Essendon finished top for the second successive season and again met Hawthorn in the Grand Final for the third successive time.

In a high-scoring affair, the Bombers again left it to the last quarter to storm home with 11 goals to win by 78 points.

Paul Salmon, back after a year out with injury, kicked six goals, while Roger Merrett booted five and Mark Harvey four.

Simon Madden won the Norm Smith Medal.

The 1985 premiership cup. (Photo: Essendon FC)

Essendon   6.4  11.9  15.11  26.14 (170)
Hawthorn   5.1  9.3  11.5  14.8 (92)

Best: Madden, Merrett, Salmon, Watson, Baker, Thompson

Goals: Salmon 6, Merrett 5, Harvey 4, Watson 3, Baker 2, Ezard 2, Williams 2, Thompson, Duckworth

Norm Smith Medal: Simon Madden

Simon Madden in action during the 1985 VFL Grand Final.

Team

B: Mark Thompson, Paul Weston, Billy Duckworth

HB: Garry Foulds, Kevin Walsh, Glenn Hawker

C: Bryan Wood, Tim Watson, Neil Clarke

HF: Terry Daniher, Roger Merrett, Mark Harvey

F: Leon Baker, Paul Salmon, Paul Vander Haar

R: Simon Madden, Darren Williams, Tony Elshaug

I: Stephen Carey, Alan Ezard

Coach: Kevin Sheedy

Captain: Terry Daniher

Average age: 25

Average games: 113

Honours

Best and fairest: Tim Watson

Leading goalkicker: Mark Harvey (48)