They are debates that will roll on forever, and we’ll never quite get a definitive answer, but they are discussions worth having – especially at this time of year.
Which final was the greatest of them all?
Which Grand Final defines our game?
A team of Age journalists, led by Rohan Connolly, are in the process of filing the list of the greatest finals and Grand Finals in VFL/ AFL history.
Let’s take a look at Collingwood’s representation on the lists so far (both good and bad).
Grand Finals
1966: St Kilda d. Collingwood
“Not an outstandingly skilled game of football, but a storyline to top them all, Collingwood, with 13 flags the VFL's most successful club, up against the proverbial Cinderella team St Kilda, still without a premiership. Neither side led by more than a kick all day, St Kilda spearhead Kevin "Cowboy" Neale the star with five goals, Magpie skipper Des Tuddenham in everything for his team. In a hectic finish, a wobbly snap from Saint Barry Breen bounced through for the winning behind, and full-back Bob Murray's big mark near goal right on the siren ensured perhaps the most famous flag win of all time,” - Rohan Connolly.
1970: Carlton d. Collingwood
“Nearly a half-century later, this grand final still stands above nearly all others, and not just for Alex Jesaulenko's much-replayed mark. Collingwood, having lost its previous two grand finals by less than a kick, had dominated the competition in 1970, and beaten Carlton three times already that season. The Pies' 44-point half-time lead was by the standards of the time, more than a match-winning break. But Carlton coach Ron Barassi encouraged his men to play on at all costs, introduced Ted Hopkins off the bench. Hopkins' four goals and some inspired, attacking football saw the Blues home by 10 points,” - Rohan Connolly.
1977: North Melbourne drew with Collingwood
“The first ever grand final broadcast live into Melbourne delivered an unforgettable affair. North Melbourne were inaccurate all day and Collingwood led by 27-points at three quarter time before the Kangaroos charged back into the game taking the lead after consecutive Phil Baker goals. There was one last twist, as Ross 'Twiggy' Dunne levelled the scores, forcing a replay, which North won to inflict further grand final pain on the Magpies,” - Daniel Cherny.
1979: Carlton d. Collingwood
“Things could barely have gotten worse for Collingwood after the pain of the previous two decades, but they did. On a wet day in which the lead see-sawed, Carlton prevailed by five points, but only after they benefited from probably the most talked about line-ball decision in VFL/AFL history. Was the ball over the line as Wayne Harmes slapped it across from the pocket to the waiting Ken Sheldon? Probably not, but that doesn't make it any easier for Magpies folk,” -Daniel Cherny.
2010: Collingwood drew with St Kilda
“St Kilda got within one dodgy bounce of the club's second premiership, but Lenny Hayes' long kick towards goal skidded away from Stephen Milne and through for a point, tying the scores at 68 apiece with 30 minutes gone in the last quarter and ensuring just the third ever drawn grand final. The sore Saints were well beaten by Collingwood, which broke a 20-year premiership drought in the replay seven days later,” - Emma Quayle.
Read The Age’s full list of Grand Finals.
Qualifying and Elimination Finals
4. 1990 Qualifying Final, Waverley: Collingwood drew with West Coast
“In a classic, the Magpies and Eagles couldn't be separated. Collingwood skipper Tony Shaw and Darren Millane, playing with a broken thumb, were outstanding, and Chris Lewis was a star for West Coast. It took one of the great goals, a checkside snap from the boundary from Peter Daicos, to edge the Pies in front. Eagle spearhead Peter Sumich, his side trailing by one point, marked on the siren, but from a tight angle on his wrong side, he missed. Collingwood went on to win the replay and then to break a 32-year flag drought,” – Rohan Connolly.
9. 2002 Qualifying Final, AAMI Stadium: Collingwood d Port Adelaide
“Port Adelaide had topped the AFL ladder after a brilliant season. The Magpies had scraped into fourth spot, five wins in arrears, and were without their best player by some margin, skipper Nathan Buckley. The Pies were rank outsiders, facing a hostile Port crowd. But the pressure told on the Power, and the Pies played it for all their worth. Midfielder Paul Licuria was magnificent with 40 disposals, and as Port charged home, moments like a stunning goal square tackled applied by Ben Johnson on Peter Burgoyne kept them at bay,” – Rohan Connolly.
