Best individual finals performance in AFL/VFL history

[geelong_crazy26]

wanted to get others thoughts on who they believe performed the best ever in a finals match and what game it was??

I will add a poll soon once i get a valid sample of games people throw up hopefully representative of different generations.

A few obvious ones spring to mind for me such as

• ablett snr 9 goals in the GF to almost steal the win
• carey kicking 7/11 goals in a wet elimination final to drag north over the line in 97
• franklins 7 goals including after the siren to sink adelaide in the 07 final.
• kevin bartlett kicking 7 in the grand final in 80.

That is four gems to get the ball rolling

 

[eaglespremiers]

Michael Gardiner 2005 grand final is one that sticks in my memory, can't remember why though.

 

[Broken]

Forgotten in Fitzroys' (somewhat controversial) loss in the 1983 QF was the epic performance of Bernie Quinlan.

Quinlan had kicked five goals in the last quarter (from a total of 8 for the game) , and had a game high 12 marks and 18 disposals and almost single handedly got the Lions over the line in that game.

 

[Rotayjay]

I'm biased but I'll nominate Darren Jarman's five goals in the final quarter of the 1997 grand final.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I'm biased but I'll nominate Darren Jarman's five goals in the final quarter of the 1997 grand final.

Ahh forgot this one! Right up there with the greats

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Michael Gardiner 2005 grand final is one that sticks in my memory, can't remember why though.

What did he do that day?

 

[GROTTO]

I'm biased but I'll nominate Darren Jarman's five goals in the final quarter of the 1997 grand final.

I highly doubt any player in AFL history in a GF kicked 5+ in a quarter, let alone 5 in the last when the game was in the balance at 3/4 time.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Nick Davis.

NICK DAVIS!

 

[Underarm]

Dustin Martin 2020 GF.

Geelong never had a chance.

 

[South of the Yarra]

wanted to get others thoughts on who they believe performed the best ever in a finals match and what game it was??

I will add a poll soon once i get a valid sample of games people throw up hopefully representative of different generations.

A few obvious ones spring to mind for me such as

• ablett snr 9 goals in the GF to almost steal the win
• carey kicking 7/11 goals in a wet elimination final to drag north over the line in 97
• franklins 7 goals including after the siren to sink adelaide in the 07 final.
• kevin bartlett kicking 7 in the grand final in 80.

That is four gems to get the ball rolling

Why not Gordon Coventry’s 9 goals and 7 goals in a Grand Final?

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Nick Davis.

NICK DAVIS!

Ahh yess still recall that. No player since carey in 97 has torn geelong open like that

 

[Mr Meow]

Ahh yess still recall that. No player since carey in 97 has torn geelong open like that

I saw it, but I didn't believe it.

Stewart Dew: Hold my beer.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Dustin Martin 2020 GF.

Geelong never had a chance.

He played well but not up there with the best finals performanes.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Darren Jarman 1997 GF and his 6 goals, including 5 in the last quarter with the premiership on the line.

The flaws in Norm Smith voting were well and truly exposed that day. IIRC votes were cast at 3/4 time at that point. Andy McLeod was great but Jarman should have got the medal.

 

[Partridge]

Darren Jarman 1997 GF and his 6 goals, including 5 in the last quarter with the premiership on the line.

The flaws in Norm Smith voting were well and truly exposed that day. IIRC votes were cast at 3/4 time at that point. Andy McLeod was great but Jarman should have got the medal.

You do have to wonder who the idiot was who came up with that idea. And who agreed to it.

Let's extend it to cricket, nominated the man of the match for a test before one side has batted again. Makes perfect sense.

 

[M Malice]

Simon Black's 2003 demolition of the Pies deserves a mention.

 

[bobs head soup]

Most underrated was a 21yo Dermott Brereton being sent to full forward in the 1985 GF and kicking 8 goals despite his team getting flogged.

 

[Fridge24]

Patrick Dangerfield Vs North Melbourne in 2016

one of the best ever games from an individual that still sticks out for me. Just a regular home and away game, no notable occasion, but he amassed 48 touches and kicked 2 goals. He was unstoppable that night!!

AFL Tables - Geelong v North Melbourne - Sat, 11-Jun-2016 7:25 PM - Match Stats

 

[Partridge]

Why not Gordon Coventry’s 9 goals and 7 goals in a Grand Final?

I'll nominate his teammate as well.

Ron Todd - kicked 11 goals in a Prelim final. TWICE.

Really have to wonder how many goals he would have kicked if he didn't move to the VFA.

 

[Red Bull]

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Patrick Dangerfield Vs North Melbourne in 2016

one of the best ever games from an individual that still sticks out for me. Just a regular home and away game, no notable occasion, but he amassed 48 touches and kicked 2 goals. He was unstoppable that night!!

AFL Tables - Geelong v North Melbourne - Sat, 11-Jun-2016 7:25 PM - Match Stats

Amazing outing, but the discussion is finals performances

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I saw it, but I didn't believe it.

Stewart Dew: Hold my beer.

Such a fat old plodder going out and doing that in a grand final gives me somw hopes and inspiration of a comeback...

 

[geelong_crazy26]

View attachment 1723915

Please excuse my ignorance.. But who is that??

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Very good nominations put forward here representative of diverse eras. Will be hard to narrow it down in a poll

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Such a fat old plodder going out and doing that in a grand final gives me somw hopes and inspiration of a comeback...

Smarts outdo skills every time. He could get away with a lot of 'cheating' where others couldn't.

Of course it also helped that fat Stewy had beautiful skills.