2006 AFL Grand Final — West Coast Get Revenge By 1 Point

The 2006 AFL Grand Final saw West Coast Eagles defeat Sydney Swans 12.13 (85) to 12.12 (84) at the MCG — a one-point thriller that completed the most-savage rivalry of the modern era. Played on 30 September 2006 in front of 97,431 fans, the Eagles’ premiership was revenge for their 2005 Grand Final loss to the same opponents (also by 4 points the year before). Andrew Embley won the Norm Smith Medal; John Worsfold collected his first Jock McHale; and the Eagles-Swans rivalry was sealed in one of the closest Grand Final results ever.

The Build-Up: Revenge Mission

The 2005 Grand Final had ended 4-58 to 4-54 — Sydney by 4 points, Leo Barry’s last-second mark sealing the Swans’ first flag in 72 years. West Coast had spent every minute of the 2005–2006 off-season replaying that finish. The 2006 home-and-away campaign saw the Eagles top the ladder; the finals run produced a rematch with Sydney.

Sydney, defending premiers, also reached the Grand Final. Paul Roos’s coaching tenure had built a defensive juggernaut; Adam Goodes was at his peak; Barry Hall was the league’s most-feared key forward.

The Match: A One-Point Thriller

The 2006 Grand Final was a tactical repeat of 2005 — both teams playing tight defensive footy, both teams fighting for every contested ball. The lead changed multiple times. Andrew Embley’s running, Chris Judd’s midfield class (24 disposals, 1 goal), and Daniel Kerr’s pressure work all contributed to the Eagles’ build.

The fourth quarter was the most-watched 30 minutes of 2006 Australian sport. Sydney pressed; West Coast held. The siren sounded with West Coast leading by 1 point.

Final score: West Coast 12.13 (85) defeated Sydney 12.12 (84) — a 1-point margin in revenge for 2005’s 4-pointer.

The Norm Smith Medal: Andrew Embley

The 2006 Norm Smith went to Andrew Embley of West Coast. Embley’s 26 disposals, 1 goal, and broader pressure work — covering ground from defence to attack — earned the recognition. Chris Judd’s later Brownlow Medal vote count was higher, but Embley’s Grand Final BOG was the deserving winner.

The Premiership Coach: John Worsfold

John “Woosha” Worsfold collected his first Jock McHale Medal. Worsfold had captained the Eagles’ 1992 (first non-Victorian) and 1994 premierships; the 2006 flag was his coaching breakthrough. He’d remain at West Coast until 2013.

Famous Moments

• Chris Judd’s 24 disposals and 1 goal — Brownlow form.
• Andrew Embley’s running game — Norm Smith winning.
• Adam Hunter’s 4 goals — Eagles’ tall forward producing.
• Daniel Kerr’s pressure work — Eagles’ midfield bulldog.
• Adam Goodes’s defiant marks — Sydney’s veteran captain.
• Barry Hall’s 2 goals — Swans’ key forward in defeat.
• Brett Kirk’s 27 disposals — Sydney’s tireless midfielder.
• The final-quarter Sydney push — narrowly insufficient.
• The 1-point siren — closest Grand Final since 1966.
• Eagles’ supporter celebrations — revenge complete.

Trivia for the Pub

• Date: 30 September 2006, MCG.
• Final: West Coast 12.13 (85) defeated Sydney 12.12 (84).
• Margin: 1 point.
• Crowd: 97,431.
• Norm Smith: Andrew Embley.
• Jock McHale: John Worsfold (first).
• West Coast’s 3rd VFL/AFL premiership (1992, 1994, 2006).
• The 1-point margin was the closest Grand Final since 1966 (St Kilda d. Collingwood by 1 point).
• Chris Judd would win the 2006 Brownlow Medal.
• Sydney’s loss made it the second consecutive Grand Final between Eagles and Swans.

The Rumours and Aftermath

The 2005-2006 Eagles-Swans Grand Finals are the only back-to-back rematches between the same two clubs in the AFL’s modern era. The combined margin (Sydney by 4, West Coast by 1) totals just 5 points across two games — among the closest two-Grand-Final aggregate margins ever.

For Sydney, the 2006 loss was painful but bookended an extraordinary run. The 2005 win had ended 72 years of waiting; the 2006 loss meant the Swans would need another 6 years to win again (2012).

For West Coast, 2006 was the closing of an era. Chris Judd would leave for Carlton in 2008 (after the 2007 trade saga). The Eagles wouldn’t win another flag until 2018 — a 12-year gap.

The Verdict

The 2006 AFL Grand Final was the year revenge tasted sweet. Andrew Embley’s Norm Smith, Chris Judd’s Brownlow form, John Worsfold’s coaching breakthrough — all combined for one of the most-watched 1-point Grand Finals ever. Long live the 2006 Eagles.