Best grand final of the modern era (since 1999)

[White Dogg]

Which grand final is the best grand final of the modern era and why? I've included grand finals from 1999 onwards as that's how many grand finals the forum allows me to include in the poll.

 

[Cainozz]

The 2010 draw and 2018 (obviously being a WC fan). So many large momentum swings in both games, a great viewing for neutrals.

 

[GROTTO]

Sydney vs WC were epic GF's.

Hawthorn in 2008 a massive boilover.

Eagles v Pies in 2018 definitely a good game too.

 

[M Malice]

2002 is always underrated in these threads, fantastic contest, largest margin all game was 9 points.

 

[Cuzz09]

1. 2018
2. 2006



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[footyfan1978]

2001 was best in this period before rotations really became a thing.

In the rotational era 2012 is the best grand final.

 

[Gavin Excell]

2012

 

[HugeJohnson]

2004.

No bias

 

[Bald]

2009 and 2018 are the clear standouts for me (I started properly being invested in all teams and games around 2004).

 

[Corn Cobbers]

2012

Agreed, pulsating last quarter comeback, a steal

 

[Gavin Excell]

Geel v Sydney 2022

 

[Cursed Cat]

Imma wait for that one dude who posts a meticulous - if opaque - list of every single Premiership winner in freakin' order.

I'm not sure of their metrics for ranking each Premiership win, but - the 2022 Geelong Cats Premiership win should rank in the upper echelon because a) they finished the H+A season 2 wins clear on top of the ladder, and b) they won two of their Finals - on the way to the Premiership - but 10+ goals.

What do we have, 125ish years of Grand Finals? I think this Geelong Premiership should be Top 100 for starters; likely a lot higher. Dominant season.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

2002 is always underrated in these threads, fantastic contest, largest margin all game was 9 points.

Best of all Grand Finals Collingwood were involved in in the period, with 2011 second IMO

 

[Cyber_punk]

2011. The final margin was not reflective of the quality.

 

[Barry_Badrinath]

2011. The final margin was not reflective of the quality.

This. If the margin didn't blow out in the last quarter it would be considered the best game of football ever played.

 

[Smedts_2]

This. If the margin didn't blow out in the last quarter it would be considered the best game of football ever played.

Second (third?) that. Such a high quality game.

 

[Gydafud]

2012

 

[Defabs]

2002 is always underrated in these threads, fantastic contest, largest margin all game was 9 points.

Yep as a pies fan, I even voted for that one. It’s the only losing GF I can still watch as strangely enough it was one of the best final performances I’ve ever seen Collingwood play in. They played to 110% of their potential but just fell short against one of the greatest e we sides the game has ever seen.

Yep 9 points was the biggest margin all game and was only 8 prior to the akermanis goal.

Super game. One of my all time favourites. Probably the best game Rocca ever played and the conditions were horrible.

 

[Sky]

2007 because I was 10 so you can imagine it was the happiest day of my life.

 

[BigVic]

2006 Sydney vs West Coast. A high-quality contest between two of the greatest teams back then.

Honourable mention 2012 - Was also a good game with swings in momentum

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

This. If the margin didn't blow out in the last quarter it would be considered the best game of football ever played.

You had 2 teams who were clearly the best 2 teams both playing their best footy for 3 qtrs. Some of the goals kicked were amazing individual acts of brilliance Sometimes 1 was after the other. Magnificent contest as a neutral watching and I dislike both teams.

 

[windyhill]

2018. Comfortably.

 

[Xtreme]

Non Hawthorn....
2002, 2003 would be up there.

2018 was great, wrote off the Eagles during the first quarter. But they kept at it and the goal that won it OMG!!!

2021 was unique, I'm sure a lot of others were also dreading a Bulldogs victory. But Melbourne's late surge in the third and their 4th quarter was magnificent.

From a Hawthorn perspective
The 2014 grand final was peak performance. Hawthorn beating the #1 rated side convincingly. Stopped them playing their own game while playing our own.

2015 was similar the Eagles Web too potentially and weather too hot for the old Hawks. Proved everyone wrong!

 

[Altum Volantes]

The draw in 2010 was epic - also enjoyed 2009 and 2011. A good batch of GFs there.

2002 was an absolute slog.

2006 and 2018 were fantastic too - glad we won those or I’d have never seen them again.

 

[iameviljez]

2018. Comfortably.

I reckon 2012 comes near it.

To be honest, 2005 and 2010 were heartstoppers, but they weren't great games of football. 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2018 were all far better matches.