The 1970 Grand Final Replay: Football's Most Famous Controversy

The 1970 Grand Final Replay: Football's Most Famous Controversy

1. Executive Summary

The 1970 VFL Grand Final stands not merely as a match, but as a seismic event in Australian football history. It is a story of two titanic clubs, Collingwood and Carlton, locked in an epic draw that precipitated the first grand final replay in the competition’s history. For Collingwood, the narrative is one of agonisingly narrow margins, enduring controversy, and a profound legacy of what might have been. This case study examines the circumstances surrounding that fateful September, analysing the strategic backdrop, the pivotal moments of the drawn match, and the decisive replay. It explores how this single weekend irrevocably altered the fortunes of both clubs, embedding itself into the fabric of the game as its most debated and dissected controversy, a story that continues to resonate with the Collingwood supporters of today.

2. Background / Challenge

By 1970, Collingwood was a club defined by both its illustrious history and a burgeoning sense of frustration. The Magpies had last secured the flag in 1958, and a twelve-year premiership drought—an eternity for a club of its stature—weighed heavily. Under coach Bob Rose, a beloved former champion, the team was fiercely competitive, built on relentless physical pressure and a never-say-die ethos that embodied the spirit of Victoria Park.

The primary challenge was clear: to break the drought and return the Copeland Trophy to a premiership pedestal. The season had been a strong one, finishing second on the ladder. The team boasted stars like the rugged Len Thompson, the skilled Wayne Richardson, and the determined Terry Waters. Their path to glory, however, was blocked by a formidable Carlton side, reigning premiers and a team of exceptional talent and confidence, led by the legendary Ron Barassi.

The ultimate challenge presented itself on the last Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Over 121,000 spectators packed the 'G, anticipating a classic. Collingwood’s mission was to withstand Carlton’s firepower, impose their own brutal brand of football, and finally clutch the premiership cup that had eluded them for so long. The stage was set for a confrontation that would exceed all expectations in drama and consequence.

3. Approach / Strategy

Collingwood’s strategy for the grand final was rooted in the traditional, hard-nosed philosophies of the era. The approach was fundamentally man-on-man, emphasising accountability, fierce tackling, and relentless pressure to force turnovers. The aim was to disrupt Carlton’s fluent, attacking style—a style that had served them so well in their 1968 premiership win.

Tactically, key match-ups were paramount. Containing Carlton’s key forwards, particularly Alex Jesaulenko, was a priority. The midfield battle, where the brute strength of Collingwood would meet the class of Carlton’s Sergio Silvagni and Adrian Gallagher, was identified as the crucible of the match. Collingwood’s game plan was not about high-scoring flair; it was about grinding, willpower, and winning the contest at the coalface. They aimed to keep the scores low, make every possession a battle, and capitalise on any Carlton mistakes. This was a strategy born from the club’s identity: a blue-collar, unwavering approach designed to overpower rather than outclass.

4. Implementation Details

The implementation of this strategy on Grand Final Day, 26 September 1970, created one of the most tense and brutal deciders in memory. The match was a war of attrition. Collingwood’s pressure was immense, and the game descended into a scrappy, low-scoring affair. The Magpies held a slender lead for significant portions of the day, their defence standing tall under intense duress.

The critical, and forever controversial, moment arrived deep in the final quarter. With Collingwood clinging to a 17-point lead and time running out, Carlton launched a desperate, last-gasp assault. In a chaotic goalmouth scramble, Carlton’s ruckman-forward, Peter ‘Percy’ Jones, managed to toe-poke the ball towards the goal line. As Collingwood defender Bob Heard attempted to smother, the football became lodged between his arm and body. Umpire Ian Robinson, positioned behind the pack, judged that the ball had been dragged back over the line by Heard. He signalled a goal, a decision that television replays would later suggest was erroneous, as the ball appeared not to have fully crossed the line.

