From ex-Cats to overconfident tatts: The storylines to follow in the 2023 AFL Grand Final
Just because the Cats aren’t playing, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tune in to this year’s grand final.
Geelong
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As the Cats count down their final few hours as reigning premiers, thousands of Geelong footy fans will still be tuninginto the “big dance” at the MCG, getting behind some local products vying to share in the AFL’s biggest prize.
Injury-ravaged Lincoln McCarthy spent seven years on Geelong’s list, but only managed 29 games.
Since he was traded to Brisbane in 2019, McCarthy’s career has been revived and the half-forward will likely be key to the Lions’ premiership hopes when the team takes on Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.
Hometown hero Darcy Gardiner grew up playing football for Queenscliff and was a Geelong Falcon, before being drafted to Brisbane in 2013.
While Gardiner has only played a handful of games in 2023, he was able to keep Carlton’s leading goalkicker, and dual Coleman medallist, Charlie Curnow very quiet in the preliminary final.
He was named in Brisbane’s grand final playing list and will take to the field for the big game.
While Collingwood won’t have any Geelong connections running onto the ground, Scott Selwood could clinch his first premiership as an assistant coach at the Pies.
Unlike his brothers Joel and Adam, Selwood didn’t win any premierships during his playing career at the West Coast Eagles and Geelong, but will be hoping to help collect some silverware as a coach.
While Collingwood has always been the team people love to hate, the club has arguably become more likeable this year.
Coach Craig McRae and skipper Darcy More have helped the club rebrand and rebuild its image.
Their quick style, likeable players and ability to close out close games have made them a must-watch footy side this year, turning lifelong haters into secret admirers.
Now, admittedly, the hatred is still there.
We’ve seen it spill out in discussion around the Brayden Maynard smother attempt, and then again in the potentially dubious preliminary final umpiring.
But, like plenty of things that are hated by most, those who love the Pies are fanatical.
Corio’s Thomas Curran is so confident in his team’s ability to win, he didn’t hesitate to get a premiership tattoo at the start of the home and away season.
Mr Curran was holidaying in Bali in early May when he got a tattoo that read Pies 2023.
“We’ve come all this way, I hope we don’t lose the granny,” he said.
“The thought process behind it was stupid, no, it was confidence, confidence.”
If the Pies do lose on Saturday, Mr Curran will cross out the 23 in the hope of being able to add 2024 next year.
He said he would repeat the process until Collingwood eventually won a flag.
“I might end up with a sleeve,” he added.
Saturday’s result will also have an impact at Great Ocean Road Brewing, with owners Mick Ranger and Matt Shortal being Pies and Lions fans respectively.
Mr Shortal said he’s “as confident as (he) can be.”
“Happy to be there, but far out, just want to start well and get it going.
“I feel like the Lions are primed.”
Still unsure who to support? Geelong Advertiser journalists, and one-eyed supporters, Mark Murray and Luke Griffiths argue who you should barrack for.
Luke Griffiths – Brisbane Lions
There’s really no question who neutral supporters should get behind in Saturday’s grand final.
On the one hand, you’ve got a club that thinks all others should bow before it. A club that once had Eddie McGuire as its major mouthpiece.
On the other hand, you have the Brisbane Lions.
Led by a Tasmanian teacher, the Lions are fast and fun to watch, full of self-deprecating, knockabout country boys such as former Cat Lincoln McCarthy and Queenscliff Couta Darcy Gardiner.
And if you’re still unsure, remember that just because you don’t hate Collingwood as much as you used to, it doesn’t mean you should barrack for them.
Let’s be honest, they’ve only become a little more likeable since a three-time premiership Lion became their coach.
Carn the Lions!!!
Mark Murray – Collingwood Magpies
It’s time for the great people of Geelong to put your collective hatred of Collingwood aside and get behind the Pies.
After all the pain and suffering you’ve caused us over the last 15 years (I’m looking at you Jimmy Bartel circa 2011 GF), it’s only fair we get to enjoy that sweet taste of premiership success you have selfishly guzzled down four times in the same period.
No one knows grand final pain like a Magpie supporter.
Yes, we have 15 flags in our famous history, but this will be our 45th crack at one and only our third, if we win, since 1958.
Not a great strike rate.
It would be cruel to wish us more misery on Saturday.
And if you still can’t bring yourself to barrack for the black and white, spare a thought for Joel Selwood.
His brother, Scott, is our assistant coach. If your favourite son can change colours for just one day, so can you.
So please, do it for Selwood.
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Originally published as From ex-Cats to overconfident tatts: The storylines to follow in the 2023 AFL Grand Final
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