Grand Final History

The Rum Rebellion, the tragedy of Australia’s frontier wars and the birth of our own game, all of this will be explored as we look at the Henry Colden Antil Harrison, the Father of Football and the forgetting and remembering of his cousin, Tom Wills. Colden Harrison may not have been at the very birth of the game, unlike cousin and brother in law Tom, but his impact was pivotal in the growth and establishment of the native game. And the establishment would recognise him in his own life, even if, in recent times, we have lost focus on the role he played in the making of our great game, Australian Football.

Coventry kicks a ton, the Father of Football dies and the Victorian team rescue a stowaway and there is talk of the VFL killing the VFA, again! The VFL and the world were changing in 1929, not always for the better but one thing that could be counted on was the Collingwood Machine and their quest for a premiership hat trick. The Saints would make a late run for the finals and the premiership game would have a familiar look to it. 

https://grandfinalhistory.au/episode-33-coventrys-ton-and-the-father-of-football-dies/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bR5Y7dGB8ogklhFTL6AUP?si=81zuo7OvR7SPIU0Sh2wfsg

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-33-1929-coventrys-ton-and-goodbye-to-the/id1532640129?i=1000614434266

Affiliation between the VFA and VFL was a hot topic in 1928. Could these two feuding organisations put their history behind them and cooperate for the good of football in Victoria. Many meetings, detailed proposals and a preview of an arrangement that was implemented many decades later. 

An episode for those interested in the fractious relationship between the VFL and the VFA

Collingwood players threatening to go on strike over pay cuts, the VFA looking to affiliate with the VFL, a Brownlow winner off to the USA to teach American footballers to kick and meet Hollywood stars and Geelong’s grandstand burns down so the players get new boots. 1928 was a busy season as the economy started to look tougher clubs looked to save money. But how could the Magpies defend their premiership if they went on strike? And how did Fitzroy have three more scoring shots than the Cats but lose by 76 points? The Bulldog makes an appearance at Footscray but not everyone is pleased. The VFL gets its first draw in a finals series then in the Grand Final one player sets a goal kicking record that still stands today.

https://grandfinalhistory.au/episode-32-1928-a-lot-depends-on-you-today/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Tqmt1TXW7XojHLKqOWx1B?si=7xvxR0rfTMaIWWqpNoPWaA

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-32-1928-a-lot-depends-on-you-today/id1532640129?i=1000609772630

One champion footballer killed in a car crash and Geelong nearly lose three premiership players in another accident on the Geelong Road. The popularity of cars is increasing and the road toll is growing. 1927 was not short of drama and incident. Collingwood dumped their captain before the season started with never ending rumours of bribery and corruption. At the National Football Championship a tactic used by the VFL causes an immediate rule change for all future championships. Meanwhile, violence on the ground and by spectators reaches new heights. The season ends in a Grand Final that sets records that have not been matched since. 

https://grandfinalhistory.au/episode-31-the-uncertainty-principle/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/24YwPazUPp05VMiqWs32JS?si=hhiKpxN4TjSI05xaTIxK8A

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-31-1927-the-uncertainty-principle/id1532640129?i=1000602414782

Ten years in one episode, the third decade of the VFL. From a time of war and global pandemic a six team competition grows to 12 clubs and the game is faster, with higher scores but not everybody is happy. The first radio broadcasts and growing number of newspapers feed a never ending hunger for news about footy. Gambling and bribery scandals target premiership teams. There is event discussion of privately owned clubs and night football decades before theire time. And will Collingwood be allowed to play their home games at Victorai Park?

Tragedy strikes on and off the field, bushfires burn the state and one VFL player dies due to a tetnus infection after breaking his arm in a game. 1926 had its challenges. There were also highlights, the game was faster, the scores were higher and a Grand Final was won with six wonderful minutes sealing the game. It was also the year where two men coached at one club but played for another in the same season. And, if you think that's odd, wait until you hear about the Geelong business owners who want the reigning premiers to leave the VFL. 

The VFL becomes a 12 team competition, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Footscray leave the VFA. Threats of legal action, suspensions and accusations of dishonourable conduct. But then proposals for two new privately run teams, playing under lights on Saturday and Sunday decades before night football was established. And Grand Final players bashed after training by a gang of supporters from the other club. It was all happening in 1925. New clubs, new rules and host of new coaches across the league, all looking for their place in Grand Final History.

No Grand Final but plenty of scandal. Did the premiership team take a dive? Why did Fitzroy select the coach of Melbourne to play in their Semifinal? Is the Brownlow for the Fairest and Best or the Best and Fairest and why are the umpires casting the votes? And the league looks at a new ground as an alternative to the MCG. And will the VFL finally make a decision to admit a 10th team. All this and more in season 1925.

1923 sees the start of radio broadcasting but letting people know who won the Grand Final can also be done by shooting flares from an air-plane over a crowded Caulfield Cup crowd. Every team except Carlton would spend some time in the Four yet it would come down to the last round of the season to lock in the finalists. The Blues were not a happy club and players fighting with committee members after a game at Essendon was not going to help but it did see three players suspended. It would be the latest date in the year for a VFL Grandfinal, and the first time a Premiership match was postponed due to the weather. Who would win on this one day in October?

www.grandfinalhistory.au/episode-27-1923-the-blues-get-the-blues

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rQr1uO6ZOEQc1IMReXTog?si=bz4qvINtRoKNGk0cn7j0qQ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-27-1923-the-blues-get-the-blues/id1532640129?i=1000575724668