There was no fiercer rivalry in the late 1960s and early 1970s than that between Carlton and Richmond. It was brilliant, it was brutal, and above all it was memorable, as two teams stacked with talent strove to become the greatest in the VFL.

Between 1967 and 1974, the Blues and Tigers played in a staggering seven Grand Finals: Richmond winning four, Carlton three. Carlton lost the 1969 decider to the Tigers, but in 1972 John Nicholls masterminded a plan of all-out attack which stunned Tom Hafey’s team and secured a famous premiership. The accumulative scores on that October day (50.27) remain a Grand Final record.

Five decades on, those Carlton teams coached by Nicholls (1972-75) and, before him, Ron Barassi (1965-71), rank among the finest in the league’s history.

Blue Brilliance is only available through The Carlton Shop.