The heartbreak list

Belt games decided by 3 points or less

21 belt games have come down to 3 points or less. These are the clubs who got closest without taking it, and the holders who survived by a whisker.

So close: challengers

Lost a belt game by 3 or less

Holders beaten by 3 or less

Holders who defended by 3 or less

Jul 19, 2026	Essendon beat GWS Giants 67–64	Title change
Apr 18, 2026	Hawthorn beat Port Adelaide 89–86	Defense
Sep 6, 2025	Gold Coast Suns beat Fremantle 80–79	Title change
May 3, 2025	Geelong beat Collingwood 90–87	Title change
Sep 13, 2024	Port Adelaide beat Hawthorn 75–72	Title change
Aug 3, 2024	GWS Giants beat Hawthorn 84–82	Title change
Jun 28, 2024	Fremantle beat Sydney Swans 99–98	Title change
May 9, 2024	Carlton beat Melbourne 77–76	Title change
Apr 12, 2024	GWS Giants beat St Kilda 80–79	Defense
Sep 22, 2023	Collingwood beat GWS Giants 58–57	Title change
Jun 25, 2022	Geelong beat Richmond 89–86	Defense
Apr 30, 2022	Port Adelaide beat St Kilda 43–42	Title change
Apr 2, 2022	Carlton beat Hawthorn 74–73	Defense
Aug 20, 2021	Port Adelaide beat Western Bulldogs 66–64	Defense
Apr 17, 2021	GWS Giants beat Sydney Swans 71–69	Title change
Apr 8, 2021	Sydney Swans beat Essendon 83–80	Defense
Jul 18, 2020	Port Adelaide beat Carlton 64–61	Title change
Mar 21, 2020	North Melbourne beat St Kilda 56–54	Title change
Aug 17, 2019	Brisbane Lions beat Geelong 75–74	Defense
Jul 14, 2018	GWS Giants beat Richmond 79–77	Title change
Jun 23, 2017	Sydney Swans beat Essendon 86–85	Title change