Grand Final, 1970

Carlton	0.3	3	4.5	29	12.5	77	17.9	111
Collingwood	4.8	32	10.13	73	13.16	94	14.17	101

Venue: M.C.G.

Date: September 26, 1970

Result: Win by 10 points

Umpire: D.Jolley

Crowd: 121,696

Goalkickers: T.Hopkins 4.1, A.Jesaulenko 3.1, B.Crosswell 2.2, R.Walls 2.1, J.Nicholls 2.1, A.Gallagher 2.0, S.Jackson 1.2, S.Silvagni 1.0, Rushed 0.1

Best: B.Crosswell, D.McKay, S.Silvagni, I.Robertson, J.Nicholls, S.Jackson, A.Jesaulenko, R.Walls

Reports: Nil

Injuries: B.Thornley replaced by T.Hopkins at half time. J.Goold replaced by N.Chandler during final quarter. S.Silvagni (bruised nose), A.Gallagher (bruised shoulder)

Game Review

Often referred to as the greatest moment in the proud history of the Carlton Football Club, the 1970 VFL Grand Final victory over Collingwood is one of those occasions when every true Blue supporter fortunate enough to be alive on that day, will forever remember exactly where they were when the final siren sounded.

It was a match that fundamentally changed the way the game was played afterward, and it unfolded before the biggest crowd in Grand Final history. It was orchestrated with a stroke of genius by a master coach, sparked by a fairytale effort off the reserve bench, and topped off by one of the greatest high marks ever taken. It was unbelievable, it was unforgettable, and it shattered Collingwood’s confidence for a decade.

The Magpies went into the match as strong favourites, having beaten Carlton twice during the regular season, and again a fortnight before in the Second Semi-Final. On a fine spring day at the MCG, a record 121,696 spectators packed in to watch the bitter rivals battle it out again for the ultimate prize.

Carlton gambled before the match by leaving out tough, experienced full-back Wes Lofts, and naming Kevin Hall to replace him. The Blues’ match committee were looking to counter Collingwood’s star full-forward Peter McKenna, whose pace off the mark had troubled Lofts in each of their previous meetings. Carlton’s 19th and 20th men were Neil Chandler (who was valuable late in the ’68 flag win) and perennial reserve Ted Hopkins, a quick and agile blonde rover who had already warmed the bench eleven times that season.

Carlton captain John Nicholls won the toss – but that was about all the Blues did win in the first quarter. Collingwood burst out of the blocks and though they were wasteful early, they dominated the quarter to lead 4.8 to 0.3 at quarter time. David McKay and Hall were solid in defence, but sheer weight of opportunities gave McKenna three goals by the first break.

The second quarter began like the first. Collingwood ruckman Graeme ‘Jerker’ Jenkin had the better of his early exchanges with John Nicholls and Peter Jones of Carlton, and Collingwood scored twice more before Brent Crosswell eventually kicked truly for the Blues first major at the 8-minute mark. Two more goals to McKenna followed, before he was crashed in a pack by one of his team-mates and seemed dazed for some time.

Three minutes into time on, Collingwood were 44 points in front when McKay kicked long out of defence to the Member’s wing. Camped under the ball, Jenkin seemed ready to take it - indeed Collingwood half-back Denis O'Callaghan later remembered calling; 'It's yours Jerker - you're on your own!'... when suddenly, seemingly from nowhere, a former junior gymnast wearing the number 25 Carlton guernsey soared into the air, planted one knee on Jenkin’s shoulder, and plucked the ball out of the sky. Photographs of Alex Jesaulenko’s glorious mark that day are among the most famous Australian sporting shots ever taken.

Carlton were down and not far from out at half time, but Jezza’s mark at least gave Carlton coach Ron Barassi an example of defiance against the odds, and a rallying point for his team. In one last throw of the dice, he recast Carlton’s forward line, dragged high-profile WA rover Bert Thornley, and sent Ted Hopkins onto the field in a forward pocket. Then he ordered his team to run, to create, and to handball, handball, handball. And most of all, to forget that they were seven goals down. Meanwhile, in the Collingwood rooms, the place was full of back-slappers, and the odd champagne cork had already been popped.

A minute or so after the first bounce of the third quarter, a long kick to the Carlton goal square spilled off the pack and into the arms of Teddy Hopkins, who snapped truly on his right foot. Another minute later, he was perfectly positioned again when another opportunity presented itself, only this time he goaled with his left boot.

