It was controversial because, when Essendon played the second semi-final, it had been 21 days since its last competitive match (having received the minor premier's bye, followed by a bye for the replayed final); although the club played an unofficial practice match against 12th-placed Fitzroy during the second week, the extra week off was thought to have affected Essendon's form and contributed to its losses in the second semi-final and, ultimately, the grand final.

At the sounding of the quarter time siren, a wild brawl erupted in the Essendon forward pocket drawing all players on the ground and spreading to include team officials.

Collingwood, playing in front at the contests, benefitted from this, and won several free kicks and fifty metre penalties, from which they scored five goals in the first nine minutes of the quarter.

Essendon attacked and dominated the play early in the last quarter but could only manage behinds, including hitting the post twice from set shots.

After absorbing the Essendon pressure for twenty minutes, Collingwood's Doug Barwick scored the first goal of the quarter, with a snapshot from 25 metres.

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Collingwood's Tony Shaw for being judged the best player afield, with 32 possessions in an inspirational display.

He had previously captained Hawthorn to grand finals in the 1980s, and later went on to coach the Brisbane Lions to three premierships (the first of them against Kevin Sheedy's Bombers) in the 2000s.

Craig Starcevich would later coach the Brisbane Lions' AFL Women's team, leading them to the 2021 and 2023 premierships, along with four other Grand Final appearances.