1984 VFL Grand Final

The 1984 VFL Grand Final took place on September 29, 1984 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between VFL clubs Essendon and Hawthorn.

It was a Grand Final rematch of the previous season's decider where Hawthorn defeated Essendon by a record 83 points. On this occasion Essendon were victors to give them their first premiership since 1965. Essendon had come into the Grand Final on the back of a 28 goal performance in the Preliminary Final against Collingwood.

Hawthorn dominated the game early and kicked the first four goals. Baker got one back for Essendon but Hawthorn continue to apply scoreboard pressure and 11 minutes into the second quarter they extend their lead to 33 points. Essendon, despite getting more possession, made little impact in front of goals but a goal to Billy Duckworth put them within 25 points at the half time break.

The third quarter was a low scoring affair and Essendon managed to get within three goals of the lead but Dermott Brereton kicked a late one for Hawthorn to give them a 23 point lead going into the final term.

Baker goaled for Essendon in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter and minutes later Peter Bradbury kicked a goal from the back of a pack. Essendon's charge continued when the ball made it's way to Duckworth at half forward who passed the ball to an unmanned Mark Thompson who puts it through, 40 metres out and directly in front. The Bombers won the ball from the following centre bounce and Darren Williams kicked towards right half forward flank where it bounced favourably for Baker who evaded Hawks defender David O'Halloran to goal and give Essendon the lead nine minutes into the quarter.

Hawthorn were back in front when Peter Curran goaled from a 15 metre penalty but Essendon soon regained their advantage when Roger Merrett takes an uncontested mark in the goal square and makes no mistake.

Paul Weston extended Essendon's lead to 11 points minutes later and then Tim Watson goaled twice to seal the comeback win for Essendon.

Teams

Aussie rules team| title = Essendon
backpocket1 = Garry Foulds
fullback = Billy Duckworth
backpocket2 = Paul Weston
halfbackflank1 = Peter Bradbury
centrehalfback = Kevin Walsh
halfbackflank2 = Glenn Hawker
wing1 = Merv Neagle
centre = Leon Baker
wing2 = Shane Heard
halfforwardflank1 = Tim Watson
centrehalfforward = Terry Daniher (c)
halfforwardflank2 = Paul Van Der Haar
forwardpocket1 = Alan Ezard
fullforward = Simon Madden
forwardpocket2 = Frank Dunell
ruck = Roger Merrett
ruckrover = Neil Clarke
rover = Darren Williams
interchange1 = Mark Harvey
interchange2 = Mark Thompson
interchange3 =
interchange4 =
interchange5 =
interchange6 =
coach = Kevin Sheedy

Aussie rules team| title = Hawthorn
backpocket1 = Gary Ayres
fullback = David O'Halloran
backpocket2 = Colin Robertson
halfbackflank1 = Rod Lester-Smith
centrehalfback = Chris Mew
halfbackflank2 = Peter Schwab
wing1 = Robert DiPierdomenico
centre = Terry Wallace
wing2 = Peter Russo
halfforwardflank1 = Ken Judge
centrehalfforward = Dermott Brereton
halfforwardflank2 = Peter Curran
forwardpocket1 = Michael McCarthy
fullforward = Leigh Matthews (c)
forwardpocket2 = Richard Loveridge
ruck = Michael Byrne
ruckrover = Michael Tuck
rover = Russell Greene
interchange1 = Ian Paton
interchange2 = Rodney Eade
interchange3 =
interchange4 =
interchange5 =
interchange6 =
coach = Allan Jeans

tatistics

Goalkickers

Attendance

* MCG crowd - 92,685

Norm Smith Medal

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Billy Duckworth who became the first ever Essendon player to win the medal.

References

* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/1984_vfl_grand_final.htm Summary of the Grand Final on Full Points Footy]
* "The Official statistical history of the AFL 2004"
* Ross, J. (ed), "100 Years of Australian Football 1897-1996: The Complete Story of the AFL, All the Big Stories, All the Great Pictures, All the Champions, Every AFL Season Reported", Viking, (Ringwood), 1996. ISBN 0-670-86814-0

ee also

* 1984 VFL season