At centre half-forward, Robert Walls had begun running his opponent Ted Potter ragged, leading hard up the ground and marking everything that came his way. Brent Crosswell and Garry Crane were dominating across the centre, and McKay was still rock-solid in the middle of the Blues defence. Between the 7 minute and 23 minute marks of the quarter, Carlton piled on five more goals and suddenly, the margin between the teams was just four points. However, two late goals to Collingwood blew the deficit out again to 17 at three-quarter time; 13.16 to 12.5.

Many commentators believed that Carlton’s enormous effort in fighting their way back into the contest had taken so much out of them, that there simply couldn’t be enough energy left to battle out a close finish. But they were wrong. All over the ground, the Blueboys lifted, and, sensing that Collingwood were wilting, they willed their bodies to keep running.

At the 21 minute mark of the last quarter, Syd Jackson smothered the ball off his opponent's boot, recovered and fired out an instinctive handpass to Hopkins, who was streaming at full pace towards goal. Teddy’s fourth major cut the margin to just one point. The Collingwood players' heads dropped, and miraculously, right around the MCG, Carlton fans sensed – no, damn it – we knew it.

( We are going to win this…! )

Three minutes later, when Crosswell won a free kick 40 metres out on a slight angle, his neat drop punt never looked like missing. For the first time in the match, the Blues were in front.

Then came one last, magical, unforgettable moment. Wheeling out of a pack, Jezza let fly towards an open goal from 40 metres. The ball bounced once, twice, and through the goals for the sealer.

( Eleven points in front – we’re home! )

Collingwood did manage to send the ball into their forward line one last time, in the final minute of play. ‘Twiggy’ Dunne took a mark 50 metres out in front, but his shot for goal drifted wide and the Blues were back in attack when the final siren capped one of the iconic chapters in football history.

In the centre of the ground stood umpire Don Jolley. "The whole of the last quarter was played to the tune of one continual roar," he said later. "There was one great almighty noise when Carlton hit the front, and an even bigger one when the final siren sounded. I remember at the finish being a bit dazed. What a transformation. You had to be there to believe it."

Collingwood's devastation was summed up by their captain, Terry Waters. It took many years for him to speak publicly about the game, but when he did, he was simple and direct; "I don't think anybody could believe it, or wanted to believe it - or could imagine how they were going to live with it," he said.

David McKay was judged Best on Ground by a panel of experts. ‘Swan’ had been good all day and instrumental in Carlton’s recovery. He and Brent Crosswell were outstanding, but in the end it was inspiration, perspiration, superior teamwork and self-belief that created a miracle on that One Day in September, 1970.

Team

B:	21 Barry Gill	3 Kevin Hall	30 Vin Waite
HB:	11 John Goold	43 David McKay	35 Barry Mulcair
C:	6 Garry Crane	34 Ian Robertson	15 Phil Pinnell
HF:	17 Brent Crosswell	42 Robert Walls (acting vc)	5 Syd Jackson
F:	28 Peter Jones	25 Alex Jesaulenko	13 Bert Thornley
Ruck:	2 John Nicholls (c)	1 Serge Silvagni	10 Adrian Gallagher
Res:	22 Neil Chandler	7 Ted Hopkins
Coach:	Ron Barassi

Scoreboard at the end of each quarter.

Incredible Win by Carlton in VFL

Journalist Rohan Rivett's story of the Grand Final. To read click here; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110463079

Milestones

Last Games: John Goold, Bert Thornley Rivalries: This was the fourth grand final between these great foes; and Carlton's third of 5 consecutive Grand Final wins - to this day - over Collingwood

Multimedia

3KZ Radio Broadcast

Others

Video of the 1970 Grand Final anniversary highlights package telecast during 2010 Brownlow medal count Film and Sound Archive reveal new footage 50 years on

