Collingwood's 21-year wait for a premiership had finally ended...

Before a record night crowd of 37,753 the Magpies cruised to a comfortable 28-point victory over Hawthorn in the Escort Australian Football Championship Grand Final at VFL Park.

Collingwood's win was worth $35,000. Officially, it was the minor premiership of 1979, but this mattered little to the thousands of success-starved Magpie fans who went wild after the win.

As VFL president, Dr Allen Aylett presented the cup, Collingwood players swigged champagne and supporters broke into the Collingwood theme song.

The Magpies made sure of this flag with a dominant second half, which saw them kick seven goals to Hawthorn's three. They proved the previous Saturday's thrashing of Hawthorn was no fluke. They were far too quick in the greasy conditions and were blessed with a more cohesive forward line.

The Magpies, who have been night time dunces until now, took their earnings in the $375,000 championship to $68,000 with their win.

With the ground slippery, several Hawthorn players including half-forward John Hendrie and captain Don Scott wore gloves. But it appeared to make little difference as the Magpies handled the ball with far more surety in the opening minutes.

The game began where the previous Saturday's left off. Collingwood slamming on two goals in the first two minutes through half forward Dennis Banks, and rover Bill Valli. The Hawks looked slow and awkward but picked themselves up towards the end of the quarter to assume command.

Collingwood follower Peter Moore and Hawthorn captain Don scott set themselves for a tough battle right from the start. Moore, who had far more spring than his older opponent, had the edge throughout the night. The blonde Magpie seemed to be stirred on by an incident early in the first quarter when he and Scott clashed.

It was not until late in the third quarter that Collingwood began to assert its authority upon the game. With Fitzroy reject Geoff Austen marking strongly and young Dennis Banks creating many chances, Collingwood had a productive forward line.

By three quarter time, the Magpies had cleared away to a 17 point lead and appeared to have shrugged off the battling Hawks.