The 1985 Victorian Football League season was the 89th season of the elite Australian rules football competition. This season commenced in March 1985 and concluded on 28 September 1985 with Essendon winning their second consecutive Premiership in a third consecutive Grand Final against Hawthorn.
Night Series
Hawthorn defeated Essendon 11.11 (77) to 10.8 (68) in the Final.
Premiership season
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
The average score by each team this round was 134.8, which stands as the VFL/AFL record.
Hawthorn won the reserves premiership. Hawthorn 18.16 (114) defeated Carlton 16.12 (108) in the Grand Final, held as a curtain-raiser to the seniors Grand Final on 28 September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
1985 VFL GRAND FINAL HAWTHORN Hawks V ESSENDON Bombers.
Courtesy of the Seven Network.
published: 02 Mar 2020
1985 VFL NIGHT GRAND FINAL HAWTHORN V ESSENDON
1985 VFL NIGHT GRAND FINAL HAWTHORN V ESSENDON
VFL PARK WAVERLEY
Courtesy of the Seven Network
published: 26 Feb 2020
1985 VFL Reserves Grand Final - Carlton v Hawthorn
The 1985 Army Reserves Cup Grand Final from the MCG had an experienced Carlton side, who had been minor premiers, face a Hawthorn team that had a few changes as the Senior Hawks prepared to play Essendon.
Playing for Carlton were the likes of Rod Austin, Alex Marcou, Val Perovic, Des English, 'Wow' Jones, Mario Bortolotto, Warren Ralph, Brad Shine and promising youngsters Rohan Burke, Mil Hanna, Shane Robertson and Ian Muller.
The Hawks had left Gary Buckenara, Rodney Eade, Michael Byrne and Peter Knights out of the Senior Grand Final line-up. These players were to join some familiar names such as Peter Curran, Steve Malaxos and Colin Robertson. Youngsters Greg Dear and James Bennett had tied for the Gardiner Medal and Shane McGrath had won the goal kicking. James Morrissey and Paul Abbo...
published: 04 Jan 2022
1985 VFL Marks Of The Year.
published: 24 Mar 2018
Part 1 of 1985 VFL Football Marathon Channel 7, 3HR VHS tape ends with 1st Qrt 1985 GF
1985 VFL footy marathon on channel 7
1971 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs St.Kilda last quarter only, 32 mins.
Tape minute mark 32 mins
VFL 1985 highlights ch7 to the music 'I need a hero'.
Tape minute mark 35 mins
1975 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs North Melbourne last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 0 mins
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 3 mins.
1977 VFL grand final drawn Collingwood Vs North Melbourne last quarter from 6 minute mark only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 33 mins.
(Part 2 MP4)
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 37 mins.
1979 VFL grand final Collingwood Vs Carlton last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 5 mins.
1984 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn last quarter only, 25 mins.
(End of 1985 footy...
published: 08 Jan 2022
1985 VFL Grand Final - Essendon Vs Hawthorn (Extended Highlights)
Uploaded in beautiful 50FPS, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these highlights of the 1985 VFL Grand Final, a tough and spiteful affair between these two fierce rivals of the Eighties. After a strong season, Essendon started as hot favourites, but Hawthorn's fighting spirit meant they could not be written off. It was also Leigh Matthews' last game for Hawthorn.
1985 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 28 September 1985 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 100,042)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Essendon 26.14 (170) def. Hawthorn 14.8 (92)
published: 19 Mar 2021
1985 VFL Elimination Final - Carlton Vs North Melbourne (Extended Highlights)
Uploaded in glorious 50fps on YouTube for the first time, enjoy these highlights of a classic elimination final clash from the 80s, featuring fast pace and skills, as well as extraordinary swings in momentum throughout the match.
1985 VFL Elimination Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 September 1985 2:30PM
Venue: Waverley Park (Attendance: 49,126)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Carlton 16.11 (107) def. by North Melbourne 20.6 (126)
published: 01 Jul 2021
1985 VFL Grand final fight
published: 27 Apr 2019
1985 Grand Final Full Broadcast 3 Hours 40 min
This is the full broadcast of the 1985 VFL Grand Final between Essendon and Hawthorn as shown by Channel 7 from 2pm.
The 1985 Army Reserves Cup Grand Final from the MCG had an experienced Carlton side, who had been minor premiers, face a Hawthorn team that had a few changes as...
The 1985 Army Reserves Cup Grand Final from the MCG had an experienced Carlton side, who had been minor premiers, face a Hawthorn team that had a few changes as the Senior Hawks prepared to play Essendon.
