1979 VFL season
The 1979 Victorian Football League season was the 83rd season of the elite Australian rules football competition.
| 1979 VFL Premiership season | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 12 |
| Premiers | Carlton (12th premiership) |
| Minor premiers | Carlton (14th minor premiership) |
| Night series | Collingwood (1st Night series win) |
| Matches played | 138 |
| Attendance | 3,574,281 (25,901 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 113,545 |
| Coleman Medallist | Kelvin Templeton (Footscray) |
| Brownlow Medallist | Peter Moore (Collingwood) |
Night series
Collingwood defeated Hawthorn 12.8 (80) to 7.10 (52) in the final.
Premiership season
Round 1
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Collingwood | 9.15 (69) | Fitzroy | 21.23 (149) | Victoria Park | 29,345 | 7 April 1979 |
| Carlton | 23.13 (151) | Geelong | 15.11 (101) | Princes Park | 24,771 | 7 April 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 15.21 (111) | Richmond | 19.11 (125) | Lake Oval | 18,603 | 7 April 1979 |
| St Kilda | 19.14 (128) | Hawthorn | 14.19 (103) | Moorabbin Oval | 22,060 | 7 April 1979 |
| Melbourne | 18.17 (125) | Footscray | 16.17 (113) | MCG | 24,133 | 7 April 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 17.27 (129) | Essendon | 16.13 (109) | Arden Street Oval | 22,633 | 7 April 1979 |
Round 2
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Footscray | 13.16 (94) | North Melbourne | 20.13 (133) | Western Oval | 23,457 | 14 April 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 12.14 (86) | South Melbourne | 21.13 (139) | Junction Oval | 19,437 | 14 April 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 13.24 (102) | Collingwood | 19.18 (132) | Princes Park | 29,355 | 14 April 1979 |
| Geelong | 15.16 (106) | Melbourne | 9.13 (67) | Kardinia Park | 23,858 | 16 April 1979 |
| Essendon | 21.22 (148) | St Kilda | 9.10 (64) | Windy Hill | 26,499 | 16 April 1979 |
| Richmond | 13.18 (96) | Carlton | 23.9 (147) | MCG | 59,942 | 16 April 1979 |
Round 3
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Carlton | 14.17 (101) | Essendon | 11.14 (80) | VFL Park | 41,717 | 31 March 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 18.10 (118) | Melbourne | 16.15 (111) | Lake Oval | 14,431 | 21 April 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 18.15 (123) | Geelong | 11.17 (83) | Princes Park | 14,703 | 21 April 1979 |
| St Kilda | 15.14 (104) | Footscray | 16.13 (109) | Moorabbin Oval | 18,275 | 21 April 1979 |
| Richmond | 20.12 (132) | Fitzroy | 16.16 (112) | MCG | 24,635 | 21 April 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 18.19 (127) | Collingwood | 14.15 (99) | Arden Street Oval | 29,747 | 21 April 1979 |
Despite being formally a part of Round 3, the Carlton vs Essendon match was played as a stand-alone match on the Saturday before Round 1, and was therefore the opening match of the season.
