AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT

• INTRODUCTION
• WINNERS / TOP THREE PLACINGS
• RUNNERS - CLUB BY CLUB
• NAMING RIGHTS SPONSORS
• VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
  

• VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
  
• AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
  
• 1996 LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
  
• SOURCES
• MISSING INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

The 1977 season was one of unprecedented change for the VFL. Under the leadership of Allen Aylett, the league adopted a number of innovations in order to market itself to a wider audience. These included the return of the Night Series, the relaunch of the Reserves competition (renamed the Commodore Cup with a game shown each Sunday on Channel Seven) and the first-ever live television broadcast of a VFL–AFL Grand Final.

Despite these changes, half-time entertainment at the biggest game of the year remained the same, with spectators at the 1977 Grand Final treated to a traditional marching and music display by the Combined Services Band. Everything changed when the match between Collingwood and North Melbourne was drawn, requiring a replay to be held the following weekend.

Patrick Dangerfield (centre) wins the 2012 AFL Grand Final Sprint (Quinn Rooney/AFL Media)

Forced to create a second Grand Final day entertainment package at short notice, the VFL were willing to explore new options, choosing to abandon the traditional half-time entertainment in favour of a one-mile foot race between league footballers.  The mile race proved a success, generating enough public and media interest for the event to be held again at half-time of the 1978 Grand Final.

In 1979 the format was altered to a 100-metre sprint and this quickly developed into a key part of Grand Final day. Many fans still fondly remember Geoff Ablett, a.k.a. "The Fastest Man in Football", not for his efforts in the big match but for his near-annual domination of the half-time sprint. The race was replaced in 1986 by the Foster's Grand Final Entertainment Spectacular, which featured flag-waving and dancing. The response to this was lukewarm at best and the sprint was resurrected in 1987, only to make way the following season for a half-time dance spectacular.

The league continued to trial other forms of entertainment at half-time of the Grand Final and it wasn't until 2002 that the sprint made a popular return. During the 1977–1987 era, participation was optional for clubs playing in the Grand Final, with most choosing not to take part. However, since 2002 all clubs are required to participate, with the Grand Finalists usually represented by a fringe player not selected for the match. 2015 saw the introduction of non-league representatives for the first time, either as a sponsor competition winner or local club footballer.

A sprint race was also held at the 1996 AFL Lightning Premiership, run under the same format as the Grand Final Sprint with the fastest players in each heat advancing to the final, which was run prior to the Lightning Premiership Grand Final. Further details can be found below.

WINNERS / TOP THREE PLACINGS

YEAR	WINNER	2ND	3RD
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Andy Wilson (Ess)	Rodney Hughes (StK)	David Clarke (Geel)
1978	Doug Booth (StK)	Garry Cooke (Melb)	Shane Heard (Ess)
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT (1979-87)
1979	Geoff Ablett (Haw)	Mick Conlan (Fitz)	Shane Heard (Ess)
1980	Geoff Ablett (Haw)	Frank Marchesani (Fitz)	unknown
1981	Geoff Ablett (Haw)	Doug Cox (StK)	Tony Elshaug (Melb)
1982	Mick Conlan (Fitz)	Frank Marchesani (Carl)	Doug Cox (StK)
1983	Frank Marchesani (Carl)	David Palm (Rich)	Daryl Cunningham (StK)
1984	Doug Cox (Ess)	Geoff Ablett (Rich)	Russell Richards (Melb)
1985	Geoff Ablett (StK)*	Michael Kol (Geel)*	Russell Richards (Melb)
1986	event not held
1987	Russell Richards (Melb)	unknown	unknown
AFL LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT (1996)
1996	Marcus Seecamp (Melb)	unknown	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT (2002-)
2002	Jared Crouch (Syd)	Adam Chatfield (Geel)	Jordan McMahon (WB)
2003	James Walker (Frem)	Jared Crouch (Syd)	Damian Cupido (Ess)
2004	James Walker (Frem)	Michael Stevens (NM)	Luke Jericho (Adel)
2005	Brett Deledio (Rich)	Daniel Bell (Melb)	Shannon Byrnes (Geel)
2006	Brendan Fevola (Carl)	Jason Winderlich (Ess)	Nathan Foley (Rich)
2007	Jake King (Rich)	Nathan Krakouer (Port)	Will Schofield (WCE)
2008	Matthew White (Rich)	Stefan Martin (Melb)	Nathan Djerkurra (Geel)
2009	Rhys Stanley (StK)	Trent McKenzie (GC)	Wade Thompson (Port)
2010	Luke Miles (StK)	Tim Golds (GWS)	Lewis Jetta (Syd)
2011	Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)	Tim Golds (GWS)	Lewis Jetta (Syd)
2012	Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)	Harry Cunningham (Syd)	Angus Litherland (Haw)
2013	Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)	Angus Litherland (Haw)	Jordan Murdoch (Geel)
2014	Jordan Murdoch (Geel)	Billy Hartung (Haw)	Jarrad Ellis (GC)
2015	Majak Daw (NM)	Charlie Cameron (Adel)	Dean Towers (Syd)
2016	James Shirley	Jed Bews (Geel)**	Majak Daw (NM)**
	(Murrumbeena FNC)
2017	Connor Menadue (Rich)	Jarrod Pickett (Carl)	Josh Williams (NM)
2018	Godfrey Okereneyang	Melvin Monleh	Jordan Murdoch (Geel)
	(Coolamon Hoppers FC)	(Melton South Panthers)

