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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.