Brisbane Lions: 2025 AFL Premiers

THE LION dynasty has arrived. Take me home, two straight flags.

Brisbane has done it. Chris Fagan has etched his Lions into history as only the fourth club this century to win back-to-back premierships, with the Lions masterclass overcoming Geelong in an engrossing Grand Final on Saturday.

And this one might be better than the first.

After season-ending injuries, form setbacks and a qualifying final loss to the Cats that looked likely to spell the end of their quest for consecutive premierships, Brisbane secured its fifth flag of the AFL era - and 13th including Fitzroy's history - in dominant fashion after half-time.

The Lions kicked 13 to six goals after the main break to lock in the 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) triumph, with their gamble on picking Lachie Neale after his calf injury paying dividends as the co-captain gathered 17 disposals after being subbed into the contest in the third quarter.

Charlie Cameron turned the game Brisbane's way in that third term, with the bays of Brisbane fans singing John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads on repeat after each of his four goals just one of a highlight reel that got better and better as the game went on.

But Brisbane's victory was as even as it was sweet.

Particularly for superstar midfielder Hugh McCluggage, who was blanketed in the qualifying final three weeks ago but returned to the MCG with a point to prove, booting four goals from 26 disposals in a brilliant display.

Fellow midfielder Will Ashcroft backed up his outstanding 2024 Grand Final with another 32 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal, while dynamo Zac Bailey could have sewn up the Norm Smith was he more accurate in front of goal (23 disposals, 3.6).

Captain Harris Andrews was impenetrable as was Darcy Gardiner, with Dayne Zorko and Jaspa Fletcher both excellent.

Geelong will rue a second half fadeout and a game where its best players couldn't impact. Far from their dominant showing three weeks earlier against the Lions, the Cats were cornered by Brisbane's pressure and eventually overwhelmed.

GEELONG       2.3     5.6     6.8     11.9 (75)

BRISBANE      1.6     5.6     9.9     18.14 (122)

GOALS

Geelong: Dempsey 4, Blicavs, Bowes, Close, Holmes, Mannagh, Mullin, Neale

Brisbane: Cameron 4, McCluggage 4, Bailey 3, Lohmann 2, L.Ashcroft, W.Ashcroft, Morris, Neale, Rayner

BEST

Geelong: Dempsey, Holmes, Humphries, Atkins, Smith

Brisbane: McCluggage, Andrews, Bailey, Cameron, W.Ashcroft, Gardiner

INJURIES

Geelong: Cameron (arm)

Brisbane: Starcevich (head)

SUBSTITUTES

Geelong: Jack Martin replaced Rhys Stanley in the fourth quarter

Brisbane: Lachie Neale replaced Sam Marshall in the third quarter

Crowd: 100,022 at the MCG

Matt Rowell: 2025 AFL Brownlow Medal Winner

 

GOLD Coast star Matt Rowell has won the 2025 Brownlow Medal in a stunning count on Monday night, racing to an early lead and powering home to become the second winner in the Suns' history.

Rowell, who helped lead his club to an historic first finals campaign in a career-best 2025 season, outshone the leading pre-count contenders to poll 39 votes, winning from Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos (32) and Geelong gun Bailey Smith (29).

The No.1 pick from 2019 became the first player in Brownlow Medal history to poll three votes in each of his first four games, going on to secure eight best-on-grounds and polling in 16 games as he joined dual medallist Gary Ablett as a Gold Coast winner.

The 24-year-old's final tally was the second most in history, behind last year's winner Patrick Cripps (45), with the brutish onballer catching the umpires' attention early and polling relentlessly in a season that also saw him also earn All-Australian selection for the first time.

Collingwood superstar and pre-count favourite Daicos achieved his third consecutive podium finish after being pipped in the final round in 2023 and finishing runner-up in a record-breaking 2024 count, which saw him poll 38 votes.

The Magpies' midfielder threatened to make a move with three consecutive best-on-grounds from round 15-17, cutting Rowell's lead to two votes. But the Suns' ball-winner held him off and then charged home in a run of eight vote-getting games to write his name into the history books.

He was declared the winner after round 22, winning the prestigious award after a terrific season that saw him rank No.2 in the AFL for clearances (8.5), No.3 tackles (8.6), and No.3 for contested possessions, averaging a career-best 26.3 disposals.

"I can't believe I'm standing up here tonight … a lot of boys could have been standing up here tonight, so I feel very humbled and very honoured," Rowell said.

"I'm pretty speechless to be honest.

"My family are massive supporters and they're everything to me. They're at every game and support me so much … it's why I'm standing up here today."

Rowell, who joined 2008 winner Adam Cooney as the only other No.1 draft pick to win a Brownlow Medal, said he had always dreamed of playing in the AFL and "lived and breathed" the game growing up.

A childhood Carlton fan, the Carey Grammar and Oakleigh Chargers product admitted to being a "footy weirdo" after developing a habit in recent seasons of eating turf off the AFL playing surface before games.

"I started doing that a few years ago. You try a lot of weird things and that was kind of like a grounding process that I wanted to do before games," he said.

"Feel, sight, taste obviously. Those are the kinds of things you do." 

Rowell also paid tribute to teammates Touk Miller, David Swallow and Jarrod Witts who "did a lot of the grunt work" for Gold Coast before his arrival.

Re-signed until the end of 2027 after signing a contract extension mid-year, he thanked the Suns and singled out midfield sidekick Noah Anderson.

Rowell had been expected to share votes with his captain on Monday night but hoarded them for himself early as Anderson polled just two votes in the first 10 rounds, eventually finishing with 25 after entering as a leading contender.

Rowell's ability to poll more prominently than expected through the early stages of the season saw him race to 15 votes by round seven in a burst that defined the count.

second through the middle stages and trailing Rowell by just one vote after round 14 as Smith and Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson also climbed the leaderboard into the top five.

None of them could bridge the gap to Rowell, however, who became a first-time winner, receiving his Medal from 2024 winner and dual medallist Patrick Cripps in the ceremony at Crown Melbourne.

2025 Brownlow Medal, Top 10

Matt Rowell - 39 votes

Nick Daicos - 32

Bailey Smith - 29

Jordan Dawson - 27

Andrew Brayshaw - 26

Noah Anderson - 25

Marcus Bontempelli - 25

Caleb Serong - 25

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera - 23

Max Gawn - 23

Brisbane Lions: 2024 AFL Premiers

THESE will forever be Brisbane's kings of the pride.

After last year's heartbreak, a 0-3 start to the season, five season-ending knee reconstructions, missing out on the top four, three finals on the road, a semi-final win for the ages and storylines everywhere you looked, Brisbane is the premier for 2024 after a Toyota AFL Grand Final dismantling of Sydney.

In the redemption cup – the Lions looking to go one better than their four-point loss to Collingwood and Sydney hoping to overturn its disastrous 2022 decider – it was Chris Fagan's men who saluted by 60 points in an MCG masterclass in front of 100,013 fans. 

The 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) win delivered the Lions their first flag since 2003 and 12th through its Fitzroy history as Fagan lifted the cup in his eighth season at the helm.

This was a rough welcome to the jungle for the Swans – everywhere Sydney turned, Brisbane was there. Every way the Swans looked, the Lions had them covered.

It would have been a terrible case of deja vu for the Swans, with the club now losing its past four Grand Finals since 2012. Three of them have been thrashings.  

Where to start with Brisbane's band of heroes? It was a Lions' share: Lachie Neale, carrying an ankle injury, was sensational as he saluted with a flag in his third Grand Final attempt with 34 disposals and nine clearances. 

Kai Lohmann lit the fuse early and finished with four and Callum Ah Chee kept the flame alive throughout with four majors. Will Ashcroft, having missed last year's decider with his knee injury, was superb and showed again he is a champion in the making with 30 disposals and a goal. Joe Daniher is considering retirement but showed he is at the top of his game, with only inaccuracy potentially costing him a Norm Smith Medal.

But where the Lions were hot, Sydney brought the cold. It was difficult to find a winner for the Swans, who had their star-studded midfield nullified, their forward line shut down and their back half picked apart. 

Katy Perry started the day with a roar, but the Lions added a mighty to it. Sydney struck first with the opening two goals, the first from Will Hayward and the second a superb snap from Tom Papley. But that mini lead didn't quite sum up the contest after the Lions' early inaccuracy.

Lohmann quickly changed that. The eye-catching Lion kicked their first, and then their second a minute later on his left foot to give Brisbane the energy it needed, his tongue-out celebration a spirit boost to match his side's ascendancy. 

They continued to control the play with their uncontested marking game as Hugh McCluggage cruised into a third goal, with the gun midfielder tallying nine opening-quarter disposals. 

James Rowbottom's long set shot was a steadier for the Swans, who were preferring their shorter forward targets than their key position options, but Charlie Cameron's snap from the boundary – and subsequent bow to the crowd – restored Brisbane's eight-point lead at the first change. 

Brisbane's premiership was won in an exhilarating second quarter. The Lions kicked seven goals to one for the term and they came from everywhere as the Swans, for the second time in three years, were pounded.

Lohmann kicked his third from the pocket, Cameron spotted Daniher cleverly for another, Ah Chee's brilliant finals series continued with two for the term, Jarrod Berry capitalised on Nick Blakey's turnover to slot a long goal and Eric Hipwood kicked one of the great Grand Final goals from the boundary line after dodging Dane Rampe, slotting the goal and reprising three-time Lions premiership star Jason Akermanis' pseudo shocked celebration afterwards. 

