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Cats on the move
Also, there’s a moving cat here.
Like Lily and Madeleine said, I can’t help how I feel. Whichever team is ahead, I’ll probably be rooting for the other. I should probably be rooting for the Swans as many in our Sydney footy community will go crazy and have suffered in 14 and 16. But I feel for the neutrals and the Giants.
oh well It’s a swan. At 13. Parker or Hickey Norm Smith. Cameron’s first goal. Cameron’s last goal. Three more in between. But Swans to share it and kick 14 with 11 goal kickers.
14.9 93 beats 12.8 80
Scores be tied at one quarter or half time who like the 4 quarter margin bet option. But don’t bet. I will see. to drink eat Bant. And be kind to your pets.
This is tremendously specific. Hickey for Norm Smith would be amazing.
Time for a Robbie Williams cul-de-sac, before the former Take That star (and new Carlton fan) takes to the stage.
Here he is with Jon Ronson talking about UFOs
Robbie Williams is interested in conspiracies.
Here he is playing golf.
Robbie Williams likes golf.
Here he is playing for his dream football club, Port Vale.
Robbie Williams likes football.
Ok, pointless plot key. What did Jonathan Horn do right and what did he do wrong on his list of the greatest grand finals of the last 50 years?
Surely no one is challenging for the top spot, right?
Swans in motion.
Also, a moving swan.
lol
Hi Jonathan, welcome to the AFL grand final. Nice to see you again. I hope you have a fun-filled day and that the grand finale is an absolute blast.
Come on, Swannies.
Of course (and sorry to go a bit off topic), but I’m looking forward to the double diary today. Swannies this afternoon and the Bunnies tonight.
Whatever happens, we hope it’s a great day of football for the fans.
Thank you Harry. Hopefully I’ll be over here in time to enjoy the NRL prelims with you.
There are many individual stories today, from Joel Selwood’s record, to Patrick Dangerfield’s defining moment, or the resilience of the McCartin brothers, but Lance Franklin rises, returning to the G for his sixth grand final, and third with Sydney, with doubts. about his impressive turnaround from the Hawks a distant memory.
Craig Little shares Buddy’s love.
We are privileged to see Franklin back on the game’s biggest stage, 17 years after his debut. Since his last Grand Final appearance in 2016, his position in the game has only improved. The reaction to his 1000th career goal in March, when Sydney last met Geelong, confirmed his status as an enduring sporting legend.
Enjoy the day and roar “BALL!” for me.
About to go down. If Reid is fit and playing, I think he could be close. If he doesn’t play, I think we’ll be in one of those grand finals where it’s all over at half-time.
The MCC Library is a wonderful place and they do great things.
Much more on the situation at Hawthorn can be found here with the latest report detailing how disturbing the review’s author, Phil Egan, found the revelations. “Hearing and seeing the trauma as it was relayed to me personally was like a nightmare,” she said.
Inevitably, we must confront the disturbing allegations reported by the ABC this week and the report submitted to Hawthorn and the AFL about the club’s historic treatment of young First Nations footballers.
Jonathan Horn considers how Wednesday’s revelations juxtapose with today’s celebrations.
It evoked the feeling that this whole competition is based on bullshit, that it’s hard to take anything that comes out of the clubs’ mouths seriously. Football clubs, and the entire industry that feeds off the game, throw around words like “culture” as if they were building orphanages. “Bloods Culture” and “The Family Club” almost become marketing terms. We build leaders, and particularly coaches, to the point where they are seemingly irrefutable. We often forget that their ultimate business is to win and they will do anything to get it. The “Whatever it takes” sign at Essendon became something of a joke during the supplements scandal. But there is no joke with this story.
Whoever organizes a wedding for the last Saturday in September does not deserve guests.
The Sydneysider perspective comes from Cynthia Banham in a beautiful column that demonstrates the importance of a football club to a person’s identity.
It’s not just that the Swans as a club are highly professional, with emotionally intelligent people, a selfless brand of football and a commitment to supporters based on the principle of inclusion. It’s not just that attending games at the SCG is a joyous experience, filled with music and community athletes and superstars. Or that the Swans have come to embody Sydney, the city. That, more than accepted, they are loved, it is us. The fact is that the swans are wrapped up in my identity. I feel a connection with the club that transcends the game, the players and the people of the day.
