The Geelong Cats have defeated the Sydney Swans in a one-sided affair to clinch the 2022 AFL premiership.
In their first title win since 2011, Geelong piled on the forward pressure to win 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52) in front of more than 100,000 people at the MCG.
It was an irresistible performance from the minor premiers, who claimed their 16th straight win of the season.
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It’s a fourth flag for captain Joel Selwood to go along with his 2007, 2009 and 2011 medals and a second for coach Chris Scott.
“This will be the oldest average aged team ever to play in any game of football, ever, at this level,” Brian Taylor said in commentary for Seven.
“And to win the premiership, it is amazing.”
In a blistering first term, the Cats secured the ball in their territory early, dominating time in their forward 50 to produce the highest first innings score conceded by Sydney all year.
After an early misfire from a set shot, star forward Tom Hawkins seized the first goal honour after some signature ruck work.
Taking a boundary throw-in, Hawkins outmuscled ruckman Tom Hickey to easily snap through. Moments later he repeated the process for Geelong’s second.
Hawkins nails grand final opener
Sydney responded off the boot of Will Hayward with a brilliant crumbing goal. But the celebrations were short-lived as the Cats’ midfielders came alive through Mark Blicavs and a double for Isaac Smith.
“The Swans just can’t get any relief in this game at all,” Matthew Richardson said in commentary for Channel 7.
“They’re just not winning the footy around the contest. It’s [13+] already in that area. So they can’t get their hands on it and then take a bit of heat out of the game because the Cats are just red hot in the contest.”
Swan’s incredible one-handed mark and goal
Taking a 35-point lead into the first break, Geelong’s veterans of Smith, Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield led the way.
After starting on the bench, Selwood topped all players in the first quarter with 12 disposals, while Smith showed his class with eight disposals and two goals.
The massacre by Geelong continued in the second half with Tyson Stengle booting his first of the afternoon.
Goals to Hayden McLean, Callum Mills and Isaac Heeney evened up the contest as the Swans stemmed a bit of Geelong’s flow from the first quarter.
But a third goal to Hawkins and a second for Stengle soon cancelled out any turnaround on the scoreboard.
Sydney forward Sam Reid carried an adductor injury into the match and after a fierce contest went down into the rooms just minutes before the half-time break.
He was soon subbed out, injecting defender Braeden Campbell into the match.
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Geelong took a six-goal lead into the rooms at half-time, but the game remained there for the taking should Sydney have kicked the first of the second half.
However, back-to-back defensive errors from Tom McCartin proved costly for Sydney with Mitch Duncan and Brad Close converting both blunders into goals.
A third goal to Smith strengthened his prospects of a maiden Norm Smith medal before two consecutive majors to Stengle doused any last hopes of an epic comeback from the Swans.
Smith boots it from 50m
Cameron Gutherie was subbed out of the match in the fourth quarter, making way for Brandon Parfit who made an immediate impact with his first touch.
Playing in his record 40th finals match, Selwood hit the scoreboard after a brilliant captain’s goal, fighting back tears in the aftermath.
There have been questions over whether the 34-year-old will go on next year, and that’s only going to intensify after that celebration.
“This reaction does say to me, when I look at Joel Selwood, when I look at his wife and I think mum there as well, wife Brit, that this may be the end that we’re seeing of Joel Selwood,” Taylor said.
“Certainly the emotion says that.”
Consolation goals to Paddy McCartin, Chad Warner and Tom Papley rounded out a tough day for the Swans.
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