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Geelong players celebrate their win after the 2009 Toyota AFL Grand Final between the St Kilda Saints and the Geelong Cats at the MCG.
The AFL dominates the Australian sporting landscape because it delivers entertainment like that. Geelong and St Kilda ensured the greatest day on our sporting calendar lived up to the occasion with the Cats confirming their greatness in a thrilling Grand Final.
With the grey weather relenting in the dying moments of the final quarter with scores tied and mutterings of a draw growing louder, the likes of Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman stood tall and ensured the Cats sealed their second premiership in three years.
Chapman’s performance highlighted their iron will, playing out the match after tearing his hamstring early in the second quarter, winning the Norm Smith medal and scoring the match-winner.
Little separated the two teams all day as the weather had a huge impact on how the game was played.
It was an error-laden affair, one that didn’t reflect the skill set and capability of the two teams.
St Kilda’s early domination wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard as nerves cost them dearly.
The conditions didn’t suit their tall forwards and Nick Riewoldt was subdued for most of the day, effectively kept quiet by the brilliant Harry Taylor.
St Kilda’s small forwards had plenty of opportunities to make a break on the Cats but they kicked inaccurately in the first half. Just as it cost the Cats last year, the Saints would be severely punished for their woeful kicking.
With so little separating the teams on the scoreboard, the Cats proved to be hungrier when it counted.
Luck may have played a part, as coach Mark Thompson confirmed, but their ability to stay in contention despite rarely hitting top gear confirmed their strength.
Perhaps the hurt from last season was the motivating factor in the end.
Had they failed for a second consecutive year, doubts would have been cast on their stature.
There were plenty of talking points to emerge from the contest.
It may have been somewhat overshadowed by the Geelong victory but the demonstrative behaviour call on Darren Milburn at the conclusion of the first half could have been the definitive moment of the contest.
Should such a decision, which does follow the letter of the law, be made in such a scenario?
It was a brave call that swung the momentum of the game on the brink of halftime and could have cost the Cats the premiership.
There was plenty of focus on the umpiring with numerous questionable decisions. In such a close, arm-wrestle of a contest each decision was always going to be magnified.
And what if Paul Chapman hadn’t been able to snap the winning goal in that crucial play and scores remained level at the siren?
How would the AFL, the fans and teams have coped with returning to the MCG next week?
It would have been a fascinating scenario to see unfold.
The skills may have been lacking in the tricky conditions, but the closeness of the competition made for a thrilling contest, proving why Australian Rules football is the most popular code in the country.
It was edge of your seat stuff for all four quarters.
With their second premiership in three years the Cats have confirmed themselves as one of the greatest AFL teams ever. At times they were written off this season but they proved their mental strength when it counted.
It’ll be fascinating to see how they motivate themselves for next season.
Just as last season’s defeat motivated the Cats in this Grand Final, you sense St Kilda will find that extra level of hunger and determination for next season following this narrow defeat.
It sets up next season very nicely.
Recommend this story.
September 27th 2009 @ 7:49pm
Westy said | September 27th 2009 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
Great contested game. Reminded me of the physicality of the old days. i enjoyed its ferocity.
September 27th 2009 @ 10:59pm
jimbo said | September 27th 2009 @ 10:59pm | Report comment
A close game doesn’t necessarily mean a good game.
I thought the game was pretty ordinary in parts compared to other AFL games I’ve seen this year. Probably the conditions.
At the death, once the Cats got in front they killed the game and just flopped on the ball to wate time and kill off any chance the Saints had to get back into it.
September 27th 2009 @ 11:40pm
Westy said | September 27th 2009 @ 11:40pm | Report comment
Jimbo agree about flamboyant quality but it was St kilda who had so many back in their defensive line that they choke of the game and turned it into a defensive low scoring encounter. The contest for the ball was ferocious and the conditions did not suit pretty AFL.
September 28th 2009 @ 7:53am
Redb said | September 28th 2009 @ 7:53am | Report comment
Round 14 was a better game (under the roof at Etihad), but it was still a terrific contest between these teams. Great pressure, intensity and attack on the ball.
Grand Finals are won and lost by the deeds of a few and when it really mattered when all players were dead on their feet, Matty Scarlett runs 80 metres from fullback to toe poke the ball to Ablett who kicks deep into the forward line and Paul Chapman (one of the best finishers) wins the game for the Cats.
The Saints lost few friends – incredible stuff and Reiwoldt has grown into one of the great leaders of men.
Redb
September 28th 2009 @ 12:16pm
Gibbo said | September 28th 2009 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
that was the momment – scarlett tapping it through to ablett. the only difference between the two teams was right there, our fullback’s toe!
Great win for the Cats, two in three years making amends for our horror run of four GF losses in the Gaz Snr era.
September 28th 2009 @ 12:34pm
bever fever said | September 28th 2009 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
Ok here’s what i was trying to get out in my last post. Story about Rooke’s last goal and his reason for having a shot.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,26134261-5016212,00.html
September 28th 2009 @ 2:00pm
Pippinu said | September 28th 2009 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Thanks for the link Beaver – it had to be a silly reason and it was!
September 28th 2009 @ 5:27pm
megatron said | September 28th 2009 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
So there’s no footage of it is there? He just dribbled it through for a laugh which from that distance was pretty impresive.
September 28th 2009 @ 6:20pm
bever fever said | September 28th 2009 @ 6:20pm | Report comment
Pip, it was for the best reason, free pizz for your mates, no better way to become a legend.
I think it would have been a big night at that pub and the publican would have made more than he lost.
September 28th 2009 @ 9:42pm
henry said | September 28th 2009 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
Well,
terrible conditions. Great game. What can I say – I’m one of those suffering Saints supporters, I wouldn’t say long – but this is 20 years for no Flag now.
But I can’t fault the boys. Magnificent effort. We basically won the game everywhere but on the scoreboard, only our small forwards couldn’t convert when they had the chances. Had they snared perhaps 2 of the 6 gilt edged chances they had – particularly in the 2nd quarter, but also during other quarters, I feel certain we would have got home – if only by under a goal.
Tom Hawkings Non-”Goal” was unfortunate, but it had next to no impact on the result of the game, we were gifted a square-up moments later and we were still ahead at half-time despite our wastefulness.
I hear some say that it wasn’t a great spectacle – a fair point, but the conditions made that an impossibility. It was all it could be – a gritty hard battle. The largest lead of the game was the 12pts at the end of the match. An unfair reflection given Rooke grubbered his shot through from 40m with no one standing the mark.
For those who would say it wasn’t a spectacle – I’m assuming you weren’t there. I know, not easy. But you do anything you can to get a ticket when your team is in the GF. I bid $1,800 on Thursday and managed to find my way in (From a Football Club – so that was a sanctioned auction).
Devastated by the Saints loss, but proud of the boys for a magnificent season.
In 113 years of VFL/AFL Football, only 1 team has had a better season than St. Kilda this year and not won the flag – that team is the Geelong 2008 version.
I can only hope we followin their footsteps and find the redemption we must next year. But it won’t be easy – next year already looks to be a cracker of a year with at least 10-11 teams in strong finals contention.