Playing for Carlton were the likes of Rod Austin, Alex Marcou, Val Perovic, Des English, 'Wow' Jones, Mario Bortolotto, Warren Ralph, Brad Shine and promising youngsters Rohan Burke, Mil Hanna, Shane Robertson and Ian Muller.
The Hawks had left Gary Buckenara, Rodney Eade, Michael Byrne and Peter Knights out of the Senior Grand Final line-up. These players were to join some familiar names such as Peter Curran, Steve Malaxos and Colin Robertson. Youngsters Greg Dear and James Bennett had tied for the Gardiner Medal and Shane McGrath had won the goal kicking. James Morrissey and Paul Abbott, who had each only played a handful of senior games between them were to become premiership heroes in the years to come.
The 1985 Army Reserves Cup Grand Final from the MCG had an experienced Carlton side, who had been minor premiers, face a Hawthorn team that had a few changes as the Senior Hawks prepared to play Essendon.
Playing for Carlton were the likes of Rod Austin, Alex Marcou, Val Perovic, Des English, 'Wow' Jones, Mario Bortolotto, Warren Ralph, Brad Shine and promising youngsters Rohan Burke, Mil Hanna, Shane Robertson and Ian Muller.
The Hawks had left Gary Buckenara, Rodney Eade, Michael Byrne and Peter Knights out of the Senior Grand Final line-up. These players were to join some familiar names such as Peter Curran, Steve Malaxos and Colin Robertson. Youngsters Greg Dear and James Bennett had tied for the Gardiner Medal and Shane McGrath had won the goal kicking. James Morrissey and Paul Abbott, who had each only played a handful of senior games between them were to become premiership heroes in the years to come.
1985 VFL footy marathon on channel 7
1971 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs St.Kilda last quarter only, 32 mins.
Tape minute mark 32 mins
VFL 1985 highlights ch7 t...
1985 VFL footy marathon on channel 7
1971 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs St.Kilda last quarter only, 32 mins.
Tape minute mark 32 mins
VFL 1985 highlights ch7 to the music 'I need a hero'.
Tape minute mark 35 mins
1975 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs North Melbourne last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 0 mins
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 3 mins.
1977 VFL grand final drawn Collingwood Vs North Melbourne last quarter from 6 minute mark only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 33 mins.
(Part 2 MP4)
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 37 mins.
1979 VFL grand final Collingwood Vs Carlton last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 5 mins.
1984 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn last quarter only, 25 mins.
(End of 1985 footy marathon)
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 32 mins.
1985 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn 1st quarter only, 31.30 mins.
Ch2 ABC coverage.
Tape minute mark 3 hrs & 3 mins.
1985 VFL footy marathon on channel 7
1971 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs St.Kilda last quarter only, 32 mins.
Tape minute mark 32 mins
VFL 1985 highlights ch7 to the music 'I need a hero'.
Tape minute mark 35 mins
1975 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs North Melbourne last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 0 mins
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 3 mins.
1977 VFL grand final drawn Collingwood Vs North Melbourne last quarter from 6 minute mark only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 33 mins.
(Part 2 MP4)
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 37 mins.
1979 VFL grand final Collingwood Vs Carlton last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 5 mins.
1984 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn last quarter only, 25 mins.
(End of 1985 footy marathon)
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 32 mins.
1985 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn 1st quarter only, 31.30 mins.
Ch2 ABC coverage.
Tape minute mark 3 hrs & 3 mins.
Uploaded in beautiful 50FPS, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these highlights of the 1985 VFL Grand Final, a tough and spiteful affair between these two fierc...
Uploaded in beautiful 50FPS, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these highlights of the 1985 VFL Grand Final, a tough and spiteful affair between these two fierce rivals of the Eighties. After a strong season, Essendon started as hot favourites, but Hawthorn's fighting spirit meant they could not be written off. It was also Leigh Matthews' last game for Hawthorn.
1985 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 28 September 1985 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 100,042)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Essendon 26.14 (170) def. Hawthorn 14.8 (92)
Uploaded in beautiful 50FPS, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these highlights of the 1985 VFL Grand Final, a tough and spiteful affair between these two fierce rivals of the Eighties. After a strong season, Essendon started as hot favourites, but Hawthorn's fighting spirit meant they could not be written off. It was also Leigh Matthews' last game for Hawthorn.
1985 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 28 September 1985 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 100,042)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Essendon 26.14 (170) def. Hawthorn 14.8 (92)
Uploaded in glorious 50fps on YouTube for the first time, enjoy these highlights of a classic elimination final clash from the 80s, featuring fast pace and skil...
