At the conclusion of the regular home-and-away season, Carlton had finished first on the ladder with 18 wins, 3 losses and a draw. Richmond had finished second with 18 wins and 4 losses.
In the finals series leading up to the Grand Final, Richmond defeated Collingwood by 44 points in the Qualifying Final before meeting Carlton in the Second Semi Final. This game resulted in a draw, with both teams scoring 8.13 (61). In the Second Semi Final Replay, Richmond won comfortably by 41 points, sending them straight through to the Grand Final. Carlton then beat St Kilda by 16 points to match up with Richmond once again in the premiership decider.
A Grand final is a game that decides a sports league's championship (or premiership) winning team, i.e. the conclusive game of a finals (or play-off) series. Synonymous with a championship game in North American sports, grand finals have become a significant part of Australian culture. The earliest competitions to feature a Grand final were Australia's AFL (Australian rules football) and NRL (rugby league football). They influenced other competitions such as soccer's A-League, the National Basketball League, netball's ANZ Championship and European rugby league's Super League to adopt grand finals as well. Most grand finals involve a prestigious award for the player voted best on field.
History
The Anglo-Norman term "grand" to describe a sporting event, documented in England as "grand match" in 1836, was used in Australia from the 1850s. A steeplechase in England has been called the "Grand National Steeple Chase" ("Grand National" alone for short) since at least 1839.
Use of the term in Australian Football dates back to the first organised and widely publicised match between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College on August 7, 1858 at Yarra Park, Melbourne (formerly Richmond Park). The game was advertised as the "grand football match" in the Melbourne Morning Herald and several other local newspapers.
The 1931 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the twenty-fourth season of Sydney's top-level rugby league football club competition, Australia's first. During the season, which lasted from April until September, eight teams from across the city contested the premiership which culminated in a grand final between minor premiers Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney.
Season summary
The NSWRFL banned radio broadcasting of its matches in 1931 on the grounds that it was affecting the gates. After a year of broadcasts from nearby rooftops and ladders outside the grounds the League rescinded their ban.
Teams
Balmain, formed on January 23, 1908 at Balmain Town Hall
Eastern Suburbs, formed on January 24, 1908 at Paddington Town Hall
This game is widely considered to be one of the greatest Grand Finals of all time and, according to one of the key protagonists Ted Hopkins, heralded "the birth of modern football". The attendance figure of 121,696 spectators broke the record set the previous year of 119,165 spectators, and remains the all-time record attendance for any VFL/AFL match.
Prologue
Collingwood finished 1970 on top of the ladder with 18 wins. Carlton were next with 16 wins, followed by St Kilda and South Melbourne (14 wins each). South Melbourne was participating in its first Finals series since 1945, and got in despite winning only four of their last eight home-and-away matches.
This was North Melbourne's third successive Grand Final, and were the reigning premiers after having defeated Hawthorn in the 1975 VFL Grand Final.
At the conclusion of the regular home-and-away season, Hawthorn had finished second (behind Carlton) on the ladder with 16 wins and 6 losses. North Melbourne had finished third with 15 wins and 7 losses. During the season Hawthorn played North Melbourne in two home and away games, winning by 22 and 8 points respectively.
In the finals series leading up to the Grand Final, North Melbourne lost to Hawthorn by 20 points in the Qualifying Final before defeating Geelong by 33 points in the First Semi-Final. They then met Carlton in the Preliminary Final which they won by just one point to advance to the Grand Final. Hawthorn, after their win in the Qualifying Final, defeated Carlton by 17 points in the Second Semi-Final to advance to the Grand Final.
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond Vs Carlton (Extended Highlights)
Reuploaded in 50fps, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these extended highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final, the highest scoring grand final of all-time.
1972 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 October 1972 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 112,393)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton, Ron Barassi
Carlton 28.9 (177) def. Richmond 22.18 (150)
1972 VFL Grand Final In Colour Rare Footage Carlton Vs Richmond
1972 VFL Grand Final In Colour Rare Footage Carlton Vs Richmond
published: 09 Dec 2014
1972 VFL Grand Final 1st half
The first half of the 1972 Grand Final between Richmond and Carlton the highest scoring Grand Final of all time.
published: 21 Jul 2013
1972 VFL GRAND FINAL 4th Qtr CARLTON v RICHMOND
1972 VFL GRAND FINAL CARL v RICH FINAL QUARTER
Courtesy of the Seven Network
published: 30 Apr 2020
Never-before-shown: Ch9's colour recording of the 1973 VFL Grand Final. Richmond v Carlton.
This footage was provided by Channel 9 management to me, and with their permission has been allowed to be uploaded
It is the never-before-broadcast colour transmission of the 1973 Grand Final, one year before colour TV transmissions were trialled. (From 19 October 1974, Australian Broadcasting Control Board permitted stations four weeks of live color broadcasts for no more than four hours per week and no more than two hours per day).