Round 4
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Melbourne | 16.23 (119) | Richmond | 15.19 (109) | MCG | 44,708 | 25 April 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 29.15 (189) | South Melbourne | 15.5 (95) | VFL Park | 37,276 | 25 April 1979 |
| Geelong | 10.13 (73) | North Melbourne | 19.9 (123) | Kardinia Park | 21,353 | 28 April 1979 |
| Collingwood | 31.21 (207) | St Kilda | 3.11 (29) | Victoria Park | 29,380 | 28 April 1979 |
| Footscray | 20.8 (128) | Essendon | 19.14 (128) | Western Oval | 26,981 | 28 April 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 11.16 (82) | Carlton | 20.19 (139) | Junction Oval | 21,477 | 28 April 1979 |
Round 5
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| North Melbourne | 19.24 (138) | South Melbourne | 12.16 (88) | Arden Street Oval | 16,015 | 5 May 1979 |
| Essendon | 10.16 (76) | Fitzroy | 25.22 (172) | Windy Hill | 19,741 | 5 May 1979 |
| Carlton | 15.20 (110) | Melbourne | 13.18 (96) | Princes Park | 24,248 | 5 May 1979 |
| Richmond | 11.16 (82) | Hawthorn | 24.17 (161) | MCG | 31,448 | 5 May 1979 |
| St Kilda | 17.10 (112) | Geelong | 22.10 (142) | Moorabbin Oval | 15,481 | 5 May 1979 |
| Collingwood | 20.17 (137) | Footscray | 12.17 (89) | VFL Park | 34,163 | 5 May 1979 |
Round 6
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Collingwood | 14.15 (99) | Essendon | 19.19 (133) | Victoria Park | 27,824 | 12 May 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 26.19 (175) | St Kilda | 11.20 (86) | Lake Oval | 12,394 | 12 May 1979 |
| Geelong | 9.18 (72) | Footscray | 7.5 (47) | Kardinia Park | 27,824 | 12 May 1979 |
| Melbourne | 21.14 (140) | Fitzroy | 24.19 (163) | MCG | 21,783 | 12 May 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 16.12 (108) | Carlton | 25.18 (168) | Princes Park | 29,935 | 12 May 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 14.15 (99) | Richmond | 13.16 (94) | VFL Park | 22,626 | 12 May 1979 |
Round 7
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Footscray | 22.17 (149) | South Melbourne | 14.17 (101) | Western Oval | 15,045 | 19 May 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 14.18 (102) | Hawthorn | 11.24 (90) | Junction Oval | 15,870 | 19 May 1979 |
| Essendon | 23.18 (156) | Melbourne | 9.20 (74) | Windy Hill | 21,592 | 19 May 1979 |
| Carlton | 15.14 (104) | North Melbourne | 16.12 (108) | Princes Park | 39,411 | 19 May 1979 |
| St Kilda | 16.15 (111) | Richmond | 14.15 (99) | Moorabbin Oval | 18,087 | 19 May 1979 |
| Collingwood | 13.14 (92) | Geelong | 6.15 (51) | VFL Park | 37,260 | 19 May 1979 |
Round 8
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Hawthorn | 17.18 (120) | Melbourne | 10.17 (77) | Princes Park | 10,997 | 26 May 1979 |
| Richmond | 22.26 (158) | Footscray | 12.13 (85) | MCG | 21,672 | 26 May 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 13.16 (94) | Fitzroy | 21.22 (148) | Arden Street Oval | 17,469 | 26 May 1979 |
| Geelong | 12.11 (83) | Essendon | 12.12 (84) | Kardinia Park | 25,402 | 26 May 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 6.8 (44) | Collingwood | 20.11 (131) | Lake Oval | 21,282 | 26 May 1979 |
| Carlton | 15.13 (103) | St Kilda | 9.10 (64) | VFL Park | 28,817 | 26 May 1979 |
Round 9
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Melbourne | 17.9 (111) | North Melbourne | 23.18 (156) | MCG | 23,261 | 2 June 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 18.15 (123) | St Kilda | 11.12 (78) | Junction Oval | 14,963 | 2 June 1979 |
| Collingwood | 19.18 (132) | Richmond | 10.20 (80) | Victoria Park | 31,474 | 2 June 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 16.12 (108) | Essendon | 17.14 (116) | Princes Park | 24,875 | 2 June 1979 |
| Footscray | 11.12 (78) | Carlton | 18.19 (127) | Western Oval | 21,362 | 2 June 1979 |
| Geelong | 18.15 (123) | South Melbourne | 17.8 (110) | VFL Park | 15,750 | 2 June 1979 |
Round 10
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Essendon | 16.19 (115) | South Melbourne | 14.15 (99) | Windy Hill | 18,916 | 9 June 1979 |
