The Unmatched Drama of Australian Rules Football Rivalries

Australian Rules Football is built on more than just high marks and long goals. It is a game of enduring grudges, tribal loyalty, and moments so electric they become part of the national story. No single fixture exists in isolation; every game sits inside a history of previous encounters, simmering tensions, and unfinished business. The rivalries that define the AFL — stretching back over a century — have produced some of the most unforgettable moments in Australian sport. These are the contests where seasons turn, legacies are forged, and memories never fade. From the grandstands of the MCG to the fervent stadiums of Perth and Adelaide, rivalries give the game its soul.

Melbourne vs Collingwood: The Original Rivalry

No rivalry in Australian football is older than the one between Melbourne and Collingwood. They first met in 1897, the inaugural year of the VFL, and the hostility has never cooled. Melbourne, the founding club, represents the establishment; Collingwood, the working-class powerhouse from the inner city, has always carried a chip on its shoulder. Their clashes are defined by packed terraces, relentless pressure, and the sense that history is being written in real time.

The 1958 Grand Final: The End of a Dynasty

Melbourne had won three consecutive premierships entering the 1958 Grand Final. They were chasing a fourth straight flag — a feat no team had achieved. Collingwood, under coach Phonse Kyne, entered as underdogs but played with ferocious intensity. The Magpies stunned the football world, winning by 38 points and halting Melbourne’s dynasty. The image of Collingwood captain Frank Tuck holding the cup aloft remains one of the defining photographs of the era. That game crystallised the rivalry: Melbourne’s ambition met Collingwood’s defiance, and the Magpies emerged triumphant.

The 1977 Drawn Grand Final and Replay

The 1977 Grand Final between Melbourne and Collingwood is legendary for its sheer drama. The game ended in a draw, with scores level after a tense final quarter. The replay, held the following week, saw Collingwood break Melbourne hearts with a narrow victory. This was football at its most raw — two teams giving everything and still needing extra time to settle the score. The two-week saga captivated the nation and deepened the lore of the rivalry.

1990 Qualifying Final: The Drought Breaker

Collingwood had not won a final against Melbourne since 1958 when the two sides met in the 1990 qualifying final. The Magpies had suffered years of finals heartbreak. With a strong performance led by Peter Daicos and Tony Shaw, Collingwood finally overcame their old foe, setting the stage for their drought-breaking premiership later that season. That victory broke a psychological barrier and reinforced the rivalry’s capacity to shape entire seasons.

Carlton vs Collingwood: The Game's Greatest Show

If Melbourne and Collingwood is the oldest rivalry, Carlton vs Collingwood is the most fiercely contested. These two clubs are the most successful in VFL/AFL history, and their meetings are always high-stakes affairs. The animosity dates back to the early 1900s and has produced some of the most iconic moments in the game's history.

The 1970 Grand Final: The Comeback That Changed Football

The 1970 Grand Final between Carlton and Collingwood is arguably the most famous game in Australian football history. Collingwood led by 44 points midway through the second quarter. What followed was a transformation. Carlton, led by the legendary Alex Jesaulenko — whose soaring mark is still replayed today — stormed back. Jesaulenko’s mark in the third quarter symbolised the shift in momentum. Carlton won by 10 points. That game is credited with changing the way the game was played, shifting toward a more open, running style. It remains the benchmark for grand final drama.

The 1979 Grand Final: Wayne Harmes' Tap

Nine years later, the two clubs met again on grand final day. With seconds remaining, Carlton’s Wayne Harmes chased a ball toward the boundary line. As it was about to go out, he tapped it back into play. Teammate Ken Sheldon gathered and kicked the winning goal. The umpire ruled the ball had not gone out of bounds — a decision that sparked decades of debate. Collingwood fans still argue that the ball was out. The moment is a perfect encapsulation of the rivalry: a split-second decision that altered a premiership.

1999 Preliminary Final: Kouta's Quarter

Anthony Koutoufides produced one of the greatest individual performances in AFL finals history in the 1999 preliminary final. With his team trailing, Koutoufides dominated the final quarter, kicking goals, taking contested marks, and driving Carlton into the grand final. Collingwood had no answer. That game is remembered as the night one player single-handedly dismantled a rival in the most pressure-packed environment. It added another layer to the rivalry’s rich history.

