It was the 32nd annual grand ginal of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for the 1930 VFL season.

Collingwood's famous coach, Jock McHale, could not attend the 1930 Grand Final, being confined to bed with the flu.

Veteran administrator, club treasurer and former premiership player Bob Rush took charge in his place.

At half time, Rush delivered what Harry Collier recalled was one of the most inspirational speeches that he had ever heard, and the team produced one of the most dominant and important quarters in the club's history, coming from a 27-point deficit to lead by 32 at three-quarter time.

The Sun described the club's third term as "one of the finest ever seen in football... it was an object lesson to every team in rising to the occasion after being apparently beaten, and by sheer grit and magnificent teamwork, sweeping down every obstacle in their way of finals success."