| Carlton | 18.15 (123) | Collingwood | 16.11 (107) | Princes Park | 46,106 | 9 June 1979 |
| St Kilda | 9.11 (65) | Melbourne | 12.13 (85) | Moorabbin Oval | 17,390 | 9 June 1979 |
| Richmond | 14.17 (101) | Geelong | 18.19 (127) | MCG | 24,824 | 9 June 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 17.17 (119) | Footscray | 11.8 (74) | VFL Park | 14,357 | 9 June 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 23.18 (156) | North Melbourne | 16.9 (105) | SCG | 31,391 | 10 June 1979 |
Round 11
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Fitzroy | 19.18 (132) | Geelong | 9.11 (65) | Junction Oval | 17,520 | 16 June 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 15.10 (100) | Footscray | 15.11 (101) | Princes Park | 12,513 | 16 June 1979 |
| Melbourne | 11.16 (82) | Collingwood | 13.18 (96) | MCG | 53,562 | 16 June 1979 |
| St Kilda | 15.17 (107) | North Melbourne | 16.14 (110) | Moorabbin Oval | 19,705 | 18 June 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 18.18 (126) | Carlton | 20.12 (132) | Lake Oval | 26,740 | 18 June 1979 |
| Essendon | 20.12 (132) | Richmond | 16.12 (108) | VFL Park | 53,116 | 18 June 1979 |
Round 12
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Richmond | 25.16 (166) | South Melbourne | 16.14 (110) | MCG | 21,216 | 23 June 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 19.18 (132) | St Kilda | 13.15 (93) | Princes Park | 13,176 | 23 June 1979 |
| Footscray | 18.12 (120) | Melbourne | 11.15 (81) | Western Oval | 14,308 | 23 June 1979 |
| Essendon | 15.11 (101) | North Melbourne | 6.18 (54) | Windy Hill | 30,795 | 23 June 1979 |
| Geelong | 15.17 (107) | Carlton | 14.17 (101) | Kardinia Park | 29,941 | 23 June 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 17.20 (122) | Collingwood | 11.14 (80) | VFL Park | 56,975 | 23 June 1979 |
Round 13
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Collingwood | 25.19 (169) | Hawthorn | 8.16 (64) | Victoria Park | 22,903 | 30 June 1979 |
| Carlton | 21.12 (138) | Richmond | 12.10 (82) | Princes Park | 21,792 | 30 June 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 8.21 (69) | Footscray | 12.9 (81) | Arden Street Oval | 13,925 | 30 June 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 15.20 (110) | Fitzroy | 20.16 (136) | Lake Oval | 13,850 | 30 June 1979 |
| St Kilda | 9.12 (66) | Essendon | 15.15 (105) | Moorabbin Oval | 18,802 | 30 June 1979 |
| Geelong | 16.12 (108) | Melbourne | 9.3 (57) | VFL Park | 13,272 | 30 June 1979 |
Round 14
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Essendon | 10.11 (71) | Footscray | 6.14 (50) | Windy Hill | 25,240 | 7 July 1979 |
| Richmond | 17.18 (120) | Melbourne | 10.16 (76) | MCG | 19,879 | 7 July 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 13.11 (89) | Hawthorn | 10.14 (74) | Lake Oval | 10,626 | 7 July 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 17.16 (118) | Geelong | 14.16 (100) | Arden Street Oval | 14,971 | 7 July 1979 |
| St Kilda | 6.16 (52) | Collingwood | 15.11 (101) | Moorabbin Oval | 21,588 | 7 July 1979 |
| Carlton | 17.14 (116) | Fitzroy | 9.11 (65) | VFL Park | 58,736 | 7 July 1979 |
Round 15
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Melbourne | 24.23 (167) | South Melbourne | 24.10 (154) | MCG | 15,039 | 14 July 1979 |
| Footscray | 24.16 (160) | St Kilda | 11.15 (81) | Western Oval | 13,386 | 14 July 1979 |
| Collingwood | 10.16 (76) | North Melbourne | 20.13 (133) | Victoria Park | 30,415 | 14 July 1979 |
| Carlton | 18.18 (126) | Essendon | 12.11 (83) | Princes Park | 44,661 | 14 July 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 11.13 (79) | Geelong | 11.12 (78) | VFL Park | 20,777 | 14 July 1979 |
| Richmond | 22.20 (152) | Fitzroy | 20.15 (135) | SCG | 17,140 | 15 July 1979 |
Round 16
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Hawthorn | 14.20 (104) | Richmond | 18.11 (119) | Princes Park | 13,557 | 21 July 1979 |
| Geelong | 20.9 (129) | St Kilda | 14.20 (104) | Kardinia Park | 14,613 | 21 July 1979 |