Essendon vs Carlton: The Archrivals

The Essendon-Carlton rivalry is one of the most storied in the competition. These two clubs are among the oldest and most successful, and their meetings often carry premiership significance. The rivalry has produced some of the most controversial and thrilling moments in AFL history.

The 1999 Grand Final: Million Dollar Game

The 1999 Grand Final between Essendon and Carlton is remembered as one of the most intense grand finals of the modern era. The game was played at a frenetic pace, with both teams trading blows. In the final moments, with scores level, Essendon’s Darren Bewick kicked the winning goal after a controversial free kick. The decision ignited fierce debate, but the result stood. Essendon won by one point. That game is still discussed whenever the two clubs meet.

The 2000 Grand Final: The Year of the Bombers

Essendon entered the 2000 Grand Final as overwhelming favourites against Carlton. The Bombers had lost only one game all season and were widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time. They delivered, winning by 60 points. The image of James Hird lifting the premiership cup is one of the iconic moments of the early 2000s. For Carlton, the loss was a bitter reminder of the gap between the two clubs at that time. The rivalry entered a new phase as Essendon celebrated their dominance.

2001 Preliminary Final: The Bombers Strike Again

A year later, the two sides met in the preliminary final. Essendon, again the favourites, faced a fired-up Carlton side determined to atone for the previous year’s grand final loss. The game was tightly contested, but Essendon’s class prevailed. The Bombers went on to lose the grand final, but the victory over Carlton was a statement of continued supremacy. The rivalry had taken on an extra edge after back-to-back finals meetings.

Hawthorn vs Geelong: The Modern Epic

In the modern era, no rivalry has generated more drama than Hawthorn vs Geelong. These two clubs have dominated the competition over the past two decades, meeting in multiple grand finals and preliminary finals. The games are characterised by high skill, fierce physicality, and an almost theatrical sense of narrative.

2008 Grand Final: The Upset of the Century

Geelong entered the 2008 Grand Final as one of the most dominant teams in history. They had lost only one game all season and were chasing their second consecutive premiership. Hawthorn, a young and hungry side, were given little chance. What unfolded was one of the great grand final upsets. Hawthorn’s defensive structure held firm, and their counter-attacking style caught Geelong off guard. Led by Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, and Jarryd Roughead, the Hawks won by 26 points. The loss haunted Geelong for years and set the stage for one of the great modern rivalries.

2011 Preliminary Final: Geelong's Redemption

Three years later, the two sides met in the preliminary final. Geelong, having lost to St Kilda in the 2009 grand final and Collingwood in 2010, were desperate. The game was a classic. Geelong’s star-studded midfield — featuring Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, and Paul Chapman — proved too strong. The Cats won by 48 points and went on to win the premiership. That game was seen as Geelong exorcising the demons of 2008.

2013 Grand Final: The Threepeat

The 2013 Grand Final was the third time the two clubs had met on the last Saturday in September. By now, the rivalry had become the defining narrative of the era. Hawthorn, having lost the 2012 grand final, were on a mission. The game was incredibly tight until the final quarter, when Hawthorn pulled away. They won by 15 points, completing a three-peat after also winning in 2014 and 2015. The rivalry with Geelong had forged Hawthorn into one of the greatest teams of all time.

2019 Preliminary Final: The Final Chapter

The 2019 preliminary final was a slugfest. Both teams were aging but still formidable. Geelong led early, but Hawthorn fought back. In the final minutes, with the game in the balance, Geelong’s Tom Hawkins kicked a crucial goal to seal the victory. The Cats went on to lose the grand final, but the victory over their old rivals was deeply satisfying. The rivalry had produced yet another unforgettable moment.

West Coast vs Fremantle: The Western Derby

The Western Derby is a unique rivalry in Australian football. West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers share the same city, the same stadium, and a deep mutual dislike. The derby is always fiercely contested, often influencing finals positions and carrying an intensity that rivals any fixture in the country.