Read The Age’s full list of Qualifying and Elimination Finals.
Semi-Finals
2. 1981 First Semi-Final, MCG: Collingwood d Fitzroy
“Fitzroy had terrific teams but not a lot of finals luck in the early '80s, and this great game was another example. Collingwood got off to a flyer and led by as much as 45 points early in the third term before the Lions came charging back. Led by Matt Rendell up forward and veteran David McMahon, the Roys booted another seven in a pulsating final quarter to lead by 10 points deep into time-on. But a goal to Peter Daicos followed by a goalsquare scramble and an amazing snap over the head from Ross Brewer pinched the win for Collingwood,” – Rohan Connolly.
3. 1970 Second Semi-Final, MCG: Collingwood d Carlton
“The 1970 Grand Final might just be the most famous ever. But it's also overshadowed another epic between the Pies and Blues just two weeks earlier, which featured a comeback similar to the grand final, and huge games from respective spearheads Peter McKenna (nine goals) and Alex Jesaulenko (eight). Collingwood led by 20 points midway through the third term. But Carlton, inspired by Ted Hopkins off the reserves bench (sound familiar?) rallied with five quick goals to lead at three-quarter time. Eventually, the Pies, with a stronger final term, held on to win by 10 points,” – Rohan Connolly.
5. 1946 Second Semi-Final, MCG: Essendon drew with Collingwood
“Essendon started better but was then outplayed by the Magpies, who led by as much as 24 points late in the third quarter with Lou Richards (four goals) and Harry Lambert starring. But Bomber champion Bill Hutchison turned the game around with his brilliance in the final term, and with three goals in five minutes, the Dons hit back hard. The lead would then change five times and scores level twice in a frantic finish, before late behinds to Dick Reynolds and Jack Cassin squared things up for the final time. Essendon won the replay, and the flag,” – Rohan Connolly.
6. 2007 Second Semi-Final, Subiaco Oval: Collingwood d West Coast (after extra time)
“Collingwood were without ruckman Josh Fraser, the Eagles without midfield trio Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr, but they still managed to turn on an epic in the west eight years ago. The Eagles broke clear to lead by nearly four goals late in the third term, but three goals in the last three minutes of the quarter almost pulled the Pies level. Which they were by the end, extra time played for only a second time in finals history. And it was Collingwood which finished it on top, with 3.3 to two behinds in the additional 10 minutes of play,” – Rohan Connolly.
7. 1965 Second Semi-Final, MCG: St Kilda d Collingwood
“The Saints famously beat the Pies by a point on grand final day 1966. They also did it a year earlier in a classic second semi-final. Collingwood spearhead Ian Graham dominated early, but the Saints hit back, despite atrocious kicking for goal. The lead changed seven times in the third term, but St Kilda led by 12 points at the final break. The Pies then kicked three goals in a row, but the Saints came one last time, goals to Verdun Howell and Carl Ditterich giving them the slenderest of leads to which they continued to cling,” – Rohan Connolly.
9. 1977 Second Semi-Final, MCG: Collingwood 17.10 (112) d Hawthorn 16.14 (110)
“This game is best remembered for Phil Carman's strike on Michael Tuck which cost him two weeks, and many would argue, Collingwood a premiership. As a game, though, the 1977 Second Semi was a cracker. Carman and Peter Moore kicked eight goals between them, Peter Hudson four for the Hawks. In a slashing final quarter, the Pies and Hawks kicked 13 goals. Collingwood looked set for the win before late goals from Hudson and John Hendrie brought it back to two points, some last-second heroics from Ron Wearmouth sending the Pies to the Grand Final,” – Rohan Connolly.
Read The Age’s full list of Semi-Finals.
Where we rank in the greatest of finals
A team of Age journalists are in the process of filing the list of the greatest finals and Grand Finals in VFL/ AFL history. Take a look at Collingwood’s representation on the lists so far (both good and bad).