When Logan Morris booted their 11th, the Lions had leapt to a 46-point lead for half-time as their youth, speed and hardened run into the flag decider proved beneficial. 

Where the Lions' big names and lesser lights all stood up – from first-year player Morris to champion two-time Brownlow medallist Neale – Sydney couldn't find a winner as its midfield was battered, its defence under siege and forward line ineffective. 

Party time started early as Neale continued to dominate the midfield battle in the third quarter, with Daniher also showing up the Swans defence. If it is to be Daniher's last game of an enigmatic career – the 30-year-old is weighing his future – then he went out on a high, kicking 2.4 but proving pivotal to the Lions.

His forward presence, as well as important around-the-ground ruck efforts, helped a fleet of smaller Lions capitalise time after time. 

Lions fans spent most of the second half rejoicing, as more highlights came their way: the Cam Rayner hanger, Ah Chee enjoying a day out, one last Lohmann flying grab and, of course, a Daniher left-foot snap to close things out. The pride of Brisbane town – and beyond. 

SYDNEY              3.1      4.3       5.4          9.6 (60)  

BRISBANE          4.3     11.7     16.11     18.12 (120)  

GOALS

Sydney: Parker 3, Warner, Rowbottom, Papley, Heeney, Hayward, Fox

Brisbane: Lohmann 4, Ah Chee 4, Morris 2, Daniher 2, Rayner, McCluggage, Hipwood, Cameron, Berry, Ashcroft

INJURIES

Sydney: McDonald (ankle)

Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Sydney: Braeden Campbell (replaced Logan McDonald in the third quarter)

Brisbane: Conor McKenna (replaced Logan Morris in the final quarter)

Crowd: 100,013 at the MCG

Patrick Cripps: 2024 AFL Brownlow Medal Winner

 

CARLTON captain Patrick Cripps has won the 2024 Brownlow Medal with a record tally, becoming the 17th player in VFL/AFL history to win the prestigious award multiple times after adding to his 2022 triumph in an historic count on Monday night.

Cripps, who was in the medal-winning position from round six, polled an incredible 45 votes to win from Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos on 38, with the Magpies' brilliant onballer also breaking the previous record of 36.

Cripps was confirmed as the winner at round 21, polling three votes against Collingwood to ensure he could not be passed. When Daicos polled two votes in round 22, Cripps was declared the outright winner with two rounds to go.

It was an historic night as Carlton's inspirational leader smashed through the 40-vote mark and broke the previous record jointly held by Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines (2021) and Richmond champion and 2017 winner Dustin Martin.

Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters (29, Fremantle vice-captain Caleb Serong (28), and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green (27) rounded out the top five, with Sydney's ineligible superstar Isaac Heeney polling 28 votes.

It was Cripps who always had their measure, however, after establishing an eight-vote lead at round 16 and leaning on a strong finish to the season to see off the charging Daicos, who polled in a record 10 consecutive games from round eight to 18. 

Cripps joined champion midfielders Chris Judd and Greg Williams as dual medallists to have represented Carlton, but he became the first to win two Brownlow Medals as a Blue.

The crowning night capped off an outstanding season for the 29-year-old, who played every game and averaged 28.8 disposals, 8.0 clearances, 15.7 contested possessions, and 4.8 inside 50s, earning All Australian selection for the fourth time.

The 29-year-old accepted his medal from coach and 2006 winner Michael Voss and spoke about growing up in Northampton in Western Australia, looking up to West Coast superstars Ben Cousins and Chris Judd and dreaming of joining them as a Brownlow Medal winner.

"They probably inspired me to chase my dream, and now I'm in a position to inspire other young kids, and I don't take that lightly," Cripps said.

"I'm just someone who wants to chase my dreams and I love doing it. Now I know the impact I've had on young kids coming through, it's pretty special.

"All kids out there, or anyone in general, if you get after it in life and have a dream and work hard at it, you can do amazing things. Life is short, so get after it."

Cripps also paid tribute to the support of his wife Monique after the couple became parents to daughter Koda this year, with the midfielder happy and settled off the field in his 11th season.

He said his parents, Brad and Cath, had instilled great values in him that he carried still after being drafted with pick No.13 in the 2013 National Draft.

Last year's medallist Lachie Neale was considered a contender to go back-to-back but never got on a roll, finishing on 22 votes as he prepares for Saturday's Grand Final.

Heeney, who was ineligible to win after being suspended for striking in round 17, was atop the leaderboard for five weeks during the first half of the season but only polled seven votes after round 10.

Heeney and well ahead of Daicos (four) and Neale (two), who were expected to start slowly.

Daicos was entering a five-game block of outstanding form, however, and emerged with 13 of a possible 15 votes, rising to third with 17 votes to put himself back in the race.

Cripps was shaping as unstoppable, however, having kept his tally ticking over with three best afield matches to secure an outright lead after round 12 with 22 votes.

He was never headed from there, polling the maximum three votes six more times in the last 10 games to win in commanding style.

2024 Brownlow Medal, Top 10

Patrick Cripps - 45

Nick Daicos - 38

Zak Butters - 29

Caleb Serong - 28

Isaac Heeney* - 28

Tom Green - 27

Adam Treloar - 26

Errol Gulden - 25

Matt Rowell - 25

Jai Newcombe - 24

Collingwood: 2023 AFL Premiers

 

IT CAME down to the last minute. We wanted the best and we got the best.

In one of the hottest Grand Final days ever recorded, with the two best teams of the season, in one of the best seasons in recent times, we got perhaps the best ever premiership decider.

And now it's official: Collingwood is the best team of 2023, with the Magpies edging out Brisbane by four points on Saturday in a Grand Final epic in front 100,024 people at the MCG.

In a game full of remarkable highlights, brutal toughness, brilliant goals, spectacular individualism and hard-nosed team ethos, it was Craig McRae's men who claimed this year's premiership, winning 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86).

Collingwood's triumph breaks a 13-year drought without a premiership and sees them claim their 16th VFL/AFL flag, joining rivals Essendon and Carlton with a competition-leading 16 premierships.

With five-and-a-half minutes to play, Lions star Charlie Cameron looked set to snatch the flag for Brisbane when his snap put his side four points ahead. But Collingwood superstars Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey teamed up to immediately grab back the lead, with Daicos' swift handball to De Goey giving the Pies' No.2 space to bomb it from 50 metres in the 10th lead change of the game.

It restored the Pies' four-point lead, before Steele Sidebottom marked on the wing and was dragged to the ground by Lion Jarrod Berry. A 50-metre penalty was awarded and the Pies veteran slotted a goal from the 50-metre line to give the Pies a 10-point break with 4:23 remaining.

The game looked over before some Hugh McCluggage magic saw Joe Daniher snap a goal to get the Lions within four points with 93 seconds to play, before the Pies ground out the last moments to clinch an extraordinary flag.

Five years after the heartbreak of the 2018 Grand Final loss, the Magpies got their moment in pulsating fashion, with heroes all over the ground.

Bobby Hill kicked four goals from 18 disposals in a career-best game to win the Norm Smith Medal, while Nick Daicos had a stellar afternoon, with the young superstar having a game-high 29 disposals and a goal to end his special second season.

McRae's men have become the kings of the close contest over the past two years and did it on the biggest stage of all.

After legendary rockers KISS put in a super pre-match performance, the fireworks kept coming right until the final siren.

Daicos kicked off a frenetic first term, slotting the opening goal after a free kick. The sensation had started forward in his second game back from injury, with the Pies having all the early running. They skipped to a two-goal lead before Brisbane had caught its breath, with Zac Bailey's two first-quarter goals helping edge the Lions ahead.

The first goal was good – an on-the-run banger that sailed through – but the second was an all-timer, seeing the Lions star smother Mason Cox, collect the ball, evade two Collingwood tacklers and then snap it through. The Lions had jumped to a three-point advantage before again the Pies took back control, with a De Goey long bomb after the siren establishing Collingwood's 10-point lead at the first change.

If we thought the first quarter was good, there was the most epic of second quarters to come. During the quarter-time break, the MCG speakers blasted John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads, igniting three crowd singalongs.

It also lit the fuse for Cameron, who was making them sing for him soon enough with two quick goals and another goal assist to get the Lions firing.

Brisbane's efforts to keep the ball at ground level in defence had Collingwood unsettled and their fleet of small forwards went to work, with Deven Robertson busy, Bailey terrific and Lincoln McCarthy kicking a cracker from the pocket to put them 13 points ahead.

But the Magpies weren't ready to stop there. In a first half that will rank alongside any Grand Final for highlights and quality goals, Hill then put his mark on the game – figuratively and literally. He kicked three goals for the quarter and by half-time had a career-best four, including a left-foot snap and a huge screamer inside-50 that he converted.

Again it was some Daicos magic – weaving through traffic, slowing down, speeding up, spotting an option and hitting his target – that set up the final goal of the half with his 19th disposal before the main break as Brody Mihocek put the Magpies up by six points.

After full throttle footy in the second term, the third quarter hit arm wrestle territory. Collingwood was kept to 0.6 until the final two minutes, when Hill smartly spotted Scott Pendlebury open 30 metres from goal. Having watched his side surrender the lead, the Pies champion's never-in-doubt kick put his side ahead by four points heading into the last quarter.

The Lions conceded a goal in the final two minutes of the term in each of the first three quarters, and it proved a costly momentum shifter at the end of the third after they had otherwise been on top with their efficiency.

