A MATCH-SEALING goal to close a career is the latest instalment of afl.com.au's series of the defining moments and memories of the past 20 grand finals.

North Melbourne 19.17 (131) d Sydney Swans 13.10 (88)
After a shaky first term, the Kangaroos fought back against the Swans to eventually run out easy 43-point winners. It was the Roos' third premiership cup and their first of their powerful era led by Wayne Carey.

It was one of their more unassuming players who landed the knockout blow. Ian Fairley was playing his 180th and last AFL match and, having spent the majority of his career in defence, goals did not come frequently for him. So when Fairley took a mark late in the final quarter - within scoring range and with the result beyond doubt - he was never going to pass it off.

The coach: Denis Pagan
"You never really let yourself feel that you have it won until you hear the final siren. But I have to say that Ian Fairley's goal was pretty poignant very late in the game. That was significant because we knew he probably wasn't going to go on the next year. It was his last kick in AFL football. When I saw it go through, I thought it was such a fitting way to finish."

The player: Darren Crocker
"I remember it very clearly because when he marked it, I was the first one over to tell him to go back and slot the goal. I was standing right next to him when he put it through and gave him a big hug. At that stage of the game we basically knew we had it won. The enjoyment for that moment was we knew it was going to be Flossy's last game. He had been such a stalwart of the club for such a long time and it was great to see him float forward. He capped that grand final win off."