Triple M Footy Nominates The Five Greatest Grand Final Marks Of All Time Post by: The Learned One 27 September, 2011 - 10:13 AM

(Vision: Channel Seven)

5. Phil Baker (North Melbourne) Vs Hawthorn – 1978

North Melbourne might have lost this one by 18 points but forward Phil Baker still managed to have a day out. The 26-year-old booted six goals and took one of the great grand final marks. As you can see from the above vision, Kangaroos wingman Maurice Boyse kicked the ball forward to Baker who had to contend with two Hawthorn defenders. But that didn’t stop him from jumping high in the air and pulling down a pearler.



(Vision: Channel Seven)

4. Billy Brownless (Geelong) Vs West Coast – 1994

With his side trailing the Eagles by 11 points midway through the second quarter, Triple M’s very own Billy Brownless took it upon himself to give his team a spark. Team-mate Michael Mansfield ran through the middle of the ground and booted the ball deep into attack. The ball hovered beautifully above West Coast defender Ashley McIntosh’s head and Billy’s eyes lit up! Playing from behind, Billy launched himself onto McIntosh’s shoulders to clunk an absolute screamer. He kicked the goal too, but that would prove to be a very rare highlight for the Cats on the day as they eventually lost to the Eagles by 80 points.

(Vision: Channel Seven)

3. Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) Vs Collingwood – 2010

With scores tied at 61-61 and just over seven minutes remaining in the contest, St Kilda superstar Brendon Goddard put an exclamation mark on his brilliant individual performance. The ball floated towards the edge of the Saints’ goalsquare where Goddard was situated after the Herculean Lenny Hayes grabbed the ball on the half-forward flank to offload one of his 18 kicks for the day. Goddard had the perfect sit, jumped above Harry O’Brien’s shoulders and snaffled a speckie despite Luke Ball’s spoiling attempt. Goddard went back and kicked a goal from 15m out to give the Saints a one-goal lead. But it wouldn’t be enough as both teams played out just the third drawn grand final in the game’s history!

(Vision: Channel Ten)

2. Leo Barry (Sydney) Vs West Coast – 2005

At the 32-minute mark of the final term, with the Eagles trailing by four points, West Coast ruckman Dean Cox kicked the ball deep into attack towards a six-man pack. Time seemed to almost stand still before Sydney defender Leo Barry drifted across the pack to take one of the most famous marks of all time. The match-winning grab ensured the Swans won their first flag since 1933 which was achieved when they were still based in South Melbourne. It also ended the longest premiership drought (72 years) in VFL/AFL history.

(Vision: Channel Seven)

1. Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton) Vs Collingwood – 1970

When it comes to the best grand final mark of all time, you can’t go past ‘Jezza’! With his side staring down the barrel of a seemingly insurmountable 44-point half-time deficit, Jesaulenko famously climbed over the back of Graeme Jenkin to take the ‘mark of the century’ on the wing just before the first half ended. The mark prompted renowned commentator Mike Williamson to utter the iconic phrase – “Jesaulenko, you beauty!” Carlton would go on to complete the greatest comeback in footy history to win the 1970 premiership by 10 points.

Do you agree with our top five? If not, what changes would you make?

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