The West Coast Eagles have defeated Port Adelaide by two points, after one of the most dramatic, scarcely believable and tumultuous games of recent years.
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In a first quarter dominated by the visitors, Port Adelaide seemed overawed in the opening stages of their first final since 2014.
The Eagles started the game on fire, booting the first three goals of the match, and bringing some of their best play of recent weeks.
They went into the first break leading by 20 points, and looked to be determined to be a factor in their surprise finals campaign.
The second quarter was more of the same: Eagles performing well, but Port slowly but surely getting on top.
The home side booted four goals to the Eagles three, but it was the visitors who were leading by 11 points at the main break.
It was starting to become a close game, and the second half was exactly that.
The third quarter was a low-scoring but super intense affair. Just the one goal – a controversial one to Port’s Chad Wingard – and a whole host of behinds to the home team, and a solitary behind to the Eagles, meant it was a slim three-point lead to the Eagles at the final break.
Most watching knew the Power wouldn’t possibly remain down for long, and they didn’t. They had the momentum heading into the final quarter, and the stadium erupted when they took the lead in the middle of the fourth.
The Eagles, though, decided that wasn’t how they wanted the game to go, and perfect kicks form veterans Matt Priddis and Drew Petrie meant they stole the lead again.
But, there was more twists to come. Inaccuracy from Port meant they weren’t able to steal the lead back, but they did tie the scores.
A sensational, desperate trick from Eric Mackenzie in the final seconds – in which he sent the ball over the boundary line rather than through for a rushed behind – meant the game was tied come the final siren. Extra time it was, then.
Port’s momentum saw them skip out to a 13-point lead in extra time, before a freak goal from Josh Kennedy meant the Eagles were right in it as the final five minutes began.
Kennedy booted a second extra time goal early, before two misses from Port meant they were unable to extend their lead, but nonetheless the game was in their hands.
The Eagles went forward and with just seconds left on the clock Luke Shuey was awarded what will surely live in infamy as a contentious high contact free kick.
The siren blew as he lined up, and Shuey nailed the set shot. The Eagles won.
Charlie Dixon (inaccuracy notwithstanding) was brilliant with 23 disposals, while Robbie Gray (30 touches) Ollie Wines (28) and Boak (26) were also prolific.
Andrew Gaff (34 disposals), Matt Priddis (33 touches and a goal) and Shuey (32 and two) were excellent for the victors. Mitchell and Priddis combined for 59 disposals, and ensured they’d play again at least one more time.
The Eagles will play GWS next weekend in a semi-final at Spotless Stadium, the winner going on to play Richmond in a preliminary final at the MCG.
The devastated Port Adelaide’s season is finished, but they can also remember the time they played in this legendary, historic game.
David C
Guest
From 14th up to 12th I think. Now have 1, 12 and 18 and maybe 19 as well if Rocky leaves.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Brisbane's first rounder from Port in this year's draft just got about 4-5 places better
Alicesprings
Guest
Last year that would have been the case. At the start of this year however the AFL clarified that any player that lifted the arms up, or dropped the knees to initiated the high contact, would result in play on. Line ball decision that tackle. As a neutral support I think it should have been play on. Interesting listening to 'AFL Game Day' this morning - the panel was split. If the player tackled had of been Joel Selwood this discussion would be somewhat different.
Alicesprings
Guest
WHAT A GAME.
Ken
Guest
Yeah cool, then let's let players get their heads ripped off shall we? Because the tackle doesn't start around the neck doesn't automatically mean there cannot be a free paid
Ken
Guest
Holding the footy LOL. Shut up. Just...shut up.
Ken
Guest
Rubbish. Mid bicep tackle that was as weak was water, bound to slip high
Geoff Schaefer
Guest
I've lifted my arm with more force than Shuey did to get the cheese board out of the pantry. Weak tackle. No strength in it. Paid the price.
Gordon Smith
Guest
Gordon Smith
Guest
I thought that the definition of a Pro was to not allow your emotional bias interfere with your commentary.
WrightDecision
Guest
The Port Adelaide player continued the tackle with his right hand once it went above the shoulder. It doesn't matter how it ended up there, once the player did this it is a free kick every time. Leson for player tackling: If the contact goes high discontinue force in tackle above the shoulder straight away and hope umpire judges that player with the ball has contributed to the high contact. Benefit of the doubt goes to the player with the ball. And the umpire will protect the player with the ball. There is no doubt in my mind that the umpire made the right call.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Last 2 mins, At 1:35 to go - Shuey should've got a high tackle from the 2nd Port tackler - but instead Port got holding the ball. At 1:15 to go - marking contest could easily have been a free to Eagles At 1:06 to go - definite free to Shuey at the throw in - really clumsy back to the play by the Port player - really clumsy. And then right at the end - Ryder taps it down Robbie Gray's throat and he fumbled it - a clearing kick and they hold on.
WrightDecision
Guest
Ditto, You would be right if the contact above the shoulder proved incidental. It wasn't. The problem for Port Adelaide was that they continued the tackle with the right hand once it was above the shoulder. The free kick to Luke Shuey was the right decision. Protect the player with the ball.
WrightDecision
Guest
Ditto, The rule book is 100% clear. If the player with the ball ducks in/into the tackle and causes high contact then there is no free kick. Shuey didn't duck, so the free kick for high contact was the right decision. Protect the player with the ball.
WrightDecision
Guest
The Shuey free kick was a clear fre kick, there was nothing marginal about it. It was the right decision. Sure it was a tough decision on Port Adelaide. Sure people don't like the umpire getting involved. Sure people especially don't like the umpire making decisions that ultimately decide a match (although Shuey still had to kick the goal). But the problem with this is that if you start making special cases for big matches at AFL level then you are sending the wrong message to footballers and umpires at lower grades and at junior grades.
Geoff Schaefer
Guest
Agreed Andy. That was THE moment the game was really win.
Geoff Schaefer
Guest
The umpires see it in real time Joel. Free kick every day of the week. Wouldn't have mattered if Port had kicked straight.
Bill
Guest
who would've thought the two flat track bullies would provide the best game of the season!? Vic-centric footy media and headlines and catchphrases and journo's just had it stuck up them big time!
DeanM
Guest
Great game and a fair outcome on a free kick that was the correct call. The established 1997 crew are in denial.
Slane
Guest
You need to start watching more footy, Joel. That's been paid a free kick for years.