l waited 56 years (born 1965) for the greatest game Melbourne ever played. Now I can die happy, you beautiful things!

 

I’ve had diehard Collingwood and Essendon fans and even Geelong fans (friends) say that that last minute of the third is hands down THE best football they’ve ever seen, by any team, at any time, ever! It was the most thrilling passages of play in one minute I have ever seen. In a grand final!

That third quarter was the most insane I have ever seen. Goodwin has done what none could for 57 years, and given me the greatest joy of my life. He gets a few credits in the bank for that.

I’ve told Nick Davis that whenever I’m down, I just put the final quarter of the 2005 Semi on and in 30 minutes I feel great. I bet you end up doing the same with that miraculous third quarter. Cheers and well done Dees!

Yes there were plenty of Demons for a day - the location and the border controls meant that that was inevitable. But what I saw was a huge outpouring of goodwill and genuine delight at the Dees victory by a crowd that recognised the achievement and revelled in the way that Melbourne did it. As an Eagles supporter I have no frame of reference for the long suffering of Dees fans, but I'm genuinely pleased for them and the team. It was a joy to behold.

Titus, like Basil you forgot something really important- TMac’s goal after the siren to win the game!! Ok, ok we had it won by the time our Tommy took the mark, and half the bench warmers were already on the ground. But it was a great display of steely determination by Macca to steady and kick that famous goal.

The Demons finished the term with a devastating seven-goal burst to set up their 74-point win. Melbourne showcased every type of champagne football during that period, which in actual game time was just nine minutes. There was the centre square masterclass, led by Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, Max Gawn and co. There was the outrageous dribble goal from Petracca in the pocket. There was Bayley Fritsch soaring high up forward and landing like a cat to collect his own crumbs and kick the goal. The Bulldogs' highly-vaunted midfield was obliterated. There was no coming back. Melbourne started the game with red-hot intensity, only to undo their good work with poor goalkicking. But in the third period - the fondly dubbed 'premiership quarter' - the Demons unleashed arguably the most devastating segment of football witnessed in an AFL grand final. It set up a 24-point lead at the final change. More importantly, it broke the Bulldogs' spirit. The rout continued in the last quarter, with the Demons booting the first five majors to make it 12 straight goals. The last 10 minutes was more akin to a lap of honour.

Once again, the Dees sprung forward from a centre bounce, Luke Jackson showing that he’s a midfielder and a ruckman, gathering the ball cleanly and hitting a full-tilt Clayton Oliver on the run with a looping handball, who streamed into the forward fifty and drilled the goal.

In one minute, it had gone from entering the fourth quarter on relatively even terms to the Dees having a comfortable lead. Every footy fan had the same question on their mind, what the hell just happened? The only thing I can say is a few times this year when the Demons hit their top gear, they go to a level no other team can get near. It becomes irrelevant who is out there against them. They did it in both finals, against Geelong in that Round 23 second half, against the Lions earlier in the year. But this was something else. Bontempelli’s goal, rather than being the goal that broke the Dees, became the Bulldogs last shot in anger. The Doggies were cooked at this point, and we just didn’t know it. Like Melbourne’s earthquake last week, which signalled something was up, decades of pressure building up below the surface were finally released in the most dramatic fashion.

I couldn’t believe it and I can barely believe it now. The fourth quarter became a procession of Melbourne goals, where like every Melbourne fans second favourite thing, compound interest, the returns just got bigger and bigger. Fritsch ended up with six and Ben Brown delivered everything Melbourne could have asked of him. The pure joy I felt as the minutes ticked down, and after Alex Neal-Bullen kicked truly I relaxed and knew we had it, is hard to describe. The thing is, and I know so many Dees fans felt the same, this was something we genuinely believed would never happen. It hadn’t just been a few years between drinks, it had been 57 years. Why Queen Elizabeth II was the Australian Head of State last time Melbourne won a premiership! The third quarter was rapidly approaching the end but at least the Dees had the lead, and the fourth quarter looked like it would begin with both teams pretty much on even terms. Then the last minute of the third happened, surely the most astounding minute of football in a Grand Final ever.

Petracca in BEAST mode. Oliver telling the crowd we’ve got it. The best minute in recent AFL history

Take Max Gawn, who when Luke Jackson was up and about, was happy to drop out of the ruck to capitalise on his hot hand. There was no trying to be the hero, as Max had done that the week before. What worked for the team was what was important. What an act of true leadership.

Then, with 11 minutes 17 seconds left in the third quarter, Bontempelli booted a goal while an AFL official tried to put the Norm Smith Medal around his neck. I was pretty sure at this point it was all over. It may surprise you
but I’ve watched the replay about twenty times already, and there is no sign at all of what was about to come. From the mid-point of the 3rd quarter, the Dees took the game of AFL to whole new level, with unbelievable, astonishing skills. The bar has been set very high for the other 17 teams next season. I’ve stood and looked at the Sistine Chapel ceiling, viewed the Mona Lisa and seen Bruce Springsteen live numerous times, and I can tell you, Petracca’s goal was art on this level. To sum everything up in a tenth of a second and then to execute what was an audacious attempt and make it look easy, I mean, you’re watching a genius.