Colour TV was officially introduced on 1 March 1975.
The director of the time John Crilly confirmed to me that although filmed in colour, the Grand Final highlights were still broadcast in black and white on Grand Final night on Channel 9, as no one had colour television, and the transmission stations up on Mt Dandenong had yet to be upgraded to colour.
The o...
published: 13 Aug 2023
1973 VFL Grand Final - Carlton Vs Richmond (Extended Highlights)
Original broadcast quality, 50FPS. Enjoy these highlights of the 1973 VFL Grand Final. This was one of the toughest and most bruising grand finals there ever was. Richmond were looking to exact revenge on Carlton's humiliation of them a year before, and came out firing in this game. Carlton was badly hampered by injury in their midfield, but still had plenty of talent on the ground. What resulted was one of the great grand finals, though the play itself is often overshadowed by the hard-hitting that took place.
1973 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 29 September 1973 2:30PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 116,956)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton
Richmond 16.20 (116) def. Carlton 12.14 (86)
published: 24 Mar 2022
The last few minutes of the 1972 VFL Grand Final including the after match celebrations.
The last few minutes of the 1972 VFL Grand Final including the after match celebrations.
11 mins.
YouTube channel Gezza1967.
published: 01 Aug 2018
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond v Carlton (3KZ Radio Commentary Highlights)
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond v Carlton (3KZ Radio Commentary Highlights)
Highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final played between Richmond and Carlton, as called by Ian Major, Jack Dyer and Ted Rippon on Melbourne Radio Station 3KZ.
Transferred from a vinyl record, these discs were made available to the public via mail order from the station.
published: 21 Nov 2023
1972 VFL Grand Final 2nd half
The 2nd half and in this half Richmond equaled the previous record of 150 in a grand final to only be bettered by Carlton's 177 Richmond's score would of won the tigers the flag in any previous season.
Reuploaded in 50fps, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these extended highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final, the highest scoring grand final of all-time.
1972...
Reuploaded in 50fps, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these extended highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final, the highest scoring grand final of all-time.
1972 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 October 1972 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 112,393)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton, Ron Barassi
Carlton 28.9 (177) def. Richmond 22.18 (150)
Reuploaded in 50fps, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these extended highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final, the highest scoring grand final of all-time.
1972 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 October 1972 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 112,393)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton, Ron Barassi
Carlton 28.9 (177) def. Richmond 22.18 (150)
This footage was provided by Channel 9 management to me, and with their permission has been allowed to be uploaded
It is the never-before-broadcast colour trans...
This footage was provided by Channel 9 management to me, and with their permission has been allowed to be uploaded
It is the never-before-broadcast colour transmission of the 1973 Grand Final, one year before colour TV transmissions were trialled. (From 19 October 1974, Australian Broadcasting Control Board permitted stations four weeks of live color broadcasts for no more than four hours per week and no more than two hours per day).
Colour TV was officially introduced on 1 March 1975.
The director of the time John Crilly confirmed to me that although filmed in colour, the Grand Final highlights were still broadcast in black and white on Grand Final night on Channel 9, as no one had colour television, and the transmission stations up on Mt Dandenong had yet to be upgraded to colour.
The only colour transmission was on the day, into Crilly's director van at the MCG. Ch9 were testing what the colour transmission looked like before the introduction of color TV the next year.
Therefore, this Youtube upload is the first public transmission of the colour filming of the entire game.
This footage was provided by Channel 9 management to me, and with their permission has been allowed to be uploaded
It is the never-before-broadcast colour transmission of the 1973 Grand Final, one year before colour TV transmissions were trialled. (From 19 October 1974, Australian Broadcasting Control Board permitted stations four weeks of live color broadcasts for no more than four hours per week and no more than two hours per day).
Colour TV was officially introduced on 1 March 1975.
The director of the time John Crilly confirmed to me that although filmed in colour, the Grand Final highlights were still broadcast in black and white on Grand Final night on Channel 9, as no one had colour television, and the transmission stations up on Mt Dandenong had yet to be upgraded to colour.
The only colour transmission was on the day, into Crilly's director van at the MCG. Ch9 were testing what the colour transmission looked like before the introduction of color TV the next year.
Therefore, this Youtube upload is the first public transmission of the colour filming of the entire game.
Original broadcast quality, 50FPS. Enjoy these highlights of the 1973 VFL Grand Final. This was one of the toughest and most bruising grand finals there ever wa...
Original broadcast quality, 50FPS. Enjoy these highlights of the 1973 VFL Grand Final. This was one of the toughest and most bruising grand finals there ever was. Richmond were looking to exact revenge on Carlton's humiliation of them a year before, and came out firing in this game. Carlton was badly hampered by injury in their midfield, but still had plenty of talent on the ground. What resulted was one of the great grand finals, though the play itself is often overshadowed by the hard-hitting that took place.
