The match, attended by 101,655 spectators,[1] was won by St Kilda by a margin of one point, marking that club's first and only premiership victory to date.

Both St Kilda and Collingwood were coming off consecutive VFL Grand final defeats: the Magpies in 1964 against Melbourne and the Saints after losing the previous year to Essendon.

St Kilda managed to hold on to second place in a thrilling contest against Hawthorn at Moorabbin, while Geelong and Essendon also won their games, which meant that Richmond would miss the finals despite its big win over Fitzroy.

Umpire – Jeff Crouch Twenty-five minutes into the final quarter and with scores level, Collingwood's Wayne Richardson had a shot at goal on the run but kicked it out of bounds on the full.

Potter, however, managed to get out a handball, but it found its way to St Kilda's Barry Breen, who snapped at goal and kicked a behind to put his side in front.