AFL/VFL Grand Final Facts

In 2017, when Richmond beat Adelaide in the Grand Final, it was only the second time in AFL/VFL history – the first time since the inaugural grand final in 1898 – every player was playing in his first grand final.

Four grand finals have been decided by a single point: Fitzroy v Essendon in 1898, Carlton v Essendon in 1947, St.Kilda v Collingwood in 1966 (St.Kilda’s only premiership) and West Coast v Sydney in 2006.

The highest attendance was 121,696 in the 1970 grand final between traditional rivals Carlton and Collingwood. Due to changes to the MCG, such as the removal of standing areas, this record remains unbeaten.

The 1972 grand final between Carlton and Richmond was a record high-scoring affair, 28.9.177-22.18.150. This represents the highest score in a grand final, the highest losing score, and the highest aggregate score (327). At the time, it had the highest aggregate score of any game, grand final or otherwise, and still ranks #8 on that list.

Carlton and Essendon share the honours of winning the most premierships. They’ve both won 16 flags each.

Gordon Coventry (Collingwood) and Gary Ablett (Geelong) jointly hold the record for the most goals (9) in a kicked in a grand final.

Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) have only played in four grand finals. They won their first premiership in 1954 and played again in 1961 (but lost) and they had a ‘fairy tale finals finish’ to finish 7th and win the flag in 2016. They also played against Melbourne in 2022 at Optus Oval in Perth.

The 1945 grand final became known as ‘The Bloodbath’. Ten players were reported and received a combined 69 weeks suspensions. Carlton defeated South Melbourne 15.13 (103) to 10.15 (75). Wayne Harmes (Carlton) was awarded the inaugural Norm Smith Medal as best on field in 1979. Only four Norm Smith medalists have come from losing GF sides – Maurice Rioli (Richmond, 1982), Gary Ablett Snr (Geelong, 1989), Nathan Buckley (Collingwood, 2002) and Chris Judd (West Coast, 2005).

Only two teams have won a flag with a goaless opening first quarter – Brisbane Lions (2002) and Carlton (1979).

The first ever grand final to be televised live resulted in the 1977 draw between North Melbourne and Collingwood. Michael Tuck (Hawthorn) played in a record 11 Grand Finals.

In 2005 Sydney (formerly South Melbourne) ended the longest premiership drought in AFL/VFL history (72 years), by defeating the West Coast Eagles by four points. Geelong’s 2007 premiership win over Port Adelaide was the biggest winning margin in a AFL/VFL Grand Final. The final score was 24.19.163 to 6.8.44. It ended Geelong’s 44 year premiership drought.

In 2011, Collingwood became the only side in VFL/AFL history to ever get beaten by only one side for the year (Geelong, three times) and not win the premiership.

The 2019 Richmond v Greater Western Sydney grand final was only the second grand final in league history which did not feature either of the top two teams of the home-and-away season. The last time this occurred was in 1980 when Richmond defeated Collingwood. Greater Western Sydney’s score of 3.7 (25) was the lowest score in the club’s history and the lowest by any team in an AFL grand final since Collingwood’s 2.2 (14) in 1960.

In the 2019 Grand Final Marlion Pickett of Richmond became the first player to debut in a VFL/AFL grand final since Keith Batchelor of Collingwood in 1952.

The 2020 Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong was held at the Gabba in Brisbane. It was the first night grand final and the first to be played outside of Victoria. Richmond’s Dustin Martin won the Norm Smith Medal becoming the first player in VFL/AFL history to win three Norm Smith Medals. Trent Cotchin became the first player to win three premierships as Richmond captain.

Melbourne won their first premiership since 1964 when they defeated the Western Bulldogs by 74 points in 2021. Due to Covid -19 the game was played at Optus Oval in Perth instead of at Melbourne’s MCG.

St Kilda have the longest Grand Final victory drought, at 56 years. St Kilda won the most games of any club between 2004 and 2012, but couldn’t win the flag in their two appearances in that period.