affair, more notable for the changes to field positions that Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy applied in an attempt to stem the flow of Hawthorn goals. While common today, at the time it was very unusual for a coach to make such radical changes as shifting backline players to the forward line and vice versa. Paul Weston was shifted from defence to centre half forward, captain Terry Daniher was moved to defence, while another defender, Peter Bradbury, was moved to half-forward. With these positional changes, Essendon managed to get within three goals of the lead, but Dermott Brereton kicked a late goal for Hawthorn to give them a 23-point lead going into the final term. Fourth quarter Essendon got off to the perfect start in the final quarter. Madden, who had been ordinary for much of the game, won the opening bounce. The ball fell to Williams, who kicked the ball forward, where Baker was in the perfect position to run onto the spilled ball from a marking contest and kick his third goal of the match. Minutes later, Bradbury kicked a goal from the back of a pack. Essendon's charge continued when the ball made its way to Duckworth at half forward who passed it to an unmanned Mark Thompson who put it through from 40 metres out directly in front. The Bombers hit the front in spectacular fashion when, from the resultant centre bounce, Williams kicked towards the right half-forward flank. The ball bounced favourably for Baker, who evaded Hawks defender David O'Halloran with a brilliant blind turn and booted his fourth goal, to the delight of Essendon fans. Hawthorn was back in front when Peter Curran goaled from a 15-metre penalty but Essendon soon regained their advantage when Roger Merrett took a pack mark in the goal square before converting. Weston extended Essendon's lead to 11 points minutes later and then Tim Watson goaled twice to seal the comeback win for Essendon. The Bombers kicked 9.6 in the final term to break free from the Hawks. It would not be until 2009 that another team would win the grand final from a three-quarter time deficit. The 23-point three quarter time deficit is the largest ever overcome to achieve victory in a Grand Final in VFL/AFL history. (North Melbourne overcame a 27-point three quarter time deficit to draw the 1977 VFL Grand Final). The Norm Smith Medal was awarded