It was Carlton's 16th premiership and most recent victory, making it one of the most successful clubs in the league's history.

This grand final was billed as having the potential to be the best in years, with Carlton and Geelong finishing first and second on the ladder respectively and both in really good form.

Geelong looked like it had its best chance of winning a premiership since claiming the 1963 flag, after crushing Footscray and Richmond in the previous two weeks of the finals.

Carlton's Earl Spalding also produced one of the more memorable moments of the game early in the second quarter, when he applied a smother on a Peter Riccardi kick, picked up the ball, and set up a goal for himself.

The Norm Smith Medal was won by Greg Williams, who starred as an attacking midfielder.

Carlton full back Stephen Silvagni also attracted high praise for keeping champion Geelong full forward Gary Ablett Sr. goalless, the first time Ablett had been kept goalless in a game since 1992.

[7] Other dominant players for Carlton included Justin Madden, who won the ruck battle comfortably, as well as Brett Ratten, Anthony Koutoufides, Stephen Kernahan and Craig Bradley.