Not only did Clarry win the B&F in a premiership year he also owns the most famous symbolic gesture in the MFC modern era when he raises his arm in triumph after his goal in the GF. Just love Dogga’s face after Clarry’s goal, pure and utter elation! Truly Clarry is one of our greatest ever and at 24 he might prove to be our greatest ever. Two shots to the chest and one in the head. It will live forever in MFC folklore.

After a four-goal to two quarter at that stage, the Dees had pegged back the Dogs’ lead and sat six points ahead. And then it happened. And it happened in the kind of flurry that sees Grand Final dreams fulfilled, and Grand Final nightmares become all-too-real. Three minutes of powerful Melbourne football tore the game away from the Dogs and tore the hearts of Bulldogs supporters from their chests. Melbourne sensed the opportunity to go in for the kill, and with three goals in two and a half minutes of game time, they took a close game and built the platform to springboard them to a nine-goal last quarter. First, it was Christian Petracca, with a dribbling goal that was kicked to perfection from the boundary after roving a marking contest in the pocket. Then came Sparrow on the run as the Dees surged from the centre square. A nice shepherd on the line from Tom McDonald saw the ball sail through the Bulldog heads drop. And then came the icing on the cake. Another Luke Jackson-inspired clearance saw the breaking Clayton Oliver receive, run inside fifty and slam home the goal to give the Demons a 24-point lead headed into the last change. That was the game, right there. Two and a half minutes of brilliance. Two and a half minutes of sensing weakness and capitalising. Two and a half minutes in the biggest quarter of the biggest game of the year sealed the Demons’ first premiership in 57 years, and sent the Dogs to the three-quarter time huddle a beaten team.

Can't stop watching this video - get a tear in my eye each and every time... the 30 seconds of football that blew away years of heartache. The supporter after the Petracca goal was like every Melbourne supporter who did not know if he should laugh, cry, stand up, sit down  , , , .just in shock!

Morning Bernie Was just sifting trough my emails and noted I hadn't sent you a congratulatory email so here it is... WELL DONE DEES!! Hope you enjoyed the day- and watching it again and again and again!

It’s sort of too bad there isn’t a mercy rule. Run off the next 10 mins and give the #Doggies some dignity. What the #Dees are doing now is animal cruelty.  Call the @RSPCA!!!!

This was the greatest grand final ever! I was jumping and screaming last night. It's already in AFL folklore as "that 10 minutes". Spoke to a Hawks fan yesterday. He was saying that was the most amazing few minutes of football he can remember seeing. God it feels good, not just winning the flag, but doing it in a fashion that will never be forgotten. And respected

“Petracca just bursting from the front of the stoppage, making Joel Selwood look second rate at times.  Oliver, Petracca, Viney and Gawn, it’s as good a foursome in the midfield that we’ve seen for a fair time.”

It included a 33-second blitz inside the final minute of the third term where the Demons booted two epic goals through Petracca and Oliver. And with that, Melbourne had completed a stunning 43-point turnaround in the space of just 16 minutes, with Fritsch the man that started it all for the Dees. Marcus Bontempelli's third goal had put the Bulldogs 19 points up 12 minutes into the third quarter.  The Dees kicked 15.4 to 1.1 from then on. Simply stunning footy and a joy to behold.  Enjoy it Dees fans.

When his superstar friend Christian Petracca appeared to have the grand final at his feet, Gawn’s three-quarter time message to the ballistic midfielder was one of love: “I’m so proud of the man you’ve become.”

Melbourne’s victory in Perth was simultaneously a breathtaking display of attacking football, and the most miserly strangulation of an opposition. Not since Hawthorn in 2014 has a premiership side kicked over 20 goals in the grand final. Melbourne’s 140 points was the highest winning score kicked by the premiers since Geelong in 2007.

And in neither of 2007 or 2014 were the Cats or Hawks challenged to the extent Melbourne was, to be 19 points down midway through the third quarter. In a little more than 40 minutes of actual live football Melbourne piled on 100 points to seven. That is outrageous for a side that had been trailing and was beginning to look defeated. At a time when just ordering a sandwich can be described as “awesome”, this was genuinely awesome. It was football to leave you in awe of this team. It was wondrous.

We will never see another side kick so many goals in so few minutes in a grand final. I love that kind of football. Utterly ruthless!

When reminded that Melbourne finished 17th only two years ago, it creates an even keener sense of bewilderment.

For the broader game, this grand final was exciting for it created an even stronger pointer towards attacking football as the direction for the pack now chasing Melbourne to take. Coming after Richmond’s brutal territory at all costs style shifted the game away from possession and control, this was Richmond’s style with a heavier hit to the scoreboard.

This was attacking football that did not come at the cost of being defensive. The Demons stopped the Bulldogs completely, while simultaneously attacking. Richmond did likewise to GWS when they kept them to just three goals for the game in the grand final two years ago, but that was in a game where GWS never fired a shot. This was the shut down of a team that, at the time, was at full throttle and leading on the scoreboard. Most teams of recent years that have been defensively sound have also found it hard to score. Most attacking teams have done so by leaving themselves vulnerable to counter attack and conceding scores. Melbourne did neither. They scored heavily and gave away nothing. It was a complete performance.

