Notable Events
- The Page-McIntyre System for determining the VFL premiership team, that had been centred on a "Final Four", and had operated from 1931 to 1971, was replaced by the McIntyre "Final Five" system in 1972 (the new finals system operated from 1972 until the 1991 AFL season, when it was replaced by the First McIntyre "Final Six" system).
- In round 1, Hawthorn full-forward Peter Hudson kicks 8 goals before he sustains a knee injury that keeps him out until round 21 of the following season.
- In round 10, the VFL changes a tradition: field umpires, rather than team captains, will now toss the coin at the start of the match, in order to reduce "gamesmanship".
- In round 14, Collingwood half-forward John Greening is felled by St Kilda back-man Jim O'Dea some 70 metres behind play. John Greening was comatose for some time and was extremely lucky not to have died. Many were unhappy that O'Dea only received a 10 week suspension.
- In the second quarter of Carlton's round 16 match against Essendon, Alex Jesaulenko kicks six goals in eleven minutes. Carlton kicked 11 goals straight in that second quarter.
- In August, the VFL announces that it will now grant a free transfer to any player who has played 10 years with a single club.
- In September, North Melbourne Football Club appoint Ron Barassi as their 1973 coach.
- In Round 20, Geelong's Ken Newland kicks a point after the siren to win the match against Collingwood.
- In the round 21 match between Fitzroy and Essendon at the Junction Oval, bespectacled Essendon full-forward Geoff Blethyn kicked his 100th goal. A mounted policeman galloped out to protect Blethyn from spectators, and Blethyn was temporarily rendered sightless when the policeman's horse slobbers all over his glasses.
- The 16 September First Semi-Final between Richmond and Carlton is tied at 8.13 (61) each. Angry fans invaded the Melbourne Cricket Ground immediately after the siren went off and field umpire Ian Coates was assaulted. Richmond thrashed Carlton in the replay: 15.20 (110) to 9.15 (69).
- The Grand Final between Carlton and Richmond featured an aggregate score of 50.27 (327), setting the record for the highest aggregate score in any game, final or otherwise. The previous record of 48.25 (313) had stood since 1942, and the record would last until 1978.
Read more about this topic: 1972 VFL Season
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