Daniher was a big part of Brisbane's push, with the key forward having an important day, helping set up Robertson's crucial goal in the third quarter with his contested mark on the wing.

The Lions had their opportunities at the start of the fourth but Collingwood's mantra throughout the year has been to play every single minute.

It's the mantra underneath McRae's uber-positive, open-door, belief-is-everything philosophy that has sealed them a premiership cup, coming to the fore when they needed it most.

COLLINGWOOD   4.4     9.9     10.15     12.18 (90)

BRISBANE            3.0     9.3     11.5       13.8 (86) 

GOALS

Collingwood: Hill 4, Crisp 2, De Goey 2, N.Daicos, Mihocek, Pendlebury, Sidebottom

Brisbane: Cameron 3, Daniher 3, Bailey 2, McCarthy 2, McCluggage 2, Robertson

BEST

Collingwood: Hill, N.Daicos, Crisp, Howe, Mitchell, Pendlebury

Brisbane: McCluggage, Daniher, Coleman, Andrews, Bailey, Cameron

INJURIES

Collingwood: Murphy (concussion)

Brisbane: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES

Collingwood: Patrick Lipinski (replaced Nathan Murphy at quarter-time)

Brisbane: Jarryd Lyons (replaced Callum Ah Chee in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 100,024 at the MCG

2023 Norm Smith Medal voting

15 - Bobby Hill (Coll)

5 - Keidean Coleman (Bris)

4 - Nick Daicos (Coll)

3 - Tom Mitchell (Coll)

2 - Jack Crisp (Coll)

1 - Scott Pendlebury (Coll)

Judges' voting

Luke Darcy (Chair) – B Hill 3, N Daicos 2, S Pendlebury 1

Eddie Betts – B Hill 3, T Mitchell 2, K Coleman 1

Jude Bolton – B Hill 3, K Coleman 2, T Mitchell 1

Sarah Olle – B Hill 3, K Coleman 2, J Crisp 1

Luke Shuey – B Hill 3, N Daicos 2, J Crisp 1

Lachie Neale: 2023 AFL Brownlow Medal Winner

STAR Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale has won the 2023 Brownlow Medal, becoming just the 16th player in VFL/AFL history to win the prestigious award multiple times after prevailing in a thrilling count on Monday night.

Neale, who won the 2020 Brownlow Medal in a dominant season and will be playing to win his first premiership in Saturday's Grand Final, polled 31 votes to win from Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli on 29.

The brilliant onballer was confirmed as the winner only after collecting three votes in the final round of the season, with five players entering round 24 as winning chances.

Collingwood star Nick Daicos (28 votes) finished third after entering the final round level with Neale, with Sydney wingman Errol Gulden (27), Port Adelaide star Zak Butters (27), and Melbourne Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca narrowly behind on 26.

It was Neale who surpassed them all, however, after saving his seventh best on ground performance until the final round of the year, receiving his Medal in Brisbane as he prepares for Saturday's Grand Final.

Neale joined club great's Jason Akermanis (2001) and Simon Black (2002) in winning the Brownlow Medal during the week of a Grand Final appearance, with Michael Voss (1996) making it five Medals in total for Brisbane. 

The former Docker, who joins ex-teammate Nat Fyfe as a dual winner, was rewarded for a season in which he averaged 27.4 disposals across 23 home-and-away games, averaging 8.1 clearances as one of the game's stoppage specialists.

It was a different season for Neale compared to his 2020 win, which also saw him poll 31 votes but instead win by a massive 10 votes from runner-up Travis Boak, also collecting the AFL Players Association MVP and AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year.

The ball-winner, who was runner-up to Patrick Cripps last year, was caught by surprise as he emerged as a winning threat through the evening.

He was the first player to win the most prestigious individual award without being named in the All-Australian team since West Coast midfielder Matt Priddis in 2014.

"It doesn't sit very well at the moment. I'm sure it will sink in at a later date. I'm pretty rattled to be honest," Neale said after being presented with his Medal by coach Chris Fagan at a function with teammates in Brisbane.

"I did not expect this, and to be amongst some of those names that have won two is unbelievable. To be in Brisbane, preparing for a Grand Final, is amazing. I haven't been involved in this week for a decade, so I'm excited."

It was heartbreak for Bontempelli, who was also runner-up in 2021. Daicos, meanwhile, led the count for seven weeks after round 17 but couldn't hold on.

The young Magpies star, in just his second season, was the pre-count favourite and made a fast start as expected, polling 13 votes to lead after six rounds with three early best-on-ground performances.

His votes dried up over the next four rounds, however, with the midfielder overlooked for votes in some of the bigger performances of his season, including a 41-disposal game against Greater Western Sydney in round nine.

Petracca and Neale instead made a run and jockeyed at the top of the leaderboard through the middle stages, with Neale taking the lead back for a three-week run after round 14.

Gold Coast midfielder Noah Anderson was the surprise vote-getter, sitting as high as equal second after 15 rounds following his fifth best-on-ground performance and remaining in striking distance thereafter.

The leading contenders all pressed with big games in round 16, with Daicos collecting his second consecutive set of three votes to move into second place on the leaderboard, just one vote behind Neale.

The 20-year-old continued to surge in a stunning run of post-bye form and took the outright lead in round 17 during a run of four consecutive best-on-ground performances.

Daicos had a battle on his hands knowing injury would strike early in the round 21 clash against Hawthorn, but he held the lead all the way to the final round of the season.

BROWNLOW MEDAL 2023 LEADERBOARD

1. Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions) – 31

2. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) – 29

3. Nick Daicos (Collingwood) – 28

=4. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide), Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) – 27

6. Christian Petracca (Melbourne) – 26

=7. Caleb Serong (Fremantle), Jack Viney (Melbourne) – 24

=9. Noah Anderson (Gold Coast Suns), Patrick Cripps (Carlton) – 22

Melbourne: 2021 AFL Premiers

AFTER 57 years, it came down to 15 minutes. They are surely the sweetest 15 minutes in Melbourne's long and proud history.

The Demons' decades of misery - the AFL's longest premiership drought - is over after Melbourne's stunning third quarter saw them overcome the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night's Toyota AFL Grand Final. 

The 74-point thrashing secured Melbourne its 13th flag and first since 1964, with the premiership promiseland reached in style under lights at Optus Stadium in front of 61,118 fans.

And the Perth prize was captured in the most dramatic of circumstances, with the Demons trailing by 19 points midway through the third quarter before booting six goals in 15 minutes to turn their deficit into a 24-point lead at the final change.

It was a wild patch that came after the Dees hadn't kicked a goal for more than half an hour of game time, and it was led by midfield superstar Christian Petracca, who finished with 39 disposals, nine clearances and two brilliant goals. It was an iconic and dominant big-game performance from the midfielder who will now etch his name into Melbourne history as the first Demons Norm Smith medallist.

That Simon Goodwin's men marched on in the last quarter to finish comfortable victors – 21.14 (140) to 10.6 (66) – will mask the epic nature of the first three quarters of the game. But after midway through the third quarter it was an irresistible sea of Demons in an extraordinary shift that will go down in Grand Final folklore.

Bayley Fritsch was sensational with six goals for the Demons while Clayton Oliver (33 disposals, 10 tackles) was also terrific partnering Petracca in the midfield. Angus Brayshaw (25 disposals, one goal) had perhaps the best game of his season, while half-back Christian Salem (27 and one) set things up. Ruck pair Max Gawn and Luke Jackson were influential, Jake Bowey was busy early and Ed Langdon's relentless run was on show.

Melbourne had the Bulldogs rattled to start. Jack Viney flattened Jack Macrae at the opening stoppage, Salem was physical and Mitch Hannan was floored by Steven May. The hits reverberated around the Bulldogs, who were shaky in defence, fumbly at ground level and simply out of sorts.

The Dees jumped to a 21-point advantage by quarter-time, with Petracca's swivel and long bomb opening proceedings. Bailey Williams had two bad moments in defence that led to goals to Charlie Spargo and then Fritsch.

Beveridge sent Adam Treloar into the middle to start the second term in an inspired move to match Melbourne's dynamic midfield. The former Magpie slotted two smart snaps in the opening three minutes and then helped set up another one out of the centre that saw Aaron Naughton kick the Bulldogs' third in four minutes.

Melbourne's momentum, so hard won in the first term, had dissipated as the Dogs booted six goals to one for the quarter in a dominant turnaround. Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli was central to it – he converted his two big inside-50 marks into goals and had nine disposals for the term.

A controversial umpiring decision went against the Dees when Gawn's set shot was ruled a behind when he believed it had sailed through, but the Dogs had lifted.

Bailey Smith took that into the third term and Treloar continued to press, setting up Jason Johannisen's mark and goal. When Bontempelli spun and kicked his third goal in the middle of the term, the Dogs had stretched their lead to 19 points. More heartache loomed for the Dees.

But on the canvas, Melbourne threw its biggest swing, with Fritsch kicking back-to-back goals and Petracca's clearance leading to Ben Brown's second goal.

Within an instant, the game was back on level terms, but the Dees weren't done there. Brayshaw added a goal to his hard-running game, Petracca trickled his second through from the boundary, Tom Sparrow kicked one on the run and Oliver's major on the was a killer blow.

The fourth quarter was party time as the kicked nine goals for the term – and 15 of the final 16 of the game – in front of adoring red and blue faithful in attendance. After so many years of football hell, the Demons were finally in heaven.

