AFL GRAND FINAL SPRINT
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INTRODUCTION
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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)
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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
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YEAR |
WINNER |
2ND |
3RD |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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1977 |
Andy Wilson (Ess) |
Rodney Hughes (StK) |
David Clarke (Geel) |
|
1978 |
Doug Booth (StK) |
Garry Cooke (Melb) |
Shane Heard (Ess) |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT (1979-87) |
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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) |
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1983 |
Frank Marchesani
(Carl) |
David Palm (Rich) |
Daryl Cunningham (StK) |
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1984 |
Doug Cox (Ess) |
Geoff Ablett (Rich) |
Russell Richards (Melb) |
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1985 |
Geoff Ablett
(StK)* |
Michael Kol (Geel)* |
Russell Richards (Melb) |
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1986 |
event not held |
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1987 |
Russell Richards (Melb) |
unknown |
unknown |
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AFL
LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP SPRINT (1996) |
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1996 |
Marcus Seecamp
(Melb) |
unknown |
unknown |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT (2002-) |
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2002 |
Jared Crouch (Syd) |
Adam Chatfield (Geel) |
Jordan McMahon (WB) |
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2003 |
James Walker (Frem) |
Jared Crouch (Syd) |
Damian Cupido (Ess) |
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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) |
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2007 |
Jake King (Rich) |
Nathan Krakouer (Port) |
Will Schofield (WCE) |
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2008 |
Matthew White (Rich) |
Stefan Martin (Melb) |
Nathan Djerkurra (Geel) |
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2009 |
Rhys Stanley (StK) |
Trent McKenzie (GC) |
Wade Thompson (Port) |
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2010 |
Luke Miles (StK) |
Tim Golds (GWS) |
Lewis Jetta (Syd) |
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2011 |
Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) |
Tim Golds (GWS) |
Lewis Jetta (Syd) |
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2012 |
Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) |
Harry Cunningham (Syd) |
Angus Litherland (Haw) |
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2013 |
Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) |
Angus Litherland (Haw) |
Jordan Murdoch (Geel) |
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2014 |
Jordan Murdoch (Geel) |
Billy Hartung (Haw) |
Jarrad Ellis (GC) |
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2015 |
Majak Daw (NM) |
Charlie Cameron (Adel) |
Dean Towers (Syd) |
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2016 |
James Shirley |
Jed Bews (Geel)** |
Majak Daw (NM)** |
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(Murrumbeena FNC) |
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2017 |
Connor Menadue (Rich) |
Jarrod Pickett (Carl) |
Josh Williams (NM) |
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2018 |
Godfrey Okereneyang |
Melvin Monleh |
Jordan Murdoch (Geel) |
|
(Coolamon Hoppers
FC) |
(Melton South Panthers) |
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2019 |
Ben King (GC) |
Sam Frost (Melb) |
Jack Tarca (Geel) |
*1985
**2016
RUNNERS – CLUB BY CLUB
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ADELAIDE CROWS |
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
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|
1996 |
unknown |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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2002 |
Andrew Crowell |
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2003 |
Kris Massie |
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2004 |
Luke Jericho (3rd) |
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2005 |
James Begley |
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2006 |
Andrew Jarman |
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2007 |
Simon Goodwin |
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2008 |
Bernie Vince |
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2009 |
Andy Otten |
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2010 |
Richie Douglas |
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2011 |
Patrick Dangerfield (1st) |
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2012 |
Patrick Dangerfield (1st) |
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2013 |
Patrick Dangerfield (1st) |
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2014 |
Brodie Smith |
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2015 |
Charlie Cameron (2nd) |
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2016 |
Brodie Smith |
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2017 |
Jordan Gallucci |
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2018 |
Lachie Murphy |
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2019 |
Jake Kelly |
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BRISBANE LIONS |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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|
1987 |
Tony Beckett |
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
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|
1996 |
unknown |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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2002 |
Nathan Clarke |
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2003 |
Anthony Corrie |
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2004 |
Daniel Merrett |
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2005 |
Leigh Ryswyk |
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2006 |
Tim Notting |
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2007 |
Robert Copeland |
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2008 |
Justin Sherman |
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2009 |
Tom Rockcliff |
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2010 |
Jack Redden |
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2011 |
Daniel Rich |
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2012 |
Ben Hudson |
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2013 |
Richard Newell |
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2014 |
Daniel McStay |
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2015 |
Lewis Taylor |
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2016 |
Mitch Robinson |
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2017 |
Dayne Zorko |
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2018 |
