1981 VFL Grand Final - The Final Story

Players from Carlton and Collingwood who faced off in the 1981 VFL Grand Final tell their story of the game.

[mrduuud]

As a 14yo pies suporter who was devasted at the time, it was healing to watch this video 42 years later. Great glimpse of behind the scenes from a big era for both clubs. So many iconic players!

[georgea]

Born in '75, in a family of Collingwood supporters, this is why l follow Carlton.

[anthonylynch]

Greatest era of Australian rules .Like going to war playing in the 80's. !

[angusyates]

Australia and the world was such a better place then. Now money and power rules.
At least gen xer's have that to hold on to. The past.
When footy wasn't a business and simpler times.
Even if it's just memories.

[sentimentalbloke]

Went to the game [as a neutral] and Collingwood had a winning position late in the 3rd quarter, the crowd went quiet for a while, everyone seemingly contemplating Collingwood winning. Then Carlton got two late goals just before 3/4 quarter time & Collingwood just collapsed. They fell for the old trap of playing injured players but their experience men really let them down in the last quarter. Only one of their players, Michael Taylor (6), got more than 3 kicks in the last quarter.

[timbodedidleo]

Great GF story. Frustrating loss for the Pies. Feel sorry for Tom Hafey. Deserves a lot of credit for building a very strong team in that period. Collingwood went oh so close. But those were the days of Carlton triumphant.

[revalationrevaltion]

As a kid going to princes park 7 am loved watching reserves .but wow our forward line I loved maclure swan Mackay.Robert walls how's that for forwards

[sliat]

Glad Choco has had success with Melbourne again

[Ducatirati]

Yeah, Tommy yes, Collingwood Draw 77, lost replay 77, 79 lost, 80, destroyed, 81 soundly beaten, weird hey, 5 yrs for 5 GF, 1 DRAW, 4 LOSSES, amazing

[matthewtraynor]

Why waa Collingwood training at Glenferrie oval?

[sliat]

Moore led the push to get rid of Hafey in 1982. Then left them for Melbourne at seasons end

[sliat]

Got rid of Hafey for a former player. Went to a finals drought. Did the same thing to Matthews and Malthouse and all former-player coaches have been failures

[Ducatirati]

The worst ever team to win a GF, was who ever won in 1990, that was Collingwood, ergo the worst team to win the flag in my life time is Collingwood . Those Side Collingwood and Essendon, were the worst side I've ever seen play off in for Grand final, both
terrible sides, abysmal, but stranger things have happened, GO BLUES

[terrya]

One of the most overrated players in the history of the game. Never dominated, I cant ever remember him even starring in a game never played well in the premierships of 79, 81 or 82. Carlton supporter here too.