 

LIST OF WINNERS –​ NOTES

*1985

In the video of the 1985 race, Geoff Ablett is initially declared the winner by the commentary team but in replays it appears Geelong's Michael Kol may have stolen the race with a lunge at the line. The footage ends before the official result is announced. In an interview with the Sunday Press newspaper [29-9-1985], Ablett confirms that he held on to win by the barest of margins, reversing the 1984 result when he had been pipped at the post by Essendon's Doug Cox.
​

**2016

Many sources list Majak Daw as finishing 2nd and Jed Bews 3rd. However, video of the race shows Daw easing up about three metres short of the finish after James Shirley breaks away for an unassailable lead. As Daw slows down, Bews makes a final burst, just pipping him on the line for 2nd place.

RUNNERS – CLUB BY CLUB

ADELAIDE

BRISBANE

CARLTON

COLLINGWOOD

ESSENDON

FITZROY

FREMANTLE

GEELONG

GOLD COAST

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

HAWTHORN

MELBOURNE

NORTH MELBOURNE

PORT ADELAIDE

RICHMOND

ST KILDA

SYDNEY / SOUTH MELBOURNE

WEST COAST

W. BULLDOGS / FOOTSCRAY

NON-AFL

ADELAIDE

ADELAIDE CROWS
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Andrew Crowell
2003	Kris Massie
2004	Luke Jericho (3rd)
2005	James Begley
2006	Andrew Jarman
2007	Simon Goodwin
2008	Bernie Vince
2009	Andy Otten
2010	Richie Douglas
2011	Patrick Dangerfield (1st)
2012	Patrick Dangerfield (1st)
2013	Patrick Dangerfield (1st)
2014	Brodie Smith
2015	Charlie Cameron (2nd)
2016	Brodie Smith
2017	Jordan Gallucci
2018	Lachie Murphy

 

Patrick Dangerfield wins the 2013 AFL Grand Final Sprint (Pat Scala/Fairfax)

BRISBANE

BRISBANE LIONS
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1987	Tony Beckett
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Nathan Clarke
2003	Anthony Corrie
2004	Daniel Merrett
2005	Leigh Ryswyk
2006	Tim Notting
2007	Robert Copeland
2008	Justin Sherman
2009	Tom Rockcliff
2010	Jack Redden
2011	Daniel Rich
2012	Ben Hudson
2013	Richard Newell
2014	Daniel McStay
2015	Lewis Taylor
2016	Mitch Robinson
2017	Dayne Zorko
2018	Eric Hipwood

 

CARLTON

CARLTON
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Ken Sheldon
	Michael Young
1978	Vin Cattogio
	Peter Halsall
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	-
1980	Peter Francis
1981	-
1982	Frank Marchesani (2nd)
1983	Frank Marchesani (1st)
1984	Alex Marcou
1985	Fraser Murphy
1986	(event not held)
1987	-
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Brendan Fevola
2003	Anthony Franchina
2004	Jordan Bannister
2005	Jordan Bannister
2006	Brendan Fevola (1st)
2007	Simon Wiggins
2008	Simon Wiggins
2009	Andrew Walker
2010	Marc Murphy
2011	unknown
2012	Kane Lucas
2013	Chris Yarran
2014	Kane Lucas
2015	Andrejs Everitt
2016	Liam Sumner
2017	Jarrod Pickett (2nd)
2018	Cameron Polson

 

