AFL Premiers 1979 - Carlton

Nine years ago these two sides had played off in one of the most remarkable games in Grand Final history with Collingwood coming off second best. You suspected the Magpies had been waiting for the day. And just before half-time after showers had soaked the MCG and the 113,000 gathered at the great stadium, it looked as though they were set to exorcise the demons which had haunted them since 1970.

Collingwood led a ragged Carlton side by nearly five goals and the Blues were struggling badly.

But then came the masterstroke from Carlton captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko. He shifted back-pocket Wayne Harmes into the centre and made some other slight modifications. But it was the move of Harmes which generated Carlton’s comeback.

He started pounding the ball his side’s way and in the twinkling of an eye the Blues were back in it, in fact they led by one point at half-time.

Collingwood couldn’t believe it. Its players were sure they had dominated the first half but went into the long break behind. It was morale shattering stuff.

To their credit they didn’t chuck it in, even after Carlton had slipped out to a twenty-one point lead at three quarter-time. That’s when the Magpies dug deep and came back hard, but you always felt as though the Blues had something up their sleeve and a moment of inspired genius from Wayne Harmes led to the matchwinning goal – one of the most hotly disputed in league history and one, to this day, that Collingwood fans detest.

But once again the flag went Carlton’s way and as any Blues fans will tell you, they don’t taste any sweeter than when won over their arch rival.

Carlton 11.16 (82) defeated Collingwood 11.11 (77)
Best on Ground: Wayne Harmes (Carlton)
Venue: Melboourne Cricket Ground Crowd: 112,845