Video

Youtube

Game Highlights in fairly good colour Quarter. and 3rd Quarters Quarter

Links

Preliminary Final | 1971

Gallery

Ted Hopkins 1st GoalThe 1st goal from Ted Hopkins that started the comeback from 44 points down.
Sergio Silvagni markSerge leaps high for a great mark.
Ted Hopkins then and now
Brent Crosswell markBrent takes a high mark.
1970 BannerJohn Nicholls breaking the 1970 Banner.
1970 Scoreboards each quarter.
Vin Waite markVin Waite takes a 2 step vertical leap mark.
Syd Jackson mark
George harris after the 1970 G/F
Jesaulenko Mark G/F MCG 1970
1970 GF - Players line before the opening bounce.
1970 GF - The big men fly.
1970 GF - Souvenirs.
1970 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1970 Post GF Celebrations.
1970 GF - A pack of Blues & Pies fly for a mark.
WEG GF DVD Cover - 1970 Brent Crosswell.
1970 GF - Brent Crosswell outmarks Denis O'Callaghan.
1970 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1970 GF - Ted Hopkins being chaired off the ground.
1970 GF - Barassi's Masterstroke.
1970 GF - Carlton snatch miracle Grand Final.
1970 GF - David McKay gets a clearing kick from defence.Pic: Football Life.
1970 GF Snippet.Article: Football Life.
1970 GF - Big Nick on victory lap.Pic: Football Life.
1970 GF - The flag that got away.Pic: Football Life.
1970 GF Article.Football Life.
1970 GF - Jezza's mark front on view.
1970 GF - Serg Silvagni to break through a tcakle.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - The Carlton Team.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - David McKay gets a rushed kick away.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Percy pours 'champers' over Goold.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Ron Barassi as the siren sounds.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Tiger Crosswell kicks the goal that puts the Blues in front.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Lightning Ted Hopkins.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Blue Believers.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Brent Crosswell flies for a mark.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Big Nick spoils from behind.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Carlton Xmas Card.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Two views of the Great Mark.Pic: Out of the Blue.
1970 GF - That mark again.Pic: Out of the Blue.
1970 GF - Serge Silvagni breaks away.Pic: Out of the Blue.
1970 GF - The Siren sounds.Pic: Out of the Blue.
1970 GF - Percy Jones fills up the cup.Pic: Out of the Blue.
1970 WEG Poster
1970 GF - Kevin Hall.Pic: Herald Sun.
Nicholls breaking the Banner
1970 GF - Flag at half-mast (Jackson's fib) 05/05/93.Inside Football.
1995 - Jezza Tie.
The Legend of 1970 Lives on (19/07/95) pg 2 of 2.
The Legend of 1970 Lives on (19/07/95) pg 1 of 2.
1970 GF - Big Nick & Barassi after the final siren.Pic: Inside Football.
1970 GF - The Greatest GF of them all!!!
1970 GF
1970 GF - Vin Waite flies to spoil.
1970 GF - Crosswell puts the Blues in front.
1970 GF - David McKay: Carlton's best player.
1970 GF Alex Jesaulenko: Great GF moments.
1970 Grand Final lift out
1970 Grand Final Souvenir
1970 GF - Nicholls & Silvagni to line up in their 4th GF.
1970 GF - Season playing list.
1970 GF - Carlton Player Profiles.
1970 GF - Team List & Selections.
1970 GF - Team List & Selections.
1970 GF - Match Preview.
1970 GF - Football Record Cover.
1970 GF - Blue Day for Collingwood.
1970 GF Jesaulenko Dives But Misses His Man
1970 GF John Goold Jumps High Over Magpie Con Britt
1970 GF Nicholls & Silvagni Hunt The Ball
1970 GF Percy Jones Cops A Shove In The Back
1970 GF Robert Walls Picks Up Under Pressure
1970 GF Scoreboard Each Quarter
1970 GF Siren!One of the most famous images in VFL/AFL history, captured at the moment the siren sounded and Carlton (coached by Barassi) won a famous victory over Collingwood in the 1970 Grand Final.
A Sweet Taste Of Victory For Jezza 1970 Grand Final
1970 Grand Final Nicholls & Jenkin Jump High
Barry Mulcair Shoots Out A Handpass 1970 Grand Final
By A Nose McKay Takes Another Mark In The 1970 Grand Final
Oh The Joy Vin Waite With The 1970 Premiership Cup
1970 GF Brent Crosswell Almost Loses His Head
1970 GF Future Blue Peter McKenna Marks For Collingwood
1970 GF Ian Robertson & Bert Deacon Share The Joy
1970 GF John Goold Is Showered In Champagne
1970 GF Serge Silvagni Weaves Through A Pack
1970 GF Swan McKay Marks In Front
1970 GF Jesaulenko Gets His Kick AwayPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Magpie Lee Adamson Crashes Into Syd JacksonPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Nicholls Blocks And Crosswell MarksPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Nicholls Spoils Magpie Peter EakinsPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Robbie Walls Revels In The GloryPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Silvagni Spills A MarkPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Syd Jackson Beats Two Opponents To The BallPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Vin Waite Pressures Magpie Des TuddenhamPic: Melbourne Herald
1970 GF Dinner Barassi Leads The Conga LinePic: Melbourne Herald
$1970 GF John Nicholls Leads The Blues\' Lap Of HonourImage courtesy of The Age newspaper$

