- Sep 15, 2005
- 13,493
- 22,273
- AFL Club
- Geelong
Epic.
Rank underdogs, beaten under similar circumstances in 2020 and 2021 with arguably better teams.
And yet we produced the perfect game.
There have been time this season in which Geelong have produced huge 1st halves, thrown big, big punches early on, only to be reeled in late.
Tonight though, we were up for a legitimate 4-quarter effort against a very strong side in front of a hostile crowd.
Everyone stepped up.
In-game, I had early concerns for Mitch Duncan, who looked shaky, Jed Bews, who looked slow, and Jack Bowes, who was all too anonymous for a mid.
Yet all 3 found a way to impact as the game wore on; a testament to their ability to hang in there and minimize the gap between their best and worst efforts.
Rhys Stanley was thrust back into #1 rucking responsibilities on the big stage; he was managed very well, and he took his responsibilities very seriously. One of his best games.
Mark Blicavs was massive; thrashed Charlie Dixon at full back, thrashed Charlie Dixon in the ruck, crept up forward for a shot or two on goal and was generally decisive and clean and fluid.
I've cited the signing of Max Holmes as just about the story of 2024 for Geelong, and he demonstrated his ability with one of the Great Cats Finals. Huge.
When I heard that Paddy Dangerfield had harbored an ambition to Captain a Geelong Premiership like his two predecessors, I thought it bode well for what lay ahead. And Paddy was huge.
I have marked him extremely hard over the years; his last 3 seasons though have absolutely cemented his Legend in my book. Holmes was amazing - but ultimately Dangerfield was BOG for mine.
Our Forward line hummed for nearly the duration of the game; nearly everyone looked dangerous All Night Long.
Some of Tyson Stengle's 1v1 stuff was insane; his 1st goal was poetry; I could see it unfold about 5 seconds before it actualised; the guy is an absolute genius. He was sharp and dangerous.
I mark Ollie Henry a bit harshly, too, but his impact became more pronounced as the game wore on, and his youth and spring became more of an issue... which leads me to Shannon Neale.
dazbroncos - this guy; I dunno, I was always a bit on the fence. But I am a MASSIVE fan of his influence on this team in 2024. I've suggested once or twice throughout the season that he might be a bit more Cam Mooney than Tom Hawkins; a bit more raw-boned and chaotic. He was f*cking great tonight. I was always a big advocate for Esava Ratugolea. Neale showed why letting the big Aussie Fijian go was the right call.
Lawson Humphries; incredible game. Dickhead Dixon tried to take his head off early on, but Lawson was unperturbed and went on to show incredible composure. His dual-sidedness reminds of Sam Mitchell.
Wonderful win, had a great night watching it with my kid, the 1st Finals win that she has watched from go to whoah.
Votes:
5 - Patrick Dangerfield
4 - Max Holmes
3 - Gryan Miers
2 - Shaun Mannagh
1 - Mark Blicavs
Rank underdogs, beaten under similar circumstances in 2020 and 2021 with arguably better teams.
And yet we produced the perfect game.
There have been time this season in which Geelong have produced huge 1st halves, thrown big, big punches early on, only to be reeled in late.
Tonight though, we were up for a legitimate 4-quarter effort against a very strong side in front of a hostile crowd.
Everyone stepped up.
In-game, I had early concerns for Mitch Duncan, who looked shaky, Jed Bews, who looked slow, and Jack Bowes, who was all too anonymous for a mid.
Yet all 3 found a way to impact as the game wore on; a testament to their ability to hang in there and minimize the gap between their best and worst efforts.
Rhys Stanley was thrust back into #1 rucking responsibilities on the big stage; he was managed very well, and he took his responsibilities very seriously. One of his best games.
Mark Blicavs was massive; thrashed Charlie Dixon at full back, thrashed Charlie Dixon in the ruck, crept up forward for a shot or two on goal and was generally decisive and clean and fluid.
I've cited the signing of Max Holmes as just about the story of 2024 for Geelong, and he demonstrated his ability with one of the Great Cats Finals. Huge.
When I heard that Paddy Dangerfield had harbored an ambition to Captain a Geelong Premiership like his two predecessors, I thought it bode well for what lay ahead. And Paddy was huge.
I have marked him extremely hard over the years; his last 3 seasons though have absolutely cemented his Legend in my book. Holmes was amazing - but ultimately Dangerfield was BOG for mine.
Our Forward line hummed for nearly the duration of the game; nearly everyone looked dangerous All Night Long.
Some of Tyson Stengle's 1v1 stuff was insane; his 1st goal was poetry; I could see it unfold about 5 seconds before it actualised; the guy is an absolute genius. He was sharp and dangerous.
I mark Ollie Henry a bit harshly, too, but his impact became more pronounced as the game wore on, and his youth and spring became more of an issue... which leads me to Shannon Neale.
dazbroncos - this guy; I dunno, I was always a bit on the fence. But I am a MASSIVE fan of his influence on this team in 2024. I've suggested once or twice throughout the season that he might be a bit more Cam Mooney than Tom Hawkins; a bit more raw-boned and chaotic. He was f*cking great tonight. I was always a big advocate for Esava Ratugolea. Neale showed why letting the big Aussie Fijian go was the right call.
Lawson Humphries; incredible game. Dickhead Dixon tried to take his head off early on, but Lawson was unperturbed and went on to show incredible composure. His dual-sidedness reminds of Sam Mitchell.
Wonderful win, had a great night watching it with my kid, the 1st Finals win that she has watched from go to whoah.
Votes:
5 - Patrick Dangerfield
4 - Max Holmes
3 - Gryan Miers
2 - Shaun Mannagh
1 - Mark Blicavs
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