Grand Final, 1979

Carlton	0.4	4	5.7	37	10.12	72	11.16	82
Collingwood	2.2	14	5.6	36	7.9	51	11.11	77

Venue: M.C.G

Date: September 29, 1979

Result: Win by 5 points

Umpires: Deller, Smith

Crowd: 113,545

Goalkickers: K.Sheldon 3, M.Maclure 2, J.Buckley 2, P. Jones, W.Harmes, M.Young, P.Francis

Best: Johnston, Harmes, Doull, Francis, Fitzpatrick, Buckley, Armstrong

Reports: Trevor Keogh (jumping into Russell Ohlsen) - Reprimand, Rene Kink (spitting on Alex Jesaulenko) - 6 matches

Injuries: Nil

Inaugural Norm Smith Medallist: Wayne Harmes

Game Review

The mud and the rain I remember it very well from my comfortable vantage point against the cyclone fence underneath the cold Northern Stand. For the princely sum of 60 cents I had purchased a Junior Standing Room ticket not bad for a 17 year old HSC student, I watched the game looking over those who had been 'scalped' close to $200 for seats getting drenched in the pouring rain.

This was the Grand Final to make up for the many bitter disappointments of the curiously unproductive mid 70s where we were dubbed "The Professionals" by Lou Richards and almost always had the best team on paper but just couldn't go on and produce the results in the finals or just missed the finals altogher.

This was the Grand Final where as Jesaulenko (the last man to successfully Captain-Coach as side to a Premiership) said in his famous interview with Ron Casey on World of Sport the day after this epic encounter "I gave the boys jobs and they went out and did them".

Jezza had the courage to move himself out of the centre and swing a young pocket battleship in Wayne Harmes into the middle and where it looked like we would finish the first half of that game without a goal he created the spark which created 5 goals from the 19 minute mark of the second quarter for us to actually steal the lead at half-time.

But our man Wayne Harmes was not done there, in the last quarter with the game still in the balance he chased down his errant kick from the half forward line and in the immortal words of Peter Landy "he was almost as quick as the kick" he dived at the ball and according to Eddie McGuire's memory of it slapped it back into play from the foyer of the Hilton Hotel in Wellington Parade, to the waiting arms of Ken Sheldon in the goals square who popped it through.

As I recall the players were so muddy I thought that it was a Collingwood defender who actually rushed it through for a behind until my cousin who was with me yelled into my ear "Sheldon goaled, Sheldon goaled". In fact, this is remembered as one of the most controversial on-field events in our history; a theme explored in a Blueseum exclusive article available here.

Some people (mainly Collingwood supporters) unfairly thought that Harmes was awarded the Norm Smith based on the knock-on to Sheldon, as well as the fact being a descendant of the great man Norm Smith. Harmes was the catalyst in the second quarter that stung the Blues back into action and, if not for this role he played in the second quarter the game may have been well and truly over for Carlton at half time.

There was one last drama to unfold as McConville was not paid a mark late in the game and Allan Edwards (who played for 3 clubs but whose son would be drafted by Carlton 26 years later) swooped on the ball and goaled, with only a kick in it at that stage I was sure we were going to lose it and the misery of those unproductive years through the 70s came back to haunt me. But I needn't have worried as the siren went not long after and I recalled the euphoria which was heightened by the 2 bottles of champagne we managed to smuggle in was something I have never forgotten.

Not bad really a 17 year old getting into the Grand Final at the MCG on an Junior Ticket indulging in a post match bottle of champagne.

It was yet another victory over arch rivals Collingwood by less than a kick, to take them to just one premiership behind. President George Harris remarked during the post-match celebrations that the only thing better than beating Collingwood by 10 goals was beating them by 5 points!

Team

B:	37 Wayne Harmes	20 Geoff Southby	43 David McKay
HB:	33 Peter McConville	11 Bruce Doull	22 Robbert Klomp
C:	47 Peter Francis	25 Alex Jesaulenko (cc)	19 Michael Young
HF:	7 Wayne Johnston	36 Mark Maclure (dvc)	8 Trevor Keogh
F:	3 Mike Fitzpatrick	41 Peter Brown	5 Ken Sheldon
Ruck:	28 Peter Jones (vc)	12 Barry Armstrong	16 Jim Buckley
Int:	21 Rod Austin	34 Alex Marcou
Coach:	Alex Jesaulenko

