A fourth premiership came to Geelong with an 11 point win over Essendon on grand final day. The Cats topped the ladder after 18 rounds with a 14-4 record, and won a spot in the decider with an 82 point win over Collingwood in the second semi final.
The Bombers were a tougher proposition on grand final day as the Cats inaccuracy threatened to derail a deserved flag.
Essendon led by four points at half time despite having six fewer scoring shots. Geelong booted five unanswered goals in the third term to set up the win, and despite Essendon’s four final quarter goals, the flag headed back to Geelong.
Geelong: 3.8, 4.10, 9.13, 11.15 (81)
Essendon: 1.0, 6.2, 6.5, 10.10 (70)
Goals: Goninon 4, Davis, Pianto, McMaster, Turner, Flanagan, Morrow, Norman 1.
Best: Morrison, Smith, McMaster, Turner, Hyde, Trezise.
Line up:
B: Bernie Smith - Bruce Morrison - Loy Stewart
HB: Bert Worner - John Hyde - Russell Middlemiss
C: Syd Tate - Leo Turner - Terry Fulton
HF: Russell Renfrey - Fred Flanagan (cap) - Bob Davis
F: Bill McMaster - George Goninon - Peter Pianto
Foll: Tom Morrow - Jim Norman - Neil Trezise
Res: Les Reed - Ron Hovey
Coach: Reg Hickey
