Mick Malthouse: How Geelong broke down Sydney in grand final
Geelong was all class, all game. But total dominance was always assured when it turned its only real weakness into a strength, writes Mick Malthouse.
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Before Saturday, both coaches, in their 12th seasons, had each already sampled a grand final victory and loss.
The wins bring relief. The losses haunt you.
John Longmire will be feeling it on Sunday.
Geelong of course finished the home-and-away season on top of the ladder and Sydney third. But this was always going to be a game of match-ups.
Both clubs had a reasonable amount of stability across the ground leading up to the grand final, which makes for a settled preparation. There’s always a drama, Max Holmes the unlucky player this year.
As their team ran down the race, each coach would have felt comfortable with the knowledge their game structure had served them well. They were ready to rely on their respective strengths to overpower the opposition.
The Cats have moved the ball faster this year, and the combination of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron left little doubt Geelong’s focus would be to get the ball inside forward 50 as quickly and as precisely as possible to give their forwards every chance of scoring.
The Swans needed to be at their manic pressure best.
But early points went to Geelong for freeing up Sam De Koning to create an intercept wall across its half-back line. The 21-year-old was impressively composed in his first grand final and just 23rd game.
It was Sydney’s lack of defensive awareness against Hawkins that allowed the Cats’ big man to sneak the first two goals. As is his trademark, he pushed Tom Hickey under the ball to take possession and goal.
With Geelong dominating the air, Sydney needed to bring the ball to ground to create opportunities and expose the Cats’ vulnerability. The Swans executed the plan perfectly for its first major, as Will Hayward crumbed a double-teamed Lance Franklin.
But the Swans’ defensive confidence was already waning, allowing the Cats to break their tackles with ease. Too strong and quick and smashing them in the contested ball 48-29.
Longmire’s hands were tied with a size mismatch all over the ground.
Isaac Heeney came off for a spell without a touch. He was playing too deep in Sydney’s
forward line and needed to head up the ground to meet the ball.
Tallies of 20 to eight inside 50s at the first break was a clear sign of Geelong’s domination.
And it continued, as the Cats consistently held the Swans up to reduce movement, while bombing the ball in to their own forwards.
Sydney found some fight, through leg speed, to hit the scoreboard again through Hayden McLean in the second term. But it was short lived. Sydney’s players lacked faith in one another to create more forward movement with the ball.
The Swans’ strength was further evaporated as Geelong continued to conquer the centre clearances and hit their forwards on the chest. Hawkins and Tyson Stengle stretched the Cats’ lead.
Heeney’s goal from a Geelong turnover in the middle of the ground kept Sydney in touch at halftime. With the gap on possessions, and more importantly contested possessions, closing up, the Swans desperately needed Franklin and Tom Papley to join Heeney up the ground to break the Cats’ wall with more quick movement, run and dare. Because Sam Reid limping off the ground was a disaster for Sydney.
Instead, Mitch Duncan was on his bike to stop the Swans clearing the ball from Geelong’s forward fifty, awarded with a goal in the opening minute of the third term. The Cats’ forward pressure caused another Sydney turnover, and another quick goal. And then the floodgates opened. Isaac Smith at his best and filling a hole on the wing left by Holmes, for his third.
ISAAC SMITH HAS THREE!#AFLGFpic.twitter.com/zMjz5hSMbQ
— AFL (@AFL) September 24, 2022
Geelong’s incredible workload and attack on the ball matching its incredible structure.
The Swans’, resigned to losing, lost their structure. No set up in front to kick to, constantly trailing the ball, little manning up. Static in their movement, their effort lacked in all departments.
Longmire would no doubt have been left severely disappointed by Sydney’s non-existent fight after its efforts all year.
While proud Cats’ fans celebrated early.
Chris Scott finally claiming his second premiership, 11 years after his first one as coach, and an extraordinary 11 years in finals.
Geelong all class, all game. Its forward pressure matching its defensive efforts, turning a weakness into a strength with its remarkable ground-ball wins.
The Cats’ experienced players defying age. Hawkins, captain warrior Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Norm Smith medallist Smith, and Zach Tuohy just brilliant, and teaching the Swans’ youngsters a big lesson on the big stage.
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