Wayne Harmes taps ball back from boundary

Milestones

Inaugural Norm Smith Medallist: Wayne Harmes Last game (Retirement): Peter Jones who would retire to become Coach of the Blues in Season 1980 Last game (For Carlton): Alex Jesaulenko Score Records: This was only the second game all year in which Carlton did not hit 100 points Rivalries: This was the fifth grand final between these great foes; and Carlton's fourth of 5 consecutive Grand Final wins - to this day - over Collingwood

Interesting Facts

1. A quarter of the players who played in the 1979 Grand Final were recruited from Carlton's rich Bendigo country zone. 2. Eight Carlton players; Peter Brown (Campbells Creek), Jim Buckley (Kyneton), Peter Francis, (South Bendigo/Heathcote), Trevor Keogh (Sandhurst), Peter McConville (Golden Square), David McKay (Newlyn), Ken Sheldon (Mitiamo), and Geoff Southby (Sandhurst). 3. Two Collingwood players; former Carlton footballers who both transferred to Collingwood Ray Byrne (Golden Square) and Russell Ohlsen (Maryborough). 4. It was almost 11, but injury concerns with Rod Ashman (Eaglehawk) resulted in Carlton being conservative and not playing him in the Grand Final, and named him an emergency for the match, if fit he would have been selected.

Multimedia

Blues celebrate 1979 Premiership. https://www.facebook.com/1552983461627202/videos/1997766477148896/UzpfSTE1NTI5ODM0NjE2MjcyMDI6MjI3MDgwMDk4NjUxMjEwOQ/?type=3&comment_id=2271470949778446&reply_comment_id=2272313159694225&force_theater=true&notif_id=1555236877890325&notif_t=photo_reply

