AFL Grand Finals
Some of the greatest moments from that "one day in September" when the final two Australian Rules football teams battle it out for top place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Grand Final Day
The anticipation of AFL Grand Final day builds as thousands of fans descend on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on that “One Day in September”. It's a day where history is made, where legends are created and heroes become immortals. Traditionally played on the last Saturday of September, it should also be noted that there have been 24 AFL Finals played in October!
AFL 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final - West Coast v Collingwood (2018-09-27) by Adam TraffordAustralian Football League
As the pre-match entertainment begins, the nervous energy builds amongst supporters in the stands as well as in the changerooms, where the players go through their final warm-up.
VFL 1983 Grand Final - Hawthorn v Essendon (1983-09-24) by Rennie Ellis CollectionAustralian Football League
Everyone is invested. The players who have trained, played, eaten, slept and breathed football for the majority of the year play to win premierships. Their coaches shoulder the burden and responsibility if their team is the unlucky one that loses.
AFL 2017 Toyota AFL Grand Final - Adelaide v Richmond (2017-09-30) by Cameron SpencerAustralian Football League
Fans who have bought badges of all their favourite players to adorn their team scarves will party in the streets until the wee hours of Sunday morning, should their beloved team emerge victorious.
VFL 1987 Grand Final - Carlton v Hawthorn (1987-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
When the final siren sounds at the conclusion of an AFL Grand Final, those moments that follow for the winning team are often described by players as “indescribable”. The instant raw emotion on their faces when the final quarter ends, as they realise they are Premiers, happens year on year but never gets old when looking through photographs in the newspapers and online the next day.
VFL 1989 Grand Final - Hawthorn v Geelong (1989-09-30) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
For the losers, it can be heartbreaking. The spent players collapse to the ground in defeat, or sob into their teammate’s chest. These images are compelling too, but for a different reason.
VFL 1988 Grand Final - Hawthorn v Melbourne (1988-09-24) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
On Grand Final Day, the Premiership Cup becomes the most popular person on the ground. It is held aloft on the podium as confetti falls around it, and is presented to fans during the traditional lap of honour within the firm grip of a Premiership player.
AFL 1995 Grand Final - Carlton v Geelong (1995-09-30) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
It takes pride of place in the middle of the huddle as the team belts out their team song as Premiers.
AFL 1998 Grand Final - Adelaide v North Melbourne (1998-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
It’s hugged tightly in the changerooms still, once the last supporter has left the MCG after the match.
AFL 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final - Sydney v Western Bulldogs (2016-10-01) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
The following series of game day photos capture the on and off-field dedication, spirit, action, heartbreak, excitement and celebration of AFL Grand Final Day.
AFL 2014 Toyota Grand Final - Sydney v Hawthorn (2014-09-27) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
AFL 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final - Sydney v Western Bulldogs (2016-10-01) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
AFL 2013 Toyota Grand Final - Best of Grand Final (2013-09-28) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
AFL 1994 Grand Final - Geelong v West Coast (1994-10-01) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1993 Grand Final - Essendon v Carlton (1993-09-25) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1994 Grand Final - Geelong v West Coast (1994-10-01) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1991 Grand Final - Hawthorn v West Coast (1991-09-28) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
Adam Goodes, AFL 2005 Grand Final - West Coast v Sydney (2005-09-24) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2000 Grand Final - Essendon v Melbourne (2000-09-02) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1998 Grand Final - North Melbourne v Adelaide (1998-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
VFL 1986 Grand Final - Hawthorn v Carlton (1986-09-27) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
VFL 1989 Grand Final - Hawthorn v Geelong (1989-09-30) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1998 Grand Final - Adelaide v North Melbourne (1998-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
Liam Ryan, AFL 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final - West Coast v Collingwood (2019-09-29) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
AFL 1990 Grand Final - Collingwood v Essendon (1991-10-06) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1992 Grand Final - West Coast v Geelong (1992-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1999 Grand Final - Carlton v North Melbourne (1999-09-25) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2001 Grand Final - Essendon v Brisbane (2001-09-29) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2009 Toyota Grand Final - St Kilda v Geelong (2009-09-26) by Lachlan CunninghamAustralian Football League
VFL 1987 Grand Final - Carlton v Hawthorn (1987-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
VFL 1964 Grand Final - Collingwood v Melbourne (1964-09-19) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
VFL 1987 Grand Final - Carlton v Hawthorn (1987-09-26) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1997 Grand Final - Adelaide v St Kilda (1997-09-27) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2000 Grand Final - Essendon v Melbourne (2000-09-02) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2009 Toyota Grand Final - St Kilda v Geelong (2009-09-26) by Andrew WhiteAustralian Football League
Adam Goodes, AFL 2006 Grand Final - Sydney v West Coast (2006-09-30) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 1997 Grand Final - St Kilda v Adelaide (1997-09-27) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2002 Grand Final - Collingwood v Brisbane (2002-09-28) by Tony FederAustralian Football League
AFL 2005 Grand Final - Sydney v West Coast (2005-09-24) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2000 Grand Final - Essendon v Melbourne (2000-09-02) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2004 Grand Final - Port Adelaide v Brisbane (2004-09-25) by Ryan PierseAustralian Football League
AFL 2017 Toyota AFL Grand Final - Adelaide v Richmond (2017-09-30) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
AFL 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final - West Coast v Collingwood (2018-09-29) by Michael WillsonAustralian Football League
AFL 1998 Grand Final - Hawthorn v Melbourne (1988-09-24) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
AFL 2009 Toyota Grand Final - St Kilda v Geelong (2009-09-26) by Greg FordAustralian Football League
VFL 1986 Grand Final - North Melbourne v Collingwood (1977-09-24) by AFL PhotosAustralian Football League