MELBOURNE                   4.5     5.9     12.11     21.14 (140)

WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.2     7.5     9.5     10.6 (66)

GOALS

Melbourne: Fritsch 6, Brown 3, Petracca 2, Neal-Bullen 2, McDonald 2, Spargo, Brayshaw, Sparrow, Oliver, Langdon, Jackson

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Treloar 3, R Smith, Naughton, Hunter, Johannisen

BEST

Melbourne: Petracca, Fritsch, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem, Gawn, Jackson

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Daniel, B.Smith, Treloar, Macrae, Liberatore, Dale

INJURIES

Melbourne: Nil

Western Bulldogs: Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Melbourne: Jordon (unused)

Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (unused) 

Crowd: 61,118 at Optus Stadium

Ollie Wines: 2021 AFL Brownlow Medal Winner

BRILLIANT midfielder Ollie Wines has become the first Brownlow medallist in Port Adelaide’s history, winning a record-breaking count at Perth's Optus Stadium on Sunday night.

The star onballer powered home to poll a record-equalling 36 votes to be crowned the League’s best and fairest player in 2021, edging Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (33).

The 26-year-old from Echuca equalled Dustin Martin's 2017 record for the most votes polled under the 3-2-1 system, after a career-best season leading the Power midfield.

Wines polled in a record 16 games and stormed home with votes in 11 of the last 12 rounds, taking the lead from Bontempelli after round 22.

He sealed the game's highest individual honour when he polled two votes to Bontempelli's nil in the Power's round 23 win over the Bulldogs. 

It was an historic count in several ways, with a record four players polling 30 or more votes after Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver finished third with 33 and Carlton's Sam Walsh tallied 30 in fourth.

A "numb" Wines paid tribute to his teammates and club for making the award possible and said he hoped he could inspire young country kids to chase their dreams as he had.

Recruited with pick No.7 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, he said the key to taking his game to a new level in 2021 had been focusing on his strengths, rather than trying to be something he is not.

"I probably accepted my role a little bit and understood I wasn't going to be the silky smooth mid who carved up outside the contest," Wines said.

"All Ken (Hinkley) needed from me was to put my head over the ball inside and dish it out to the guys on the outside, who are the creative, more talented players.

"I don't think I've got a lot of talent, but as my Mum said, I'm a bit of a stayer and will stick it tough to the end and grind it out.

"Once I simplified my game a little bit more, everything clicked from there."

2021 Brownlow Medal Top 10

1. Ollie Wines (PA) - 36 votes

2. Marcus Bontempelli (WB) - 33

3. Clayton Oliver (Melb) - 31

4. Sam Walsh (Carl) - 30

=5. Darcy Parish (Ess) - 26

=5. Jack Steele (StK) - 26

=7. Travis Boak (PA) - 25

=7. Tom Mitchell (Haw) - 25

=9. Jarryd Lyons (BL) - 23

=9. Christian Petracca (Melb) - 23

Richmond: 2020 AFL Premiers

TWO OUT of three ain't bad, but three out of four is a whole other level. 

Richmond has claimed back-to-back premierships, and made it three of the last four flags, after coming from behind to beat Geelong by 31 points in the historic first ever Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Gabba. It etched the Tiger dynasty into football history as one of the most dominant sides of this century. 

Dustin Martin, Richmond's inimitable, incredible midfielder, also made history by becoming the first player to win three Norm Smith Medals as the best on ground in the 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) win by booting four goals from 21 disposals.

The under lights Gabba clash had it all: injury carnage, a remarkable recovery, a comeback, two stretchers, pitch invaders, pyrotechnics and an entertainment package that will make the debate for day Grand Finals a harder sell in 2021. 

But mainly it again illustrated the brilliance of Martin and the Tigers, who came from 15 points down at half-time to secure their 13th flag and first consecutive flag since their 1973-4 triumphs. It was their third premiership under coach Damien Hardwick and skipper Trent Cotchin. 

After more than 110 days on the road living in Queensland after COVID-19's second wave forced the competition to relocate out of Victoria, the Tigers will return with the premiership cup later this week after storming home in the second half. 

Gary Ablett's farewell did not go as hoped, with the champion Cat injuring his shoulder in the opening minutes immediately after Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin was concussed in a wild piece of play. 

Ablett returned later in the quarter after receiving medical attention in the rooms, but continued to nurse the injury throughout the game, struggling to use his arm for the rest of the night and enduring serious pain throughout. His hope of ending his glittering 357-game career with a third flag was dashed as the Tigers booted nine goals to two in the second half. 

In a game full by superstars on both sides, it was Richmond's who rose to the occasion. Martin was again exceptional, following his 2017 and 2019 deciders with another standout game. The game's best player proved it with a high-impact game across half-forward, while Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong's own match-winner, was subdued. Geelong Coleman medallist Tom Hawkins kicked one goal from 10 disposals, with Mitch Duncan (25 disposals, one goal) the Cats' best. 

There was drama everywhere in the first term. Six minutes into the game it changed: Vlastuin was knocked out by a stray Dangerfield elbow (which will certainly come under Match Review Officer scrutiny) and in the following contest Ablett's shoulder dislocated as he was tackled by Cotchin. 

As Vlastuin was taken by stretcher from the field, Ablett left cradling his arm. The shock left the players and crowd stunned, and after a six-minute break in the game, it resumed to more action, including two fans who ran onto the field that almost got involved in the play. 

Although the Tigers kicked the first two goals, the Cats settled to take a one-point lead into the first change. Ablett, too, returned to the field – a sight that looked unimaginable minutes earlier after what appeared set to be an anticlimactic end to his phenomenal career. 

Geelong took that momentum into the second term, dominating Richmond in the pressure stakes and using their strength at the contest to push aside the Tigers. The Tigers, so renowned for their tenacious attack, were being beaten at their own game. 

The Cats kicked three goals to one in the quarter but should have been further ahead after some straightforward misses. They are sprayed kicks which will linger in the minds of the Cats well beyond the final siren. 

Richmond's single goal came via Martin – an astonishing snap while fending off some Cats opponents – with the Tigers struggling in attack. 

Key forward pair Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt combined for one kick in the first half as Geelong's defence, led by the insurmountable Tom Stewart and veteran Harry Taylor, controlled proceedings. 

But Richmond wasn't done. Riewoldt kicked the opening goal of the third term after a free kick, before a Jason Castagna outswinger curled through. Martin's brilliance again rose to the top, with the key Tiger's on-the-run checkside trickling through to give Richmond a two-point edge by three-quarter time.

The Tigers powered home in the final quarter, kicking five goals to one to end up comfortable premiers. The final goal came, of course, via Martin in the last two minutes, who shrugged off a tackle from Dangerfield pinned up against the boundary line and snapped an amazing goal. In doing so, the Tigers’ tattooed champion confirmed his status as perhaps the best big-game player in football history. 

RICHMOND     2.1     3.2     7.4     12.9     (81)

GEELONG        2.2     5.5     6.8     7.8     (50)

GOALS

Richmond: Martin 4, Prestia 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna, Lambert, Lynch, McIntosh

Geelong: Menegola 2, Dangerfield, Duncan, Guthrie, Hawkins, Miers

BEST

Richmond: Martin, Short, Edwards, Prestia, Cotchin, Bolton

Geelong: Duncan, Stewart, Selwood, Menegola, Dahlhaus

INJURIES

Richmond: Vlastuin (concussion), Houli (calf)

Geelong: Ablett (shoulder), Simpson (concussion)

Richmond: 2019 AFL Premiers

RICHMOND waited 37 long years for premiership success.

It now has two flags in three seasons.

The 'Dimma Dynasty' started on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the MCG. It was just as invigorating and exciting two years on, as Damien Hardwick's remarkable group brushed aside Grand Final rookies Greater Western Sydney on its way to an emphatic 89-point win.

The Tigers tackled, harassed and drove forward with the relentlessness they have become renowned for throughout their three years of dominance, inspired by an unstoppable mix of genius coaching, tremendous individual talent and astonishing team cohesion.

Richmond's 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) Grand Final victory was the product of that combination – a demonstration of all that has made it the best team of 2019.

Hardwick thwarted his opposite number Leon Cameron, particularly in an outstanding second-quarter display where the Tigers completely overwhelmed the Giants in all areas of the ground to kick five unanswered goals and lay the foundations for their emphatic win.

He also had the players to execute his vision.

Dustin Martin, once again, was sublime. Whether it was in the midfield, where he collected 22 disposals and three clearances, or forward, where he slotted four goals and had eight score involvements, he was the game's most influential figure.

DUSTY'S DOUBLE Martin in elite company with second Norm Smith

A second Norm Smith Medal – making him just the fourth player to be a dual winner of the award behind Gary Ayres, Andrew McLeod and Luke Hodge – was just reward for his stunning display, as the Richmond favourite etched his name in the record books.

Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch – the League's most dominant forward duo – combined for seven goals. Riewoldt had three in the second quarter alone and finished with five for the match, while Lynch was a constant presence to haul down seven big marks.

Bachar Houli (26 disposals) and Dion Prestia (22 disposals) were their prolific selves, while Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and Nick Vlastuin were also typically consistent.

Then there was the Grand Final debutant, Marlion Pickett. One game, one flag.

