This was the last, and undoubtedly the most memorable, of all the Grand Final encounters between Melbourne and Collingwood. The two sides finished first and second respectively at the end of the home and away season, and the rivalry which had dominated the decade was set to continue.

With Hassa Mann ensuring Melbourne’s place in the finals with a last minute winning goal in the second last match, the side was set for its eleventh consecutive finals series. An 89-point win over Collingwood in the second semi-final set Melbourne in the box seat for Grand Final Day.

The Magpies led by two points at the long break, but a sluggish third term saw Melbourne leading by eleven points at the last change. So it came down to a last gasp effort from both sides in the final term. First, Collingwood’s Ray Gabelich cemented himself in football folklore with a 50 metre run and goal that put the Magpies ahead by two points. But then Melbourne back pocket Neil Crompton went one better, following his man up the ground and kicking the goal that won Melbourne its twelfth VFL flag.

Melbourne 2.6 - 5.7 - 7.10 - 8.16 (64) defeated
Collingwood 2.5 - 5.9 - 5.11 - 8.12 (60) 

Best
MELBOURNE: Adams, Dixon, ‘Tassie’ Johnson, Wise, H Mann, Williams. COLLINGWOOD: Hill, Steer, Bone, Potter, Henderson, Dalton.

Goals
MELBOURNE: Townsend (3), Lord (2), Mann, Bourke , Crompton. COLLINGWOOD: Waters (2), Gabelich (2), Bone, Steer, Dalton, Tuddenham.

Played at MCG. Attendance: 102, 469
Umpire – Brophy

MELBOURNE B: Crompton, Massey, ‘Tassie’ Johnson HB: Anderson, Roet, Davis C: Dixon, Williams, Adams HF: Kenneally, Jacobs, Vagg F: Lord, Bourke, Townsend R: Wise, Barassi (captain), Mann Reserves: McLean, Emselle COACH: N. Smith

COLLINGWOOD B: Reeves, Potter, Steer HB: Hill, Mahon, Wright C: Watt, Henderson, Chapman HF: Tuddenham, McLean, Norman F: Waters, Graham, Dalton R: Gabelich (captain), Rose, Bone Reserves: Urquhart, Turner COACH: R. Rose