The premiershp was won when Peter Sumich missed a goal two weeks earlier in the Qualifying Final causing a draw and a replay of the game as the rules were then. Esssendon finished top and were enjoying a weeks break which now turned into 2 weeks. They went into this match without having played a game for 3 weeks. Collingwood on the other hand, having played and won the extra game were now running into devistating form. Being light on match practise is no way to prepare for finals and this game proves this. From here it was only a matter of playing out the finals and presenting Collingwood with the cup.