1999 AFL Grand Final: Kangaroos vs Carlton

When it's Grand Final Day in Melbourne, all eyes turn to the MCG to see who’ll take home the silverware. In 1999, Channel 7 leaned into the historical moment (the last grand final of the millennium) with an introduction package reminiscent of an ’80s mini-series. 

‘Strike up the band, pass the cymbals’: narrated by actor Bud Tingwell in his most portentous tones, the package lingers on the spectacle of a banner-draped MCG before plunging into the drama of the rival teams. Despite Carlton’s reputation as a side for the ruling class (with tycoon John Elliott at the helm), they are cast as the underdogs. Meanwhile, North Melbourne – a team on the ascendant – are characterised as 'the force’.  

They went on to justify the hype, beating the Blues by 35 points.