Eric Hipwood |
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2019 |
Noah Answerth |
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Brendan Fevola wins the 2006 AFL Grand Final Sprint (news.com.au)
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COLLINGWOOD |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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1977 |
- |
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1978 |
Ted Carroll |
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Wayne Gordon |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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1979 |
- |
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1980 |
- |
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1981 |
- |
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1982 |
Geoff Miles |
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1983 |
Geoff Miles |
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1984 |
Darren Millane |
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1985 |
Alan Eade |
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1986 |
(event not held) |
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1987 |
Terry Keays |
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
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1996 |
unknown |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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2002 |
Damien Adkins |
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2003 |
Glenn Freeborn |
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2004 |
Matthew Lokan |
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2005 |
Chris Egan |
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2006 |
Heath Shaw |
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2007 |
Tyson Goldsack |
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2008 |
John Anthony |
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2009 |
Brad Dick |
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2010 |
Ryan Cook |
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2011 |
Luke Rounds |
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2012 |
Paul Seedsman |
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2013 |
Paul Seedsman |
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2014 |
Ben Kennedy |
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2015 |
Darcy Moore |
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2016 |
Jordan De Goey |
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2017 |
Will Hoskin-Elliott |
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2018 |
Ben Crocker |
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2019 |
Will Hoskin-Elliott |
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Andy Wilson, 1977 VFL Grand Final Mile winner (Football Record, 1978)
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FITZROY LIONS |
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|
VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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|
1977 |
Chris Hansen |
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Peter Johnson |
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1978 |
Mick Conlan |
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Garry Wilson |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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1979 |
Mick Conlan
(2nd) |
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1980 |
Frank Marchesani
(2nd) |
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1981 |
Peter Francis |
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1982 |
Mick Conlan
(1st) |
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1983 |
Richard Osborne |
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1984 |
Bill Lokan |
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1985 |
Richard Osborne |
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1986 |
(event not held) |
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1987 |
Darren Kappler |
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
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|
1996 |
unknown |
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Fremantle's James Walker in the heats of the 2003 AFL Grand Final Sprint (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
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GEELONG |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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1977 |
David Clarke (3rd) |
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Murray Witcombe |
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1978 |
Jeff Fehring |
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Tom Floyd |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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1979 |
Michael Turner |
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1980 |
Stephen Lunn |
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1981 |
Robert Neal |
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1982 |
Bernard Toohey |
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1983 |
Michael Kol |
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1984 |
Michael Kol |
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1985 |
Michael Kol
(2nd) |
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1986 |
(event not held) |
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1987 |
Michael Kol |
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
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|
1996 |
unknown |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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|
2002 |
Adam Chatfield (2nd) |
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2003 |
David Wojcinski |
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2004 |
Mark Blake |
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2005 |
Shannon Byrnes (3rd) |
|
2006 |
Shannon Byrnes |
|
2007 |
Joel Reynolds |
|
2008 |
Nathan Djerkurra
(3rd) |
|
2009 |
Taylor Hunt |
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2010 |
Daniel Menzel |
|
2011 |
Dawson Simpson |
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2012 |
Billie Smedts |
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2013 |
Jordan Murdoch (3rd) |
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2014 |
Jordan Murdoch (1st) |
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2015 |
Darcy Lang |
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2016 |
Jed Bews
(2nd) |
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2017 |
Mark O'Connor |
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2018 |
Jordan Murdoch (3rd) |
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2019 |
Jack Tarca
(3rd) |
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GOLD COAST |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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|
2009 |
Trent McKenzie (2nd) |
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2010 |
Trent McKenzie |
