Match Summary
Brisbane started the game well, scoring the first goal of the match from a free kick awarded to Alastair Lynch for holding against Dustin Fletcher. Essendon fought back late in the first quarter then took control of the game in the second term. Brisbane's poor kicking for goal almost put them out of the game in the second quarter as Essendon blew their lead out to 20 points late in the term. Brisbane had kicked an inaccurate 5.10 by the half time break.
Brisbane managed to overrun Essendon in the third term kicking six goals to one and turning a 14 point deficit into a 16 point lead. Brisbane's pace in the midfield and the tiring legs of most of the Essendon players played a pivotal role in Brisbane taking full control of the game in the second half, to win comfortably. Essendon had scored two late goals in the last quarter after once trailing by as much as 39 points.
Shaun Hart of the Lions was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for being judged the best player afield. Matthew Lloyd was amongst the best for Essendon, kicking 5 goals.
Essendon captain James Hird was visually shattered and disappointed in his post match speech. A quick congratulations to Brisbane for winning was followed by a public apology to Bombers fans for letting them down.
This was the first of four consecutive Grand Final appearances by Brisbane, and the first of three consecutive flags. For Essendon, this would be their last Grand Final appearance, having not made the Grand Final ever since.
Read more about this topic: 2001 AFL Grand Final
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