1973 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 29 September 1973 2:30PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 116,956)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton
Richmond 16.20 (116) def. Carlton 12.14 (86)
Original broadcast quality, 50FPS. Enjoy these highlights of the 1973 VFL Grand Final. This was one of the toughest and most bruising grand finals there ever was. Richmond were looking to exact revenge on Carlton's humiliation of them a year before, and came out firing in this game. Carlton was badly hampered by injury in their midfield, but still had plenty of talent on the ground. What resulted was one of the great grand finals, though the play itself is often overshadowed by the hard-hitting that took place.
1973 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 29 September 1973 2:30PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 116,956)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton
Richmond 16.20 (116) def. Carlton 12.14 (86)
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond v Carlton (3KZ Radio Commentary Highlights)
Highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final played between Richmond and Carlton, as call...
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond v Carlton (3KZ Radio Commentary Highlights)
Highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final played between Richmond and Carlton, as called by Ian Major, Jack Dyer and Ted Rippon on Melbourne Radio Station 3KZ.
Transferred from a vinyl record, these discs were made available to the public via mail order from the station.
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond v Carlton (3KZ Radio Commentary Highlights)
Highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final played between Richmond and Carlton, as called by Ian Major, Jack Dyer and Ted Rippon on Melbourne Radio Station 3KZ.
Transferred from a vinyl record, these discs were made available to the public via mail order from the station.
The 2nd half and in this half Richmond equaled the previous record of 150 in a grand final to only be bettered by Carlton's 177 Richmond's score would of won t...
The 2nd half and in this half Richmond equaled the previous record of 150 in a grand final to only be bettered by Carlton's 177 Richmond's score would of won the tigers the flag in any previous season.
The 2nd half and in this half Richmond equaled the previous record of 150 in a grand final to only be bettered by Carlton's 177 Richmond's score would of won the tigers the flag in any previous season.
Reuploaded in 50fps, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these extended highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final, the highest scoring grand final of all-time.
1972 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 October 1972 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 112,393)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton, Ron Barassi
Carlton 28.9 (177) def. Richmond 22.18 (150)
This footage was provided by Channel 9 management to me, and with their permission has been allowed to be uploaded
It is the never-before-broadcast colour transmission of the 1973 Grand Final, one year before colour TV transmissions were trialled. (From 19 October 1974, Australian Broadcasting Control Board permitted stations four weeks of live color broadcasts for no more than four hours per week and no more than two hours per day).
Colour TV was officially introduced on 1 March 1975.
The director of the time John Crilly confirmed to me that although filmed in colour, the Grand Final highlights were still broadcast in black and white on Grand Final night on Channel 9, as no one had colour television, and the transmission stations up on Mt Dandenong had yet to be upgraded to colour.
The only colour transmission was on the day, into Crilly's director van at the MCG. Ch9 were testing what the colour transmission looked like before the introduction of color TV the next year.
Therefore, this Youtube upload is the first public transmission of the colour filming of the entire game.
Original broadcast quality, 50FPS. Enjoy these highlights of the 1973 VFL Grand Final. This was one of the toughest and most bruising grand finals there ever was. Richmond were looking to exact revenge on Carlton's humiliation of them a year before, and came out firing in this game. Carlton was badly hampered by injury in their midfield, but still had plenty of talent on the ground. What resulted was one of the great grand finals, though the play itself is often overshadowed by the hard-hitting that took place.
1973 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 29 September 1973 2:30PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 116,956)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Michael Williamson, Bob Skilton
Richmond 16.20 (116) def. Carlton 12.14 (86)
1972 VFL Grand Final - Richmond v Carlton (3KZ Radio Commentary Highlights)
Highlights of the 1972 VFL Grand Final played between Richmond and Carlton, as called by Ian Major, Jack Dyer and Ted Rippon on Melbourne Radio Station 3KZ.
Transferred from a vinyl record, these discs were made available to the public via mail order from the station.
The 2nd half and in this half Richmond equaled the previous record of 150 in a grand final to only be bettered by Carlton's 177 Richmond's score would of won the tigers the flag in any previous season.
At the conclusion of the regular home-and-away season, Carlton had finished first on the ladder with 18 wins, 3 losses and a draw. Richmond had finished second with 18 wins and 4 losses.
In the finals series leading up to the Grand Final, Richmond defeated Collingwood by 44 points in the Qualifying Final before meeting Carlton in the Second Semi Final. This game resulted in a draw, with both teams scoring 8.13 (61). In the Second Semi Final Replay, Richmond won comfortably by 41 points, sending them straight through to the Grand Final. Carlton then beat St Kilda by 16 points to match up with Richmond once again in the premiership decider.