2017 AFL Grand Final — Richmond Tigers End 37-Year Drought

The 2017 AFL Grand Final saw Richmond Tigers thrash Adelaide Crows 16.12 (108) to 8.12 (60) at the MCG — a 48-point win that ended Richmond’s 37-year premiership drought. Played on 30 September 2017 in front of 100,021 fans, the Tigers’ premiership was a release for a generation of yellow-and-black supporters who had endured decades of mediocrity. Dustin Martin won the Norm Smith Medal — his first of three. The 2017 Grand Final launched the Tigers’ 2017–2020 dynasty.

The Build-Up: A 37-Year Drought

Richmond’s last premiership had been 1980. The intervening 37 years had included multiple wooden spoons, multiple finals losses, and decades of frustration. The Tigers’ modern era — under Damien Hardwick (since 2010), with Trent Cotchin as captain and Dustin Martin emerging as a superstar — was the redemption.

Adelaide Crows, the McClelland Trophy winners, also reached the Grand Final. The Crows’ minor premiership had been impressive; the 2017 Grand Final was the year’s signature contest.

The Match: Tigers’ Coronation

The 2017 AFL Grand Final was played at the MCG on 30 September 2017 in front of 100,021 fans. The pre-game ceremony was standard Grand Final fare; the match itself unfolded as the Tigers’ redemption tour.

Richmond started fast. Dustin Martin’s midfield dominance set the tempo. Tom Lynch (then at Gold Coast — his Tigers tenure came later) wasn’t yet at Richmond; instead, Jack Riewoldt and Dan Butler provided the goalkicking. By half-time, the Tigers led by 20+ points.

The third quarter — the “premiership quarter” — saw Richmond extend the lead. Adelaide’s defensive structure was exposed; the Tigers’ speed and pressure unstoppable.

The final score: Richmond 16.12 (108) defeated Adelaide Crows 8.12 (60) — a 48-point margin.

The Norm Smith Medal: Dustin Martin (First!)

The 2017 Norm Smith Medal went to Dustin Martin of Richmond. Martin’s 30+ disposals, 4 goals, and midfield masterclass earned the recognition. The medal was Martin’s first; he would go on to win two more (2019, 2020) for an all-time record.

Martin’s 2017 Grand Final performance was the launchpad for his subsequent dominance. Combined with the 2017 Brownlow Medal won three days earlier (also by Martin), 2017 became Martin’s signature year.

The Premiership Coach: Damien Hardwick (First)

Damien Hardwick won his first Jock McHale Medal in 2017. The coaching tenure that had begun in 2010 had now produced a premiership.

Famous Moments

• Dustin Martin’s 30+ disposals and 4 goals — Norm Smith first.
• Trent Cotchin’s captain’s effort — first premiership as captain.
• Jack Riewoldt’s set-shot goals — multiple conversions.
• Dan Butler’s energy — emerging Tigers star.
• The Crows’ valiant struggle — Eddie Betts particularly memorable.
• The post-match Tigers celebration — 37 years of waiting ended.
• Damien Hardwick’s emotional Jock McHale acceptance.
• The Yellow and Black Army support — packed MCG.
• Eddie Betts’s contested goalkicking — Crows’ resistance.
• Patrick Dangerfield’s pre-game preparation — Crows captain (he had departed Adelaide for Geelong but his pre-AFL hometown ties were noted).

Trivia for the Pub

• The 2017 Grand Final was played on 30 September 2017 at the MCG.
• Final score: Richmond 16.12 (108) defeated Adelaide Crows 8.12 (60).
• Margin: 48 points.
• Crowd: 100,021.
• Norm Smith Medal: Dustin Martin (first).
• Jock McHale Medal: Damien Hardwick (first).
• Richmond’s first premiership in 37 years (since 1980).
• Tigers’ 11th AFL premiership overall (later increased through 2019, 2020).
• Dustin Martin’s 2017 Brownlow Medal also came in this season.
• Adelaide’s third Grand Final loss (1997, 1998 wins; 2017 loss).

The Verdict

The 2017 AFL Grand Final was Richmond’s emotional release after 37 years of waiting. Dustin Martin’s first Norm Smith Medal, Damien Hardwick’s first Jock McHale, and the launch of the Tigers’ three-flag dynasty — all combined to make 2017 a landmark Grand Final.

For Adelaide Crows, the 2017 loss continued the post-1998 finals frustration. The Crows had won 1997 and 1998 premierships under Malcolm Blight; the 19-year wait through 2017 had been long, and the Grand Final loss was painful. The subsequent years would test whether Adelaide could return to the contender ranks.

For the broader AFL, 2017 launched the Richmond dynasty era. The Tigers’ three flags in four years (2017, 2019, 2020) became one of the AFL’s most-celebrated modern stories.