Airdate: The Final Story

Nine will look back on three AFL Grand Finals in September when The Final Story documentary relives 1980, 1966 and 1989 Grand Finals.

These will premieres next Thursday, September 5, at 10.30pm after The Footy Show in Melbourne, with Adelaide and Perth viewers to see them on Sundays following The Sunday Footy Show.

The Final Story, produced by AFL Media, tells the stories behind the 1980, 1966 and 1989 Grand Finals through the players and coaches involved in some of the game’s most memorable matches.

It begins with the 1980 Grand Final where Richmond (who have not won the flag since) defeated arch rival Collingwood. It was a time when shorts were very short and hair was very long, but above anything else, mental and physical toughness was vital. Richmond FC Committee member Graeme Richmond said: “We were there to win, at any cost.”

The Final Story: 1980 features interviews with footy greats Geoff Raines, Dale Weightman, Michael Roach, Francis Bourke, Rene Kink and Kevin Bartlett, as well as Richmond premiership coach Tony Jewell who was unceremoniously dumped from the club the following year.

AFL Media producers Peter Dickson and Wayne Dyer spent several months interviewing players and coaches involved in some of the biggest Grand Finals in the game’s history for The Final Story.

AFL Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gillon McLachlan, thanked the clubs and past and present players and coaches involved for sharing their experiences in such a powerful and candid way.

“The Final Story is a comprehensive history of some of the game’s great Grand Finals. It captures the joy and pain associated with football’s biggest day of the year, and the lasting impact these games had on the careers and lives of those involved,” he said.

“This is outstanding documentary making from AFL Media and a must-see for all footy fans, regardless of which team you support, during the 2013 Toyota AFL Final Series.”

Tim Cleary, Nine’s Head of Production and Programming, said: “We are proud to have The Final Story back on Nine. We are committed to broadcasting quality AFL specials for footy fans. .

“The footage captured in these documentaries gives AFL fans a true and personal look at some moments that have never been seen before, as players and coaches reminisce on the game that has been such a fundamental part of their lives”.

The Final Story: 1980 will premiere Thursday, September 5, with the one-hour documentaries of the 1966 and 1989 Grand Finals screening on September 12 and 17 respectively.

Thursday Sept 5 at 10:30pm (NB: Adelaide and Perth after The Sunday Footy Show, Sept 8, 15, 22)