“For mine, that's the best 30 minutes of Football by a long way.  Not only was it in a Grand Final, but it was Centre Clearance after Centre Clearance - against the #1 Centre Clearance side in the competition. There was nothing Bont, McRae, Libba and Martin could do as Petracca, Oliver, Viney and Gawn ran riot.  If you are making Bont look second rate, then you are playing amazing football. If you are making Libba look clumsy, then you are playing amazing football. If you are totally nullifying McRae's spread from the contest, then you are playing amazing football. To do what they did, time and time again - is nothing short of remarkable

The Bulldogs seemed powerless to stop the onslaught and impotent in counter-attacking. Melbourne’s belief going into the game was that the Dogs were better offensively than defensively, so if they could hold them up when they attacked the Demons would score too heavily for the Dogs. And so it proved. Against the Demons you cannot just be good at one thing. You have to be able to attack and defend in equal measure.

The moment that began the shift in momentum came from a boundary throw-in. Luke Jackson, who had moved into the ruck, led Tim English to the falling ball and palmed it to Jack Viney, who bullocked through bodies and forced the ball forward. Bailey Smith double-handled and fumbled the ball into (James) Harmes’ way. He then kicked it long to Bayley Fritsch, who marked and goaled. But it began with Jackson’s soft touch decisive ruckwork. His rucking in that third quarter in halving contests at the centre bounces and using his body to protect space and clear paths before following up as an extra runner himself was instrumental in the win. His tap work at the boundary throw-ins was creatively damaging.

 

Grab a drink, get comfortable on the couch, hit play. And spend the ensuing 45 minutes marvelling at the sheer quality of football. It was outstanding on the night itself and somehow gets better with each viewing.

I'm a hawks fan and honestly, I celebrated louder than Caden did. I despise the Dogs so that win meant everything. I feel for the dees fans, not sure what it's like to suffer the way they did, but I felt so good for them. They've built something incredible that I think will stay for years. I've seen greatness. This is just the start for the Dees. Their best is yet to come.

The Gawn-Jackson combo lent itself to the most decisive victory by a premiership winning team that possessed even one dominant ruck, let alone two, since Brad Ottens at Geelong. Melbourne had two strong rucks and dominant inside-outside power running midfielders. The victory had about it a feeling not so much of an end to a drought, but the beginning of a flood. This team feels like it has the players, the style, and the belief to be a multiple flag-winning team. Melbourne’s romp, which began in the third term after Fritsch’s goal from Harmes’ pass, really started once they could re-set at the centre bounce. Here was t1he decisive moment of the game: Repeatedly, Jackson brought the ball to a contest and created space. Clayton Oliver lifted the ball from the pack and squeezed it out to Petracca. Goal.

At the next bounce, again the Demons go through the front of the square - this time with Petracca spinning balletically from bodies into open space. It was just Petracca and Oliver alternating. Waxing, driving the ball forwards.

No Bulldog had been sitting behind their ruck, guarding ground to halt the onslaught. No half-back ran in from the back of the square to close space and force the Demons to look wide to the wings and slow them up. It was all happening so quickly they looked powerless to stop it. Melbourne kicked seven goals from centre bounce clearances. On a good day a team will normally hope to kick four

They were brave building this team. They were brave handling their freefall down the ladder two years ago to 17th, and they were brave dumping their president a month into the season when the team hadn’t lost a game.

When they selected Luke Jackson and Kozzy Pickett it was a special type of bravery that said we already have a ruckman, but we will go and get Jackson anyway because he is just an elite player and he will find a place. It was brave to say we will use an early pick (12) on a small forward.

What Melbourne unleashed from halfway through the third quarter right to the final siren was extraordinary. No team could have stopped the Demons that evening, I've never seen anything like it. Also I think people were glad to see Melbourne break their premiership drought, and also pleased to see a free-flowing, high skilled GF free of the ugly flooding and blocking blighting the game for a number of years so therefore less criticism of the Bulldogs, who were pretty good at times early in the match. It wasn't like Melbourne tore them apart from early in the match, like Hawthorn did to Sydney in the 2014 GF.

Kicking a couple of goals in a couple of minutes is pretty standard fare. Kicking 3 goals in 42 seconds before the 3Q time siren, different story. If you don't like the thread you don't have to read it, but the OP is spot on. Capitulation is the word. Never seen anything like it in a GF.

I tend to agree with the premise of the thread. I don't think people understand how unusual conceding 100 points in 38 minutes of game time actually is. That defies belief even in a regular season match between top and bottom let alone a GF between two of the best teams in the league. Seriously, I'd love to know how many times it's happened in AFL/VFL history because I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the single figures. That's how rare a capitulation of that magnitude is. It was the most extraordinary toes turned up performance in a short period I have witnessed.

