Some Australian rules matches are remembered for a single kick; others for a comeback, a desperate tackle or a moment that changed a club’s history. If you’re looking for the games that best explain why the sport can be so thrilling, start with these famous finals and grand finals.
The list spans different eras, so the style of play varies. What connects the matches is the same essential drama: a long, open field, a scoreboard that can turn quickly and players who have to make decisions under enormous pressure.
Famous Australian rules matches at a glance
| Match | Result | Why it is remembered |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 Grand Final | Carlton 17.9 (111) defeated Collingwood 14.17 (101) | Carlton recovered from a 44-point half-time deficit. |
| 1977 Grand Final | Collingwood 10.9 (69) drew with North Melbourne 10.9 (69) | The first drawn VFL/AFL Grand Final, followed by a replay. |
| 1989 Grand Final | Hawthorn 21.18 (144) defeated Geelong 21.12 (138) | A fierce, high-scoring contest featuring Gary Ablett Sr.’s nine goals. |
| 2005 Semi-final | Sydney 7.14 (56) defeated Geelong 7.11 (53) | Nick Davis kicked four final-quarter goals to rescue Sydney. |
| 2010 Grand Final replay | Collingwood 16.12 (108) defeated St Kilda 7.10 (52) | It settled the premiership after the first Grand Final ended in a draw. |
| 2018 Grand Final | West Coast 11.13 (79) defeated Collingwood 11.8 (74) | Dom Sheed’s late goal completed a memorable comeback. |
Grand finals that became part of the sport’s folklore
1970: Carlton’s stunning second-half comeback
Collingwood appeared to be in control of the 1970 Grand Final, leading Carlton by 44 points at half-time. Carlton coach Ron Barassi made a bold move after the break, instructing his team to handball more and move the ball quickly. The Blues responded with a remarkable surge, kicking 17 goals in the second half and winning by 10 points.
The comeback is one of the clearest examples of how tactical changes can reshape an Australian rules match. Carlton’s faster ball movement helped its players find space and put Collingwood’s defence under pressure. The game also featured a huge crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then a record for the venue. For Carlton supporters, it remains the standard for a grand final turnaround.
1977: A draw, then a replay
North Melbourne and Collingwood finished level at 10.9 (69) apiece in the 1977 Grand Final. North looked to have the game won late, but Collingwood’s Ross Dunne kicked a goal in the closing moments to tie the scores. At the time, a drawn Grand Final was settled with a full replay the following week.
North Melbourne won that replay convincingly, but the original match is the one that lives in memory for its nerve-shredding finish. It also offers a useful reminder that a drawn score in Australian rules does not mean the teams scored the same number of goals: behinds count too, and they can make all the difference across four quarters.
1989: Hawthorn and Geelong trade blows
The 1989 Grand Final is often praised as one of the toughest and most entertaining premiership deciders. Hawthorn defeated Geelong 21.18 (144) to 21.12 (138), with Gary Ablett Sr. kicking nine goals for the Cats. The match had a relentless pace, big marks and heavy physical contests, while the scoreboard stayed within reach of both sides.
Geelong’s scoring power made it a genuine threat, but Hawthorn held on in a game that demanded courage from players on both teams. It is an especially striking watch if you want to see how the sport’s combination of aerial contests, long kicks and ground-level pressure can produce both spectacle and danger.
2010: The Grand Final that needed another week
Collingwood and St Kilda drew the 2010 Grand Final, each scoring 9.14 (68). The Saints seemed close to securing their second premiership when they led late, but Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom kicked a crucial goal to help bring the Magpies back into it. Neither side could break the tie before the final siren.
The replay took place the following week. Collingwood won 16.12 (108) to 7.10 (52), building control as the match went on. The two games are best understood together: the draw created the unusual tension of a premiership still undecided, while the replay gave Collingwood its first flag since 1990.
Finals decided by extraordinary individual moments
2005: Nick Davis turns the semi-final around
Sydney trailed Geelong by 23 points in the final quarter of their 2005 semi-final, with its season on the brink. Then forward Nick Davis took over. He kicked four goals in the last quarter, including the match-winner after the siren was close, to give Sydney a 7.14 (56) to 7.11 (53) victory.
It is a classic example of the way one player can swing a match without needing a big total score. Davis’s goals came when space was scarce and every possession mattered. Sydney went on to win the premiership, its first since 1933, making the escape against Geelong an important early chapter in that run.
2018: Dom Sheed’s late goal wins the flag
West Coast trailed Collingwood by five points in the closing minutes of the 2018 Grand Final. With the Eagles advancing the ball into attack, Dom Sheed marked on a tight angle and kicked a goal with less than two minutes remaining. West Coast held on to win 11.13 (79) to 11.8 (74).
The finish is a lesson in why field position and composure matter so much. West Coast had to move the ball forward under pressure, win possession and create a scoring chance; Sheed then had to execute from a difficult spot. The kick made an instant highlight, but the comeback that set it up was just as important.
Other matches worth knowing
These games are not the only famous ones. The 1966 Grand Final remains central to St Kilda’s history: the Saints beat Collingwood by a single point, 10.14 (74) to 10.13 (73), to claim the club’s first VFL premiership. In 2009, Geelong edged St Kilda 12.8 (80) to 9.14 (68), overturning a third-quarter deficit in another tense Grand Final.
For newer fans, watching a few different eras is rewarding. Older games show how the game’s tactics and physical style have changed; recent classics offer familiar teams and modern defensive structures. Pay attention not only to the goals but to how sides move the ball, protect space and contest possession in the air.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is often considered the greatest AFL match?
There is no single agreed answer, but the 1970 Grand Final, 1989 Grand Final and 2005 Sydney–Geelong semi-final are frequent choices. Each is famous for a different reason: a huge comeback, a brutal high-scoring contest or a remarkable final-quarter rescue.
What was the first drawn VFL/AFL Grand Final?
The 1948 Grand Final between Essendon and Melbourne was the first draw. Melbourne won the replay. The 1977 draw between Collingwood and North Melbourne is another landmark, and is especially remembered for Ross Dunne’s late goal to level the scores.
Why do Australian rules scores show two numbers?
The first number is goals, worth six points each; the second is behinds, worth one point each. For example, 10.8 is 10 goals and eight behinds, for a total of 68 points.
Which famous match is a good one to watch first?
The 2005 Sydney–Geelong semi-final is a great starting point if you want a compact, dramatic game. For a grand final with a celebrated comeback, try Carlton and Collingwood in 1970.
Final Thoughts
The most famous Australian rules matches are more than collections of big marks and late goals. They show the sport’s defining qualities: relentless movement, contested possession, tactical adjustments and the possibility that a game can change in minutes. Start with the classics above, and you’ll quickly see why fans keep returning to them.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.