On the subject of co-incidences: 1979 and 1981 finals

The 1979 and 1981 finals were all contested by the same teams, match by match, except it was North in 79 and Geelong in 81 (same colors), and they finished in the same positions. (1 Carl, 2 Coll, 3 North/Geel, 4 Fitz, 5 Ess).

There was a two-point diff in the 2nd Semi scores (79 Carl 111 d NM 73, 81 Carl 113 d Geel 73), and a one-point diff in the half-time scores in the GFs.

In both QFs in the first week Collingwood started well but kicked themselves out of it.

In PF week in 79 the off-field drama was whether Gary Dempsey would play or not after getting a finger in the eye the prev week. In 81 the off-field story was Gary Sidebottom missing the bus. They both have the same first name. Sidebottom was living in Lara, less than a kilometre from the farm where Dempsey was raised. Both Dempsey and Sidebottom finished their careers in 1984 with matches against Collingwood, the opposition on PF day.

Geelong's best player in the 81 finals was John Mossop, who finished his career at North. North's best in the 79 finals was Malcolm Blight, who later coached Geelong to three Grand Finals