The 27-year-old was lively, involved and, at times, special. He repaid Hardwick's faith and then some, finishing with 22 disposals, eight inside 50s, nine score involvements and a maiden AFL goal on an unforgettable afternoon for the club's boom recruit.

But the manner in which they were able to showcase their individual flair, without ever straying from Hardwick's methodical and trained system, was evident from the outset.

In fact, it helped stamp their authority on the contest.


While the Giants had become renowned for their pressure throughout September, it was the Tigers who were turning the tables throughout the opening stages on Saturday.

They hunted in packs, chased relentlessly and tackled as though their lives depended on it.

The only problem was, they couldn't take advantage of their dominance.

Richmond kicked three behinds from its first 10 entries to start the match, allowing GWS to regain some composure and resulting in a nervous period of flux for both sides.

Turnovers and lamentable mistakes became the order of the day, until Jeremy Cameron flushed a shot from beyond 50m for the game's first goal – 21 minutes into the match.

All of a sudden, the Tigers needed a spark. Enter Martin.

Pushed deep forward, he wriggled clear of Heath Shaw, marked strongly and bent his shot around the corner to eventually get the yellow and black faithful back on their feet.

Daniel Rioli followed it with a bomb on the buzzer and the momentum carried Richmond into the break and beyond, as the Tigers stormed away with the contest.


Pickett was blind-turning tacklers, Jason Castagna was leaping above defenders, Riewoldt was bending them around corners and Dusty was just being Dusty.

The result was a 35-point lead in a flash by half-time.

Each Tiger goal – all five of them, kicked one after the other – was met with exceedingly raucous cheers, as the Punt Road end celebrated what was quickly becoming inevitable.

The Giants went some way to stemming the bleeding by the break. However, in reality, they quite simply couldn't lay a glove on the Tigers. They were held goalless for the entirety of the second quarter, as a disaster unfolded in front of them.



But if they thought the main change would end the nightmare, they were wrong.

Lynch added the first of the second half, before Martin snapped another from deep inside the boundary. The third was the cream on top of a yellow and black cake.

Martin delivered to Pickett, who slotted his first goal in senior footy in typically calm fashion. All 18 Richmond players on the field immediately swarmed the debutant.

THE MOMENT Debutant's maiden goal hands Tigers a Hollywood ending


Pickett adds to the perfect story
It became a training drill for the Tigers, who ultimately booted 11 straight goals – the large majority of which were slotted under very little pressure – before the Giants responded.

But the response was tame, to say the least.

TEN THINGS WE LEARNED GWS decision backfires, Tiger courage rewarded

While youngster Tim Taranto (30 disposals, seven tackles) fought hard all day and veteran Shaw (29 disposals, 14 marks) was tireless, it was unsurprisingly not enough.

And with a 62-point deficit at three-quarter time, there was little left to play for late.

Instead, it became a Richmond party, as players lined up for their shot at goal. They added five more in the final term, with captain Trent Cotchin's – delivered from beyond 50m out after a couple of bounces – resulting in perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon.


Captain Cotch joins the Tigers' party
The final siren mirrored that joy, sparking yet more wild scenes of Richmond celebrations.

Once a rarity, September success now seems like a regular Tiger occurrence.



RICHMOND                                2.3     7.5     12.9     17.12     (114)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     1.2     1.6     2.7     3.7     (25)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Martin 4, Lynch 2, Rioli, Soldo, Pickett, Lambert, Bolton, Cotchin
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron, Hopper, Himmelberg

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Riewoldt, Prestia, Pickett, Edwards, Vlastuin, Houli
Greater Western Sydney: Taranto, Shaw, Haynes, Hopper, Williams

NORM SMITH MEDAL VOTING
15 - Dustin Martin, Richmond - 33333
6 - Bachar Houli, Richmond - 222
4 - Marlion Pickett, Richmond - 211
3 - Jack Riewoldt, Richmond - 111
2 - Dion Prestia, Richmond - 2

Judges voting (3, 2, 1)
Alastair Lynch (Chair) - D. Martin, B. Houli, J. Riewoldt
Chris Johnson - D. Martin, D. Prestia, J. Riewoldt
Matthew Lloyd - D. Martin, B. Houli, M. Pickett
Bruce McAvaney - D. Martin, B. Houli, M. Pickett
Angela Pippos - D. Martin, M. Pickett, J. Riewoldt

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 100,014 at the MCG

Richmond's 12 VFL/AFL premierships, ranked by winning margin
SEASON GRAND FINAL MARGIN NORM SMITH MEDALLIST
2019 Richmond 17.12 (114) d Greater Western Sydney 3.7 (25) 89 points Dustin Martin (Rich)
1980 Richmond 23.21 (159) d Collingwood 9.24 (78) 81 points Kevin Bartlett (Rich)
2017 Richmond 16.12 (108) d Adelaide 8.12 (60) 48 points Dustin Martin (Rich)
1974 Richmond 18.20 (128) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) 41 points Kevin Sheedy (Rich)*
1934 Richmond 19.14 (128) d South Melbourne 12.17 (89) 39 points -
1969 Richmond 12.13 (85) d Carlton 8.12 (60) 25 points Michael Green (Rich)*
1973 Richmond 16.20 (106) d Carlton 12.14 (86) 20 points Kevin Bartlett (Rich)*
1920 Richmond 7.10 (52) d Collingwood 5.5 (35) 17 points -
1932 Richmond 13.14 (92) d Carlton 12.11 (83) 9 points -
1967 Richmond 16.18 (114) d Geelong 15.15 (105) 9 points Bill Goggin (Geel)*
1921 Richmond 5.6 (36) d Carlton 4.8 (32) 4 points -
*Voted best and fairest before the Norm Smith Medal was presented from 1979

Adelaide Crows: 2019 AFL Women's Premiers

A SERIOUS knee injury to Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips has cast a shadow over the Crows' emphatic 45-point victory over Carlton in the AFLW Grand Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Played in front of a record crowd for a women's game of Australian football of 53,034, the Crows lived up to their favourites' tag, demolishing the Blues, 10.3 (63) to 2.6 (18).

The attendance was the fifth-highest for a football match at Adelaide Oval.

After a one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in round one, the Crows went on an eight-game winning streak under first-year coach Matthew Clarke to secure their second flag in three years.

Phillips was best on ground before tearing the ACL in her left knee in the third quarter, the crowd going silent while she was being treated before giving the 2017 AFLW best and fairest a rousing ovation as she left the ground.

Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff dominated the midfield, Eloise Jones was lively in attack and Danielle Ponter kicked three goals.

The Crows also lost forward Chloe Scheer to a suspected ruptured ACL.

Blues captain Brianna Davey was the best for the visitors, who gave themselves too much to do after trailing by 40 points at half-time.

The moment
This was a monumental day for AFLW, and women's sport in general, in many ways. A crowd of 30,000 was expected, but the Adelaide public arrived in droves for an official attendance of 53,034. It was easily the largest crowd for a women's game of Australian football and the fifth-biggest crowd at Adelaide Oval for any football game.

The first blow
The Blues got away to the perfect start within three minutes when young gun Madison Prespakis was awarded a 50m penalty and kicked the opening goal of the game from the goalsquare. It was a rare highlight for the Blues, with the Crows kicking the next nine goals of the game to have the match won by half-time.

Get online now and watch this …
Crows forward Chloe Scheer took an absolute hanger, climbing on the back of Blues defender Kerryn Harrington in the second quarter. But that high turned to concern a few minutes later when Scheer went down on her right knee and was helped from the ground. Scheer missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

Did you see that?
It was attacking footy at its best as Crows speedster Eloise Jones found herself in plenty of space along the wing. After a couple of bounces, Jones delivered a pinpoint kick to Danielle Ponter just beyond the reach of her Blues defender and for her third goal of the game. Jones was influential up forward with her courageous marking and ability to hit targets by foot.

Work in progress
The Blues have been one of the feel-good stories of this season. After winning just two games last year, and a disappointing round-one loss to North Melbourne, they turned their season around under new coach Daniel Harford, playing an exciting brand of football. Led by captain Brianna Davey and NAB AFLW Rising Star favourite Madison Prespakis, the Blues can hold their heads high and have a bright future.

ADELAIDE                   3.0        9.2       10.2     10.3 (63)
CARLTON                    1.3       2.4       2.5       2.6 (18)

GOALS

Adelaide: Ponter 3, Phillips 2, Hatchard, Considine, Martin, Thompson, Jones
Carlton: Prespakis, Davey

BEST
Adelaide: Hatchard, Phillips, Jones, Randall, Allan, Marinoff, J.Foley
Carlton: Davey, Stevens, Prespakis, S.Hosking, Downie

INJURIES

Adelaide: Scheer (knee), Phillips (knee)
Carlton: Harris (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Toner, Heffernan, McGinness

Official crowd: 53,034 at Adelaide Oval

West Coast Eagles: 2018 AFL Premiers

DOM SHEED has capped off a West Coast comeback that will go down as  one of the club's finest moments and one of the classic Grand Finals.

After trailing Collingwood for most of Saturday's Grand Final at the MCG, Sheed marked 40m out from goal on a tight angle with less than two minutes to play.

The Eagles had dominated general play in the last term but trailed by two points at that point, having missed their previous four shots at goal.

However, when his team needed him most, Sheed went back and coolly split the big sticks to put West Coast four points up and send Eagles fans into a frenzy.

It looked like the visitors would ice their fourth premiership soon after, but Jack Darling, who had memorably missed a pivotal chest mark in West Coast's 2015 Grand Final capitulation to Hawthorn, somehow botched an unopposed mark on the goalline.