It was then brave to say we will bring in Ben Brown because we think we can win it now and resist the argument that he might stand in the way of the development of Sam Weideman. It was brave to get CEO Gary Pert to do a review and not outsource to others, to then back the coach and move others. It was brave to bring in Alan Richardson as footy manager without a background specific to the role. They have been vindicated for their bravery.

It was scintillating. It started with Viney clearing space for Harmes who for the first time all match was clean in his handling and kicking to the advantage of Fritsch. Fritsch's next goal was freakish. Attempted speckie. Lands like a cat. Traps the ball one-handed and goals. The Demons were on their way. The centre clearance stuff after that by Jackson, Viney, Petracca and Oliver was out of this world. The speed, the skill, the power. Sparrow's 50 metre goal off one step. Petracca's dribble goal from an angle, Brayshaw's diving mark and goal, Oliver's speed and power to run through the front of the stoppage. James Brayshaw's commentary of that: Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang! Bang just added to the excitement. As for being the best 30 minutes of football. 1970 will take some beating but what we saw last night was an injection of nitro-glycerine to a contest that we haven't maybe ever seen before.

As clinical a destruction as I've ever seen. Dogs would have been shell-shocked and then went from an attacking to defensive mindset and game over. They were behind the 8ball and overrun at every moment from then on. Dees forwards would have been salivating at seeing Trac run away from the centre as they were going to get fed on a silver platter. It was scary watching how easy the Dees picked the Dogs apart in that last 30 or so mins.

I love how Caleb Daniel comes off his man to try to stop the midfield running in centre square but by doing that he allowed Sparrow to be on his own and the handball went to Sparrow and goal!! Next centre bounce clearance, Caleb was too scared to leave his man and watched as Oliver did not need to handball this time and kicked the goal himself. That second guessing and shell-shock was beautiful to see unfold.

It was a joy to watch. Some floggings, at least to the eye, can be attributed more to the opposition playing dreadfully than the winning team playing well. Port against the Dogs in the Prelim comes to mind. But that section of play the Demons mid-fielders absolutely dominated, serving it on a platter to the forwards time after time with the best centre clearance work you could ever dream of. As close to perfect footy as you will ever see and on the biggest stage makes it all the more special.

As a Melbourne fan watching it unfold was just...unbelievable. Especially after seeing how good the Doggies had been in the 2nd and halfway through the 3rd. During that time the Bont looked so dangerous when he had the ball. As much as Petracca was dominant it was really Jackson who was the catalyst in the middle, he was at getting on top in the ruck but also playing as a 4th midfielder in the middle. I don't think I'll ever see Melbourne play as well as that again.

2021 easily. The momentum swings through the game were remarkable and will go down in history. Just needed one last rally from the Dogs at some point in the last to make it a classic. I've got all Grand Final DVDs from 1965 and watched each at least 3 times (except 1998), and there's never been a burst as awesome as Melbourne's in a Grand Final ever. But unfortunately it went too long and in the end it was just a one-way-traffic rout. The Perth atmosphere, and drought breaker made it a more compelling atmosphere as well.

The fact the Dees backed up their prelim rampage with another rampage in the GF makes Chris Scott's comments around his playing group being "sick" look pretty sour. I think Chris was in denial as to just how much better the Dees were than his mob Which has me mulling, how do coaches counter this in 2022? Surely if the Dees get a quick centre clearance goal in a game next year, there has got to be more defensive minded tactics to stifle such play & give your defenders time to set-up with a slower entrance inside 50

I'm a neutral. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was watching and thinking the Dees looked just about shot and totally bereft of ideas, next minute bang. There's something about watching a great team playing beautiful football, particularly in a GF which is supposedly the best 2 teams. If Port made it, it would have been disappointing, they would have been beaten by more. It's different when the top team is giving the bottom team a flogging, this is the top two teams, enjoy it for what it is, perfection. Like 2007, forget the margin and just watch the team play, really watch them. Petracca basically decided to win the game and went on and did it. Best half of football from a single player I have ever seen. He owned the field of play like you rarely see in footy game. Amazing stuff.

3 goals in a minute to put the game away will go down in grand final folklore. We can talk about centre bounce setups etc but no one was stopping that rampaging Melbourne midfield in that minute. It was meant to be. Petracca just stood up when needed. I knew he wouldn’t retire without a flag. Same goes for Oliver and Viney

Petracca and Oliver are like nothing I’ve seen. It’s like having Buckley and Voss together or Danger and Dusty. Amazing.

Melbourne put on an incredible show to the force almost no team (other than Richmond ) could have stopped. The Bulldogs weren't giving up, they just couldn't stop what was happening no matter what they tried. Surely the second Quarter was evidence of the Dogs fighting spirit. But what happened late in the third and on into the last was a rare quirk and the Bulldogs were on the wrong side of history. Melbourne was unstoppable.

Was so stoked for my mate, love the guy and he was so nervous but I knew you guys would win even though the Dogs were in red hot form and battle hardened. Petracca and Oliver are the two most formidable players I’ve seen and people will think that’s an exaggeration or an emotional response to the game but it’s true. When they flipped it I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Like having Voss and Buckley together or Dusty and Danger together. Unbelievable. Bit scary what the Demons could do in a jam packed MCG . . .  But for the Demons it just kept going. I wonder at what point the Dogs realised they were done.

