Collingwood and St Kilda in amazing grand final draw

COLLINGWOOD 4.2 7.8 7.13 9.14 (68)
ST KILDA 3.2 4.2 7.5 10.8 (68)
Goals: Collingwood: T Cloke 2 A Didak B Macaffer D Jolly D Thomas H O’Brien J Blair L Davis. St Kilda: B Goddard 2 N Riewoldt 2 S Milne 2 A Schneider J Koschitzke L Hayes S Gilbert.
Best: Collingwood: D Thomas H Shaw S Sidebottom D Swan N Maxwell. St Kilda: L Hayes B Goddard S Fisher J Gwilt A Schneider
Official Crowd: 100,016 at Melbourne Cricket Ground

The 2010 AFL grand final has ended in an incredible draw after Collingwood and St Kilda pushed themselves to the limit in a stunning season-decider at the MCG.

Saints midfielder Lenny Hayes applies a desperate tackle to his Magpies opponent Dale Thomas.Credit: Paul Rovere

In arguably the best finish to a grand final in the modern era, a behind to St Kilda's Lenny Hayes at the 29-minute mark levelled the scores and meant the 2010 premiership will be decided with a grand final rematch next week.

CLICK TO READ: AFL SAYS NO TO TWILIGHT GRAND FINAL REPLAY

With a kick reminiscent of Barry Breen's behind which delivered St Kilda its only premiership in 1966 with a one-point win over the Magpies, a snap from Hayes on the half-forward flank took two flukey bounces and passed two players before crossing the line for a point. Incredibly, Hayes booted the ball from a nearly identical position to Breen 44 years ago.

Collingwood 9.14 (68) finished level with St Kilda 10.8 (68).

St Kilda had staged a revival in the second half, gradually chipping away at Collingwood's lead after the Magpies had dominated the first half but had only progressed to a 24-point lead at the main break.

Collingwood led all day but the Saints finally got back on level terms 18 minutes into the first quarter when a snap out of the pack by Saints captain Nick Riewoldt bounced through for a behind.

Earlier in a compelling final quarter, Leon Davis - who had been quiet all day - bobbed up for what seemed like the match-winning goal with a great snap at the eight-minute mark of the final term, extending the Magpies' lead to 14 points and cutting short the St Kilda comeback. It was also Collingwood's first goal of the second half.

But the Saints did not give up and continued their relentless push towards a premiership.

Only minutes later Robert Eddy hit the post with a tough kick from the boundary line before Norm Smith Medallist Lenny Hayes bombed a goal from beyond 50 metres in front to bring the Saints fans to their feet.

Stephen Milne marked and goaled shortly after to bring the margin to just one point. The goalsneak fought off Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien but may have nearly given away a free kick for hands in the back.

After Riewoldt's snap out of the pack, Brendon Goddard - who was vying for best-on-field honours with Hayes - took a stunning speccy near the goal square and converted the goal to give the Saints a six-point lead.

At that point, the Saints had scored three goals in eight minutes to wrest back the ascendancy.

But into time-on Travis Cloke managed a goal in the square, courtesy of a handball from Chris Dawes sitting on the ground as the Magpies snatched back the lead.

That one-point advantage was negated by the Hayes behind which will forever live in footy folklore.

It's the first draw in a grand final since the 1977 clash between Collingwood and North Melbourne.

The AFL announced after the match that extra time will be played in next week's replay should the scores be tied again at the final siren.

With AAP