Geelong win AFL Grand Final 2011

1st October, 2011

Geelong win the AFL Grand Final 2011. Slattery Images.

The Geelong Cats have produced a stirring fourth quarter in front of 99,537 fans at the MCG to win the AFL Grand Final. Ahead by seven point in the third quarter, the Cats surged to clear out Collingwood, winning by 38 points in convincing fashion.

Final Score: Geelong 119 – Collingwood 81

The Cats won 18.11 (119) to 12.9 (81) to hand coach Chris Scott a flag in his first year in charge and deny Magpies mentor Mick Malthouse a fairytale finish to the 28th and last year of his decorated coaching career.

Last year, when they were emphatically dumped by the Magpies in a preliminary final, it had seemed extremely unlikely the ageing 2007 and 2009 premiers could return to the top, particularly when star play Gary Ablett and coach Mark Thompson then left the club.

But it was the younger Collingwood outfit, which had looked on track to create their own dynasty when they won last year’s flag, that were made to look tired and flat-footed late in Saturday’s game as Geelong surged to glory.

Star forward Steve Johnson answered queries over his recovery from a knee injury in stunning style with four goals, while oft-maligned young key forward Tom Hawkins answered his critics with three majors in a decisive third term and a brilliant start to the last.

Midfielder Jimmy Bartel combined a typically courageous and hard-working game with three crucial majors, while Joel Selwood was a fearless midfield ball-winner and defender Tom Lonergan shut down Collingwood’s Travis Cloke, who had kept the Magpies in touch with three goals early in the game.

While Geelong’s decision to select Johnson paid off, Collingwood were made to pay for gambling on players under injury clouds, particularly tall backman Ben Reid, whose struggle to run made him a liability in defence in the second half, allowing Hawkins to dominate.

The Norm Smith Medallist winner was Jimmy Bartel, with the Norm Smith voting:
Jimmy Bartel 13 (3 3 3 3 1)
Joel Selwood 9 (2 2 2 2 1)
Tom Hawkins 5 (3 2)
Scott Pendlebury 2 (1 1)
Cameron Ling 1 (1)

– with AAP

The Crowd Says:

2011-10-02T06:44:46+00:00

ChrisH

Guest

I'm watching the NRL grand final. No score after 12 minutes and the seemingly endless tackling. I won't be watching much longer. Mindless!

2011-10-02T02:32:14+00:00

Steve

Guest

You wish fewer Australians followed it, not less. Now your comment makes grammatical sense, although obviously, it still makes no actual sense.

2011-10-01T14:27:16+00:00

Johnno

Guest

Im not an AFL fan i find it a boring sport, wish less Australians followed it. Give me rugby or league any day or football, or basketball. Today's grand final simply today lacked atmosphere on last year's grand final.Maybe it was channel 10 i don't know, dennis commetti and bruce mcavaney offer more excitement than the 10 commentators.

2011-10-01T14:02:23+00:00

Antonio

Guest

That’s what you want in the AFL final when you support neither team, 3 quarters of close hard football and Collingwood losing in the end, what a great final.

2011-10-01T14:01:24+00:00

Kuruki

Roar Guru

He will go to Carlton

2011-10-01T14:00:27+00:00

Kuruki

Roar Guru

Thankyou Geelong $100 @2.08 an easy 100 dollar profit.

2011-10-01T13:08:26+00:00

fairplay

Guest

Congrats to Geelong , a great game . Why does the TV coverage have to be so bad these days , the cameras seem to spend more time in the stands or in the coaches box then on the field . Unfortunately I actually like to watch what goes on on the field not in the stands , I turned the TV of towards the end as the camera refused to stay on the pitch and was in the stands celibrating with still 5 mins to go . Crap coverage as usual

2011-10-01T13:07:13+00:00

Stumpy

Guest

Well I'm no Cats fan but this team has to be one of the greatest teams of all time. First their win loss record is incredible over the last five years. 3 flags and under the salary cap system, It's an amazing feat. I know Brisbane won 3 but they had salary cap concessions that allowed them to carry at least 3-4 top line players above what any other side in the comp could do. It was a great game and has Tom Hawkins had he converted his chances in the last quarter he would have been a worthy NS medalist, he was near unstoppable.

2011-10-01T09:52:30+00:00

Alfred Chan

Expert

*Breaking News* Mick Malthouse has just quit the Collingwood Football Club. He WILL NOT be the director of coaching next year.

2011-10-01T08:57:45+00:00

Fx 140

Guest

WE ARE GEELONG!!!!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

2011-10-01T08:12:44+00:00

p.Tah

Guest

Well done Geelong!! What a dynasty.