Best individual finals performance in AFL/VFL history

[Dan26]

Garry Lyon Vs Footscray in 1994.

Because it was a forgettable one-sided second-week final, people often forget this performance. He kicked 10.4 and marked everything and anything that came his way. He was unstoppable. I was at the match and remember it well.

It was certainly the best individual performance I've ever seen in a final. If it was a Grand Final, they'd call it the greatest individual game ever played, which is usually how the media overreact to great performances in Grand Finals. But nevertheless, it was the best finals performance I've personally seen.

 

[ZEV]

The only final that counts.

Peter Matera in 1992, five from a wing to take the cup out of Victoria.

Was best on ground in all three finals and single handedly dragged WC back into that GF. Amazing player

 

[Blues177]

Bob Keddie kicking 4 goals for the hawks on a wet ground in the final quarter of the ‘71 grand final after he was moved to full forward. Hawks down by 20 points at 3/4 time and won the game by 7 points.

 

[Osho]

Bob Keddie kicking 4 goals for the hawks on a wet ground in the final quarter of the ‘71 grand final after he was moved to full forward. Hawks down by 20 points at 3/4 time and won the game by 7 points.

Brutal game. Got bruised up watching it.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Max Gawn's 2021 PF was pretty amazing to watch.

In fairness, my grandmother could have ran around that geelong side and kicked those goals. We were truly terrible and like witches hats

 

[naysayer]

Sam Mitchell against the Cats in 2013. He had the best game of his career in the most pivotal game in Hawthorn's modern history. I suppose there's nothing that special about the numbers. 38 disposals, 11 clearances. But look at the context: our other on-ballers that night in Lewis (14 disposals, 1 clearance), Brad Sewell

Brad Sewell

Age

40

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.1

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

11.5

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

4.5

5star

CL

4.1

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.2

4star

(16 disposals, 1 clearance) and Shiels (15 disposals, 1 clearance). The opposition: Selwood, Johnson, Kelly, Corey, Bartel, Duncan. He truly put the team on his shoulders.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

17yo Geoff Blethyn's four goals for the losing side in the low scoring 1968 GF
Ess 8.5 Car 7.14

That is so random it deserves to be on the list

 

[Mr Meow]

Sam Mitchell against the Cats in 2013. He had the best game of his career in the most pivotal game in Hawthorn's modern history. I suppose there's nothing that special about the numbers. 38 disposals, 11 clearances. But look at the context: our other on-ballers that night in Lewis (14 disposals, 1 clearance), Brad Sewell (16 disposals, 1 clearance) and Shiels (15 disposals, 1 clearance). The opposition: Selwood, Johnson, Kelly, Corey, Bartel, Duncan. He truly put the team on his shoulders.

I remember this one well too and completely agree. Breaking the Kennett curse and starting the Hawks dynasty to stop '08 being a one off. Immense.

 

[Blues177]

1970 second semi final:
Peter McKenna 9 goals
Alex Jesaulenko 8 goals.
That was their best individual goalkicking efforts in a final.

 

[Partridge]

1970 second semi final:
Peter McKenna 9 goals
Alex Jesaulenko 8 goals.
That was their best individual goalkicking efforts in a final.

Shades of two Geelong finals in the early '90s:

1991 Elimination Final - Lockett 9 goals, Brownless 8 goals
1992 Qualifying Final - Brownless 9 goals, Danny Del-Re 8 goals

 

[Kwality]

Shades of two Geelong finals in the early '90s:

1991 Elimination Final - Lockett 9 goals, Brownless 8 goals
1992 Qualifying Final - Brownless 9 goals, Danny Del-Re 8 goals

contrast the 1992 GF: Brownless 3 Ablett 3 v Sumich 6 Matera 5

 

[Mr Meow]

1992 GF: Brownless 3 Ablett 3
V
Sumich 6 Matera 5

Full forwards kicking bags against that Cats side wasn't exactly a rarity.

Matera's dominance however was comprehensive.

 

[Kwality]

Full forwards kicking bags against that Cats side wasn't exactly a rarity.

Matera's dominance however was comprehensive.

The key backs were the real difference.

 

[Mr Meow]

The key backs were the real difference.

Yep, I'd have killed to have West Coasts in that era!

 

[Partridge]

Full forwards kicking bags against that Cats side wasn't exactly a rarity.

Matera's dominance however was comprehensive.

Yep we've got Malcolm Blight to thank for that stroke of genius.

 

[Engimal v3]

Sam Wright, 2014 Elimination Final. Intercept of the century.

 

[PieLebo87]

Not quite the best, but when comparing that particular performance with the rest of his career, I’ll call out Zac Williams in the 2019 PF against the Pies.

Went full beast mode that day in the wet. 25 touches, 10 clearances from 68% playing time.

Would say he single-handedly cost the Pies B2B GF berths and what could’ve been a brilliant GF against the Tigers in 2019.

 

[kriles76]

Shades of two Geelong finals in the early '90s:

1991 Elimination Final - Lockett 9 goals, Brownless 8 goals
1992 Qualifying Final - Brownless 9 goals, Danny Del-Re 8 goals

I've also heard Billy say that he and GAS combined for 9 goals in the 1989 GF.

Was a very good player in his prime.

 

[The Hobo]

wanted to get others thoughts on who they believe performed the best ever in a finals match and what game it was??

It would be interesting to see a thread on who has played the best ever finals series. We all remember the big games where players have grabbed a final by the scruff of their necks - but who are the players that have done it through the entire finals series?

 

[South of the Yarra]

Not only did Gordon Coventry kick 9 goals in a Grand Final and 7 goals in a Grand Final but he also recorded the following incredible feat

In the 1927 Grand Final the weather was described as the worst in the history of the game. ‘Torrential rain and freezing winds struck the G’

Collingwood kicked 2 goals that day and Coventry scored both. Richmond only scored 1 goal for the day.
So Coventry scored 100% of Collingwood’s goals and 66% of the goals on the day. In fact when you add his behinds he outscored Richmond. Not sure that has happened before or will happen again.

 

[Partridge]

Not only did Gordon Coventry kick 9 goals in a Grand Final and 7 goals in a Grand Final but he also recorded the following incredible feat

In the 1927 Grand Final the weather was described as the worst in the history of the game. ‘Torrential rain and freezing winds struck the G’

Collingwood kicked 2 goals that day and Coventry scored both. Richmond only scored 1 goal for the day.
So Coventry scored 100% of Collingwood’s goals and 66% of the goals on the day. In fact when you add his behinds he outscored Richmond. Not sure that has happened before or will happen again.

One of the lowest scoring games ever. Although from memory the "Grand final" of 1897 was the lowest.

Pretty cool stat though.

 

[Handyandy]

Dustin Martin 2020 GF.

Geelong never had a chance.

Dusty’s 2020 finals series was amazing.

 

[Brad Goodman]

 

[SBYM]

And pie
And chips
etc

Violet Crumble or Crunchie for dessert?

 

[SBYM]

Brad Pearce kicked a goal on his right foot in the 95 GF, one of five. Brad Pearce never kicked goals on his right foot. Plus he didn't even like footy, he preferred chasing chicks.