THE SELFLESS act of a dour defender features in the latest instalment of afl.com.au's series of the defining moments and memories of the past 20 grand finals.

Carlton 21.15 (141) d Geelong 11.14 (80)
Carlton and Geelong were the two best teams of 1995 and when they squared off at the MCG nothing short of a classic was expected. Carlton had lost the 1993 grand final to Essendon and was still smarting at its finals exit in 1994, while the tortured Cats had finished runners-up in 1989, 1992 and 1994.

There was no shortage of ammunition on either side, but the contest was effectively over at half time when the Blues led by 40 points. Greg Williams was a star with 31 possessions and Stephen Silvagni continued a marvellous finals series, keeping star full-forward Gary Ablett goalless.

The Blues prided themselves on "sacrificial acts" and they continually put their bodies on the line, following the lead of defender Peter Dean, who provided one of the memorable moments of this grand final halfway through the third term.

The coach: David Parkin
"This Carlton side was the greatest group I ever coached in terms of being able to produce acts of sacrifice for their mates when it was required, and Peter Dean epitomised what that team was about. He had an application second to none and that smother was typical of the things that Peter was able to manufacture just through sheer willpower.

"When that happened I was convinced we couldn't lose. We already had quite a significant break, but that convinced me that it didn't matter what Geelong would do, we would have them under control.

"I made the suggestion to the match committee that we should relax, light up the cigars and drink the champagne because they should be enjoying the wonderful work of this particular team. That ignited football manager Col Kinnear into some action about my arrogance and he nearly knocked me out."

The player: Peter Dean
"A lot of us were coming to the end of our careers and there weren't a lot of chances left for us. It was in the back of a number of older players' minds and a real weight hung over our heads from our finals exit in '94.

"I was trying to drop back into the hole in front of Gary Ablett, which probably allowed me to come up and read the play, and I saw the chance to read the ball and go for the smother.

"There was a Geelong player coming out to meet me from the left, and looking back over the years I thought, 'Maybe I could have baulked him and actually had a shot on goal from a bit closer'. But Greg Williams ended up kicking a goal from it."