But ask the people who were at the MCG that day what their most enduring memories are and there's something that stands out beyond what occurred on the field.

Tears.

The long-suffering St Kilda fans shed tears of joy as they celebrated grand final glory after 70 barren years.

From Collingwood's fans and players there were tears of anguish as premiership victory eluded them by one lousy point.

Kevin 'Cowboy' Neale kicked five goals for St Kilda that day, including a crucial one late in the final quarter, tying the scores and setting the scene for Breen's snap.

But for him the most memorable moments of the St Kilda Football club's greatest day came after the final siren.

''I can't recall anything specific during the game, but after the game the thing that got to me was that when we were running around the ground with the cup to see the old St Kilda supporters sitting there crying,'' Neale said.

''I thought to myself 'this is my second year here and these poor buggers have been here waiting for 60 or 70 years'.

''It started to mean a bit more to me then.''

Barry Phillips's fondest memories of that day are a little different, but no less emotive.

The 71-year-old St Kilda fan described that first grand final victory as one of the greatest moments of his life.

''We waited a long time to win a premiership and it's something that lives with you for the rest of your life,'' Phillips said.

''I remember when Barry Breen kicked that point there were a lot of Collingwood women crying and pretty upset about the result.

''It was something that we'd waited a long time for and again from then to now.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times