Incredible game!... Ya just gotta tip your hat to the Dees no matter who you support.  The 2nd half of the third quarter will go down in history as the most destructive ten minutes of football ever played in a Grand Final... Just sheer entertainment and desire to win on a God-like level.  The Doggies had no answers and never recovered from that point on.  Never again will Melbourne be seen as an easy team to beat but a force to be reckoned with. Looking forward to great things from Demonland in the years ahead... I think it's safe to say Simon Goodwin has got a job for a few years to come

Biggest Uno Reverse Card in AFL History/ FUGLY: My face. So many happy tears

The most destructive half quarter in the history of AFL. The final score does not give any justice to how good that game was. This was the greatest grand final ever I was jumping and screaming last night. It was super weird what happened to the Dogs in that patch of the game. They were spooked.

My heart beats true. Still can’t believe the centre clearance inferno that followed. Going to be fun to watch forever. A grand new flag for the Dees after 57 years. Good for Melbourne. To see fans of all ages weep tears of joy, gratefulness and happiness is awesome. Most entertaining 74 point win in AFL history. I don't follow the Dees but man that was unbelievable. I can't see anyone getting near them next year. Back to back if they can keep their egos in-check well done!

A grand new flag for the Dees after 57 years. Good for Melbourne. To see fans of all ages weep tears of joy, gratefulness and happiness is awesome - This was the greatest grand final ever - I was jumping and screaming last night. I have watched footy for a long time and never seen a team more than 3 goals up half way through the third quarter to get beaten by more than 12 goals! Poor old Doggies midfield were totally smashed.

I’m so proud of the Dees they are for sure my second favourite team, this finals series from them has been like nothing I’ve seen before, absolutely unstoppable, definitely see them having some sort of dynasty. Bontempelli was a one man army was fighting against whole Demons. It’s so sad how the season is over now. Imagine the 3rd quarter from the Dees at the mcg packed

Still have this lingering sense I've been hit by a car but didn't get the number plate. I vaguely remember tempting a smile when Bont kicked his 3rd and the rest feels like the sort of messy, troubling blur that might accompany being heavily drugged then probed by aliens, roughly.

From then on Melbourne punished us constantly with the most dominant display of football I’ve seen in years. But we handed them the opportunity to do that with stupid turnovers, stupid centre bounce set up, terrible defence and the Bont also being on the bench at that crucial time. We handed them the momentum when we had the game in our grasp. You can pull your hair out rethinking it, I reckon the reality is a team played the best 35 minutes of footy I’ve ever seen. With 6-6-6 I don’t reckon anyone was stopping that Melb run.

 

With 1:13 to go in the third this was shaping up to be one of the great grand finals, Melbourne then produced probably the best minute of football any team has ever played and it was over.

I feel in grand finals most of the focus is on the victor, how well they played etc. This year is no different, but additionally the Demons played like . . . well Demons in a stunning display. I think it's fair to say though if the Bulldogs had put up more of a fight it would be slightly less stunning, but I don't think any team was standing in the way of Melbourne's 13th that night. Petracca basically decided to win the game and went on and did it. Best half of football from a single player I have every seen. He owned the field of play like you rarely see in footy game. Amazing stuff.

Oliver's celebrating cool, calm and collected like a kid in the backyard while Jackson is losing his mind right next to him. Love to see people enjoying the greatest day of their lives in their own way Will go down in history as the premiership minute. This small amount of time won it for the Dees.

That minute of pure football leading up to 3 quarter time will stay with me for the rest of my life.  It was absolutely electric stuff.  I have waited more than 50 years to see Melbourne win a flag.  Was beginning to think it might never happen in my lifetime. 

I’ve never seen such a destructive 10 minutes of football in a grand final. The last 30 seconds are forever etched in my mind. The looks on the faces of Treloar, Bontempelli and English after Oliver kicks the last one is of pure shock and disbelief.

Viney was crucial, unheralded - I’ll be watching this forever, thank you

Adrenaline made the boys in that play super-human. I wanted to run through walls after it too.

TMac's goal after the siren ... because we were already PREMIERS when it happened!!! Serious answer is probably Oliver's, just the unstoppable wave of red and blue surging out of the middle, leaving the Dogs in the dust. Seriously beautiful football.

Oliver's at the end of the third. Jackson runs in looking like he got that bike for Christmas that he asked Santa for but thought he wouldn't get. Then Sparrow runs in looking like his lost puppy has come back home. Sheer joy!

Best 5 minutes of footy l've seen, I’ve seen junk time goals, but never like this, in a GF of all places. That midfield got working and were unstoppable. Speed skill, on a string. Oliver’s goal for the “surely not another” factor and the perfect handball from Dogga so he didn’t need to break stride. Add his look after kicking it and then the look of the Dogs on all brigade post pretty much broke them there.