Brendan Fevola wins the 2006 AFL Grand Final Sprint (news.com.au)

COLLINGWOOD

COLLINGWOOD
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	-
1978	Ted Carroll
	Wayne Gordon
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	-
1980	-
1981	-
1982	Geoff Miles
1983	Geoff Miles
1984	Darren Millane
1985	Alan Eade
1986	(event not held)
1987	Terry Keays
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Damien Adkins
2003	Glenn Freeborn
2004	Matthew Lokan
2005	Chris Egan
2006	Heath Shaw
2007	Tyson Goldsack
2008	John Anthony
2009	Brad Dick
2010	Ryan Cook
2011	Luke Rounds
2012	Paul Seedsman
2013	Paul Seedsman
2014	Ben Kennedy
2015	Darcy Moore
2016	Jordan De Goey
2017	Will Hoskin-Elliott
2018	Ben Crocker

 

ESSENDON

ESSENDON
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Wayne Primmer
	Andy Wilson (1st)
1978	Wayne Primmer
	Shane Heard (2nd)
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	Shane Heard (3rd)
1980	Stephen Carey
1981	Neil Clarke
1982	Mark Eustice
1983	-
1984	Doug Cox (1st)
1985	Steven Clark
1986	(event not held)
1987	Brian Winton
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Rob Forster-Knight
2003	Damian Cupido (3rd)
2004	Damian Cupido
2005	Ricky Dyson
2006	Jason Winderlich (2nd)
2007	Paddy Ryder
2008	Ricky Dyson
2009	Paddy Ryder
2010	Jake Melksham
2011	Jake Melksham
2012	Stewart Crameri
2013	Paddy Ryder
2014	Patrick Ambrose
2015	Elliott Kavanagh
2016	Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
2017	Kyle Langford
2018	Kyle Langford

 

Andy Wilson, 1977 VFL Grand Final Mile winner (Football Record, 1978)

FITZROY

FITZROY LIONS
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Chris Hansen
	Peter Johnson
1978	Mick Conlan
	Garry Wilson
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	Mick Conlan (2nd)
1980	Frank Marchesani (2nd)
1981	Peter Francis
1982	Mick Conlan (1st)
1983	Richard Osborne
1984	Bill Lokan
1985	Richard Osborne
1986	(event not held)
1987	Darren Kappler
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown

 

FREMANTLE

FREMANTLE
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Troy Simmonds
2003	James Walker (1st)
2004	James Walker (1st)
2005	Byron Schammer
2006	Brett Peake
2007	Paul Haselby
2008	Garrick Ibbotson
2009	Stephen Hill
2010	Garrick Ibbotson
2011	Josh Mellington
2012	Tendai Mzungu
2013	Alex Forster
2014	Zac Dawson
2015	Hayden Krozier
2016	Darcy Tucker
2017	Tommy Sheridan
2018	Matt Taberner

 

Fremantle's James Walker in the heats of the 2003 AFL Grand Final Sprint (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

GEELONG

GEELONG
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	David Clarke (3rd)
	Murray Witcombe
1978	Jeff Fehring
	Tom Floyd
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	Michael Turner
1980	Stephen Lunn
1981	Robert Neal
1982	Bernard Toohey
1983	Michael Kol
1984	Michael Kol
1985	Michael Kol (2nd)
1986	(event not held)
1987	Michael Kol
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Adam Chatfield (2nd)
2003	David Wojcinski
2004	Mark Blake
2005	Shannon Byrnes (3rd)
2006	Shannon Byrnes
2007	Joel Reynolds
2008	Nathan Djerkurra (3rd)
2009	Taylor Hunt
2010	Daniel Menzel
2011	Dawson Simpson
2012	Billie Smedts
2013	Jordan Murdoch (3rd)
2014	Jordan Murdoch (1st)
2015	Darcy Lang
2016	Jed Bews (2nd)
2017	Mark O'Connor
2018	Jordan Murdoch (3rd)

 

Jordan Murdoch wins the 2014 AFL Grand Final Sprint (Alex Coppel/Fox)

GOLD COAST

GOLD COAST
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2009	Trent McKenzie (2nd)
2010	Trent McKenzie
2011	Joel Wilkinson
2012	Campbell Brown
2013	Campbell Brown
2014	Jarrad Ellis (3rd)
2015	Henry Schade
2016	Brandon Matera
2017	Steven May
2018	Touk Miller