2006 Western Derby: The Final Factor

In 2006, the two sides met in a qualifying final — the only time the derby has been played in September. The game was played at Subiaco Oval in front of a record crowd. West Coast, the reigning premiers, were tested by a hungry Fremantle side. The Eagles prevailed in a tense battle, but the occasion marked the moment the rivalry stepped into the national spotlight. The image of the two teams running out under lights is etched into the memory of every WA football fan.

2013 Western Derby: The Comeback

Round 10, 2013: West Coast led by 28 points in the third quarter. Fremantle, under Ross Lyon, had built a reputation for defensive resilience. What followed was a stunning turn of events. Fremantle kicked six unanswered goals to take the lead. In the final minute, with scores level, Fremantle’s Hayden Ballantyne kicked the winning goal after a contested mark. The crowd erupted. That game is regarded as one of the greatest derbies ever played — a testament to the unpredictable nature of the rivalry.

2020 Western Derby: The COVID Derby

The 2020 season was disrupted by COVID-19, but the Western Derby still delivered drama. Played in front of a reduced crowd due to pandemic restrictions, the game was a low-scoring, defensive slugfest. West Coast won by a single point after a missed shot by Fremantle in the final seconds. The game was devoid of its usual atmosphere, but the tension was palpable. It demonstrated that even in the strangest of circumstances, the derby retains its ability to captivate.

Adelaide vs Port Adelaide: The Showdown

The Showdown is the ultimate expression of South Australian football tribalism. Adelaide and Port Adelaide are separated by more than a few kilometres — they are separated by history, culture, and an almost religious devotion to their respective clubs. Showdowns are always played at a frenetic pace, with crowd noise reaching deafening levels.

2005 Showdown: The Draw That Felt Like a Win

In 2005, the two sides played a Showdown that ended in a draw. The game was played in wet conditions, with neither team able to seize control. The final siren sounded with scores level. It was only the second drawn Showdown in history. The game is remembered for its sheer intensity and the strange feeling of both sets of fans leaving unsatisfied. It summed up the rivalry: no quarter given, no quarter taken.

2006 Showdown: The Mark of the Century

Brett Burton’s mark in the 2006 Showdown is one of the greatest ever taken. In the second quarter, Burton soared over two Port Adelaide defenders, plucking the ball at its highest point. The image became iconic. Adelaide went on to win the game comfortably, but the mark is what people remember. It was a moment of individual brilliance in a rivalry defined by team effort.

2014 Showdown: Port's Statement

The 2014 season saw Port Adelaide emerge as a genuine premiership contender. In the first Showdown of the year, played in Round 8, Port Adelaide dominated from the start. They led by as much as 60 points before Adelaide fought back to make the scoreline respectable. The game was a statement of intent from Port Adelaide — they were no longer the second team in town. The rivalry had entered a new chapter, with Port Adelaide asserting their place as a football power.

2017 Showdown: The 161-Point Classic

In Round 16, 2017, the two teams combined for 161 points in a thrilling contest. Adelaide won by 15 points in a game that swung back and forth. The match featured incredible finishing, with players kicking goals from all angles. It was a Showdown that showcased the attacking side of the rivalry, a contrast to the defensive battles that sometimes define it.

The Enduring Power of Rivalries

Australian Rules Football rivalries are not just about the past. They shape the present and influence the future. Every new generation of players inherits the grudges of their predecessors. Every new match adds to the library of moments that fans will replay in their minds for decades.

These rivalries are the lifeblood of the AFL. They drive ticket sales, television ratings, and the everyday conversations of supporters. They create heroes and villains. They produce moments of brilliance and controversy. They remind us why sport matters.

For fans of the game, rivalries are deeply personal. Where you stand on Collingwood and Carlton, on Hawthorn and Geelong, on the Derby and the Showdown, says something about who you are and where you come from. The rivalries connect the past to the present, ensuring that the stories of Australian Rules Football continue to be told.

The next chapter is always just around the corner. The next moment that will be replayed for years is coming. That is the beauty of AFL rivalries: they never end. They only grow.

For more on AFL history, visit the AFL's official history section or explore the National Museum of Australia's feature on Australian Rules Football.