The athletic team grunt, spread and skill of Jackson, Viney and Oliver

I know many people despise the Channel 7 Commentary, but the "Bang: bang, bang, bang" call from James Brayshaw was breathtakingly perfect. I was up off the couch, roaring and fist pumping. Best moment of my footy watching life (apart from the raising of the cup by Goody and Max). The right arm pointing of Clarry with a look of "we are gods" written across his face.  And the look of absolute astonishment and frozen shock on the faces of Treloar and Bont as they tried to understand what the fark was going on.

Thanks for the content. Being a Melbourne supporter in lockdown, it was great having more to share this once in a lifetime event with.

Oliver for me too because he’s my favourite player so I’m bias. But also it was the euphoria of that entire game summed up. Brutal perfection from the middle. THE SCENE WAS SET. THE DIE WAS CAST. WE WIN OUR FREEDOM AFTER 57 YEARS..

i was upset when they lost their footing in the second but i knew it wasnt over, melbourne is the team that can lose their footing but come out at the next quarter and fix it, and if they dont do that, then the next, i just hoped that they could find their footing back again quickly, and that they did. love you deez!

Did you know the moment Brayshaw kicked the goal, and the music started, the scored locked at 9-10-64, 1964, and the boys never looked back again. For all us Demon fans, we’ve left 1964 behind us and never have to look back again too!

Interesting points - but something has to be said for Melbourne's preparedness & capability to best capitalise on these half-opportunities when they come. Maybe cheap to say in hindsight, but the reality is Melbourne have been doing this all year Gawn's pick-up & snap in the prelim? GTFO ... & to use a more selfish example, in your triumph against my mob ANZAC eve - I remember Neal-Bullen kicked some "arsey" goals ...

I’m a Pies supporter but I think it’s pretty damn obvious that the Dees are on the verge of a Dynasty, minus any unforeseen issues or missteps. Leagues ahead of everyone else in the comp, full of super talented young kids and they’re only going to come back better next year. I knew it was game over for the Bulldogs after Clayton Oliver kicked that goal.

YES YES YES we did it mate finally its ours i am crying my eyes out at the moment trying to hold it all back ; but i cant sooooo bloody happy. Watching the game was so nerve racking the Second Quarter was a worry!!! but up stepped Bayley and got the ball rolling so many of our guys played so well there is a long list of them ; so now its grand new flag a high flying flag; i hope all of you Melbourne party hard for awhile ; I AM ; if i could come to Melbourne i would celebrate with you all ; here is cheers to you all & just remember GO THE DEES !!!!!!!!! bring on 2022 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caden MacDonald - 35 year member, and I was crying when we took the lead in the 3rd Qtr as I knew we had the game by the throat! What we have all been through as members and supporters has been years of torment . . . going to work on a Monday to be berated by work colleagues after getting belted by 100 points week in week out. All of that pain and suffering was worth going through what we experienced on Saturday. I love this club and have never given up. GO THE MIGHTY DEMONS!!!!!! I can now die happy.

What we have learned over the season is when the Dees find their rhythm, they are hitting this "red-zone" hotter than any other side, & are head & shoulders the best side in the comp. What seem like "favourable bounces" I reckon have more to do with a team being so in-tune with what works for them that they are instinctively finding all the right places to be in. All the pieces are there for the dees to start their own "dynasty". Will be interesting to watch how they go in the coming seasons, particularly if injury hits badly. Flags in spite of injury seems to be part-&-parcel of franking a dynasty

 

JUST like that, it was wiped away. All in 31 seconds. Fifty-seven years of hurt, the curse of Norm Smith, record defeats and a decade of dysfunction. All of it was absorbed in a scintillating and glorious 31 seconds of football perfection. Christian Petracca was the man made to produce that very moment. Having already emerged as one of the game's best players, Petracca's remarkable crumbing gather and audacious dribbling check-side snap from deep inside the forward pocket sparked one of the most outrageous bursts in Grand Final history. A seesawing, unpredictable and titanic contest became a runaway train heading in one direction. The manner in which it turned was sudden, unexpected and jaw-dropping. It all happened in 31 seconds, and it all stemmed from that very moment. Petracca, the Norm Smith Medal winner, the man who – when drafted to Melbourne with pick No.2 in 2014 – kickstarted the club's return to relevance and its re-emergence as a football powerhouse once more, was now producing this on the biggest stage of all. With 39 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 15 score involvements, 11 inside 50s, nine clearances, eight intercepts, 896m gained and two goals, this wasn't exactly the time when the jeweller began carving Petracca's name on the Norm Smith Medal. That would happen 31 seconds later, when the significance of Petracca's goal and what it would lead to became apparent. After all, his sublime piece of individual skill had simply turned a six-point lead into a 12-point advantage. It was Melbourne's fifth goal in a row, but – at that stage – the game still felt on a knife's edge. The Western Bulldogs had overturned a bigger margin than this once already on the night. Just 31 seconds later, though, it would feel like anything but. Any fight the Bulldogs had left was sapped from them by a relentless Demons midfield that had been inspired by a moment of Petracca magic.

