendon Goddard’s towering mark would have been right up there alongside Barry Breen’s famous behind in 1966. At the 19-minute-mark of the final, Goddard rose over Heritier Lumumba, with former teammate Luke Ball behind him. His mark was followed up by a goal that put the Saints six points in front. A Pies’ rushed behind and a Travis Cloke goal followed then came Lenny Hayes’ behind late levelled the scores.
TOE-POKE TRIUMPH, 2009
Sometimes an act of ingenuity can change the course of history. With scores level and time running out, Zac Dawson spoiled a Gary Ablett mark in the middle of the ground and the Saints looked like stealing the ball away. Matthew Scarlett chose to toe-poke the Sherrin rather than pick it up. It landed in Ablett’s arms and he launched the ball long into attack. The ball came off a pack and Travis Varcoe handballed to Paul Chapman who snapped the most important goal of his career. Game Over.
THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT, 2008
Hawthorn came of age in a big Grand Final boilovers. There were so many noteworthy moments — Alastair Clarkson’s “Kill the Shark” pregame message; Stuart Dew and Cyril Rioli’s third term heroics; Luke Hodge’s courage in playing with a rib injury to win his first Norm Smith Medal. But the biggest moment came when Shane Crawford – in his 305th and final AFL game – screamed “That’s What I’m Talking About” on the podium as he accepted his premiership medal.
GREATEST MARTIN OF ALL, 2007
Stinker of a game, but it provided a 119-point blue-and-whitewash, the greatest margin in Grand Final history as the Cats won their first flag in 44 years. The tears flowed, the two Ablett brothers – Gary and Nathan – celebrated with their father Gary, and Steve Johnson provided the redemption story with a Norm Smith Medal.
THE POINT OF IT ALL, 2006
Another Eagles-Swans classic. Not the most attractive of contests but it had hearts pumping. Who could forget the desperate Daniel Chick smother 23 minutes into the last term, his handball off to Adam Hunter, plus the shepherd as Hunter kicked the winning goal with the Eagles holding on by a point.
LEO BARRY, YOU STAR, 2005
A bone-jarring classic that ended the longest flag drought in football history. When Dean Cox kicked long in the dying seconds, it looked as if West Coast might pinch the game. Enter Leo Barry, who came in from the side to take the most significant game-saving mark in Grand Final history, sealing the Swans’ first flag in 72 years.
"Leo Barry you star!"
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) October 18, 2020
Is this the most inspirational moment in Grand Final history?#9AFLSFS | Watch @9gem pic.twitter.com/9jsM9BLThl
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PORT WINS, NO CHOKE, 2004
Port Adelaide had been accused of being chokers in the early 2000s, so it was no surprise when an emotional Power coach Mark Williams gave a mock choking gesture with his tie as he came back onto the ground following their 2004 win over Brisbane.
SACKED: MARK WILLIAMS’ POWER YEARS REMEMBERED
GET TO THE FRONT, AKER, 2002
Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews yelled “Get to the front, Aker” in the coaches‘ box before the clutch moment of a classic Grand Final against Collingwood. Jason Akermanis didn’t hear it, but he knew exactly what to do. He got front and centre of a high ball, gathered and kicked the match winning goal on his non-preferred foot to secure a second straight flag for the Lions, breaking the hearts of the Magpies. The Lions would make it a three-peat in 2003.
SACKED: JASON AKERMANIS REFLECTS ON CONTROVERSIES, SUCCESS
THE VOSS VICTORY SALUTE, 2001
Brisbane knocked off favourites Essendon with the signature moment coming in the last term when captain Michael Voss sealed the deal with a goal slotted through from the forward pocket to put the game beyond doubt. Voss’ finger salute to the crowd remains vivid in the memory.
BRUTAL BOMBERS, 2000
The 2000 Bombers – still smarting from the previous year’s preliminary final loss – were as ruthless and brutal as a modern footy team has been. That was summed up by the usually easygoing Michael Long bumping into an unsuspecting Troy Simmonds which showed Essendon meant business against a vulnerable Melbourne.
