To celebrate the 2020 AFL Grand Final, At the ‘G podcast host Anthony Hudson recounts his top three Grand Final moments.
1. 1989 Grand Final: Hawthorn 21.18 (144) defeated Geelong Cats 21.12 (138)
Brutal but brilliant. This match has still not been surpassed, with Geelong’s relentless attack threatening until the very end but not quite able to overcome the battered but superior Hawks.Each of the nine goals from Gary Ablett in a losing side are worth analysing and admiring on their own but the goal from the throw-in beats the lot. To think his second opponent Chris Langford actually played well!
As Dennis said at the end: “Ladies and gentleman you’ve witnessed a classic.”
The 1989 AFL Grand Final. Image: Getty Images.
2. 2005 Grand Final: Sydney 8.10 (58) defeated West Coast 7.12 (54)
The last few minutes of this game still takes your breath away with the players completely exhausted and unable to break into the clear until that famous last roll of the dice.Given the circumstances, Leo Barry takes the greatest mark of all time with a call from Quarters to match and Sydney breaks a 72-year-old drought. There it was Roosy!
Listen to At the 'G episode 5 on the 2005 AFL Grand Final
Leo Barry takes a mark in the final seconds of the 2005 AFL Grand Final. Image: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images.
3. 2018 Grand Final: West Coast 11.13 (79) defeated Collingwood 11.8 (74)
We’ve never had a goal after the siren to decide a Grand Final but this was close after a superb lead-up play.It started with the bold Jeremy McGovern intercept and play-on, then the Nathan Vardy chest mark and kick to Liam Ryan who combined his natural leap with courage he hadn’t really shown before to mark and get the ball to Dom Sheed.
I was alongside Gerard Whateley as he called the kick on radio but the best view was at home from the camera angle right behind Sheed’s shoulder showing the ball barely deviating from such a tight angle.
Make sure you listen to the latest At The ‘G podcast episode about the 2006 AFL Grand Final and the rivalry between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles.