Greatest AFL Grand Final of All Time

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 18 July 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The Greatest AFL Grand Final of All Time

• Best AFL Grand Final: Remembering Legends
• 2012: The Best AFL Grand Final Ever
• 2018: Sheed’s Kick Seals Eagles Victory
• 2006: Judd’s Shoulder, Goodes’ Sportsmanship
• 2010: Pies, Saints in Heartbreaking Draw
• 2009: Geelong Wins in Brutal Battle
• 2011: Cats Defy The Cold – And The Magpies

What is the greatest AFL Grand Final of all time? Well, it’s a question that not everyone will agree on, but in today’s blog, we’re going to do our best to show you the top six from more recent years. Our team of sports betting experts has looked the finals and compiled a list of what we consider could be the best AFL Grand Final ever. So, without further ado, let’s crack on – and let us know if you agree with our picks!

Best AFL Grand Final: Remembering Legends

The Australian Football League – the AFL – has a rich history of unforgettable moments, fierce rivalries, and legendary players. Among the most iconic events in the sport are the Grand Finals, where the best teams of the season clash for the ultimate prize: the premiership cup.

Over the years, some grand finals have stood out, cementing their place in AFL history. These matches have showcased the best of what the sport offers, from nail-biting finishes and fantastic individual performances, to displays of incredible teamwork and sportsmanship.

Today, we show you some of the contenders for the best AFL Grand Final ever played – six of them in total. Our site also offers comprehensive sports betting advice, so, if you’re looking to bet on the AFL, don’t forget to check out our recommended sportsbooks!

2012: The Best AFL Grand Final Ever

The 2012 AFL Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks is the first on our list and arguably the greatest AFL Grand Final of all time. It’s gone down in history for several reasons, but mainly due to it being a classic underdog story. The Swans defied the odds to claim their fifth Premiership.

The Hawks entered the match as overwhelming favorites, having finished the regular season in first place and boasting a star-studded lineup that included Lance Franklin, Sam Mitchell, and Luke Hodge.

Sydney, on the other hand, scraped into the finals in seventh place but showed remarkable resilience throughout the playoffs, knocking off higher-ranked opponents in Adelaide and Collingwood to earn their spot in the Grand Final.

From the outset, it was clear that the Swans had come to play. They brought a level of intensity and pressure that the Hawks struggled to match, with Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, and Kieren Jack dominating the midfield contests.

Hawthorn managed to stay in touch throughout the first half, thanks largely to Franklin’s skills; he kicked three goals in the second quarter to give the Hawks a narrow lead at the main break. However, the Swans came out firing in the third quarter, kicking five goals to one to take a solid 28-point lead into the final term.

The Hawks refused to go away, mounting a furious comeback in the last quarter that saw them close the gap to just four points with minutes remaining. However, the Swans held their nerve, with Adam Goodes and Ryan O’Keefe making crucial plays in the final stages of the match to secure an exhilarating ten-point victory.

In the years since, the players’ legacies have only grown. Kennedy, in particular, has become one of the most well-known and respected midfielders in the league, winning three Premierships with the Swans and earning All-Australian honors on three occasions. Here’s a quick overview of some of the key players that played in the match:

2018: Sheed’s Kick Seals Eagles Victory

The 2018 AFL Grand Final between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies will forever be remembered for one moment: Dom Sheed’s match-winning goal from the boundary line in the game’s final minutes. It was a kick that sealed the Eagles’ fourth Premiership and broke the hearts of Collingwood fans everywhere.

The match was intense with both teams trading blows throughout the first three quarters. Collingwood, led by the brilliant midfield duo of Steele Sidebottom and Taylor Adams, established a slight lead early in the final term, but the Eagles refused to give up.

With just minutes remaining, the Eagles managed to work the ball forward, where it fell to Sheed on the boundary line. With the title on the line, Sheed gathered the ball, took a few steps, and launched a high, risky kick towards the goal. Time seemed to stand still as the ball shot through the air before finally splitting the middle of the posts to give the Eagles a five-point lead.

The final minutes were a frantic scramble, with Collingwood throwing everything they had at the Eagles, desperately attempting to win. However, the Eagles held firm, with key defenders Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass repelling every attack to secure a thrilling victory.

The win confirmed the Eagles’ decision to stick with coach Adam Simpson despite a disappointing 2017 season. Simpson had implemented a more attacking game style that emphasized speed and ball movement, and it paid off in spades against the Magpies.

The loss was a devastating blow for Collingwood, particularly given their dominant form throughout the finals series. Coach Nathan Buckley had transformed the Magpies into a defensive powerhouse, with a midfield among the best in the competition. However, they could not match the Eagles’ intensity and brutal power in the biggest match in the sport!