Uploaded in glorious 50fps on YouTube for the first time, enjoy these highlights of a classic elimination final clash from the 80s, featuring fast pace and skills, as well as extraordinary swings in momentum throughout the match.
1985 VFL Elimination Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 September 1985 2:30PM
Venue: Waverley Park (Attendance: 49,126)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Carlton 16.11 (107) def. by North Melbourne 20.6 (126)
Uploaded in glorious 50fps on YouTube for the first time, enjoy these highlights of a classic elimination final clash from the 80s, featuring fast pace and skills, as well as extraordinary swings in momentum throughout the match.
1985 VFL Elimination Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 September 1985 2:30PM
Venue: Waverley Park (Attendance: 49,126)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Carlton 16.11 (107) def. by North Melbourne 20.6 (126)
The 1985 Army Reserves Cup Grand Final from the MCG had an experienced Carlton side, who had been minor premiers, face a Hawthorn team that had a few changes as the Senior Hawks prepared to play Essendon.
Playing for Carlton were the likes of Rod Austin, Alex Marcou, Val Perovic, Des English, 'Wow' Jones, Mario Bortolotto, Warren Ralph, Brad Shine and promising youngsters Rohan Burke, Mil Hanna, Shane Robertson and Ian Muller.
The Hawks had left Gary Buckenara, Rodney Eade, Michael Byrne and Peter Knights out of the Senior Grand Final line-up. These players were to join some familiar names such as Peter Curran, Steve Malaxos and Colin Robertson. Youngsters Greg Dear and James Bennett had tied for the Gardiner Medal and Shane McGrath had won the goal kicking. James Morrissey and Paul Abbott, who had each only played a handful of senior games between them were to become premiership heroes in the years to come.
1985 VFL footy marathon on channel 7
1971 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs St.Kilda last quarter only, 32 mins.
Tape minute mark 32 mins
VFL 1985 highlights ch7 to the music 'I need a hero'.
Tape minute mark 35 mins
1975 VFL grand final Hawthorn Vs North Melbourne last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 0 mins
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 3 mins.
1977 VFL grand final drawn Collingwood Vs North Melbourne last quarter from 6 minute mark only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 33 mins.
(Part 2 MP4)
1985 VFL marks of the year.
Tape minute mark 1 hr & 37 mins.
1979 VFL grand final Collingwood Vs Carlton last quarter only, 25 mins.
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 5 mins.
1984 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn last quarter only, 25 mins.
(End of 1985 footy marathon)
Tape minute mark 2 hrs & 32 mins.
1985 VFL grand final Essendon Vs Hawthorn 1st quarter only, 31.30 mins.
Ch2 ABC coverage.
Tape minute mark 3 hrs & 3 mins.
Uploaded in beautiful 50FPS, original broadcast quality. Enjoy these highlights of the 1985 VFL Grand Final, a tough and spiteful affair between these two fierce rivals of the Eighties. After a strong season, Essendon started as hot favourites, but Hawthorn's fighting spirit meant they could not be written off. It was also Leigh Matthews' last game for Hawthorn.
1985 VFL Grand Final Extended Highlights
Date: 28 September 1985 2:50PM
Venue: MCG (Attendance: 100,042)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Essendon 26.14 (170) def. Hawthorn 14.8 (92)
Uploaded in glorious 50fps on YouTube for the first time, enjoy these highlights of a classic elimination final clash from the 80s, featuring fast pace and skills, as well as extraordinary swings in momentum throughout the match.
1985 VFL Elimination Final Extended Highlights
Date: 7 September 1985 2:30PM
Venue: Waverley Park (Attendance: 49,126)
Coverage: Channel 7
Commentators: Peter Landy, Lou Richards, Bob Skilton
Carlton 16.11 (107) def. by North Melbourne 20.6 (126)
The 1985 Victorian Football League season was the 89th season of the elite Australian rules football competition. This season commenced in March 1985 and concluded on 28 September 1985 with Essendon winning their second consecutive Premiership in a third consecutive Grand Final against Hawthorn.
Night Series
Hawthorn defeated Essendon 11.11 (77) to 10.8 (68) in the Final.
Premiership season
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
The average score by each team this round was 134.8, which stands as the VFL/AFL record.
Hawthorn won the reserves premiership. Hawthorn 18.16 (114) defeated Carlton 16.12 (108) in the Grand Final, held as a curtain-raiser to the seniors Grand Final on 28 September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.