AFL Grand Final 2022: Mark Robinson reflects on Geelong v Sydney

Footy doesn’t make promises to anyone, and Patrick Dangerfield said he didn’t need a premiership cup to feel complete. But he earned this, writes Mark Robinson.

An emotional embrace between Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett after the Geelong captain carried Levi Ablett through the banner. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong’s first premiership in 11 years was a celebration for the old, the new, the redeemed and for a little fella called Ablett.

In the most perfect of days for the Cats – and for outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan who spent gazillions on Robbie Williams – the MCG once again was the centre of Australia’s sporting landscape.

GF LIVE: RECAP EVERY KEY MOMENT HERE

Let me entertain you?

Robbie was a blast. The Cats were the blitz.

They were sharp, determined, the model of offensive and defensive footy, which has been the hallmark of their brilliant season.

It was a mauling and, at the same time, unexpectedly glorious for the oldest team that has ever played a game of football.

They led by 35 points at quarter-time and by 74 points at three-quarter-time.

The final score was 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52).

He came, he saw, he entertained. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

The premiership was the 16th consecutive win and, in a competition where mere minutes, if not seconds, have decided games through a magical September finals series, this was an extraordinary achievement.

Robbie sang it, hell is gone and heaven’s here, and Geelong’s players will forever be angels in the eyes of their fans.

Excuse the puns, but Robbie and the Cats will be linked forever, much like Jack Riewoldt and The Killers.

They are blessed, Cats fans. They have a club that competes at the top, for nearly 18 seasons now, and the flag is ample reward.

Storylines abound.

An emotional embrace between Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett after the Geelong captain carried Levi Ablett through the banner. Picture: Michael Klein

Joel Selwood carried Levi Ablett on to the MCG and then carried the Cats through a first quarter assault.

It was the ultimate gesture from Selwood to his great mate, Gary.

If Robbie was the entertainment, Levi was the inspiration and Selwood, well, what is left to say about a bloke who broke the AFL record for finals games played, and who claimed his first premiership as captain and fourth as a player?

Joel Selwood with an excited Levi Ablett. Picture: Michael Klein

On the podium, battle-weary and with cup in hand alongside coach Chris Scott, Selwood was every inch the quintessential leader.

Sydney captain Dane Rampe best summed it up at the presentation.

“Sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself when you share the field with giants of the game and you’re an absolute giant. Congratulations,” Rampe said of Selwood.

If that was Selwood’s last game, which is expected, he departs as an all time great. Maybe the forever spirit animal.

The skipper had 12 touches in the first quarter and the Cats kicked 6.5 to 1.0.

He owned the Norm Smith medal at the first break. Perhaps rampaging Patty Dangerfield had it at halftime, and all the while the Cats forwards dined out, making claims for one of the most prestigious awards in the game.

Coach and captain share the spoils. Picture: Michael Klein

At the half, when the game was effectively over, Cats players lined up to win the medal.

Isaac Smith was sensational and his smile after kicking three goals was only beaten in size by the sheer joy of little Levi as Selwood ran him through the banner.

Tommy Hawkins kicked three goals in the first half, while Tyson Stengle booted two either side of the major break to with four.

In the end, it was Smith’s medal. He had 32 touches, took 12 marks and kicked three goals. And when he was announced the winner, he smiled with his whole face.

Geelong had winners and smiles everywhere.

Stengle’s season was astonishing, for redemption and application. He was the recruit of the year and testimony to the environment which Geelong supplies it players.

Dangerfield, while fishing at Moggs Creek on Thursday, called it the “special sauce’’, which encapsulates the people and the vibe of the footy club.

It was Dangerfield’s first premiership and although football does not make promises to anyone, Dangerfield earned this. Fifteen seasons of an incredible will to compete was finally rewarded.

“This is Everest,’’ he said on Channel 7. “This is the pinnacle. This is what it means to be content, I think. It’s worth the wait and better than I could have imagined.

“It’s bloody special.’’

Patrick Dangerfield lit up the MCG with his class. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Coach Chris Scott is the master coach of this season.

He is a curious figure, Scott. For some reason, Cats fans worship him and loathe him, but after today, the loathing is surely gone.

He’s a tactical giant, his team is perfectly coached and prepared, and now he is a two-time premiership coach. Like Dangerfield, he’s earned this and the footy world should applaud him.

He tweaked a game plan because it couldn’t win big finals — they were too defensively stubborn, it was said.

Changes were made to his coaching staff and eight months later his team kicked 20.13.

And it was won in the first quarter.

Sydney arrived with the hype of a preliminary final win over Collingwood, and then whimpered on football’s greatest day.

Was it mental? Tactical? Or simply that the opposition was better on the day.

Whatever the reason, the Swans were completely worked over.

Don’t get beaten by what you know is a favoured saying, yet Hawkins kicked two goals in the first quarter, by taking the ball out of the ruck at the throw-in and kicking straight.

Once maybe. Not twice. Tom Hickey would’ve been embarrassed and coach John Longmire furious.

From the 17th minute of the first quarter until quarter time — we’ll call it the 15 minutes of fame — Geelong ended Sydney’s dream

In that 15 minutes, Geelong had 12 inside 50s to zip and kicked 28-0.

In that time, Sydney’s pressure rating was just 172. That’s below average.

The Cats were plus 19 in contested ball, their best return in a first quarter of the season, while it was Sydney’s equal worst first quarter of the year.

It began a memorable day for the Cats — and for footy.

Robbie was just brilliant, as was Delta.

And so, too, were the Cats.

They entertained us all right, they were magnificent, and, lastly, cheers to little Levi.

Well played, Catters.

Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2022: Mark Robinson reflects on Geelong v Sydney