2006: Judd’s Shoulder, Goodes’ Sportsmanship

The 2006 AFL Grand Final between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans was a match with high drama, incredible skill, and a finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. However, it was also a match that showcased the very best of sportsmanship, with two moments in particular standing out.

The first came early in the game when West Coast’s star midfielder Chris Judd suffered a severe shoulder injury after being tackled by Sydney’s Jude Bolton. Judd, the Eagles’ best player throughout the season, was in agony as he was helped from the field, his right arm hanging limply by his side.

Despite the setback, Judd refused to let his team down, returning to the field with his shoulder heavily strapped and playing through the pain for the rest of the match. It was an incredible display of courage and determination, with Judd’s bravery inspiring both his teammates and spectators!

The second moment came late in the match, with the Eagles clinging to a one-point lead and the Swans pressing hard for the win. Sydney’s Adam Goodes, who had been brilliant all game, got his hands on the ball in the forward pocket and snapped a quick shot at goal.

As the ball sailed towards the posts, West Coast’s David Wirrpanda came from nowhere to intercept the kick, sending the ball back into play and denying the Swans a certain goal. It was a moment that was later coined pure desperation as Wirrpanda threw himself at the ball without worrying about his safety.

However, what happened next was even more remarkable. As Wirrpanda lay on the ground winded, Goodes came over to make sure he was okay and helped him to his feet. It was a simple act of sportsmanship that reminded fans what the game is really about. The Eagles ended up winning the match by just one point, but it was remembered by fans for different reasons.

2010: Pies, Saints in Incredible Draw

The 2010 AFL Grand Final between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints was a match that will forever be remembered for its incredible drama and finish. It was the first drawn Grand Final since 1977 and only the third in the history of the VFL/AFL.

Collingwood, led by the brilliant midfield duo of Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan, established a slight lead early in the final term, but the Saints refused to go away, having a slight lead near the end of the game.

With just minutes remaining, St Kilda’s Lenny Hayes managed to get his hands on the ball in the forward pocket and snap a quick shot at goal. The ball sailed through the posts, leveling the scores and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The final minutes were a frantic scramble, with both teams throwing everything they had at each other, desperately attempting to win – but neither side could break the deadlock, with the final siren sounding with the scores level at 68 apiece.

The aftermath of the drawn Grand Final was strange, with both teams forced to regroup and refocus for the replay the following week. In the end, Collingwood went on to win, with a dominant performance that saw them run out 56-point winners.

The Magpies’ midfield, led by the brilliant Pendlebury and the hard-running Dale Thomas, was simply too good for the Saints, who struggled to find the same intensity and pressure that had defined their performance in the drawn match.

2009: Geelong Wins in Brutal Battle

The 2009 AFL Grand Final between the Geelong Cats and the St Kilda Saints is another AFL Grand final that’s remembered for its intensity and volatility. It was a game that pushed both teams to their absolute limits, with the Cats emerging victorious by just 12 points in a low-scoring, defensive struggle.

From the beginning of the match, it was clear that this would be no ordinary Grand Final, with players throwing themselves into every tackle with reckless abandon.

Geelong, the dominant team of the era, winning Premierships in 2007 and 2008, was looking to cement its place in history with a third win in four years. However, it faced a solid challenge in the Saints, who had been building towards this moment for years under coach Ross Lyon.

The first half was a brutal arm-wrestle, with neither team able to gain a clear advantage. As the match wore on, the intensity only increased, with players throwing themselves into tackles and contesting every loose ball as if their lives depended on it. The pressure was relentless, with both teams struggling to find easy possessions or clear paths to goal.

In the end, the Cats’ experience and composure proved the difference. Led by captain Tom Harley’s cool head and the exceptional defensive work of Harry Taylor and Matthew Scarlett, Geelong managed to hold off the Saints’ late charge and secure a hard-fought 12-point victory, in a game regarded by many as the best AFL Grand Final of all time.

2011: Cats Defy the Cold and Magpies

The 2011 AFL Grand Final is the last entry on today’s list looking at the greatest Aussie Rules Grand Final ever. Held on October 1, 2011, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the match saw the Geelong Cats defeat the Collingwood Magpies in a nail-biting finish.

From the outset, the game was a showcase of skill, determination, and passion. The Magpies, the defending champions, were seeking back-to-back titles, while the Cats were on a mission to claim their third Premiership in five years. The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams exchanging leads and displaying fierce competitiveness.

However, the second half saw the Cats shift gears and take control of the game. Led by the likes of Jimmy Bartel, who was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for his outstanding performance, and key forwards Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly, Geelong began to dominate. Their precise ball movement, relentless pressure, and accuracy in front of goal saw them pull away from Collingwood.

The final quarter showed just how Geelong were the better team on the day, as they outscored the Magpies and secured a 38-point victory, with the final score reading 119-81. The win was a fitting farewell for retiring coach Mark Thompson and a number of veteran players, finishing off a remarkable era for the club.