Semi Final | 1980

Gallery

Harmes boundary tap
1979 Grand Final.jpg
1979 Grand Final 1.jpg(l-r) Wayne Harmes, Ken Sheldon and Jim Buckley
1979 YearA great year for scoring 100 or over points per game. Even the losing games Missed only one.
1979 GF - Maclure celebrates with a swig of champers.
GF 79 Brown over Brewer.jpg
GF 79 Doull Celebrates.jpg
GF 79 Harmes & Marj Smith.jpg
GF 79 Jezza Cup.jpg
GF 79 Jezza Injured.jpg
GF 79 Percy & Jezza.jpg
GF 79 Stats.jpg
Harmes after boundary tapWayne Harmes after the historic boundary tap to Sheldon for a goal.
1979 Premiership. Jezza holdind the xup clrJezza holding the 1979 Premiership cup.
1979 GF Victory.
WEG GF DVD Cover - 1979 Wayne Johnston.
WEG GF DVD Cover - 1979 Jezza.
1979 GF - Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser enjoying a celebratory beer.
1979 GF WEG Poster.
1979 GF - Percy Jones & Peter Moore in the ruck.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes wins the Norm Smith medal.
1979 GF - Play of the day; Harmes to Sheldon.
1979 GF - Fitzpatrick wins another hit-out.
1979 GF - Peter Brown.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes Norm Smith Medalist.
1979 GF - Jezza about to tackle Ray Shaw.
1979 GF - Jim Buckley kicks a goal.
1979 Grand Final Match Review (page 2 of 2).
1979 Grand Final Match Review (page 1 of 2).
1979 GF - Rush on Weg Posters.
1979 GF - Season Stats.
1979 GF - Match Players Stats.
1979 GF - Wayne Johnston voted BOG.
1979 GF - Jezza's Flag Formula (page 2 of 2).
1979 GF - Jezza's Flag Formula (page 1 of 2).
1979 GF - The last Premiership Capt Coach.
1979 GF - Alex Jesaulenko.
1979 GF - Cartoon on Jezza's move of Harmes into the centre.
1979 GF - Jimmy Buckley gang tackled without the ball.
1979 GF - Jimmy Buckley gets a clearing kick away.
1979 GF - Mark Maclure takes a tumbling mark.
1979 GF - Bruce Doull spoils Alan Edwards.
1979 GF - Geoff Southby is tackled without the ball.
1979 GF - Good one Blues.
1979 GF - Bruce Doull spoils Rene Kink.
1979 GF - Peter Francis.
1979 GF - Percy Jones in ruck duel whilst Southby waits for the ball.
1979 GF - Barry Armstrong gets a clearing kick from defence.
1979 GF - Swan McKay & Robbert Klomp spoil Derek Shaw.
1979 GF - Michael Young slides in for the ball as McConville supports.
1979 GF - Bruce Doull & Peter Brown celebrate.
1979 GF - The Match Defining Moment.
1979 - Jezza and the cup!!!!!!
1979 GF - A happy Percy & Jezza after the win.Pic: Inside Football.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes: Norm Smith Medalist.
1979 GF - One of the best GF's of all time.
1979 GF - Harmes BOG in GF.
1979 GF - Jezza & Percy Jones embrace after the game.
1979 GF - Harmes leads Carlton to Flag.
1979 GF - Fitzpatrick about to palm the ball to Keogh.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes going to collect the Norm Smith.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes about to collect the Norm Smith.
1979 GF - Carlton Cheersquad.
1979 GF - Jezza kicking.
1979 GF - Jezza marks in front of Wearmouth.
1979 GF - Peter Francis: Unsung Hero.
1979 GF - Peter Francis.
1979 GF - Kink reported for spitting on Jezza.
1979 GF - Harmes about to keep the ball alive.
1979 GF - Ken Sheldon Interview.
1979 GF Review by Jezza (pg 6 of 6).
1979 GF Review by Jezza (pg 5 of 6).
1979 GF Review by Jezza (pg 4 of 6).
1979 GF Review by Jezza (pg 3 of 6).
1979 GF Review by Jezza (pg 2 of 6).
1979 GF Review by Jezza (pg 1 of 6).
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes: Great GF Moments.
1979 GF - Jezza hugs Percy Jones with Austin close by.
1979 GF - Carlton Cheer Squad.
1979 GF - Player Profiles (pg 2 of 2).
1979 GF - Player Profiles (pg 1 of 2).
1979 GF - Team List & Selections (pg 2 of 2).
1979 GF - Team List & Selections (pg 1 of 2).
1979 GF - Match Preview (pg 2 of 2).
1979 GF - Match Preview (pg 1 of 2).
1979 GF - Footy Record Cover.
1979 GF - Percy Jones & Jezza.
1979 GF - Geoff Southby spoils Peter Moore.
1979 GF - Match Review.
1979 GF Peter Brown Takes A Safe Chest Mark
1979 GF Harmes Breaks Away
1979 GF Harmes Spoils Magpie Ron Wearmouth
1979 GF Jezza Is Carried Off During The Last Quarter.
1979 GF Jezza Starts The Celebrations
1979 GF Johnston Flies Over The Pack To Mark
1979 GF McKay Beats McCormack And Marks In Front
1979 GF Johnny Farnham Warms Up The Crowd
Boooo! The 1979 GF Umpires Take The Field
1979 GF Carlton Cheer Squad With A Collingwood Coffin
1979 GF Percy & Jezza Share Champagne & Glory
1979 GF The Blues Burst Through Their Banner
1979 GF Peter McConville Tackled By Ex Blue Ohlsen
1979 GF Peter Francis Breaks Away
1979 Grand Final Wayne Harmes Moment Of Glory Taken in the dying minutes of the 1979 Grand Final against Collingwood, captured the moment Wayne Harmes set up victory with a brilliant individual effort. Image courtesy of The Age newspaper.
1979 Grand Final Wayne Harmes The Hero
Wayne Harmes Caricature 1979
1979 GF Wayne Harmes Norm Smith Medalist
1979 Grand Final Jezza Leads The Blueboys Out
1979 GF - Jezza & Shaw.
1979 GF - Jezza.
1979 GF - A jubilant Geoff Southby.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes sketch.
1979 GF - Jezza & Ray Shaw.