| Collingwood | 23.17 (155) | Footscray | 3.15 (33) | Victoria Park | 21,041 | 21 July 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 16.16 (112) | Essendon | 15.9 (99) | Junction Oval | 19,684 | 21 July 1979 |
| Melbourne | 9.7 (61) | Carlton | 19.26 (140) | MCG | 26,388 | 21 July 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 12.16 (88) | South Melbourne | 8.18 (66) | VFL Park | 14,725 | 21 July 1979 |
Round 17
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| St Kilda | 19.14 (128) | South Melbourne | 16.12 (108) | Moorabbin Oval | 12,969 | 28 July 1979 |
| Footscray | 12.10 (82) | Geelong | 18.14 (122) | Western Oval | 14,284 | 28 July 1979 |
| Carlton | 15.21 (111) | Hawthorn | 12.11 (83) | Princes Park | 22,159 | 28 July 1979 |
| Richmond | 16.15 (111) | North Melbourne | 19.10 (124) | MCG | 38,111 | 28 July 1979 |
| Essendon | 9.17 (71) | Collingwood | 14.8 (92) | Windy Hill | 31,968 | 28 July 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 36.22 (238) | Melbourne | 6.12 (48) | VFL Park | 12,149 | 28 July 1979
Fitzroy's 190 point winning margin is the biggest in AFL/VFL history |
Round 18
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| South Melbourne | 31.9 (195) | Footscray | 15.16 (106) | Lake Oval | 9,815 | 4 August 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 15.14 (104) | Fitzroy | 15.25 (115) | Princes Park | 15,104 | 4 August 1979 |
| Melbourne | 21.8 (134) | Essendon | 16.9 (105) | MCG | 25,367 | 4 August 1979 |
| Geelong | 18.16 (124) | Collingwood | 9.9 (63) | Kardinia Park | 30,495 | 4 August 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 18.11 (119) | Carlton | 21.15 (141) | Arden Street Oval | 28,902 | 4 August 1979 |
| Richmond | 28.22 (190) | St Kilda | 18.11 (119) | VFL Park | 24,651 | 4 August 1979 |
Round 19
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Footscray | 13.19 (97) | Richmond | 6.5 (41) | Western Oval | 12,537 | 11 August 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 7.12 (54) | North Melbourne | 17.19 (121) | Junction Oval | 16,659 | 11 August 1979 |
| Essendon | 14.12 (96) | Geelong | 8.8 (56) | Windy Hill | 23,336 | 11 August 1979 |
| Collingwood | 14.11 (95) | South Melbourne | 13.9 (87) | Victoria Park | 18,041 | 11 August 1979 |
| Carlton | 22.17 (149) | St Kilda | 6.9 (45) | Princes Park | 17,127 | 11 August 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 14.11 (95) | Melbourne | 8.25 (73) | VFL Park | 12,897 | 11 August 1979 |
Round 20
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Essendon | 9.16 (70) | Hawthorn | 10.14 (74) | Windy Hill | 19,034 | 18 August 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 15.27 (117) | Melbourne | 6.9 (45) | Arden Street Oval | 10,680 | 18 August 1979 |
| South Melbourne | 16.6 (102) | Geelong | 10.12 (72) | Lake Oval | 11,298 | 18 August 1979 |
| St Kilda | 9.6 (60) | Fitzroy | 10.16 (76) | Moorabbin Oval | 12,330 | 18 August 1979 |
| Richmond | 10.15 (75) | Collingwood | 13.17 (95) | MCG | 61,624 | 18 August 1979 |
| Carlton | 12.18 (90) | Footscray | 8.6 (54) | VFL Park | 25,075 | 18 August 1979 |
Round 21
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Melbourne | 24.17 (161) | St Kilda | 12.24 (96) | MCG | 18,435 | 25 August 1979 |
| Hawthorn | 7.18 (60) | North Melbourne | 24.21 (165) | Princes Park | 18,501 | 25 August 1979 |
| Geelong | 17.13 (115) | Richmond | 12.17 (89) | Kardinia Park | 18,039 | 25 August 1979 |
| Fitzroy | 22.19 (151) | Footscray | 14.16 (100) | Junction Oval | 12,076 | 25 August 1979 |
| Collingwood | 18.12 (120) | Carlton | 14.17 (101) | Victoria Park | 36,509 | 25 August 1979 |
| Essendon | 13.17 (95) | South Melbourne | 10.16 (76) | VFL Park | 32,127 | 25 August 1979 |
Round 22
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Footscray | 9.11 (65) | Hawthorn | 14.19 (103) | Western Oval | 12,839 | 1 September 1979 |
| Essendon | 8.15 (63) | Richmond | 18.14 (122) | Windy Hill | 22,589 | 1 September 1979 |
| Collingwood | 23.16 (154) | Melbourne | 15.13 (103) | Victoria Park | 27,206 | 1 September 1979 |
