Best prelim finals of all time

[Bulldog Brent]

I can't believe this is so far down the page.

I still think this was the biggest game of football outside of a grand final ever. The build up was just so huge. The personalities - Sheedy and Elliott at the forefront. The rivalry (the 'most premierships' thing mattered a lot at the time). The massive underdog vs what is arguably the best team ever.

And then the match itself absolutely delivered everything, right up to the dying seconds.

Not to mention the shock state election result that day. Two stunners in a single day!

 

[Blackhawk42]

2016 Dogs vs Giants

2013 Hawthorn vs Geelong

 

[WilloTree]

North Melbourne vs Geelong in 1994 was a great game with an unforgettable finish.

this

 

[BigVic]

2016 Dogs vs Giants

2013 Hawthorn vs Geelong

Wednesday was the 10th anniversary of the 2013 PF

 

[sherb]

1996 Sydney v Essendon.

Not necessariy the best, but one of the most epic finishes ever.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Outside of the ones mentioned I think Saints vs Dogs in 09 was one of the more physical.

 

[Orange Agent]

16, 19, and now 23. All one kick margins.

 

[demondavey]

1997. Adelaide d WB.

 

[Jascave]

I can't believe this is so far down the page.

I still think this was the biggest game of football outside of a grand final ever. The build up was just so huge. The personalities - Sheedy and Elliott at the forefront. The rivalry (the 'most premierships' thing mattered a lot at the time). The massive underdog vs what is arguably the best team ever.

And then the match itself absolutely delivered everything, right up to the dying seconds.

And don't forget the Victorian state election was on the same day as well.

 

[CCurnow3votes]

99 prelim Carlton v Essendon

Or you could say Kouta v Essendon

/end thread

And there it is…

Amazed it took so long.

 

[kickazz]

By an individual, Gaz SNR 1989.

His Norm Smith medal performance the following week is well remembered, his PF was a better game from him.

 

[Hojuman]

Watched a bit of the '99 prelim yesterday. Amazing how open that game was for the most part.

 

[kickazz]

Overall game:

Geelong North 1994
Carlton Essendon 1999
Hawthorn Collingwood 2011
GWS Dogs 2016


There have been many other good ones.
TBH last night's was a rung below. I wish more pressure finals were played in dry daytime conditions.

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[Hinkley29]

94 or 99

No others even come close

It is probably not a coincidence that both games were played in perfect conditions during the day.

 

[STPer18]

'07 Geelong vs Collingwood in front of 98k supporters is up there. These two teams have had some awesome finals matches over the years.

 

[sleep]

Cats v Pies 2007.
One of the best games ever played, let alone prelims.

Cometh the moment, cometh the man.

View attachment 1811118

THE SON OF THE MAN!

 

[Blackhawk42]

Last night isn't in the conversation if we are are being honest.

However, it was an enthralling contest with unique momentum swings that didn't necessarily equate to scoreboard damage.

The final 9 minutes were the absolute definition of an arm wrestle in Australian rules football terms. Wasn't there a pretty long stretch during that last quarter without an inside 50 from either side? With only 1 pojnt separating them, you really can't get much closer than that.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

2013 was incredible. Couldn't even hear the siren at the end the crowd was that buzzing. The best game I've seen.

They had to play the siren twice didn't they?

Incredible game. Hopefully we can see more Cats v Hawks finals in the future.

Still the best rivalry of modern footy.

 

[Broken_Chairs]

Personally, I have a soft spot for WC v Melb 2018...

 

[adammania9]

Dogs vs GWS 2016
Pies vs Hawks 2011
Hawks vs Cats 2013

The big three of the last 20 years IMO

 

[Monco Matt]

The best I've seen was the Pies vs Cats 2010 PF. Being 81 points up on the handbaggers halfway through the 3rd qtr was football porn at its most intoxicating.

 

[Danw0w]

No love for 2020 Port vs Richmond on here? The game was neck and neck the entire time!

 

[Corn Cobbers]

94 or 99

No others even come close

It is probably not a coincidence that both games were played in perfect conditions during the day.

94 was better quality, but 99 wins the prize, even has its own Wiki page!

1999 AFL First Preliminary Final - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[kickazz]

games were played in perfect conditions during the day.

So true. Goes against media's interest to talk about it though