1970 GF John Nicholls Leads The Blues\' Lap Of HonourImage courtesy of The Age newspaper
1970 Grand Final Ragsy Goold & Percy Jones After The SirenImage courtesy of The Age newspaper
1970 Grand Final Vin Waite Shoots Out A HandpassLeft to right: Graeme Jenkin, Vin Waite and Brent Crosswell.
Members Of The Carlton Cheer Squad At The 1970 GFImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
Carlton Cheer Squad At The 1970 Grand FinalEdited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
1970 GF - Barry Gill & Big Nick with Umpire Jolly.
1970 GF - Jezza's grab.
1970 GF - Jezza on the descent after taking THAT mark.
1970 GF Crowd.
1970 GF - Nicholls contests against Jenkins with Walls in support.
1970 GF - Crosswell flies for a pack grab with Jackson waiting for the crumbs.
1970 GF - Vin Waite spoils the pack.
1970 GF - Kevin Hall.
1970 GF - Vin Waite.
1970 GF - Vin Waite spoils the pack.
1970 GF - Big Nick bursting through the banner.
1970 GF - Jezza in a marking contest.
1970 GF - John Nicholls & Jezza apply forward line pressure.
1970 GF - John Nicholls & Serge Silvagni in pursuit of the footy.
1970 GF - Robert Walls collects the loose footy with Teddy Hopkins in the background.
1970 GF - Percy Jones in a marking contest.
1970 GF - Barry Gill & Phil Pinnell.
1970 GF Ticket.
1970 GF - John Nicholls ruck duel with 'Jerker' Jenkins with Adrian Gallagher in the background.
1970 GF - Syd Jackson runs onto the ground followed by Phil Pinnell.
1970 GF - Jezza's big grab.
1970 Grand Final - Jezza's screamer.
1970 Grand Final - Jezza's screamer.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell clashes with Terry Waters.
1970 Grand Final - Crowd shot.
1970 Grand Final - Half Time; Robert Walls & Jezza.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell flies for a grab.
1970 Grand Final - Alex Jesaulenko flies for a pack grab.
1970 Grand Final - Players line up before the start of the game.
1970 Grand Final - John Nicholls holds the premiership cup in the rooms.
1970 Grand Final - Syd Jackson & Lee Adamson.
1970 Grand Final - Syd Jackson snaps a left foot goal.
1970 - Premiership Team.
1970 Grand Final - An ecstatic Vin Waite after the game.
1970 Grand Final - Big Nick comments.
1970 Grand Final - Carlton Supporters.
1970 Grand Final - Jezza mark.
1970 Grand Final - John Goold runs through the banner.
1970 Grand Final - Vin Waite & Richardson tussle flanked by Gill & McKay.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell celebrates a goal.
1970 Grand Final - Teddy Hopkins.
1970 Grand Final - Jezza on the descent.
1970 Grand Final - Phil Pinnell.
1970 Grand Final - Match Preview.
1970 Grand Final - Teams.
1970 Grand Final - Training Notes.
1970 Grand Final - Rival Captains; Nicholls & Waters.
1970 Grand Final - LP souvenir of the Game.
1970 Grand Final - Match Preview.
1970 Grand Final Crowd.
1970 Grand Final Ticket.
1970 Grand Final - John Goold flies for a mark.
1970 Grand Final - Alex Jesaulenko flies for a chest mark.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell outmarks two Magpies.
1970 Grand Final Crowd.
1970 Grand Final - Alex Jesaulenko kicking.
1970 Grand Final - David McKay flies for a mark.
1970 Grand Final - John Goold marks strongly.
1970 Grand Final - John Nicholls with the footy.
1970 Grand Final - Robert Walls snaps for goal from the boundary line.
1970 Grand Final - Robert Walls snaps for goal from the boundary line.
1970 Grand Final - Robert Walls shot for goal touched on the line.
1970 Grand Final Alex Jesaulenko
1970 Grand Final David McKay
1970 Grand Final Robert Wallls
1970 Grand Final Syd Jackson
1970 Grand Final Teddy Hopkins
1970 Grand Final - Barry Mulcair
1970 Grand Final Souvenirs