Twenty seconds of game time passed between Petracca's goal, a clearance and Tom Sparrow adding the next major. Eleven seconds of game time would elapse before another clearance and another goal, this time from Clayton Oliver. It was blink-and-you'll-miss-it stuff. To think that just 31 seconds earlier, one solitary goal separated the two sides. Now, the Dogs were on their haunches. Oliver, wheeling away with one finger aloft, sparked scenes of delirious celebrations.

Bayley Fritsch, a success story of his own as a mature-aged recruit from the club's VFL affiliate Casey as a 20-year-old, kicked the first two goals of that run. His total of six for the night capped an AFL All-Australian calibre season.

Ben Brown, a player cast aside from North Melbourne last year – and cast aside from Melbourne's senior team when he was dropped for six matches this season – would add the next. His tally of three for the evening more than justified his recruitment. Angus Brayshaw, the player drafted alongside Petracca with the third selection in that memorable 2014 draft, would give Melbourne its lead. It was part of a 25-disposal performance reminiscent of his tireless 119-game Demons career. But it was the Petracca goal that followed which would spark the spellbinding surge. It was the goal that started the game's most defining period and lit a fuse under Melbourne's hopes of a drought-breaking premiership.

Seven straight goals, kicked in just 17 minutes and 14 seconds of real time, had put the Demons in seventh heaven. The 31 seconds of game time at the end of it had clasped one red and blue hand around the premiership cup.

Melbourne didn't need a second opportunity to size its chance. Putting their foot firmly to the floor, the Demons kicked 16 of the game's final 17 goals to race to an emphatic 74-point victory. Petracca was central to them doing exactly that. It was therefore fitting, then, that his two goals amid a prolific 40-touch performance will be renowned as the two punctuating moments within the game's final result. His first, a clean pick-up on the half-volley before brilliant hooking a shot from beyond 50m on the turn, was the settler. His second, the bold, daring and magnificent snap from the boundary, was the sealer.

Fifty-seven years of hurt, wiped away. Just like that.

Geezus... Just look at Trac's eyes and emotions as soon as he kicked the goal at 0:26. It was like he was high on ice and would run through any Dogs player who even dares to come near him. Was never going to be stopped after this. Hindsight, but he looked menacing and the 74 point belting was always going to happen as soon as he kicked the dribbler.

One of my strongest feelings in the 3rd was when Fritta kicked that second goal and the crowd came into the game they were so loud and the banners, flags and signs seemed to have a life of their own and it continued for that last 8 minutes and built into a crescendo over that last 32 seconds I was really bouncing and cheering with my 7 year old grandson. The feeling was like an out of body experience I have never felt those extreme sensations before and I also have never seen such football perfection. The last 32 seconds of the 3rd was the best 32 seconds of my life. Watched it at least 10 times again last night. Kozzies block. Tracs all class dribbler. James Brayshaw .... "Christian Petracca no way." Settling back at the bounce "Let’s go Demons .... Another one." I asked the footy gods. Viney to Trac to Oliver streaming forward to Sparrow and the Bomb. TMac in a show of strength on the line and his fist pump. Even Brian Taylor: "This is gonna be a big one, Sparrow to make it a 3goal 3/4 time lead .... He's got it, MELBOURNE ARE UP BY 3GOALS on the eve of  3/4 time."

I've said it before but I was redlining right here. Roaring and fist pumping harder than Sparrow. The boys making their power move in the premiership quarter before my very eyes.

Back at the bounce with 30 seconds to go. Now the football world raves about Scarlett’s toe poke to Ablett in their GF. Viney putting Jackson into space with one of his own was also footy genius. Jackson bolting forward like a 6'5' gazelle the 19yr old displays his own high footy IQ by-passing Viney handballing to Oliver "Streaming through" in a relentless wave straight down the middle. The crowd starts roaring off the boot as they do when it looks good from down-town. The goal umpire leaning right back as it sails directly over his head. Brayshaw again "Bang ... Bang, Bang, Bang!" Another fist pump on the goal from TMac who's starting to see his dreams come true. Oliver and Jackson charging away together mobbed by their teammates with a pair of 1 finger salutes. Sparrow under the wing of Oliver, one of the sides leaders who's just torn the heart from the Bulldogs and holding it aloft. If I was red-lining after Sparrows goal. I found a whole new level I didn't know I even had at this moment.

Pure , unadulterated ecstasy maybe. The world went fuzzy there for a bit.

There was much heroics from many players in that game and I could be here all day but that 32seconds ...... Holy Shit. The Real . . . Just Legendary. Said to my daughter at 3/4 time. "Another couple quick ones and it'll be party time." And the boys come out and did just that so I could sit back and spend the last qr shaking my head chuckling at the surreal realisation that I was actually watching the Mighty Demons win the Grand final. Top item on my bucket list ticked off 🏆 ✔️ At peace with the world.

 

I keep watching the 3 goal burst at the end of the 3rd quarter - the best footy I have seen. We won it, playing a kind of football I have only seen 3 other times in my life - Hawks 88, Lions 01-03, and Geelong 07-09.  But the general feeling is one of serenity. The pressure is off. I am totally relaxed, and I enter the 2022 season not giving a rats arse about too much at all. We are the best, everyone else can go get stuffed. The trade period = whatever. Draft = whatever. Super chilled, no knot in my gut thinking about the next season. I could get used to this.

