Geelong are premiers once more, their dominant grand remaining victory over Sydney an anti-climactic however emotionally becoming finish to a season that has captivated footy followers.
Welcome to the AFL Spherical-Up, the place we are going to digest the 2022 AFL grand remaining.
Geelong, the best staff of all
It is easy to see on reflection that this was at all times going to be a Geelong day.
The Swans merited consideration because of their sturdy season and wonderful displaying in finals, however any evaluation of the grand remaining groups typically concluded that if the Cats turned up at someplace close to their greatest, they’d win the sport.
Joel Selwood and Levi Ablett offered the perfect second of the day earlier than the ball had been bounced.(Getty Pictures: Cameron Spencer)
But it surely was greater than that for Geelong. The entire event had the sensation of coronation, one which has been many weeks and months and years within the making. The Cats, to their credit score, leaned into it with out ever turning into disrespectful of their opposition.
If the sport itself was a fizzer, the day was something however.
Joel Selwood was on the coronary heart of a lot of it, offering us the enduring picture of the day in Levi Ablett’s mesmerised smile. His moments with the Auskick children or with Sammy Moorfoot will dwell longer within the reminiscence than something that occurred on the sphere.
Between the sirens, the Cats performed the hits. Tom Hawkins’s aim out of the ruck! Tyson Stengle snapping them from all over the place! Isaac Smith on the run from 50! Sam de Koning intercept mark! It was Finest Of: Geelong, handily approaching the most important stage of all.
The second half was a celebration for the Cats.(Getty Pictures/AFL Images: Mark Kolbe)
After which there was Patrick Dangerfield, whose laser-focus all through this finals sequence has been just a little bit terrifying.
There’s been a calmness about Dangerfield this month which has stood in direct distinction to his devastating play. Man, he was good on this grand remaining.
It was maybe unsurprising that after a sport that was useless and buried 5 minutes into the third quarter, the Cats weren’t actually certain find out how to have a good time.
The youngens engaged occasion mode instantly, whereas the staff’s many veterans — I am certain you heard this was the oldest staff in AFL historical past — mulled across the MCG with their households and a way of marvel.
Patrick Dangerfield performed an unbelievable and selfless grand remaining.(Getty Pictures: Cameron Spencer)
The factor about footy is that the perfect staff all yr would not at all times win. Geelong know that in addition to anyone.
However generally they do, and all of the blood, sweat and tears come collectively on one excellent day for a second of full and whole vindication.
This was at all times going to be Geelong’s day, nevertheless it turned out even sweeter than they ever may have imagined.
The place to now for Sydney?
Was it simply stage fright? A yr too early? Or simply catching the incorrect opposition on the incorrect time?
It was in all probability just a little of all three for Sydney, who carried with them the form of shell-shocked face of resignation we have seen all too usually on grand remaining day lately.
Lance Franklin was largely unsighted, simply days after confirming he’ll play yet another season.(Getty Pictures/AFL Images: Cameron Spencer)
Latest historical past suggests a grand remaining hammering is at all times extra possible than a traditional, and you possibly can fairly tangibly see the Swans have the identical realisation within the first quarter of this one.
All of it occurred so rapidly. What number of Sydney gamers would have sat within the rooms on Saturday evening, rubbing their eyes in disbelief that all of it may very well be over already, identical to that.
Will it’s of consolation or much more disappointment to the Swans that the staff that turned up on grand remaining day was not the staff we had been watching all season. Gone was the bravery with ball in hand, the whole bodily dedication and the unwavering confidence in their very own strategies and skills.
Each disposal was second guessed. Worry of creating a mistake solely led to extra being made. By the tip, they have been a shell of a facet that lower than a month in the past had systematically torn the reigning champions to shreds on the exact same floor.
Mark O’Connor’s chasedown sort out on James Rowbottom was an indication of issues to return.(Getty Pictures: Mark Kolbe)
Some will inform you a staff has to lose one to win one, nevertheless it would not at all times work that means. Nothing in soccer is assured, even for a facet as younger and gifted as this.
However what Sydney does have going for it’s character and management. Dane Rampe stood on that stage after the match and spoke with such dignity and sophistication, the type that should trickle its means by way of the remainder of the facet. It is chilly consolation proper now, however these issues will depend for one thing as soon as the battles start once more.
Dane Rampe’s post-game speech was of the very best class.(Getty Pictures: AFL Images / Darrian Traynor)
These younger Swans will put on the scars of this missed alternative eternally, however no membership is healthier positioned to reply sooner or later than this one.
Across the floor
Isaac Smith, the place did that come from? Three objectives, 14 rating involvements, 771 metres gained from 32 disposals. It was going to take some particular to maintain the medal away from Dangerfield’s neck, and Smith certain as hell offered it.
Isaac ‘Norm’ Smith.(Getty Pictures: Michael Willson)
The listing of Swans who left the MCG with their reputations enhanced is a small one, however Chad Warner is definitely on it. Nearly the one Swan who did not play like a diminished duplicate of himself on the day. The sky is the restrict for Warner.
Nearly as good as Tyson Stengle was — and he was super — Brad Shut was in all probability Geelong’s greatest small ahead on the day. Eight rating involvements, 9 contested possessions, two objectives and the overhead handball of the century.
Penny for Logan McDonald’s ideas. On one hand, thank god he did not need to play by way of that catastrophe. On the opposite, being dropped for the comically unfit Sam Reid was ridiculous. It clearly did not price the Swans the sport, however in distinction to Geelong’s Max Holmes resolution, it despatched a foul message.
How’s the cheek of Sam de Koning casually taking himself ahead within the final quarter of a grand remaining and bagging his first ever AFL aim? The form of factor you will get away with you are the starboy of the perfect staff within the nation.
A probably turbulent low season looms for the AFL. Investigations will start at Hawthorn, the impacts of which can be felt throughout the nation. A brand new AFL chief government can be named. To not point out the vagaries of commerce interval and the unknowns of the draft. We should always savour the grand remaining glow whereas we nonetheless can.
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Originally published at Gold Coast News HQ
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