This is a misnomer under the Argus system itself, but maintains consistency with broader modern use of the term grand final throughout Australia for any competition's decisive match.
The 1st-ranked team's right to challenge did not feature and was not added until 1902; and so although it has come to be referred to by the Argus system name, it otherwise lacks similarity with the other variants.
A strictly better win–loss ratio than the winner of the final was required to have the right of challenge; having an equal record but ahead on a tie-breaker such as percentage or points differential was not sufficient.
The series was played under the fixture: In the sole VFL season that the system was used, no grand final was required.
[6] This scheme was developed as a result of demand for entry to finals matches in the early 1920s exceeding the capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Such a system typically bracketed as follows:[8] Which team was afforded the right of challenge depended on the league.
The VFL abandoned that system after 1900, when Melbourne won the premiership from a home-and-away placing of sixth out of eight, widely considered a farcical outcome.
Both systems became popular, as it was now felt they balanced the public excitement of finals with a fair advantage for the best team.
However, over time, two major drawbacks emerged with the system: Both of these possible motivations for the minor premier to throw an early final led, rightly or wrongly, to negative public perception of whether or not these contests were genuine.