ROO REDEMPTION, 1999
North Melbourne blew their chances against Adelaide in 1998 with bad kicking but made no such mistake a year later in claiming the 1999 premiership, The heartache was for Jason McCartney, who missed the game due to suspension. The inspiration came from Anthony Stevens who played with ligament damage and a hairline fracture in his ankle. Shannon Grant and Peter Bell kicked four goals apiece as the Roos blew the Blues away with a six-goal third term.
SACKED: DENIS PAGAN RECALLS NORTH’S 1999 TRIUMPH
DOMINANT DAZ, SHANE WHO? 1997
St Kilda was favoured to break their premiership drought in 1997, but someone forgot to tell Adelaide. The Crows produced an extraordinary second half, with superstar Darren Jarman kicking six goals (his piece de resistance being the right foot snap with arms raised in triumph), Shane Ellen going from journeyman to hero with five goals and Andrew McLeod winning the first of back-to-back Norm Smith Medals.
THE CENTENARY FLAG, 1996
Sydney had all the play early in the 1996 Grand Final, leading at quarter-time by three goals. Then Swan Paul Kelly stormed out of the middle and his kick towards Tony Lockett missed. Denis Pagan opted to bring on a young Glenn Freeborn, who kicked three “freakish” goals, and the Kangaroos never looked bad.
RECAP MICK MCGUANE’S LIVE GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
DIESEL AND DUST, 1995
Greg Williams celebrated his 32nd birthday with a licence to roam across half forward as he booted five goals in the Blues’ 1995 premiership success. ’Diesel’ left the Cats in the dust, winning a Norm Smith and premiership medal.
OFF THE LONG RUN, 1993
Was it or wasn‘t it touched? Almost three decades on, we’re still talking about Michael Long’s game-defining running goal in the 1993 Grand Final and whether Stephen Silvagni touched it on the line. Long received a handball from Sean Denham on the wing then put on the afterburners. He took three bounces, evaded a Carlton player, had another bounce before just getting it past the diving Silvagni. Long would win the Norm Smith Medal for his Grand Final heroics.
MATERA MAGIC, 1992
Imagine kicking five Grand Finals goals from the wing. Peter Matera did that in 1992 – on the day that West Coast became the first team from outside Victoria to win a premiership, knocking off Geelong. Matera‘s signature moment came in the third term when he launched a long bomb 60m goal to the city end to put the Eagles in front. The Eagles also won a flag two years later in 1994.
WAVERLEY HAWKS, 1991
With the MCG being redeveloped, the 1991 Grand Final – complete with a specially-made Batmobile and Angry Anderson in the pre-game entertainment – took place at Waverley Park. It was the Hawks – who would later call the venue their home – who beat the Eagles, with Paul Dear winning the Norm Smith Medal and 38-year-old Michael Tuck captaining the club to another flag in his 426th and final game.
THE END OF THE COLLIWOBBLES, 1990
The 1990 Grand Final had it all, but two moments sit in the memory of Magpie fans as they celebrated the end of the Colliwobbles after 32 years. The first was when Darren Millane held the Sherrin aloft on the final siren. Millane was killed in a car accident one year and one day later. The other moment came when Norm Smith Medallist Tony Shaw held the premiership cup up with coach Leigh Matthews as the Magpie army washed away three decades of pain with tears and beers.
BROWN KO’D, THEN BACK FOR MORE, 1990
Sometimes all it takes is the smallest spark. What happened as the quarter-time siren sounded in the 1990 Grand Final ignited one of the wildest brawls in modern finals history – with six players reported on 13 charges. Players and officials threw punches in several parts of the ground. When the fight ended, it emerged that young Magpie Gavin Brown was knocked out after being felled by Terry Daniher. At halftime, Magpie coach Leigh Matthews yelled at Daniher that Brown would be “back” – and he was. In the third term, Brown returned to kick an inspirational goal in the Magpies’ win.
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Originally published as From Marlion Pickett’s debut to the end of the Colliwobbles, Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph remember 30 great Grand Final moments