What the Cats grand final win means to Geelong
As a siren roared to life on a cricket ground 65km to the northeast of Geelong late on Saturday afternoon, so too did Victoria’s second largest city.
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As a siren roared to life on a cricket ground 65km to the northeast of Geelong late on Saturday afternoon, so too did Victoria’s second largest city.
Pubs, living rooms, backyards and a little footy oval in the shadows of GMHBA Stadium erupted with a collective release of emotion. Cheers, tears and unrestrained elation blanketed the town in the seconds after the final siren, eventually calming from a citywide thunderclap to an undulating swell of cheers, chants and car horns rippling throughout the region for much of the evening.
A sporting club is an extension of its community, and few footy clubs can boast the intimate connection between the Geelong Football Club and its hometown.
It’s for this reason that the Cats’ ultimate on field success on Saturday afternoon will translate into the success for the entire city. When the Cats win, we all win.
There will be a short economic boom as the town celebrates, which will translate into more jobs and work, the city’s civic pride will be bolstered, and the city will receive what can be seen as a well-earned reward for its Covid-19 resilience.
And after the city struggled through two heavily Covid-19 impacted years, there is no better time for the city to once again taste success.
For Billy Brownless – arguably football’s most widely beloved character – there is a distinct awareness of the symbiotic relationship between Geelong’s footy club and township as a whole.
“It [winning a premiership] is just be unbelievable for the town, who really do ride on the footy club’s back,” Brownless said. “The tenth premiership, everyone thought we were too old, too slow and gone, and to win another one is unbelievable.”
“It really turned the year on its head. Just an unbelievable effort which make us all proud as supporters.
“It just puts smiles on faces, and that’s what it’s all about. We’re in the entertainment industry, and everyone walking around with their Geelong beanies and scarfs, or flags on the cars, and they’re a lot happier for a while. So it’s fantastic a footy club can do that.”
Speaking before the game, G21 Geelong Region Alliance chief executive Giulia Baggio said the 2022 premiership would be a fitting bookend to the 10-year period since the city’s last flag.
“The last time the Cats won the Grand Final in 2011, the future of this city was uncertain with Ford and Alcoa closing down,” Ms Baggio said. “In a short time, and despite a global pandemic, Geelong as a city has bounced back, and a Cats victory on Saturday would be the symbolic icing on the cake.”
And they’re out! (With an extra second cheer for little Levi Ablett)#AFLGF#AFLFinals#AFLCatsSwans#AFLGrandFinal#GeelongStrong#WeAreGeelong#AddyGFpic.twitter.com/o80mnqoJtT
— Harrison Tippet (@Hwtippet) September 24, 2022
“All those fans returning home from the MCG will be celebrating until Christmas. A 2022 victory would be a fitting symbol of this grand old city’s ability reinvent itself. Grand Final weekend will certainly bring economic benefits to Geelong as the capital of a Cats-loving region.
“There is a real buzz around town and region and there’s no doubt a Premiership will bring excitement to the streets. I’m sure we’ll see a footy-driven spike in our many lovely bars, bistros, pubs and clubs. A perfect entree into the summer tourist season.”
Local politicians also stressed the importance of the win for the city, as it continues to recover and deal with the impacts of Covid-19.
“There is something special about sharing a collective experience with those around you,” Corio federal Labor MP Richard Marles said.
“This is an extraordinarily exciting time for our community and a sense of coming together in what has been a really tough couple of years.
“The pandemic was extremely difficult, there is no doubt about that. But one of the silver linings which came out of Covid was the sense of community across Geelong in helping each other get by- be it groceries and care packages, or checking in on your neighbours- everyone was looking out for each other and the Geelong Cats were a part of that.”
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Peter Murrihy said the Cats win would bring joy to people across the region.
“Geelong has been the best team for the year and after two Covid-affected seasons it was wonderful to see so many supporters fill the MCG to cheer their team to victory on Saturday,” Cr Murrihy said.
“The entire City, including residents and businesses, has been incredibly resilient through the pandemic and it is so pleasing to know that this result will bring joy to so many people.”
Geelong state Labor MP Christine Couzens said the premiership would be “a huge boost of confidence for our beautiful city”, and also spark an economic boost.
“Geelong is doing very well and is always a very proud community, we have the only regional AFL club, the Cats,” Ms Couzens said.
“With the big events coming into Geelong, new infrastructure such as the Convention and Exhibition Centre, Geelong Arts Centre, and the Gordon TAFE redevelopment and plenty of job opportunities, Geelong has a lot to look forward to.”
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