Collingwood took on St Kilda in the AFL grand final, with both sides looking to end a drought. The Magpies last tasted premiership glory in 1990, their only flag in the last 52 years. St Kilda’s only title was 44 years ago. One of those long runs would finally come to an end. Or so we thought.
It took just 23 seconds for the Magpies to draw first blood, Alan Didak setting up Darren Jolly. Although Stephen Milne replied for the Saints, the Magpies made the early front-running. Quick-fire goals to Jarryd Blair, Alan Didak and Dale Thomas sent the black and white army into a frenzy. The danger signs were there of a potential blowout.
In the dying minutes of the quarter the Saints, with goals to Riewoldt and Schneider, made a dent in the deficit. But it was to be a temporary reprieve as the Magpies again asserted their superiority in the second term. With a glut of possession, and a midfield in control, it was looking set for a Collingwood blowout.
The Saints would manage just one scoring shot for the second term, and by the long break the margin was 24 points. The ball had been camped on the Collingwood forward line for much of the quarter; it appeared to be only a matter of time before their dominance would be reflected on the scoreboard. Had it not been for let-off late in the quarter, with Cloke twice missing easy shots, the margin could have been considerably bigger than the four-goal margin.
Only three times had a team come back from four goals behind at half time to win a grand final. Carlton in 1970, Essendon in 1984 and Adelaide in 1998 were the only teams to have carried off that achievement; and there were few signs that the Saints could join such elite company. Instead, it was looking like the Saints were fighting a futile attempt, like King Canute in 1066, to hold back the tide.
But somehow the Saints hung in their magnificently in the third term; and the momentum swung St Kilda’s way. Far from the blowout that threatened at the long break, the Magpies were unable to score a goal in the third term. The Saints stepped up a gear, with the likes of Koschitzke and Goddard who thus far had been quiet began to exert a greater influence. Collingwood were their own worst enemy, missing five gettable shots at goal in the quarter. But confidence was growing in the St Kilda bunker, their three unanswered goals cutting the margin to just eight points.
The first few minutes saw St Kilda make the early attacking, then the ball swung Collingwood’s way. But the defences held firm, equal to the task facing them. For eight scoreless minutes the game remained poised as it was at the break. But Collingwood mentor Mick Malthouse’s gamble of playing Leon Davis looked set to pay off when the number one pounced on a loose ball and kicked truly. Eight minutes of play for just the one scoring shot; and still the Saints needed to conjure three goals from somewhere.
The Saints needed a goal, but young gun Robert Eddy hit the post. But on 13 minutes, Lenny Hayes converted a 50-metre set shot to cut the margin back to 7 points. From the centre break, Stephen Milne marked and goaled; and in the blink of an eye there was only a point in it.
The crowd of 100,016 were roaring themselves hoarse as the Saints travelled forward again. Nick Riewoldt went long to a vacant goal-square, but his opposite number, Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell with a desperate dive touched the ball and scores were level. A turnover from the kick-in, and the Saints bombed the ball into the square. Brendan Goddard flew high for the mark of the day, and when he kicked the goal, the Saints were in front for the first time.
A Collingwood point followed, then Brent Macaffer went long and Travis Cloke gathered the crumbs and dribbled the ball through to restore Collingwood’s lead. At the 31 minute mark, and the clock running down, Lenny Hayes went long. Stephen Milne was first in the race for the bouncing ball, but couldn’t control it and the ball spilled through for a point. Scores were level, not long to go.
Play was re-started, the ball deep in the Saints’ attacking zone. Would there be a Barry Breen, a hero who could stand up at the moment that mattered and give the Saints their second flag?
No, there was no last-moment hero. No moment of glory, no defining event. There were no rabbits to be pulled from the hat; and the knockout blow would not come. The siren sounded – a draw.
Normally after a grand final, we see agony and ecstasy. Joy for the winner, despair for the loser. But now there was despair for both sides – no joy, no celebrations. No historic ending of the premiership drought. No premiership medals, no cups. Nothing but the anti-climactic emotion that the season was unresolved.
Both sides left to rue the one that got away – the chances to be the immortal who delivered premiership glory to a long-suffering club that went begging.
We’ll be back next week to do it all again.
Redb
Roar Guru
Couldn't agree more.
Stephen
Guest
Not for regular games-how many 0-0 draws have there been in EPL?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Andrew there have been three drawn grand finals in 114 seasons. Most AFL fans see it as a non issue. The FA cup final used to be replayed as well once upon a time (there have been 14 replays), but that changed in the mid 90s - not out of some noble sentiment - but simply because of all the extraneous demands on players (none of which exists in the AFL).
