1942 VFL Grand Final — First Wartime Grand Final
The 1942 VFL Grand Final saw Essendon defeat Richmond 19.18 (132) to 11.13 (79) at Princes Park — a 53-point margin in the first wartime Grand Final. Played on 26 September 1942 in front of 49,000 fans, Essendon’s premiership confirmed Dick Reynolds’s coaching tenure during the wartime era. The MCG had been requisitioned by the US Army for the war effort.
The Build-Up: Wartime VFL
The 1942 VFL season was the first played during World War II. Multiple senior players were on military service. The Grand Final venue shifted to Princes Park (where it would remain until 1945).
Essendon, under Dick Reynolds, had built a competitive squad despite wartime constraints. Multiple senior Bombers were available.
Richmond had reached the Grand Final after their continuing 1930s era.
The Match: Bombers’ Wartime Coronation
Essendon led from first bounce. Multiple Bombers contributed to the 19.18 scoreline.
Final score: Essendon 19.18 (132) defeated Richmond 11.13 (79) — a 53-point margin.
Famous Moments
- Multiple Bombers’ contributions.
- Dick Reynolds’s coaching genius.
- The 53-point Bombers margin.
- Princes Park venue — first wartime Grand Final.
- The crowd of 49,000.
- Wartime footy beginning.
- Norm Smith Medal not yet instituted.
- Richmond’s resistance.
- The MCG used by US Army.
- Multiple players on military service.
Trivia for the Pub
- Date: 26 September 1942, Princes Park.
- Final: Essendon 19.18 (132) defeated Richmond 11.13 (79).
- Margin: 53 points.
- Crowd: 49,000.
- Essendon’s 7th VFL premiership.
- First wartime Grand Final.
- Played at Princes Park because MCG was used by US Army.
- Norm Smith Medal not yet instituted.
- Dick Reynolds was Essendon’s coach (3-time Brownlow as a player).
- The wartime era continued through 1942-1945.
The Verdict
The 1942 VFL Grand Final launched Essendon’s wartime era. Long live the 1942 Bombers.
