The rainy night when a losing player was named the game's best
In short: On a cold, rain-slicked night in September 2002, 91,817 spectators witnessed a classic. While the Brisbane Lions secured their second consecutive premiership, the night's most enduring drama belonged to a Collingwood star who achieved a rare, bittersweet distinction.
The 2002 AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was a grueling, low-scoring affair defined by heavy rain and defensive pressure. The first quarter was particularly stagnant; neither team managed a goal until the 27th minute, marking the lowest-scoring opening quarter in a grand final since 1960. This defensive deadlock also ended a remarkable VFL/AFL record for the Brisbane Lions, who had gone 253 consecutive quarters without a goal drought.
The match was a rollercoaster of momentum. Collingwood, who had not reached a premiership decider since 1990, surged through the second and third quarters with goals from Anthony Rocca and Josh Fraser. However, Brisbane's dominance in general play—evidenced by a massive 24 inside-50 advantage in the second quarter—eventually wore the Magpies down. Late heroics from Alastair Lynch and Jason Akermanis allowed the Lions to overcome a deficit and secure a nine-point victory.
The game's most significant controversy involved the Norm Smith Medal. Collingwood's Nathan Buckley was awarded the medal as the best player on the ground, polling 12 votes to Anthony Rocca's 8. It was only the third time in history a player won the award while playing for the losing side. In a profound gesture of respect for his teammates, Buckley famously removed the medal before returning to the dais. The controversy surrounding the timing of the votes—with panellists lodging them before the final siren—was so significant that the AFL changed its voting practices starting in 2003.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2002 AFL Grand Final
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