Greatest AFL Grand Finals of all time

Every AFL season builds toward one final afternoon where everything is on the line. Some Grand Finals deliver a clear winner and fade into history, while others become part of the sport’s DNA. These are the matches replayed endlessly, debated in pubs, and passed down through generations of fans. The greatest AFL Grand Finals didn’t just crown a premier. They captured something unforgettable.

What makes a great grand final

A great final margin is rarely about the score at the end. Plenty of finals have been decided quite comfortably, but these games are rarely remembered. What makes a great grand final is how much pressure there is in the game. Those games that, if you turn away for a second, you might miss something amazing. It’s the feeling that both teams are constantly on the verge of something amazing that keeps the game alive.

This often comes down to the context of the game as well. A rivalry that has been simmering all season. A team chasing redemption after past heartbreak. Players are carrying injuries but refusing to stop. These elements combine to turn a match into something more than just a game of football. Ultimately, these are the types of games that people remember the most.

The top 10 AFL grand finals ranked

1979: Carlton defeated Collingwood by 5 points

Played on a muddy MCG that barely resembled today’s fi, this Grand Final felt more like a war of attrition. Captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko was severely injured, Wayne Harmes produced a legendary boundary play, and the ball seemed to stick in the turf. It remains a vivid reminder of how different and how brutal football once was.

2011: Geelong defeated Collingwood by 38 points

Despite the final score, this match was elite football for most of the afternoon. Driving rain, freezing conditions, and two outstanding teams trading goals created an extraordinary contest. Tom Hawkins’ late dominance blew the game open, but for three quarters, it was football played at the highest possible level.

1984: Essendon defeated Hawthorn by 24 points

This was the day Kevin Sheedy’s vision truly came to life. Hawthorn burst out at the start of the match, getting an early lead, only to fade badly as Essendon surged late. The final quarter felt like a release of pent-up energy, announcing the rise of a powerhouse that would define the decade.

1977: Collingwood drew with North Melbourne

Collingwood led comfortably before North Melbourne clawed their way back into the contest. With seconds remaining, Ross “Twiggy” Dunne’s torpedo kick forced a draw in one of the most chaotic finishes ever seen. The replay a week later mattered, but it was this moment of disbelief that etched itself into memory.

2009: Geelong defeated St Kilda by 12 points

A physically punishing Grand Final built on pressure, defence, and sheer will. Neither side gave an inch, and every score felt enormous. The emotional toll on St Kilda supporters afterwards captured just how much this match meant, and why it remains so hard to forget.

2010: Collingwood drew with St Kilda

Few finishes have left an entire city so stunned. Players collapsed in disbelief, fans struggled to comprehend what they’d just witnessed, and the atmosphere was heavy with confusion. The replay was decisive, but it never matched the raw emotion of the drawn Grand Final itself.

2006: West Coast defeated Sydney by 1 point

Another chapter in one of the fiercest rivalries of the modern era. Goals came late, momentum swung violently, and the tension was almost unbearable. The narrow margin reflected how inseparable these teams were at their peak.

2018: West Coast defeated Collingwood by 5 points

Against the odds and missing key players, West Coast produced one of the most composed performances ever seen under pressure. Dom Sheed’s late goal from the boundary became an instant classic. The heartbreak on the opposing side only reinforced how dramatic the moment truly was.

2012: Sydney defeated Hawthorn by 10 points

Hawthorn entered as favourites, but Sydney’s relentless pressure flipped the script. The game featured constant momentum shifts and a late sealer that finally broke resistance. It was a Grand Final that shaped the next era for both clubs.

1989: Hawthorn defeated Geelong by 6 points

More than a football match, this was a test of human endurance. Injured players refused to leave the field, collisions echoed across the ground, and the intensity never dipped. No Grand Final has ever carried such weight, or left such a deep imprint on the game’s history.

Betting on the AFL

For those interested in AFL betting, grand finals are a reminder of how unpredictable footy can be. Form guides and statistics matter, but they can only explain so much. Pressure, nerves, and single moments often decide these games, which is why grand finals so frequently defy expectations.

Final thoughts

What separates these games from the rest is not just the margin or the moment that decided them. It’s the intensity, the stakes, and the way players responded under pressure. These Grand Finals remain timeless because they reflect the very best of the sport. Long after the result is settled, the memories continue to shape AFL history.