It’s a clash between two millennium footy stalwarts, with both teams heading for their record-equalling sixth grand final since Y2K. However, Brisbane’s three-peat, Hawthorn’s four-man cruise and Richmond’s resurgence have overshadowed the consistency of Geelong and Sydney.
Cats in particular would benefit from a flag that amends the historical record to more accurately reflect their brilliance over recent decades. Geoff Lemon, a lifelong cat, takes up this theme in his love letter to blue and white hoops.
Pennants aren’t everything, but the competition’s best win-loss record in a decade without one is hard to fathom. There was the odd upset for Fremantle in 2012, a lost kick in the final minute of the 2013 preliminary, straight sets away in 2014, and several knockout torches in subsequent years. The 2020 grand final was a strange one – shortened quarters were played in Brisbane during lockdown against a Richmond side with their own pomp – but a third-quarter lead was still a missed opportunity. It’s back to normal this season, back to the MCG at last, and the Cats have clearly been the best team of the year. This is what they must wear and must bring home to make this season feel worthwhile. Although, whatever the outcome, people will be back at Kardinia Park to kick off next year. They are Geelong, after all.
conditions
All in all, conditions should be pretty decent this afternoon.
The main news is that it’s cold and windy, but dry with a checkerboard of blue skies and fluffy white clouds throughout.
The only impediment is likely to be the southerly breeze that sweeps into the G and dances annoyingly, like Peter Hore. Should get some nice photos of flags flying in the stands though.
There are one or two very isolated showers bordering Port Phillip Bay, so don’t report me if one drifts ashore before the final siren. However, the chances of this happening seem very low.
If email and Twitter weren’t enough, we’re open below the line!
Good morning, Johnathan
I see you’re short on straws 😉
I don’t envy you trying to blog on GF, especially if it’s nearby!
If so, I suggest you don’t worry so much about the score (hard to imagine you’ll be anyone’s only source)
Just color and movement as Dame Edna would have it
Thanks Reason4, you’re right, this is the most challenging of all live blogs, but also one of the most fun (if my supply of jello snakes doesn’t run out).
The recollection of the sense of the grand final week is enhanced by so many good (or so good they’re good) songs that provide a soundtrack. Sure, it can give the occasion a somewhat vintage aesthetic, but it will certainly be updated and revised over time. For now, I think it’s something to love.
Paul Kelly looking over the bridge towards the MCG.
The week’s Grand Final suburban show is Australiana at its finest. Across the country, there are flags in front yards, fences painted in team colors and posters draped over windows. It’s more than just a football game, it’s a marker of time, riding shotgun with the equinox to take us away from the cold, muddy depths of winter football season and into the flower-filled warmth of spring with a scent of jasmine.
Geelong and Sydney fans gear up for AFL grand final. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Updated at 02.19 BST
Speaking of the Norm Smith Medal, here’s today’s voting panel.
John McDougall wins the award of my eternal admiration for sending the first email of the day. “The Cats will win today by 14 and the Blicavs will get Norm,” he opens with confidence. Changing her tone quickly, she adds, “almost too eager to tune into the great outdoors from sunny Canberra, given our history of carrying handbags, but this year feels different, a bit like 2007, where we just think we’d do it. do enough and it went on maniacally until the final siren so looking forward to it again. have my scarf and my Cheezels so go Cats!”
Good luck John, but sunny Canberra; really?
I will hold off on the final squad lists until they are confirmed as there are a couple of doubts about the fitness of the players named in the 22 earlier this week.
Of those, Max Holmes looks likely to miss Geelong, which is devastating news for one of the performers who have allowed the Cats to increase their intensity this season. Chris Scott doesn’t need to take any chances, though, considering he has Brandon Parfitt and Sam Menegola among the emergencies.
For Holmes it seems to be even more of a big disappointment on the last day. Here it is back in 2010.
There is still a small window of opportunity to see this afternoon’s match bet. Get in quick!
TICKET UPDATE (1/2): Limited tickets will be available to Restricted Members for today’s 2022 AFL Grand Final.
After assessing the early arrivals…