Geelong has capped a dominant season by comprehensively dismantling Sydney by 81 points in the AFL men’s grand final.
The Cats came into the decider on a 15-match winning streak after finishing the season on top of the ladder, and were never threatened on their way to a 10th premiership in front of 100,024 spectators at the MCG, winning 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52).
Three-time premiership Hawk Isaac Smith was unstoppable, booting three goals to go with 14 score involvements and 32 disposals to claim the Norm Smith Medal.
Veteran Patrick Dangerfield had 12 score involvements of his own, and 26 disposals, including a dominant third-quarter display with seven contested possessions, four inside 50s and four score involvements on his way to an elusive premiership.
All-Australian Tyson Stengle showed yet again why he has been recruit of the year, kicking four goals to cap an incredible season after being delisted by the Crows.
The Cats blew the Swans out of the water with a dominant six-goal-to-one first quarter, leading by 35 points at the first break.
The quarter-time scoreline could have been much worse for Sydney, with the Cats having 11 shots on goal to one. It was the biggest margin the Swans had conceded in a first quarter all year, and would prove fatal.
The Cats had winners all over the ground, starting with Tom Hawkins’s (three goals) renowned capacity to score while pinch-hitting in the ruck. He out-muscled Tom Hickey not once but twice to snap Geelong’s first two goals.
Sydney hit the scoreboard soon after for a much-needed first goal to Will Hayward, but it was all Geelong from that point.
Facing an uphill battle in the second quarter, the Swans did well to even the contest, with both sides scoring three goals, including two to Stengle.
Isaac Heeney — who failed to touch the ball in the first quarter — finally got involved in the match, kicking a major for the Swans with just his third possession.
Sam Reid, however, was a liability, clearly underdone after suffering an adductor strain in the Swans’ one-point preliminary final victory over Collingwood. Subbed out just after half-time, his selection proved a mistake.
By the third quarter, it was party time for the Cats, scoring six goals to none as the wheels fell off for the men in red and white.
Tom McCartin gave up two goals in quick succession, first caught holding the ball by Mitch Duncan and then turning the ball over in front of goal, summing up the day for Sydney.
Taking a 74-point lead into the final quarter, the Cats were relaxed enough to share the ball around, Dangerfield handing off to Jeremy Cameron as one of the year’s most dominant players took his turn to hit the scoreboard.
With just minutes to go, captain and four-time premiership player Joel Selwood (26 disposals) got in on the action with a goal of his own, seemingly overcome by emotion as he was mobbed by his teammates in what could be his last match.
Mitch Duncan (27 disposals) was also influential for the winning side, while Sydney’s Chad Warner (28) and Luke Parker tried hard on a difficult day for their club.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.
Key events
Live updates
By Dean Bilton
Here’s Chris Scott
What a coaching journey he has been on. This is sweet vindication for one of the best coaches of the generation.
“To our wider footy club. It’s not hyperbole to say two or three years ago we were in real trouble. We got quality people involved, and we kept perservering. I couldn’t be more proud of the whole Geelong community.
“Let’s enjoy this one, please.”
By Dean Bilton
Joel Selwood is up
No retirement announcement, just a lot of class.
“To John, Dane, Luke and Callum – a hell of a performance this year. You’ve been strong, and you’ll be back I’m sure.
“To my teammates and the club. Everyone involved in it, not just this year but in the years gone by. I hope you’re sitting back proud.
“And to our members, we can’t thank you enough.
“It’s coming home, back where it belongs.”
By Dean Bilton
Joel Selwood will soon lift the premiership cup
The Geelong players are each heading up to receive their premiership medals, and soon after them will be their captain Joel Selwood.
If this is to be his final game, this goal right here will be the perfect way to say goodbye.
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By Dean Bilton
Key Event
Isaac Smith has won the Norm Smith Medal!
Just the 32 disposals, three goals, 11 inside 50s and 771 metres gained for Smith.
He ends his speech with a word for his Pop, “my hero”, as he kisses his black armband.
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By Dean Bilton
Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe is up
A tough moment for Rampe and all the Swans:
“To Chris and Joel and Geelong, a heartfelt congratulations. You guys have been the benchmark for god knows how long, and it’s great to se you get reward for effort.
“To our boys, I’m so proud of your efforts all year and today. We’ll be back better for it next year.”
And a special word is reserved for Joel Selwood:
“Sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself when you share the field with giants of the game, and you’re an absolute giant. Congratulations.”
By Dean Bilton
Time for the presentation
The umpires receive their medals, which means we are very close to finding out who our Norm Smith Medallist is.
Who’s your tip? It’s a raffle between Dangerfield and Smith IMO.
By Dean Bilton
The Cats are ready to celebrate
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By Dean Bilton
Too old, too slow, too good
Methinks admin at the Cats has been sitting on this one for a while…
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By Dean Bilton
Geelong’s magic moment
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By Dean Bilton
Key Event
FT: Geelong are AFL premiers for 2022! Winners by 81 points
The best team all year are the greatest team of all!
Geelong are champions for 2022, and they couldn’t be more worthy of the honour. Battle-hardened veterans, brought to life by the spice of some young blood, and an unerring belief that this mountain was conquerable.
Joel Selwood has done it again. Patrick Dangerfield has done it at last. Tyson Stengle has done it, against all odds. This is a special team, and they are massive winners on the biggest day of all.
By Dean Bilton
1′: Tom Papley kicks a consolation goal for Sydney
There are 22 seconds left in the grand final. Just wait for the noise on the siren…
By Dean Bilton
3′: Chris Scott has headed to the bench
And the celebrations are well and truly underway. Eddie Betts is in the thick of it, with every Cats coach playing their part in this. Tom Hawkins is in tears at full forward.
They are nearly there.
By Dean Bilton
3′: Of course he can! Cameron has two!
And he has cracked the tin and taken a swig! A celebration to remember! The Cats are 2:34 away from glory.
By Dean Bilton
4′: Cameron marks on the lead!
The emotion is pouring out of the MCG now. Can Cameron kick another?
By Dean Bilton
4′: Joel Selwood kicks a miracle goal! The captain has his moment!
Tears in the eyes of Joel Selwood, as he bursts away from the congestion and snaps on the outside of his boot from 45 metres! No goal today has been better, and no celebration has been more meaningful! That may well be a parting gift from Joel Selwood, a legend of this game.
By Dean Bilton
4′: Now Isaac Smith soaks up some applause
This has quite possibly been Isaac Smith’s best game as a Cat. Maybe his best game full stop. He may well be a Norm Smith Medallist very shortly.
By Dean Bilton
5′: Warner kicks another for Sydney
A quick one out of the guts for the Swans, and Warner’s bomb just about clears the hands on the line. Chad Warner is certainly one who can say he has done his team proud today.
By Dean Bilton
6′: Sam de Koning has a goal!
What’s he doing up there?!? He’s poached it from Dangerfield, who shrugged off about three tackles to get his snap away. Dangerfield has SIX goal assists now! But Sam de Koning, this gun key defender, is now a goalscorer in a grand final.
By Dean Bilton
By Dean Bilton
8′: Paddy McCartin has a grand final goal!
Not quite the fanfare the moment deserves, but you can understand why. He’s been thrown forward and has pulled one back for Sydney.
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
