THE PRELIMINARY FINALS HAVE FEATURED SOME ICONIC MOMENTS
1987 – Stynes’ 15m penalty
Sorry to bring this up, Melbourne on the eve of your first prelim in 18 years … , Melbourne’s Irish import Jim Stynes ran across the mark and gave away a 15m penalty to Hawthorn’s Gary Buckenara. It brought Buckenara within range of goal and his accurate kick after the final siren won the match. Melbourne coach John Northey’s fury at Stynes in the rooms post-match is one of the game’s most famous photos. Stynes never played in a premiership, but he became one of the game’s most revered figures
1993 – Crows’ foul-smelling blow
In just their third season, Adelaide led Essendon’s Baby Bombers by seven goals at halftime. But as coach Graham Cornes started his half-time address, one of the players had flatulence so bad that it destroyed the moment. Essendon made the most of a 32-15 free kick count and won by 11 points on the way to an improbable flag.
1994 – Ablett’s match-winner, part one
Scores were level when Gary Ablett Snr took a one-handed mark against North Melbourne opponent Mick Martyn and kicked the match-winning goal after the final siren.
1996 – Plugger’s point
Again, scores are level when Sydney star Tony Lockett marks 50m from goal against Essendon. The final siren sounds as Lockett kicks one of the most famous behinds in the game’s history, putting the Swans into their first grand final since moving to Sydney. The post-match spray from Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy to his players was also epic.
1997 – Libba’s leap … then lament
Western Bulldogs tagger Tony Liberatore jumped into the arms of teammates when he kicked what he thought was the match-sealing goal. But it was a behind and the Bulldogs sprayed 0.6 in the last quarter. Adelaide won by two points on the way to their first premiership. It was the first of several preliminary final losses for the Bulldogs before their 2016 drought-breaking flag.
1999 – Essendon and Kennett fall
One of the greatest games in AFL history, with Carlton defying long odds to beat the Bombers by a point – on the same day that Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett was also unexpectedly voted out of office. The Bombers paid for a wasteful 14.19, with Mark Mercuri snapping a point late in the last quarter. Seconds later, Essendon’s Dean Wallis tried to break past Fraser Brown, who stopped him dead in his tracks with the game-saving tackle. In a game full of Blues heroics, star utility Anthony Koutoufides played the match of his life.
2003 – Lions find their roar late
At three-quarter time, Brisbane trail by three points and look in trouble against Sydney. But they storm home with a remarkable last term, kicking 6.6 to one behind and the following week secure their third-straight premiership.
2004 – Power surge
Notorious for their finals chokes, the Power finally showed they had what it takes in September. Port beat St Kilda by six points, a week before claiming their first premiership.
2005-06 – Crows fall short twice
Adelaide claim the minor premiership in 2005 and are second in ’06, but West Coast beat them at Subiaco in the first prelim and at AAMI Stadium the following season. It is the closest the Crows will come to a flag under coach Neil Craig.
2007 – Ablett’s match winner, part two
Geelong had dominated the season, but outsiders Collingwood were outstanding and only trailed by five points late in the game. Then Gary Ablett Jnr. snapped an outstanding goal that proved crucial, given Paul Medhurst also kicked accurately to make the margin just five points again. The final siren sounded with the ball in Collingwood’s attack. The Cats went on to win their first flag in 44 years.
2011 – Buddy and Ball shine late
Hawthorn pushed favourites and reigning premiers Collingwood, leading at every change. Hawks star Lance Franklin kicked a freakish goal to give his team the lead late in the last term, but Luke Ball then replied for the Magpies and they won by three points. The Hawks won their next three prelims by less than a goal, which brings us to …
2014 – The Curse is broken
Geelong’s 11-game winning streak over Hawthorn, known as the Kennett Curse, was finally broken when Travis Varcoe missed his shot on goal late in the 2013 preliminary final and the Hawks won by five points. The next week, they claimed the first of their three-straight premierships.