I’ve always tried to imagine what it’d be like to win one and this is a googolplex times better than anything I could envision. But what has caught me unawares more than anything is how LONG this feeling lasts. Fair dinkum, the pure joy and overwhelming feeling of relief and the feeling of pride to almost bursting point has not diminished one iota. In fact, some days I think it’s even stronger! Besides that, the fact that it doesn’t feel as though it’s fully sunk in yet is amazing. It’s still unbelievable! You simply could not put a price on this feeling. Even if Jeff Bezoz and Elon Musk and Richard Branson et al pooled their $$$ it wouldn’t come anywhere near the worth of the MIGHTY DEES winning a PREMIERSHIP!!!!! I know exactly how you feel. Without doubt it was the happiest day of my life!

I am exactly the same, I've either watched the full game, the second half or highlights every day since the grand final. It still hasn't quite sunk in. I thought my entire life that I'd cry like a baby when it happened but I was in shock from all the goals and the way we destroyed the Dogs.

I think that it comes with having watched it all through lockdown when usually I am (and I am sure many of you are) at every single game in Melbourne home or away. Not seeing the Grand Final win (or any game live since July 3rd) in the flesh seems to come with a weird kinda surreal detached emotion. Maybe it's because we didn't get to party or celebrate as a group of supporters would into the night. It's like its a dream, it’s still not quite real but I know it is and it is the purest joy I've felt in my life.

And that moment he kicked the final goal of the 3rd quarter in the GF: "Bang... bang, bang, bang" lives as my favourite in-game Dees moment. I have watched it a gazillion times already and there a few gazillion more to go. (P.S. The lifting of the cup by Goody and Gawn is my greatest Dees moment but it was not in-game)

Petracca and Oliver are beasts and they give me basically Voss-like vibes in terms of their big time performance. They were always going to turn up last night. But then behind them there's such an even mix of performers, I don't think this Dees list is set to have a "big 4" or anything (Sparrow will be a gun though), but more just incredible depth behind their 2 superstars. Brayshaw, Viney, Harmes, Sparrow, Langdon, ANB rotating through, Jordon...it's a serious list of players you expect to win their position most weeks, even if AA spots etc aren't all that likely (again, Sparrow could).

When my tired, aged and too-dumb-to-die Cats staggered into the Prelim with you, I knew we were cooked, but also that you'd have to face down one last scary moment on the path to destiny. It came in with Bont's goal in the third as he almost single-handedly tried to win a game on his own. Your side reminds me so much of my mob in 2007. Dash, dare, a forward pair of talls that is decent enough to let a snappy set of smalls do their thing. But Grand Finals are won, always, in the ruck and midfield. You will relive that third quarter forever. 57 years in the making. And played the game as it should be. The day, the year, is yours.

 

I'm seriously in awe of this Team of Terror you've constructed. I think you'll be around for a while.

Awesome finals performances. This GF was a pearler. All your MF guns stood up and showed why you'll be around for a real dynasty. I recall David Schwarz on SEN in 2007 saying he envied Geelong for finally getting their act together. Well now, your team is the envy of the AFL. Young Jackson is a beauty- better than about 16 other teams' first rucks. I have always been a Petracca fan since his days at Eastern Ranges. So many A graders. For neutral supporters, this was the best GF I have ever seen and have been following footy since 1963. That second half turnaround was something else- Doggies were super competitive for a good while

 

Felt very emotional after the game thinking of many of the great players (Stynes, Flower, Sean Wight) that never got to witness this. That's why it means so much to those that do. It was great to hear Gawn say that the post-players in the wake of these tragedies have formed a tight bond with the club. That's something that was sorely missing, back when I first starting following the club in the 90's. It was great to see guys like the great Allen Jakovich, Woewodin, Green, White - some of these guys weren't always treated that well by the club, but its great to see they joy this premiership has given them.

Re the last of 3 goals within the last minute of the 3rd. The visual of watching Jackson, Viney and Clarry stream towards goal unimpeded like a red and blue tidal wave. The pinpoint handball from the future of the club, to the present. The full-speed shot on goal that sails directly over the goal umpire's hat. The slow-mo point from Clarry and the elation of Dogga and Sparrow trying to catch him - what an iconic piece of vision. The burial of 57 years of history, and probably the apex of one of the most dominant periods in any football game. And the cherry on top, the shot of Treloar and English in the centre square looking like they've been slapped across the face with a fish, unable to comprehend what the Fark is happening. What an incredible moment from an incredible game.

Interesting when they were speaking about grown men brought to tears, this is me. When I was in the queue to meet the cup yesterday and turned the corner and there it was. When I gave it a hug. Every time I watch the replay (even the third quarter of the prelim). When I hear our coach talk about getting some feedback from champions of different industries on what it takes to back it up and win again. Bang. Bang bang bang. I'm a bloody mess, but a happy one.