AFL Grand Final live: Cats in tears after Swans massacre

It started in tears and it has ended in tears for Joel Selwood with the Geelong legend overcome with emotion following the Cats’ Grand Final bloodbath.

Geelong has romped to a famous premiership victory in front of a monster crowd of 100,024 fans at the MCG.

The most highly anticipated grand final in years has fizzled out in a one-sided massacre as Geelong put the Swans to the sword in one of the biggest thrashings in AFL Grand Final history.

The 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52) was the equal fifth biggest win in a decider of all-time, with the 81-point victory equalling Richmond’s 1980 defeat of Collingwood.

The blockbuster started in a heated fashion after Robbie Williams blew the country away with rocking performance during the pre-match entertainment. 

Geelong kicked seven of the first eight goals of the game to lead by 40 points in the second quarter. The first quarter bombardment was the biggest quarter-time margin in a Grand Final since 1989. Before today, Geelong had never kicked six goals in the opening quarter of a grand final before. 

The minor premiers were incredible from the opening bounce dominating the Swans.

A 6.5 (41) to 1.0 (6) quarter-time lead was far from just an early domination as the Cats went to half time leading by 36.

At the half, Cats Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel said it was "embarrassing" for the Swans, while Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes told SEN it has been "the worst Swans performance in a long time". 

Buddy Franklin and the Swans were completely outclassed. Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

It got even worse in the second half with the Swans falling apart in the third quarter. Geelong went into the final quarter leading 15.11 (101) to 4.3 (27).

But it was the premiership quarter that put the game to bed as the Cats piled on six goals and 39 points to one point from the Swans to blow the Sydney-siders away.

The fourth quarter was just a victory lap, with defender Sam De Koning even kicking a goal to rub salt into the wounds.

In commentary James Brayshaw asked: “Just such a complete performance. Can you think of an area the Cats haven't been 10 out of 10?”

Matthew Richardson replied: “When you look during the week and are trying to pick a weakness in this team, you actually couldn't come up with one. That is exactly how they have played today.

“This is just as complete a team as you will see at the moment. There is just no way through them.”

During the broadcast, the commentators mentioned the Cats are "the oldest average aged team ever to play in any game of football, ever, at this level".

Geelong celebrate Joel Selwood's goal hard. Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

There were incredible displays of emotion after the result, with captain Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins both in tears.

 Selwood could hardly keep it together in an interview with Seven after the match.

"Sorry," he said, composing himself.

"Man, it's been... They're so hard to win. They're so hard to win. Every side says it, but I think we deserved one.

"Just been bashing away. We don't apologise to being up there, having a crack at it each year. So many, please get around all of them. They all have great stories."

While Selwood's possible retirement has been the question on everyone's lips, Richardson didn't ask it directly when speaking to Selwood after the final siren,  instead saying: "As a footy fan, we hope there's more out of you. If there isn't, you're an absolute champion of the game. Congratulations on everything you've done."

Selwood's future is now the greatest mystery surrounding Geelong's premiership victory after he failed to rule out hanging up the boots when interviewed earlier this week. It was the 40th final of Selwood's career and he walks off the MCG as a four-time premiership player. 

Channel 7 commentator Daisy Pearce said: "He's earned the right to go out whatever way he wants".

Joel Selwood was emotional after the win. Photo: Channel 7

An emotional Dane Rampe said of Selwood after the game: "Sometimes you've got to pinch yourself when you've got to pinch yourself when you share the field with Giants of the game and you're an absolute giant. Congratulations."

That Selwood goal celebration screams retiring after a flag, and well deserved too. Played a blinder #AFLGF #AFLFinals #AFLCatsSwans #AFLGrandFinal #GeelongStrong #WeAreGeelong #AddyGF

— Matt Forrest (@mattforrest29) September 24, 2022

based on the tears here looks like it’s the last game for both Selwood & Hawkins #AFLGF

— Leonardo Puglisi (@Leo_Puglisi6) September 24, 2022

Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood are absolute ornaments to the game.

Utter class. #AFLGF

— Jake Bourke (@JakeBourke) September 24, 2022

Biggest AFL Grand Final wins

1. 119 points – Geelong defeated Port Adelaide (2007)
2. 96 – Hawthorn defeated Melbourne (1988)
3. 89 – Richmond defeated GWS Giants (2019)
4. 83 – Hawthorn defeated Essendon (1983)
5. 81– Geelong defeated Sydney (2022)
6. 81 – Richmond defeated Collingwood (1980)
7. 80 – West Coast defeated Geelong (1994)
8. 78 – Essendon defeated Hawthorn (1985)
9. 74 – Melbourne defeated Western Bulldogs (2021)

Originally published as AFL Grand Final live: Cats in tears after Swans massacre

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