Michael Gardiner of St Kilda and Darren Jolly of Collingwood in action during the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Unbelievable. After a massive build-up and four quarters of incredible footy, the 2010 AFL Grand Final ended up a draw. Collingwood and St Kilda will return to the MCG next week for a replay, the first since 1977.
The result is sure to be a huge talking point for the next seven days. What will the fallout be? How will the two teams respond? Should the replay be ditched for extra time?
Minutes after the final siren, Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell labelled the situation “an absolute joke” in an interview with Channel Seven. The rest of the players were all clearly shocked.
Fans, too, were shocked. A mix of stunned silence and boos filled the ‘G after the game.
This might just be the result that changes the way the AFL handles drawn Grand Finals forever. The already-heated reaction to today’s result suggests there is going to be a lot of pressure placed on the league this week to change a system that has often been criticised.
Of course, Andrew Demetriou and his team probably wouldn’t mind this situation. The opportunity to fill out the ‘G one more time and have the nation’s attention one more time would have him licking his lips.
But there will be some strong opinions aired over the course of the next week.
The league should be grateful an interstate team was not involved – the fury of fans who’d travelled so far only to be asked to do it again would’ve surely been too much to handle.
As for the game itself, the remarkable statistic was that Collingwood led for 115 minutes, while St Kilda led for only six.
The Pies started strongly, but arguably should’ve been more than a goal up at quarter time. A similar sentiment could be expressed at half time, after the Pies dominated the second quarter but simply could not convert that into scoreboard dominance – highlighted by Travis Cloke’s two crucial misses before the break more than anything else.
The Saints kicked three goals to none in the third term after really tightening up as the game progressed. While inaccurate kicking wasn’t a huge issue, you could say the amount of rushed behinds they conceded – there were at least six – cost them.
There was some big moments in the final quarter – Leon Davis’ surprise goal, Lenny Hayes’ bomb, Brendon Goddard’s amazing mark, Travis Cloke’s goal – but there wasn’t that one moment we’re used to in Grand Finals that would prove to be the difference between winning and losing.
When the final siren went, scores were level.
Now next week, they’ll have to do it all again.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Indeed Mister Football! :D The other thing is NY, many of us genuinely support the replay. If we were to somehow oppose it because the 'majority' are against it, wouldn't that make us politicians? You know, no convictions and all that?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
There will be another 100,000 at the MCG next week - so I'm not sure which majority you are referring to - the majority in your own mind?
NY
Guest
You guys should all work in politics. You sure know how to talk up something that the majority think is a farce.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I can't honestly see what the arguments are in favour of the other methods? Other sports stopped doing replays becuase of the logistical problems, not because of some pure notion of what the sport demanded. FIFA used to schedule replays of drawn knock out games in the WC finals right up to the 1950s. There have been 14 replays of the FA cup final. All this stopped because it became inconvenient - we don't have penalty shoot outs because any other reason other than it's convenient and quick - it has absosutely nothing to do with principles of the game itself!! We can replay the grand final, because we can, because it's still possible to organise, because other sectional interests having stamped it out. I'm absolutely fascinated by this thought that some think that other sports rejected replays out of some sort of noble sentiment!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Re the rugby comment - it has been a slow but obvious development the last few years - and not one that is embraced by many AFL fans, who much prefer to see the ball moving more often than not.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
For a similar reason that other sports go to extra time - because of the logistical problems. A third grand final starts to conflict with the cricket season (apart from the fact that a third grand final is pushing the friendship a bit too much). But we do not have that sort of logistical problem with a replay - at the moment. And long may that continue - if we are capable of a replay, then we replay, it's very simple.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
What are the normal rules? The rules that apply during the season: 20 minute quarters plus time on. It was drawn, and the rules allow for a replay. We do that because we can. Other sports have stopped doing it not out of pure notions and respect for the sport, but for the exact opposite: to appease other interests. This idea that somehow other sports have got it spot on doesn't stand up to the least bit of scrutiny.
Dan Dresden
Guest
If you think a replay is causing controversy, just wait until a behind wins the flag in golden point.
Whites
Guest
For your argument to have any standing why are they now changing the rules for the grand final replay? If it's a good enough idea to replay the first grand final why have the changed the rules midstream for the replay?
Whites
Guest
I am fully aware the 1977 NSWRL grand final was a drawn game between St George and Parramatta. Are you aware that it also inlcuded this amazing idea of 20 minutes extra time. At the end of the extra time it was still a tie so they had the replay. The NRL now has golden point extra time for finals and they now keep playing until there is a result as was seen in the Roosters vs Tigers game earlier in the finals. "The winner should be determined by playing the actual game by the normal rules." What are normal rules? Is the AFL played by the same rules as in the 1860's? The rules are what the AFL commission say the rules are. The rules should have been changed after the last drawn grand final. The joke is on the AFL that they weren't.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
So others can't have a different opinion to you? They must be kidding themselves? It is not crap when we say it's unique. It iss true that it's unique, and I think it is right. It is completely fair, and I dislike the idea of GFs being decided by extra time. Yes, the players will fight until there is a winner, but they will do so after a week.
roarsome
Guest
Stupid rule. People trying to justify a replay as a fair outcome are kidding themselves. And don't give me that crap about how it's the unique way we do it, just because a rule has been in place for a long time doesn't mean it is right! You start a game, you fight till their is a winner!
amazonfan
Roar Guru
The players knew the score going in, and playing an extra week won't hurt them. Players may not like draws, but they accept them, and by this time next week, none of them will care. The winners will be just as delighted as if they played just one GF, and the losers will be just as devastated as if they played just one GF. Furthermore, after hearing Maxwell's absurd comments, any sympathy I might have had for the players (the Collingwood ones in particular) has disappeared.
The Link
Guest
zero downside - except for the players who have to play another week, they wanted a result.
beaver fever
Guest
Should be a good w/e of footy, AFL replay saturday, NRL GF sunday, it's more than likely the ratings will be up, considering the closeness between the teams. Ratings for the AFL GF http://www.mediaspy.org/forum/index.php?/topic/20742-saturday-25th-september/page__p__730775?s=fff43e57520b62cc17055223b170935d#entry730775
The Special One
Guest
AFL missed the boat here Winning the grand final in extra time would have been a more epic story. First time ever etc battle to the death etc. This way it seems like a let down to the neutrals like me and next weeks final if won by a team by 50 points is going to be a major letdown BTW when did AFL become rugby? The ball seemed more in the bottom of a ruck than out of it !!
Brian
Guest
The silent majority who dont care for the AFL but watch the Grand Final. For example I would almost guarantee next weeks ratings in QLD & NSW will be down on yesterday. There is also the 1 in maybe 100 of those who would have watched a thrilling extra time and become more serious lifetime AFL fans. Obviously we'll never know if they would have been worth $19m.
FuLLy LoAdED MaN
Guest
Good to see all the non AFL people being so passionate about how the game they have absolutely zero interest in should conduct its business. It is comical how these people rave on and on about the lack of interest they have, how much they dislike the game and yet they keep coming here and telling all and sundry how AFL should do things.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
agree beaver - absolutely zero down side next weekend, one team will prove themselves the premier by winning the game - that's what it's all about once every 30 to 35 years we extend the season by one week - sounds pretty good to me
Jeff
Guest
Great idea. 3 games wouldreally bring in some cash! and break the banks of most supporters. LOL