Healy: Ranking every game from “greatest finals series of all time”

The greatest finals series of all time was arguably - before last weekend - the 1994 campaign, despite not having a very close Grand Final.

There were great games though every week, but we do have a new number one.

It's the 2026 final series. It's clearly the greatest of them all, and I've ranked all 11 games.

There was only one dud.

11. Brisbane 144-91 Adelaide

Semi-Final, Gabba

It was over, 10 minutes in. It was the only dud.

10. Adelaide 90-68 Western Bulldogs

Elimination Final, Adelaide Oval

Pretty well clear the Dogs were under manned. Too many injuries.

9. Melbourne 55-74 Carlton

Wildcard Final, MCG

8. Geelong 107-74 Carlton

Elimination Final, MCG

107-74… but it was much closer than that.

At half-time, the Blues were a genuine chance.

7. Fremantle 40-72 Hawthorn

Qualifying Final, Optus Stadium

Freo was smashed in pressure by the Hawks.

6. Fremantle 120-106 Geelong

Semi-Final, Optus Stadium

I thought that Geelong we're going to get across the line there many times, but Freo were not to be denied.

5. Sydney 71-83 Fremantle

Preliminary Final, SCG

The next two or three you could have flipped.

It had one of the greatest goals of all time at the end of the third quarter, but ultimately the Swans ran out of energy.

They were just overwhelmed by not quite enough talent. A brilliant win by Freo.

Western Bulldogs 96-93 Collingwood

Wildcard Final, MCG

Just a kick in it.

It was very exciting, and it probably won the debate over the Wildcard. Put that to bed.

3. Sydney 141-88 Brisbane

Qualifying Final, SCG

That was almost the biggest story of the season, the way Sydney came from nowhere.

2. Hawthorn 122-131 Brisbane

Preliminary Final, MCG

This was controversial.

1. Fremantle 89-96 Brisbane

Grand Final, MCG

On the back of a classic with the addition of Wharfie Time, you had to say the number one game in the finals campaign was Freo versus the three-peat Brisbane Lions.