Westcoast929406
Guest
AFL spokesman Patrick Keene commented after the game that the replay next Saturday will bring in a windfall of about 18 to20 million to their funds. Keene went on to say ----- The AFL would distribute 50 percent of those funds to grassroots footy around Australia incl NSW and QLD. The other half would be put into the club equalisation fund to ssist the AFL clubs who need financial assistance. Great game by the way for all Aussie Rules footy fans and even minded neutrals. Go the Sainters next Saturday.
FuLLy LoAdED MaN
Guest
I'm prepared to bet large sums of hard earned and unearned greenstuff that you will be watching along with all the other naysayers. You appear to already know telecast times. :)
JamesP
Guest
It was a great game (proud to say I was there) in terms of a good comeback by St. Kilda - a close game is generally always a good game (unless you count the St Kilda v Bulldogs game earlier this year...that was terrible). I take JVGO's point that it was not perhaps the most cleanest and highly skilled game, however his anti AFL bias is rather obvious with his childish "world domination" rant. Also, it was announced that there will be extra time next week in the unlikely event there is another draw.
JVGO
Guest
You never know Chris. I turned it off at half time thinking I'd had enough but turned it back on towards the end of the 3rd quarter and things did get more interesting. I like the St Kilda area and have a lot of friends that live there, and I know the history so would have liked them to win. But sorry the end was a bummer honestly when OT would have been so much better. What do they do if it happens again next week, just too ridiculous. Anyway we'll see next Sat night, it's on at a convenient time in the US, 9-12, much better than the NRL GF which will be in the middle of the night. Up against college football replays, baseball post game and sportscenter so I'd probably give it a look. But it's Saturday night and I won't stay home just to watch it and I don't think I'll be seeing it in any bars.
Chris
Guest
JVGO, I bet you watch the game next week. I reckon you secretly love it and are having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that it's a superior spectacle. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
beaver fever
Guest
The money is all good, or evil depending on you POV, but i this is way the GF has been played for over 100 years, big non-issue from the anti-AFL roar brigade IMO. Not sure what the other big Australian football comps around Australia do ... SANFL, WAFL QAFL etc, not sure what the hundreds of suburban and country comps do. I have a feeling that a lot of them come back the next week as well.
Doug
Guest
Like I said I have no problem with you not liking Aussie rules and liking soccer or rugby or what ever. It just seems pointless looking for an excuse to bash Aussie rules if you dont like it dont watch it. Personally I enjoy all forms of football. But you have to like them for what they are rather what they are not.
JVGO
Guest
Sorry I expressed myself Doug. I'll stick to my own side of the border next week for sure. Enjoy the replay.
Doug
Guest
Presumably you are a soccer or rugby fan and are unhappy that AFL isnt like your sport. If it had gone to extra time you would have complained it wasnt a penalty shoot out and if had gone to a penalty shoot out you would have complained that it should have gone to extra time. If you dont like AFL why bother making up lame excuses. Just stick with the version of football you like there is no shame in being faithful to just one.
Walt
Guest
Good article but quickly go back and change the date for your Canute comment. You may be confused with the Norman invasion.
Jake Stevenson
Guest
Actually the F.A. Cup in England still uses replays until the competition reaches semi finals -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Andrew
Guest
NRL in the finals has 10 each way, then if still drawn, the game continues until there is a winner (Golden Point style). It's only regular season matches that have 5 each way, and golden point immediately. Funny thing for the AFL is that it was such a missed opportunity for them. The guys at work who normally aren't interested in AFL where keen to watch extra time given the circumstances. I can't see any of them tuning in next week now, cause these sorts of situations just leave a bad taste in your mouth. AFL needs to put the fans before the money.
mds1970
Roar Guru
I think so. Soccer has extra time, and if still level a penalty shootout - which was how Sydney FC won the A-League last season. NRL has golden point for every game if it's drawn. Tennis plays tie-breakers for 4 sets and then to advantage in the 5th - even if the 5th set goes to 70-68, there'll eventually be a winner. I can't think of any other comps that have this rule. Although some have best of 3 or best of 5; so it's not always known if the final game will be played.
Anthony
Guest
If this was soccer or NRL, I guess we would not be coming back next week. Is AFL the only major code that has this rule?
JVGO
Guest
Was that a great GF? It certainly wasn't terrible, there were some good highlights and I hung with it to see the result after I'd pretty much had enough by half time. Then no result. It had the chance to be something special with an OT. But the AFL laid a massive egg. It was appropriate I guess that AD was sitting next to that other mistress of the non result Julia G. Certainly dispells the myth that the AFL is some sort of almighty super organisation incapable of face planting in a big way. But I'm sure the AFL cronies will see it as a master stroke on the road toward world domination. Definitely won't bother again next week.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
One of the great Grand Finals - tight, tough and hard. I'm looking forward to next week :)