Timeline 1997-1999 (What They Can Do Next Week)

A timeline detailing all major events in the AFL from 1997 to 1999.

1997

 * September 20 - In an extraordinary finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Adelaide Crows come back from a 32 point, half-time deficit to lead the game near the final siren over one of the flag favourites, the Western Bulldogs. With about a minute and a half left on the clock, the Bulldog star player Chris Grant manages to get the ball close to goal, and despite having 3 Adelaide players surrounding him, kicks the goal, thus changing the lead in favour of the Bulldogs. Finally, after holding down Adelaide for an excruciating minute in defence, the Western Bulldogs managed to get into their first Grand Final in 36 years, this time against the ladder leaders, the St. Kilda Saints.
 * Western_Bulldogs_1997.pngSeptember 27 - 96, 027 people turn out to witness history as St. Kilda and the Western Bulldogs take on each other in the 1997 AFL Grand Final. Despite a slump in the first-quarter, the Western Bulldogs managed to overcome the Saints in what was perhaps the season blow out. They downed the runners up by a margin of 52, and became that years Major Premiers.
 * November 11 - Despite announcing his retirement earlier in the season, following a blow-out of the knee, Geelong superstar Gary Ablett announces that he will return on a 2 year contract with the Richmond Tigers for the '98 and '99 AFL seasons. This allows him to continue his own legacy, and carries him until the end of the decade.

1998

 * April 4 - Returning in an explosive fashion, Gary Ablett makes his long awaited début back into the AFL during round 2 of the season, taking on his previous club at their home ground. Kicking only 2 goals in the game, he managed to overcome  doubts that he could no longer play, and lift the Richmond team to victory by 15 points.