Airdate: The Final Story

Seven and 7mate will screen first of three new AFL Media documentaries, on North Melbourne’s 1975 VFL Grand Final victory over Hawthorn, its first ever premiership.

This will be televised during the first week of the 2012 AFL Finals Series.

The Final Story 1975 will be broadcast nationally at 11.30am local time on Sunday September 9 on Channel 7 and 7Mate – as the first of three Final Story documentaries produced by AFL Media that will air on Seven in the weeks leading up to the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final, including the 1984 and 1990 Grand Finals.

The Final Story 1975 includes unseen vision and new audio of North Melbourne’s first ever Grand Final win and unearths recordings of legendary coaches Ron Barassi and John Kennedy Snr addressing their players before, during and after the match. This rare footage and previously unheard audio has never been broadcast until now.

With both coaches miked up for the day, the new audio includes excerpts from Kennedy’s famous half-time speech in which he implored his players: “Don’t think. Do.”

The documentary also goes inside the North Melbourne change rooms as the players warm-up with a spine-tingling address from Barassi in what was the first Grand Final on colour television.

New interviews also feature with Barassi and Kennedy, along with North Melbourne players Sam Kekovich, Doug Wade, Barry Cable, John Burns, Barry Davis and Hawthorn players Ian Bremner, Alan Martello, John Hendrie, and Leon Rice.
They recount all the issues surrounding the match and the era, from the 10-year free agency rule and the illness of Peter Crimmins to the unorthodox lengths Barassi went to ensure success.

AFL Media producer Peter Dickson has tirelessly researched and interviewed for this riveting documentary over many months.

AFL Chief Operating Officer, Gillon McLachlan, said: “The insight and emotion captured in these documentaries makes them a must see for everyone, regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of Australian football.

“All three documentaries are of the highest quality starting with the absorbing story of the 1975 Grand Final.

“I thank Channel 7 for their commitment in airing these important documentaries and I congratulate Peter Dickson and his team at AFL Media for once again producing such entertaining programs.”

Seven Melbourne Managing Director, Lewis Martin, said: “These gripping and entertaining documentaries deliver compelling viewing for anyone who enjoys great story telling.”

The Final Story 1975 will be shown tonight at a special pre-screening event at Palace Cinemas, Melbourne with members of both the 1975 North Melbourne and Hawthorn Grand Final teams in attendance as well as current representatives of the North Melbourne Football Club.

11.30am Sunday September 9 on Seven / 7Mate.