It was the 85th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for the 1981 VFL season.

The match, attended by 112,964 spectators, was won by Carlton by a margin of 20 points, marking that club's 13th premiership victory.

Collingwood laid down, scoring just two points in the quarter and goals from Mark Maclure and David McKay sealed the win for Carlton.

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Carlton's Bruce Doull for being judged the best player afield.

Collingwood captain Peter Moore famously threw away his runner-up medal after this game in a show of disgust.