| Carlton | 23.16 (154) | South Melbourne | 17.19 (121) | Princes Park | 24,479 | 1 September 1979 |
| Geelong | 16.16 (112) | Fitzroy | 15.17 (107) | Kardinia Park | 21,801 | 1 September 1979 |
| North Melbourne | 21.18 (144) | St Kilda | 9.11 (65) | VFL Park | 20,571 | 1 September 1979 |
Ladder
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlton (P) | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2772 | 1986 | 139.6 | 76 | Finals |
| 2 | North Melbourne | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2574 | 2083 | 123.6 | 68 | |
| 3 | Collingwood | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2501 | 1974 | 126.7 | 60 | |
| 4 | Fitzroy | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2699 | 2198 | 122.8 | 60 | |
| 5 | Essendon | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2236 | 2127 | 105.1 | 50 | |
| 6 | Geelong | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2149 | 2140 | 100.4 | 48 | |
| 7 | Hawthorn | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2332 | 2336 | 99.8 | 40 | |
| 8 | Richmond | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 2451 | 2512 | 97.6 | 36 | |
| 9 | Footscray | 22 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 2015 | 2463 | 81.8 | 30 | |
| 10 | South Melbourne | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 2424 | 2666 | 90.9 | 24 | |
| 11 | Melbourne | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 2093 | 2759 | 75.9 | 24 | |
| 12 | St Kilda | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1857 | 2859 | 65.0 | 12 |
Source: VFL ladder
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers.
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers.
Finals
Elimination final
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Fitzroy | 17.22 (124) | Essendon | 5.13 (43) | VFL Park | 49,470 | 8 September |
Qualifying final
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Collingwood | 9.28 (82) | North Melbourne | 18.13 (121) | MCG | 84,660 | 8 September |
Semi finals
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Collingwood | 16.20 (116) | Fitzroy | 12.22 (94) | MCG | 87,139 | 13 September |
| Carlton | 15.21 (111) | North Melbourne | 11.7 (73) | VFL Park | 69,142 | 15 September |
Preliminary final
| Home team | Score | Away team | Score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Collingwood | 18.14 (122) | North Melbourne | 13.17 (95) | VFL Park | 73,380 | 22 September |
Grand final
Carlton defeated Collingwood 11.16 (82) to 11.11 (77), in front of a crowd of 113,545 people at the MCG.
| Game | Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| Grand final | Carlton | 11.16 (82) | Collingwood | 11.11 (77) | MCG | 113,545 | 29 September 1979 |
Awards
- The leading goalkicker was Kelvin Templeton of Footscray with 91 goals
- The Brownlow Medal was won by Peter Moore
- The reserves premiership, known as the Commodore Cup, was won by North Melbourne. North Melbourne 13.14 (92) defeated Collingwood 9.13 (67) in the grand final, held as a stand-alone night match at VFL Park on Friday, 28 September, before a crowd of 6,047.[1]
Notable events
- The record for greatest winning margin was set twice during 1979.
- In Round 4, Collingwood defeated St Kilda by 178 points, breaking the record set sixty years earlier, in the 1919 VFL season by South Melbourne.
- Collingwood's new record was broken only three months later in Round 17, when Fitzroy defeated Melbourne by 190 points, a record which has yet to be broken.
- Fitzroy's score of 36.22 (238) in the same game also set the record for highest score in a VFL/AFL game. This beat the record set by Footscray in the 1978 VFL season by twenty-five points, and remained the record until 1992.
- Fitzroy made the finals for the first time since 1960, ending a nineteen year finals drought.
References
- Stephen Rogers and Ashley Brown (1998). Every Game Ever Played. 6th ed. Victoria: Penguin Books.
- 1979 Season - AFL Tables
- "Murphy shines in Roos' win". The Age. Melbourne, VIC. 29 September 1979. p. 40.
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