It gave the Magpies one final chance, but when Luke Shuey marked a long kick-in in the centre of the ground in the dying seconds West Coast was able to hang on for a thrilling 11.13 (79) to 11.8 (74) victory.


Earlier it had looked like the crowd of 100,022 at the MCG would be forced to endure a boilover when the Magpies piled on the game's opening five goals to open up a 29-point lead late in the first term.


At that stage West Coast looked as overawed as its class of 2015 had been against Hawthorn three years earlier.

However, this year's Eagles team was made of sterner stuff and on the back of a massive third term from one of 2015's biggest villains, Darling, they briefly hit the front before going into the final break on level terms.


It set up a thrilling final term and the teams gave the fans at the MCG a finish they will long remember.

Again, the Eagles were slow starters as the Pies goaled twice within the opening two minutes, through Brody Mihocek and Jordan De Goey.

But, again, the Eagles were far from done. They kicked two of the next three goals, via Nathan Vardy and Josh Kennedy, and then peppered the goals for just four behinds before Sheed stepped up to play the hero.

Luke Shuey (34 possessions, nine clearances, eight tackles, eight inside 50s and one goal) was a thoroughly deserved winner of the Norm Smith Medal, while Sheed (32 possessions, eight clearances and six inside 50s) was also outstanding, his contribution extending far beyond his match-winning goal.


Josh Kennedy was held goalless in the 2015 Grand Final, but rebounded strongly against the Magpies to finish with 3.2 and 11 marks, while Darling overcame a slow start – and his last-minute brainfade – to get the Eagles back in the game with six marks in the third quarter.

West Coast's defence was also superb, especially in the first half when Collingwood was on top. Tom Barrass kept Mason Cox on a tight leash until late in the game, Will Schofield gave little room to De Goey in the first half and Steele Sidebottom in the second half, while a noticeably sore Jeremy McGovern took some telling marks when the game was on the line.


Run-with midfielder Mark Hutchings also kept Sidebottom so quiet the Magpie star was thrown deep into attack midway through the third term.

In winning their fourth flag, the Eagles moved past Brisbane (three) for the most premierships won by teams that have joined the competition since 1987.


They have now also won more flags in that time than any other club bar Hawthorn (seven), while their win broke a streak of five Grand Finals when Victorian teams had defeated interstate opponents.

The Magpies were brave in defeat, but missing the chance to equal Carlton and Essendon on a record 16 premierships will sting.


Taylor Adams (31 possessions, nine clearances and one goal) starred for the Magpies through the midfield, while Tom Langdon (23 possessions, seven marks, and 11 one-percenters) and Jack Crisp (25 possessions and nine marks) stood up strongly in defence.

Adam Treloar (26 possessions, five clearances and 11 tackles) was also a tireless worker through the midfield, Jeremy Howe waged an entertaining battle with Darling and Travis Varcoe was influential with his unrelenting pressure.


With Saturday's loss, Collingwood's Grand Final record slumped to 15-27 and two draws.

The Magpies had set up their two finals wins leading into the Grand Final with first-quarter blitzes and they stuck to the same formula on Saturday, piling on the game's opening five goals to jump to a 28-point lead after just 22 minutes of play.

Varcoe kicked the game's opening major with a clinical finish on the run from 40m at the five-minute mark, and NAB AFL Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson announced his arrival on the game's biggest stage soon after with two goals in two minutes.

De Goey then brushed off attempted tackles from Shannon Hurn and Jack Redden and snapped truly from near the boundary line, and when Will Hoskin-Elliott converted from 40m out on the boundary line it seemed the Magpies could do no wrong.

On the other hand, the Eagles started as poorly as they had in the 2015 Grand Final.

However, they saved some face when with the final two goals of the first term, with Willie Rioli toeing a major on the goalline – confirmed after a video review – and Kennedy converting with an around-the-corner set shot after marking strongly in front of Tyson Goldsack.

The second quarter's opening goal did not come until the 20-minute mark when De Goey played on and kicked truly from outside 50m to put the Magpies 23 points up.

West Coast quickly hit back when Hutchings gleefully accepted a Mark LeCras handball in the goalsquare and converted, while Shuey ensured his team entered the half-time break with a sniff when he goaled on the run after a boundary throw-in to cut the margin to just 12 points.

That sniff proved enough to inspire the Eagles to one of the great Grand Final triumphs.

MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: After entering the match under an injury cloud, Jeremy McGovern spent the final five minutes of the first half off the ground. He started the third term on the ground and finished the game.

Collingwood: Brayden Maynard came from the ground after copping a heavy bump to the body from Liam Ryan midway through the second quarter. The defender returned soon after but was off again within minutes after appearing to suffer a left shoulder injury. However, he returned with his shoulder strapped and played out the match.


WEST COAST            2.2    4.3    8.7    11.13 (79)
COLLINGWOOD       5.1    6.3    8.7     11.8 (74)   

GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Hutchings, Shuey, Sheed, Darling, Yeo, Cripps, Vardy, Rioli
Collingwood: De Goey 3, Cox 2, Stephenson 2, Hoskin-Elliott, Varcoe, Mihocek, Adams

BEST
West Coast: Shuey, Sheed, Barrass, Kennedy, Hutchings, Schofield, McGovern
Collingwood: Adams, Langdon, Crisp, Treloar, De Goey, Mayne

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Collingwood: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Rosebury

Official crowd: 100,022 at the MCG

WEST COAST'S RECORD IN GRAND FINALS
Season Result Margin Norm Smith medallist
1991 Hawthorn 20.19 (139) d West Coast 13.8 (86) 53 points Paul Dear (Haw)
1992 West Coast 16.17 (113) d Geelong 12.13 (85) 28 points Peter Matera (WC)
1994 West Coast 20.23 (143) d Geelong 8.15 (63) 80 points Dean Kemp (WC)
2005 Sydney 8.10 (58) d West Coast 7.12 (54) 4 points Chris Judd (WC)
2006 West Coast 12.13 (85) d Sydney 12.12 (84) 1 point Andrew Embley (WC)
2015 Hawthorn 16.11 (107) d West Coast 8.13 (61) 46 points Cyril Rioli (Haw)
2018 West Coast 11.13 (79) d Collingwood 11.8 (74) 5 points Luke Shuey (WC)

We're The Eagles

 #AFL #AFLGF #ItstimetoFly

Richmond Tigers: 2017 AFL Premiers

AFTER 37 long years Richmond has finally bared its fangs on Grand Final day again, mauling a lacklustre Adelaide with the relentless pressure that has become its trademark this September to seal an inspired 48-point premiership triumph before 100,021 fans at the MCG.

The Tigers sealed their 11th flag – and first since 1980 – with a run of seven unanswered goals from early in the second quarter that had the Crows staggering on the ropes just 10 minutes into the third term.

Richmond led by 28 points at that stage, having kept the Crows goalless for a quarter and a half. And when Taylor Walker finally broke Adelaide's goal drought with a 40m set shot midway through the third term, the Tigers swiftly killed off any hopes of a Crows comeback, rattling on the next four goals to take an unassailable 45-point lead early in the final term that had even the most pessimistic Richmond fans daring to believe.

Adelaide got three late consolation goals but nothing could take the gloss off Richmond's 16.12 (108) to 8.12 (60) triumph that Tigers fans had been dreaming about – often without much genuine hope – for a football eternity.

Adelaide's star-studded forward line loomed as a potential spoiler to the Tigers' fairytale, but Damien Hardwick's men provided the latest supporting argument for the football adage that defence wins premierships.

Alex Rance (11 possessions and six marks, three contested) was outstanding despite being manned by Crows forward Andy Otten, and was clearly best on ground when the game was at its fiercest in the first half.

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin capped off a fairytale year for himself and his club when he won the Norm Smith Medal after starring with 29 possessions, six clearances and two goals.

David Astbury kept Walker to just two goals and little of his usual influence, while Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin conspired to shut down dangerous goalsneaks Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron, and Bachar Houli (25 possessions and four rebound 50s) provided much of Richmond's defensive rebound.

The Tigers smashed the Crows in contested possessions (170-140) and won the clearances (45-39), thanks largely to the stoppage work of Martin, Dion Prestia (27 possessions and three centre clearances) and Shane Edwards (25 possessions and seven clearances).

Jack Graham was only teenager playing on Saturday but was not overawed by the occasion, kicking three goals in the opening three quarters, while Jack Riewoldt and the Tigers' army of small forwards harassed Adelaide's defenders all day as Richmond finished with 11 separate goalkickers.

Hardwick said his team's pressure was "a little bit off" in the first quarter, but improved from there.

"They were probably kicking more, so we couldn't exert that influence, but then we started to get going. We know if we play a certain way we're going to give ourselves a chance to win," Hardwick said.

"It's funny, I was speaking to Clarko on Monday night about the eeriness to the 2008 Hawks. I think in 2008 the Hawks lost to Richmond in about round 20 and played their best football thereafter.

"We lost to Geelong round (21) and then we just went whack, whack, whack, whack, whack, whack.

"We learned a lot of lessons from the games that we lost and we played our best footy when it mattered most."

The Tigers' win came on the back of a 13th-place finish in 2016 that had many calling for the coach's head.

But Hardwick kept his head and held his nerve, simplifying the Tigers' game play over the 2017 pre-season to take advantage of their pace and, after Ben Griffiths' lingering concussion issues, fashioned an unfashionable attack around 'Jack and his midgets'.

