It was the 83rd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for the 1979 VFL season.

In the week leading up to the Grand Final, Collingwood ruckman Peter Moore was awarded the Brownlow Medal.

Seemingly in desperation, Alex Jesaulenko moved himself out of the centre and brought in young pocket battleship Wayne Harmes.

Suddenly, Carlton sparked into life, as goals to Harmes, Mark Maclure, Wayne Johnston and Jim Buckley saw the Blues grab the lead at half-time by one point.

Football historian Rhett Bartlett discovered new footage in 2023 that appears to clearly show that Harmes was able to keep the ball in play.

[1] A successful left-foot snap by Collingwood centre half-forward Allan Edwards lifted the hopes of the Magpie army, but from the resultant bounce Carlton managed to move the ball forward where substitute Alex Marcou scored a point.

Goals Carlton: Sheldon 3, Buckley 2, Maclure 2, Francis, Harmes, Jones, Young Goals Collingwood: Davis 4, Brewer, Carlson, Edwards, Ireland, Kink, Ohlsen, Wearmouth Best Carlton: Harmes, Francis, Johnston, Buckley, Klomp, Armstrong Best Collingwood: Picken, Morris, Byrne, Davis, Barham, Ohlsen Umpires: Bill Deller, Kevin Smith