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2011 |
Joel Wilkinson |
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2012 |
Campbell Brown |
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2013 |
Campbell Brown |
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2014 |
Jarrad Ellis (3rd) |
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2015 |
Henry Schade |
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2016 |
Brandon Matera |
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2017 |
Steven May |
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2018 |
Touk Miller |
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2019 |
Ben King (1st) |
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GWS GIANTS |
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AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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|
2010 |
Tim Golds
(2nd) |
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2011 |
Tim Golds
(2nd) |
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2012 |
Thomas Bugg |
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2013 |
Dom Tyson |
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2014 |
Adam Tomlinson |
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2015 |
Rory Lobb |
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2016 |
Stephen Coniglio |
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2017 |
Tim Taranto |
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2018 |
Stephen Coniglio |
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2019 |
Dylan Buckley |
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HAWTHORN |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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|
1977 |
Don Fletcher |
|
|
1978 |
- |
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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 |
- |
|
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
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|
1996 |
unknown |
|
|
AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
||
|
2002 |
Campbell Brown |
|
|
2003 |
Campbell Brown |
|
|
2004 |
unknown |
|
|
2005 |
Campbell Brown |
|
|
2006 |
Brent Guerra |
|
|
2007 |
Clinton Young* |
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|
2008 |
Zac Dawson |
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|
2009 |
Liam Shiels |
|
|
2010 |
Ben Stratton |
|
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2011 |
Jordan Williams |
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2012 |
Angus Litherland
(3rd) |
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2013 |
Angus Litherland
(2nd) |
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2014 |
Billy Hartung
(2nd) |
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|
2015 |
Daniel Howe* |
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2016 |
Billy Hartung |
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2017 |
Harry Morrison |
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2018 |
Jarman Impey |
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2019 |
Changkuong Jiath |
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*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.
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MELBOURNE |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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|
1977 |
Brian Cooke |
|
Peter Keays |
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1978 |
Garry Cooke (2nd) |
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Kelvin Richards |
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VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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|
1979 |
Cameron Clayton |
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1980 |
Tony Elshaug |
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1981 |
Tony Elshaug
(3rd) |
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1982 |
Paul O'Brien |
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1983 |
Les Bamblett |
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1984 |
Russell Richards (3rd) |
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1985 |
Russell Richards (3rd) |
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1986 |
(event not held) |
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1987 |
Russell Richards (1st) |
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LIGHTNING
PREMIERSHIP SPRINT |
|
|
1996 |
Marcus Seecamp
(1st) |
|
AFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
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|
2002 |
Ross Funcke |
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2003 |
Luke Williams |
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2004 |
Luke Williams |
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2005 |
Daniel Bell (2nd) |
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2006 |
Russell Robertson |
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2007 |
Russell Robertson |
|
2008 |
Stefan Martin (2nd) |
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2009 |
Colin Sylvia |
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2010 |
Jack Watts |
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2011 |
Sam Blease* |
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2012 |
Lynden Dunn |
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2013 |
Neville Jetta |
|
2014 |
Jayden Hunt |
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2015 |
Jay Kennedy-Harris |
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2016 |
Clayton Oliver |
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2017 |
Jayden Hunt |
|
2018 |
Bayley Fritsch |
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2019 |
Sam Frost (2nd) |
[our thanks to Adam from DemonBlog and DemonWiki for digging this info out of the twitter archives and sending it through]
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NORTH
MELBOURNE |
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|
VFL
GRAND FINAL MILE |
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|
1977 |
Kerry Good |
|
|
Alan Jarrott |
||
|
1978 |
Peter Keenan |
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|
VFL
GRAND FINAL SPRINT |
||
|
1979 |
Wayne Schimmelbusch |
|
|
1980 |
Rodney Wright |
|
|
1981 |
Rodney Wright |
|
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1982 |
Doug Smith |
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|
1983 |
John Holt |
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|
1984 |
Angelo Petraglia |
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|
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) |
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|
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 |
|
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2015 |
Majak Daw (1st) |
|
|
2016 |
Majak Daw (3rd) |
|
|
2017 |
Josh Williams (3rd) |
|
|
2018 |
Luke McDonald |
|
|
2019 |
Taylor Garner |
|
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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 |