This decision cut Collingwood’s lead to just under a goal. The Magpies, visibly rattled, then conceded another quick goal to Ted Hopkins, a 19th man replacement who became an instant hero for Carlton. With seconds remaining, the scores were levelled. The final siren sounded with the scoreboard reading: Collingwood 10.9 (69) to Carlton 9.15 (69). The first drawn grand final in VFL history was a reality. The physical and emotional expenditure had been total, yet the ultimate prize remained unclaimed. The league’s rules mandated a full replay the following Saturday.

For Collingwood, the week was one of psychological turmoil. They had been minutes from glory, only to have it snatched away by a contentious umpiring call and a stunning comeback. The challenge was now to regenerate physically and, more critically, mentally, for a second titanic effort. Carlton, in contrast, was buoyant, having snatched momentum and survival from the jaws of defeat.

5. Results

The replay on 3 October 1970 drew another colossal crowd to the 'G. The emotional and physical hangover from the draw proved decisive. Carlton, riding a wave of belief, dominated from the outset. The spark that had characterised Collingwood’s effort the previous week was absent. The Blues, with Hopkins again brilliant and Jesaulenko majestic, controlled the game.

The final score was a stark and painful contrast for the black and white army. Carlton 17.9 (111) defeated Collingwood 14.17 (101). The numbers tell a story of opportunity lost:
A 10-point defeat in the replay, following a drawn grand final.
17 behinds kicked by Collingwood in the replay, highlighting wayward shooting and pressured decision-making.
Two consecutive weeks of elite-level physical output required, a burden that ultimately proved too great.
A premiership drought extended to 13 years, a period of anguish that would stretch much further, not ending until 1990.

The result was catastrophic for Collingwood’s trajectory. Coach Bob Rose, heartbroken, resigned shortly after. The club entered a period of significant on-field struggle, failing to make the finals for the remainder of the decade. The 1970 replay became a defining scar, a reference point for misfortune and controversy that would be invoked for generations.

6. Key Takeaways

The legacy of the 1970 Grand Final Replay offers enduring lessons for Collingwood and the wider AFL.

1. The Psychological Margin: The case study underscores that football is played as much in the mind as on the field. Collingwood’s inability to recover psychologically from the trauma of the draw was a more significant factor in the replay result than any tactical deficiency. Modern sports science now places immense focus on mental resilience and recovery, a direct evolution from such epic contests.


2. The Weight of History and Expectation: The existing premiership drought became an additional, heavy burden for the players to carry, particularly in those frantic final minutes of the draw and throughout the replay. Managing external pressure is now a core component of elite club preparation.


3. Controversy and the Evolution of the Game: The “Heard behind” incident was a catalyst for change. It intensified calls for the introduction of goal-line technology and additional boundary umpires. While slow to arrive, the eventual adoption of video review systems (Score Review) in the modern AFL can trace a lineage back to the unresolved debates of 1970.


4. The Foundation of Rivalry: The events of 1970 poured high-octane fuel on the Collingwood-Carlton rivalry, cementing it as the game’s greatest. Every subsequent clash, especially in front of massive crowds like those at the Anzac Day match, carries the echoes of that September. For the Magpie Army, beating Carlton always carries the faint taste of redemption.

7. Conclusion

The 1970 Grand Final Replay is the cornerstone of modern Collingwood mythology. It is a story of supreme effort, cruel fortune, and a controversy that time has failed to diminish. While it represents a profound moment of loss, its legacy is inextricably woven into the club’s identity—a reference point for resilience, a reminder of the fine margins in football, and a historical touchstone that deepens the passion of the black and white stripes.

This history of heartbreak makes the subsequent triumphs all the sweeter. The lessons of resilience, hard-won over decades, now echo in the teachings of modern mentors like Coach McRae, and are embodied by leaders such as Scott Pendlebury and Darcy Moore. The current era, featuring talents like Nick Daicos, benefits from this long and often painful narrative. The pursuit of premierships today is undertaken with the knowledge of what it means to a supporter base that has endured episodes like 1970. It is a continuous thread in the club’s tapestry, a key moment in a long journey that continues to be written, forever linking the past to the present on the hallowed turf of the 'G.

Explore more defining chapters in the club’s storied history within our archive of Collingwood key moments and legends, and delve into the legacy of footballing families in our feature on the Daicos father-son dynasty.