1979 GF - Mark Maclure marks in front of Billy Picken.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes about to drive the ball long.
1979 GF - Kink is reported much to the joy of McConville & Armstrong.
1979 GF - Pre-match Entertainment Parachutists.
1979 GF - Pre-match Entertainment Singer John Farnham.
1979 GF - Mark Maclure in a marking contest.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes.
1979 GF - Jezza & Maclure contest the footy.
1979 GF - Jezza about to go up on the podium.
1979 GF - Peter Brown.The Kevin McNair Collection
1979 GF - Jezza is being chaired by Jones & Klomp.
1979 GF - Maclure flies for a mark with Johnston in support.
1979 GF - Mike Fitzpatrick flies for a mark over Kevin Worthington.
1979 GF - Robbert Klomp puts Rene Kink under pressure.
1979 GF - Alex the Great.
1979 GF - PM Malcolm Fraser & Jezza celebrate the win.
1979 GF - 3KZ Recording of the Game on a LP record.
1979 GF - Michael Young.
1979 GF - David McKay spoils Craig Davis with Geoff Southby in support.
1979 GF - Bruce Doull spoils Kink & Edwards.
1979 GF - Bruce Doull flies between Edwards & Kink to spoil the high ball.
1979 GF - Jimmy Buckley is tackled by Ray Byrne & Graeme Anderson.
1979 GF - Bruce Doull spoils Alan Edwards.
1979 GF - David McKay & Robbert Klomp spoil Derek Shaw
1979 GF - Percy Jones & Peter Moore compete at the centre bounce.
1979 GF - Peter Francis & Graeme Anderson in pursuit of the footy.
1979 GF - Rod Austin.
1979 GF - Jezza kisses the cup in the rooms after the win.
1979 GF - Alex Jesaulenko and Russell Ohlsen after the loose ball.
1979 GF - Ken Sheldon.
1979 GF - Ken Sheldon.
1979 GF - Herald Souvenir of the 1979 GF.
1979 GF - Percy Jones in ruck duel with Peter Moore.
1979 GF - David McKay & Robbert Klomp spoil Derek Shaw.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Harmes spoils Ronnie Wearmouth.
1979 Grand Final - David McKay and Geoff Southby spoil the pack.
1979 Grand Final Paper Souvenir.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Harmes spoils Ronnie Wearmouth.
1979 Grand Final - David McKay marks in front of Peter McCormack.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza and Ray Shaw clash.
1979 Grand Final - Ken Sheldon & Geoff Southby celebrate the win.
1979 Grand Final - Trevor Keogh shoots for goal.
1979 Grand Final - Half Time Celeb's; Darrel Cotton (Blues).
Flag Pennants.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza marks in front of Wearmouth & Anderson.
1979 Grand Final - Harmes. Johnston & McKay in pursuit of the footy.
1979 Grand Final - Harmes; A goal or not?
1979 Grand Final - George Harris in Pie Hating Mode.
1979 Grand Final - Jimmy Buckley is tackled watched by Harmes & Armstrong
1979 Grand Final – Peter Brown & Stan Magro in pursuit of the footy.
1979 Grand Final – Jesaulenko about to tackle opposing Captain Ray Shaw
1979 Grand Final – Scuffle after Keogh decked Ohlsen watched by Young & Jesaulenko.
1979 Grand Final – Maclure pats Harmes on the back after setting up winning goal.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Harmes in a marking contest.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza & the PM Malcolm Fraser celebrate the win.
1979 Grand Final - Alex the Great.
1979 Grand Final - Peter Francis baulks Kevin Morris.
1979 Grand Final - Peter Francis on the burst supported by McKay.
1979 Grand Final - Maclure & Johnston after Maclure goal.
1979 Grand Final - McConville & Johnston after Sheldon goal.
1979 Grand Final - Peter Brown.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza holds the Cup.
1979 Grand Final.
1979 Grand Final - Blues fly flag of battle.
1979 Grand Final - Match Report.
1979 Grand Final - Jim Buckley kicks a goal.
1979 Grand Final - Mike Fitzpatrick flies for a mark.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza & George Harris celebrate win.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza article.
1979 Grand Final - Jezza'a ankle not broken.
1979 Grand Final - Trevor Keogh receives a reprimand.
1979 Grand Final - Its joy for Jezza.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Johnston Best on Ground.
1979 Grand Final - Johnston dominates in the mud.
1979 Grand Final - Percy Jones celebrates a goal.
1979 Grand Final - Crowd picture.
1979 Grand Final - Jimmy Buckley ridden into the ground.
1979 Grand Final - Peter Francis accepts his premiership medallion.
1979 Grand Final - Percy Jones & Jezza with the premiership cup.
1979 Grand Final - Doull in boundary throw-in against Edwards & Kink.
1979 Grand Final - Percy Jones in ruck duel watched by Southby.
1979 Grand Final - Peter McConville.
1979 Grand Final - Peter Brown.
1979 Grand Final - Peter Brown.
1979 Grand Final - Michael Young.
1979 Grand Final Parade; Coaches Tomy Hafey & Jezza.
1979 Grand Final - Crowd.
1979 Grand Final - Trevor Keogh shoots for goal.
1979 Grand Final - David McKay flies to spoil Allan Edwards.
1979 Grand Final - Band pre-game.
1979 Grand Final Souvenir Poster.
1979 Grand Final Souvenir Liftout.
1979 Grand Final Souvenir Liftout...
1979 Grand Final Souvenir Liftout..
1979 Grand Final Alex Jesaulenko Last Training Session.
1979 Grand Final Souvenir Flag.
1979 Grand Final Jezza & The Cup.