The pain of backing a team that builds a healthy lead only to capitulate is all too familiar for most punters. Palmerbet’s new product is set to soothe the sting of logic-defying collapses.
Here's a handful of the most unforgettable of yesteryear.
Grand Final, 1970 – Carlton Runs Down Collingwood For Flag
It’s regarded as the arguably the greatest VFL/AFL Grand Final of all time, was dubbed ‘the birth of modern football’ and gave rise to the derisive ‘Colliwobbles’ nickname. A record MCG crowd of 121,696 watched Collingwood kick 10 first-half goals to storm to a 44-point lead over Carlton in the 1970 decider. But the Blues put a stunning fight-back in motion during the third quarter, kicking eight goals to three to trim the deficit to 17 points. The shell-shocked Magpies could only add one goal and one behind in the final term as Brent Croswell, Ted Hopkins and Alex Jesaulenko inspired the Blues to a 10-point victory.
Round 16, 2001 – Bombers Shatter Comeback Record Against Stunned Roos
The standard bearer for great Australian Rules revivals. Ladder-leading Essendon set a new VFL/AFL record for the biggest comeback by overturning a massive 69-point deficit against also-rans North Melbourne during the 2001 regular season. The Kangaroos booted 12 goals to two in the opening term and kicked the first two majors of the second quarter, but the Bombers ate into the lead with nine unanswered goals to trail by just 21 at halftime. North stemmed the flow to cling to a 14-point advantage at the final change but their resolve was broken in the fourth quarter, outscored eight goals to three by the Essendon juggernaut. Matthew Lloyd kicked nine goals in a match that produced 330 points.
Round 13, 2013 – Lions Roar in ‘The Miracle on Grass’
Brisbane Lions were 15th on the AFL ladder when they hosted second-placed Geelong Cats in this seemingly nondescript mid-2013 encounter. The match was going to plan as the visitors raced to 52-point lead, while the Lions still trailed by 38 points at three-quarter time. But an unbelievable eight-goals-to-one final term – capped by an amazing after-the-siren goal to Ash McGrath, who was celebrating his 200th game – snatched a five-point win and immediate AFL folklore status. The fightback has become enshrined as ‘The Miracle on Grass’.
Elimination Final, 2013 – Tigers Collapse Under Judd’s Genius
Essendon’s supplements penalty in 2013 pitched ninth-placed Carlton into the AFL finals – and a week one grudge match with a Richmond outfit making the club’s first post-season appearance in 12 years. The dramatic build-up set the scene for one of the great finals comebacks. The Tigers surged to a 32-point lead but were powerless to stop a Chris Judd-led Blues revival. The black-and-golds led by just six at three-quarter time and ultimately lost by 20 points following Carlton’s six-goal avalanche in the last term.
Grand Final, 2018 – Eagles Edge Pies in Epic Decider
Regarded by most as the greatest AFL Grand Final since the iconic 1989 decider – and by some as the best game ever – West Coast and Collingwood painted a sporting masterpiece at the MCG to conclude the 2018 season. But the Magpies will forever rue the flag that got away after they shot to a 29-point lead over the favourite Eagles. The Pies saw their lead chipped away but they were still in the box-seat with two and a half minutes remaining, in front by two. But the Eagles swept from one end of the ’G to the other after a defensive mark from Jeremy McGovern, with Liam Ryan taking an incredible grab before finding Dom Sheed in the forward pocket. Sheed buried one of great clutch goals from the boundary line to seal a five-point win and the Eagles’ fourth premiership