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

GWS GIANTS
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2010	Tim Golds (2nd)
2011	Tim Golds (2nd)
2012	Thomas Bugg
2013	Dom Tyson
2014	Adam Tomlinson
2015	Rory Lobb
2016	Stephen Coniglio
2017	Tim Taranto
2018	Stephen Coniglio

 

HAWTHORN

HAWTHORN
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Don Fletcher
1978	-
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	Geoff Ablett (1st)
1980	Geoff Ablett (1st)
1981	Geoff Ablett (1st)
1982	Geoff Ablett*
1983	-
1984	-
1985	-
1986	(event not held)
1987	-
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	unknown
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Campbell Brown
2003	Campbell Brown
2004	unknown
2005	Campbell Brown
2006	Brent Guerra
2007	Clinton Young*
2008	Zac Dawson
2009	Liam Shiels
2010	Ben Stratton
2011	Jordan Williams
2012	Angus Litherland (3rd)
2013	Angus Litherland (2nd)
2014	Billy Hartung (2nd)
2015	Daniel Howe*
2016	Billy Hartung
2017	Harry Morrison
2018	Jarman Impey

 

*1982 - reigning champion Geoff Ablett was a late scratching due to a groin injury (Sunday Press 26-9-1982). It is not known if he was replaced by another Hawthorn player or if the sprint was held minus one runner.

*2007 - Brent Guerra was originally named as Hawthorn's representative but was replaced by Clinton Young.

*2015 - Angus Litherland was originally Hawthorn's representative but withdrew after being named as an emergency for their Grand Final team.

Geoff Ablett wins the 1980 VFL Grand Final Sprint (Topend Sports)

MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Brian Cooke
	Peter Keays
1978	Garry Cooke (2nd)
	Kelvin Richards
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	Cameron Clayton
1980	Tony Elshaug
1981	Tony Elshaug (3rd)
1982	Paul O'Brien
1983	Les Bamblett
1984	Russell Richards (3rd)
1985	Russell Richards (3rd)
1986	(event not held)
1987	Russell Richards (1st)
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	Marcus Seecamp (1st)
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Ross Funcke
2003	Luke Williams
2004	Luke Williams
2005	Daniel Bell (2nd)
2006	Russell Robertson
2007	Russell Robertson
2008	Stefan Martin (2nd)
2009	Colin Sylvia
2010	Jack Watts
2011	Sam Blease*
2012	Lynden Dunn
2013	Neville Jetta
2014	Jayden Hunt
2015	Jay Kennedy-Harris
2016	Clayton Oliver
2017	Jayden Hunt
2018	Bayley Fritsch

 

*2011 - Sam Blease was the Demons' representative but did not appear for his race due to a family function! The heat went ahead without a replacement runner from the Demons.
[our thanks to Adam from DemonBlog and DemonWiki for digging this info out of the twitter archives and sending it through]

NORTH MELBOURNE

NORTH MELBOURNE
VFL GRAND FINAL MILE
1977	Kerry Good
	Alan Jarrott
1978	Peter Keenan
VFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
1979	Wayne Schimmelbusch
1980	Rodney Wright
1981	Rodney Wright
1982	Doug Smith
1983	John Holt
1984	Angelo Petraglia
1985	Jon Collins
1986	(event not held)
1987	unknown
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT
1996	Glenn Archer
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Brent Harvey
2003	Shannon Watt
2004	Michael Stevens (2nd)
2005	Shannon Watt
2006	Brent Harvey
2007	Eddie Sansbury
2008	Shannon Watt
2009	Warren Benjamin
2010	Liam Anthony
2011	Scott McMahon
2012	Shaun Atley
2013	unknown
2014	Luke McDonald
2015	Majak Daw (1st)
2016	Majak Daw (3rd)
2017	Josh Williams (3rd)
2018	Luke McDonald

 

Majak Daw wins the 2015 AFL Grand Final Sprint (Nicole Garmston/news)

PORT ADELAIDE

PORT ADELAIDE
AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
2002	Matthew Bishop
2003	Jared Poulton
2004	Michael Pettigrew
2005	Danyle Pearce
2006	Danyle Pearce
2007	Nathan Krakouer (2nd)
2008	Tom Logan
2009	Wade Thompson (3rd)
2010	Danyle Pearce
2011	Danyle Pearce
2012	Aaron Young
2013	Angus Monfries
2014	Andrew Moore
2015	Brad Ebert
2016	Karl Amon
2017	Jarman Impey
2018	Dan Houston

 

RICHMOND