Before this season, the Tigers had not won a final since 2001, having lost elimination finals under Hardwick from 2013-15.

In defeating the Crows, Richmond continued a perfect record in return matches against teams that defeated it earlier in the season.

On Saturday, the Tigers avenged their 76-point thumping by the Crows in round six at Adelaide Oval, having earlier avenged losses to Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda and Geelong. Richmond did not have return matches against its round seven conquerors, the Western Bulldogs, or Sydney, who defeated it in round 13.

Crows coach Don Pyke said his team's effort simply wasn't good enough.

"One of the things that is very hard from a coaching viewpoint is to provide effort. The players are responsible for effort. We try and encourage that, we try and demand that," Pyke said.

"We tried to do some structural things, but you're trying to put a patch on what's a fair wound, and when you're talking minus 25 (in contested possessions) in the third quarter, which is why we value it as a stat, and in fairness, a stat we've been very good at all year, that's probably the most disappointing part.

"It's an area of our game that we felt coming in we were strong and we didn't deliver today."

Life, death and a flag: meet the Tiger Army

On a nightmare day for the Crows, midfielders Matt Crouch (37 possessions and five clearances), Brad Crouch (29 and seven) and Rory Sloane (21 possessions and two goals) never stopped trying, Rory Laird (27 possessions at 88 per cent efficiency) tried to generate run from half-back, and Sam Jacobs dominated Toby Nankervis in the ruck contests, even if his midfielders could not take advantage of his tap work.

The Crows made the better start on Saturday. Sloane kicked the game's opening goal with a 40m set shot at the four-minute mark of the first term, then Betts added another a minute later when he capitalised on a Vlastuin fumble to run into an open goal.

The Tigers looked to be suffering some early Grand Final nerves and, although they had their share of the play, were struggling to get on the scoreboard, with spearhead Riewoldt kicking three consecutive behinds in less than four minutes.

Finally, at the 16-minute mark, Josh Caddy kicked their first goal and when Houli added another four minutes later the Tigers led for the first time, two points up on the Crows.

However, superb crumbing goals from Sloane and Hugh Greenwood late in the term sent Adelaide into the first break 11 points up.

The MCG's lights were switched on at the start of the second quarter as Melbourne skies clouded over, with rain starting to fall soon after.

The Crows had the first two scoring shots of the second term – behinds to Betts and Tom Lynch – but it was the Tigers' term from there.

With their tackling and chasing rising to 11 on the pressure-meter, Richmond piled on four unanswered goals, the first at the four-minute mark, when Riewoldt finally broke his duck with a 40m snap that was confirmed after a video review.

Jacob Townsend put the Tigers within two points midway through the term when he converted from 45m after a questionable holding free kick was paid against Jake Lever.

Graham and Martin then goaled in quick succession late in the quarter – Graham after a clever snap on the run, Martin following a strong mark in front of Luke Brown – to send the Tigers into half-time with a nine-point lead.


ADELAIDE       4.2     4.7      5.10     8.12       (60)
RICHMOND     2.3     6.4     11.8     16.12     (108)

GOALS
Adelaide: Sloane 2, Walker 2, Betts, Greenwood, B. Crouch, Cameron
Richmond: Graham 3, Townsend 2, Martin 2, Riewoldt 2, Caddy, Houli, Grigg, Lambert, Castagna, Prestia, Butler

BEST
Adelaide: M. Crouch, Jacobs, B. Crouch, Sloane, Laird
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Houli, Astbury, Prestia, Edwards, Graham, Grimes

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Richmond: Rioli (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Meredith, Ryan

Official crowd: 100,021 at the MCG

Dustin Martin: 2017 AFL Brownlow Medal Winner

RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin has lived up to his unbackable pre-count billing by claiming a record-breaking Brownlow Medal victory at Crown Palladium on Monday night.

Martin, the shortest-priced favourite in history at $1.03, polled a record 36 votes – excluding 1976-77, when two umpires awarded separate votes – to win by 11 from Hawk Tom Mitchell (25) and Sydney's Josh Kennedy (23).


The 26-year-old had a share of the award by round 21 and could not be beaten a round later, when he already had 30 votes to his name.

Martin's 11th set of three votes in the final round saw him break reigning winner Patrick Dangerfield's record haul of 35 votes from last year.

It also gave him the most three-vote performances in Brownlow history, passing the nine best-on-grounds polled by Greg Williams (1994), Nat Fyfe (2015) and Dangerfield (2016).

"It's a pretty surreal position to be in, obviously getting the (Brownlow) Medal and being in a Grand Final, so it's pretty awesome," Martin said.

"Ever since back in the day I knew this (playing in the AFL) was all I ever wanted to do, so I put everything into it and I'm glad it's paying off.

"Every year you learn new things in the game; whether it be better diet or a bit more cross-training or a bit of meditation here and there – finding new things to make you better."

The player who went 2,877 days between Brownlow votes

But Dangerfield's ineligible status was the elephant in the room. His round 19 suspension for a dangerous tackle on Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer spoiled what could have been a spectacular race.



There were murmurs when Dangerfield shot four votes ahead of Martin on the back of 22 votes in an extraordinary eight-game stretch between rounds nine and 17. The champion Cat finished with 33 votes.

"He is a champion, Paddy. I have great respect for him, but it would have been a bit awkward if he beat me … so it's a bit of a relief there's no awkwardness," Martin said.

10 talking points: Dusty opens up, Mark of the Year shock, unloved Cat

Martin's ability to block out the constant discussion about his dominance and, until recently, his out-of-contract status remains part of the fascination about him as a footballer and person.

But the man himself says it's a cinch.

"As soon as I get into the footy club, and out there on the 'G, all I'm thinking about is footy. The rest is just noise," he said.

"I've probably just got to deal with (the attention) and cop it. I don't spend too much time thinking about it – I'm just here to play footy.

"It will just be business as usual tomorrow when I get into the club, and for the rest of the week. Hopefully we can celebrate with a premiership this week."

Martin hailed Tigers captain and former housemate Trent Cotchin's impact on his life, as well as his rockstar manager Ralph Carr and coaches Damien Hardwick, Blake Caracella and Andrew McQualter.

Ex-Richmond assistants Wayne Campbell and Mark Williams also scored a mention.

The winning margin, which beat fellow Tiger and dual Brownlow medallist Roy Wright's 10-vote triumph in 1954, gave weight to Hall of Famer Leigh Matthews' claim Martin's was the best individual season ever.

Martin's night began in perfect fashion, receiving maximum votes in Richmond's season opener for his 33 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and four goals against Carlton.

But he took an early backseat to fast-starting Crow Rory Sloane, who had 12 votes through six rounds. Sloane managed only eight more.

Martin rocketed into the outright lead for the first time in round 11 with the fifth of his 11 three-vote performances, and from there his greatest opponent was history.



He polled in 14 of his 22 games to break Dangerfield's overall tally of 35 from last year. Dangerfield polled in 15 matches in 2016, relegating Martin to third.

Martin is bidding to be the 14th player to achieve the Brownlow-premiership double in the same season, with the Tigers playing in their first Grand Final in 35 years on Saturday against Adelaide.

The boy from Castlemaine averaged 30.2 disposals, kicked 32 goals and ranked first in the AFL in inside 50s, centre clearances and broken tackles and third in contested possessions.

Martin ended months of speculation when he signed a new seven-year deal, reportedly worth between $1.2 and $1.3 million a season, on finals eve to remain at Punt Rd.

"It was certainly stressful," he said of his contract saga.

"By the end of it, I was sick of everyone talking about it, sick of my ugly face being in the paper every day. Ralph was great to me.

"I pretty much lived at his house towards the end, I'm just glad it got done."

2017 Brownlow Medal top 10

36 - Dustin Martin (Rich)
33 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) *
25 - Tom Mitchell (Haw)
23 - Josh Kennedy (Syd)
22 - Lance Franklin (Syd)
21 - Josh Kelly (GWS)
20 - Rory Sloane (Adel)
19 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
18 - Ollie Wines (PA)
17 - Dayne Beams (BL)

* ineligible

Dustin Martin's stellar season

Brownlow medallist
AFL Players Association MVP
AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year
Player of the Year: Herald Sun, SEN, 3AW
11 three-vote games (R1 v Carlton, R3 v West Coast, R9 v Greater Western Sydney, R10 v Essendon, R11 v North Melbourne, R15 v Port Adelaide, R17 v Brisbane Lions, R18 v Greater Western Sydney, R19 v Gold Coast, R22 v Fremantle, R23 v St Kilda)
Averaged 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside-50s, four tackles and a goal each game
Set new AFL record for most broken tackles (68) and tied record for most in a single game (seven in round 15 win over Port Adelaide)
Achieved career-high clearances (15 in round three win over West Coast) and inside 50s (12 in round 17 win over Brisbane)
Most inside 50s this season (147 at six per game)
Third-most contested possessions this season (340) behind leader Patrick Dangerfield
Fourth-most disposals this season (715) behind leader Matt Crouch
Fourth-most clearances this season (155) behind leader Patrick Dangerfield.

Adelaide Crows: 2017 AFL Women's Premiers

ADELAIDE has defied the odds to create history as the first NAB AFLW premier.

The Crows fought off a late challenge to upset previously unbeaten favourites the Brisbane Lions by six points in a tense Grand Final at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Adelaide won 4.11 (35) to 4.5 (29).



Brilliantly led by co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall, the visitors controlled the contest for three quarters before the Lions crept within five points in a desperate last-quarter fling at victory.

After being outplayed for most of the contest, the Lions threw everything into the final term and a mark and goal from Tayla Harris cut the margin to inside a goal. But the Crows stood firm, limiting the home team's scoring chances with an extra player behind the ball for most of the game.

Phillips was inspirational and ran herself to exhaustion, finishing with an impressive 28 possessions and two vital third-quarter goals that set up the scoreboard buffer.

And Randall did a crucial stopper job at full-back on the dangerous Harris, keeping the high-leaping Lion kickless in the first half.

Harris even moved to the wing at the start of the second half to try to get into the contests and she had a spell on the interchange bench early in the third quarter.

It was a stunning triumph for Crows coach Bec Goddard, who has all the players at her disposal only on game-day, with a large group of the list based in Darwin during the week.

Adelaide grabbed the early lead with two freakish goals in the opening term, unlikely snapshots from tight angles that were gold in a low-scoring contest.

It was virtually the first play of the game when Crow Kellie Gibson ran onto a loose ball and snapped around the body on the run from 35m for the perfect start.

And Deni Varnhagen added another from the opposite pocket, this time a left-foot snapshot from near the boundary line for only her second goal of the season.

Considering the Crows' inside 50 domination, they should have taken a far greater advantage than six points into the main break.

Their system was superior in the first half, based on the midfield grunt of Phillips and the ability to get numbers back when the Lions started a surge out of the backline.


But Adelaide squandered the second-term control, managing only 0.6 from so many chances inside their forward half. The lopsided inside 50 count, with the Crows' leading 26-11 in the first half, emphasised their impressive work-rate but poor return.

It was a goal against the run of play from Jessica Wuetschner in the second quarter that kept Brisbane in touch in a defence-dominated contest.

The Lions finally found their share of the contested ball in the last quarter and threatened to send the match into overtime. But the determined Crows were not going to let their earlier hard work go to waste and held on until the final siren.



Blink and you missed it
The Crows couldn't have scripted a more perfect start to their Grand Final campaign. From the opening bounce, Courtney Cramey fired a long clearing kick from the congestion inside the 50m arc. Kellie Gibson outsprinted her opponent to grab the loose ball and threw it onto the right boot from 35m on a tight angle for a superb team-lifting goal.

Got the job done
Defenders often get overlooked for their diligent shutdown work and Crow Chelsea Randall and Lions counterpart Leah Kaslar certainly earned high praise. Randall didn't give Lions high-flyer Tayla Harris a sniff of the ball for three quarters, condemning her to a spell on the interchange bench in the third term. And Kaslar was equally gallant, keeping Crows cult forward Sarah Perkins goalless.


Marquee magic
Lions ruckman Sabrina Frederick-Traub did everything in her power to get her team over the line. The West Australian marquee pick underlined her skills with a brilliant mark against the flight of the ball in the second quarter. She spun around and broke free, took two bounces and was crunched after firing a long kick forward. Teammate Jessica Wuetschner benefited from the relayed free kick to boot her second goal to keep the Lions in touch.

History repeats
The romance of Adelaide's women's team winning a premiership on the 20-year anniversary of the same feat by the male counterparts wasn't lost on defender Tailia Radan. Radan remembers, as an eight-year-old, having her Crows jumper signed by forward Matthew Robran after training at Football Park during the 1997 AFL Grand Final week. To fly to the Gold Coast to seek the first premiership flag was no chore for nine of the 27-woman squad based in Darwin who travelled every week of the inaugural NAB AFLW season. The Darwin girls are estimated to have flown more than 45,000km during the seven-week home-and-away season, including two induction camps.


BRISBANE LIONS     1.0     2.1     3.3     4.5 (29)
ADELAIDE     2.1     2.7     4.9     4.11 (35)

GOALS

Brisbane Lions: Wuetschner 2, Frederick-Traub, Harris
Adelaide: Phillips 2, Gibson, Varnhagen

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Bates, Frederick-Traub, Virgo, Kaslar, Hunt, Ashmore
Adelaide: Phillips, Randall, Marinoff, Cramey, Gibson, Bevan

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Koenen (ankle)
Adelaide: Anderson (shoulder)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rodger, Bryce and Cheeve

Official crowd: 15,610 at Metricon Stadium

Western Bulldogs: 2016 AFL Premiers

If you were going to take 60 years to win a premiership, and you wanted to make it a premiership worth 60 years of waiting,  how would you script it?

Here's one way.

You could start two years beforehand with a crisis that led to the captain and coach leaving the club. You could replace the coach with a rookie called Luke Beveridge whose chief claim to fame was a couple of premierships in the amateurs and a stint in security in the public service.

You could replace the captain with a heart-and-soul veteran called Bob Murphy who in the season in question would do his knee and not play again after round three. You could put him out on the ground on grand final day anyway, because as sure as eggs, he was. I don't mean after the game, but during it. Surely you could see it. You could have it that he had his matchday guernsey on under his jacket all day.

You could survive a rash of injuries to other players besides, and finish seventh on the ladder, from where no-one has won a premiership before, and put yourself in a position where you had to win four finals in a row, starting with one in Perth.

You could win, and two, and three, gathering momentum as you go, and sweeping your hometown up along with you, and a lot of incidentals and casuals besides. You could turn the grand final, which it might easily be forgotten is just a game of football, into a kind of morality play. You could write it so that at the end of the day, everyone felt a little bit better about footy.

Even your opponents might come around to that point of view eventually, for this was a rare grand final day on which it was possible to barrack for one team and not against the other. You could, without giving offence to the Swans, make it that good guys win.

When it was done, and you'd stopped pinching yourself and slapping your own face, and the time came to divide the spoils, you could have that coach call up to the podium that maimed skipper and as 100,000 are your witness, hand over his premiership medallion, saying something like: "This is yours, mate. You deserve it more than anyone." Then he would also hand over joint responsibility with the stand-in captain for receiving and raising that mythical cup.

You'd have to write in a pause here, for tears and tissues, and _ why not? ­_ a beer.

Impossible, yes? A fable, yes? Well, why not give it a few more twists?  Why not pair yourself in the grand final with the Sydney Swans, the minor premier, the team that that is always there, the gold standard when it comes to finals style footy, the team whose captain, Kieren Jack, no-one could doubt at the end when he said:  "We didn't get the job done, but we're coming back. We're going nowhere."

Why not make it that you engage them on titanic terms for three-and-a-half quarters, and every now and then have them look as if  they might be about to shrug you off, and send shivers up all spines at the crucial moment early in the last quarter when Lance Franklin shapes a goal from 50 metres that reduces the margin to a point, and seems to presage a winning Swans surge?

Why not massage the script so that you match the Swans in what they do well, ferocity at the fall of the ball, and add something they don't, fleetness of foot and a preparedness to use it? Why not make it the sort of game in which every good turn deserved another, and every tackle, too, and in the third quarter have it that both teams find extra reserves of strength, as men in mortal danger do?

Why not now cast some improbable heroes? One could be, say, Tom Boyd, a lump of a lad who you poached from Greater Western Sydney in that crisis moment, really the president insisted and because you didn't want to be seen as a club that would accept to be pushed around, but who for two years you have found to be a bit of puzzle. Maybe he could grow through this final series, figuratively, but you would almost swear literally and on this day play his best match.

One could be Jason Johannisen, although you probably wouldn't given him that haircut. One  could be Liam Picken, son of a Collingwood great, but now with one over his dad, a premiership. Maybe it could be that he took four years to get onto a list, and spent most of his career since tagging, but was liberated by the new coach to play as a deadly forward?

One could be Dale Morris, a 33-yearold who the coach surely had in mind when he said this team was all heart, because for a dozen years it has leapt out of his chest so that he could play on and beat outsized opponents, and did again this day.

One could enigmatic Jake Stringer, who had only one decent moment for the day, but what a moment?

Why not, when the time came, link all these instant heroes in the final act? You could have it that in the centre of the MCG, Franklin is about to drive the Swans forward, but is tacked and dispossessed _ no-one strips Buddy Franklin _ by Morris, and ball tumbles free to Boyd, who tears up the playbook and thumps it forward and perhaps catches a gust of the crowd's urging tumbles and rolls through.

You could make it that just before that, Johannisen had kicked a goal that was overruled by a TV umpire because of a supposed touch on the goal-line, though everyone on both sides had accepted it and were in the centre for the next bounce. You could moralise here, about how a great grand final might have been ruined by a fatuous protocol. But it would be edited out.

You could have it that the Bulldogs beat the Swans at their own game. You could have it that exaltation on the boundary line and in the crowd looked like exactly it was, bursting with deliverance of 62 years. You'd have to leave a bit of space here, for more tears and cheers.

You could have the joy washing from one side of the MCG to the other, and back and forth across the change rooms, too, and not one player removing his guernsey _  because why would you ever take if off? _ and dozens of old players not bothering to hold back their tears and mouthing the theme of the week and the moment: "I never thought I'd see the day."

You could make it the best thing some old lags in the press box have ever seen in footy. You could even make it an AFL/VFL premiership double, like anyone has ever done that?

But who on earth would ever would you believe that any footy team could do all that?

The Bulldogs just did. They bloody well did. It's a fairytale, and even if the whole competition returns to normally programming next year, it will always be a fairytale.