Geelong entered their 2022 campaign after a heavy defeat in the 2021 preliminary finals against eventual premiers Melbourne. The Cats were inconsistent early in the season, opening with five wins and four losses, but did not lose again for the remainder of the home-and-away season, earning their second minor premiership in four seasons with 18 wins and four losses. Geelong then defeated Collingwood by six points in their qualifying final and thrashed the Brisbane Lions by 71 points in the first preliminary final. It was Geelong's second grand final appearance in three years.[3][4]
Sydney had been eliminated in 2021 after a one-point defeat against local rivals Greater Western Sydney in their elimination final. The Swans built on this, improving to finish third on the ladder with 16 wins and six losses. They defeated reigning premiers Melbourne by 22 points in the second qualifying final, then in the preliminary final withstood a late rally by Collingwood to win by one point, returning to the grand final for the first time since 2016.[5][6]
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Round-by-round ladder positions of the two teams during the season.[8]
This was the sixth time the teams had met in VFL/AFL finals, including twice before South Melbourne's relocation to Sydney, and the first time in a grand final. Their most recent finals encounter was in a 2017 semi-final, which was Geelong's only previous finals victory against the Swans.[9] Prior to the formation of the VFL/AFL, the clubs had also previously met in the Victorian Football Association's "Match of the Century", which had decided the 1886 premiership in Geelong's favour.
Both clubs entered the game in strong form and on long winning streaks, Geelong having won its last fifteen games, and Sydney having won its last nine games.[10] Geelong was the strong favourite, the TAB offering odds of $1.47 for a Geelong victory against Sydney's $2.70 on game day.[11]
The annual Grand Final Parade returned to Melbourne for the first time since 2019 on the Friday before the Grand Final. The novel parade included the players travelling along the Yarra River on barges before the players boarded utes and travelled through Yarra Park; their journey concluded north of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[12] The Yarra River portion of the parade was criticised by many due to bad viewing angles from the banks of the river as well as the boats turning around before reaching Princes Bridge, where many fans had gathered in order to have a good view.[13][14]
Robbie Williams, headliner of the grand final's entertainment
All times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT +10)
The Premiership Cup was brought onto the ground by Cameron Ling, a member of Geelong's last three premiership teams in 2007, 2009 and 2011, and former Sydney captain Paul Kelly. Ling presented coach Chris Scott and captain Joel Selwood the cup after the match.
Selwood carried Levi Ablett through Geelong's banner as the Cats took the field. Levi is the son of Gary Ablett Jr., who attended the game having been a dual premiership player with Geelong in 2007 and 2009 when he also won the Brownlow Medal, and grandson of Cats and Victoria forward Gary Ablett Sr.; Levi had been diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease that left him mute.[17]
Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins kicked the first behind in the opening minute of the match. Geelong dominated play and territory through the first ten minutes while Sydney managed to hold them out from scoring again, until the tenth minute, when Hawkins snatched the ball straight out of a boundary throw-in ruck contest and snapped the opening goal. Five minutes later, Hawkins scored his second goal in exactly the same way, and Geelong led by 13 points.[18] Sydney won the ensuing centre clearance, ending with Will Hayward scored Sydney's first goal from a crumbing snap shot in the 17th minute.[18] Thereafter, Geelong dominated the quarter. The Cats kicked three goals in the next five minutes: Mark Blicavs (19th minute) with a set shot from 25m, and Isaac Smith (20th minute and 22nd minute) with two crumbed goals on the run. Geelong generated six more shots in the quarter, for 1.4 (10), only Brad Close managing to kick a goal from a 40m set shot in the 27th minute.[18][19]
When quarter time sounded, Geelong led 6.5 (41) to Sydney's 1.0 (6). Geelong's score and leading margin at that point were both the largest any team had achieved in a grand final since 1989. All statistics skewed heavily in Geelong's favour, with a 48–29 advantage in contested possessions, an inside-50 tally of 20–8, and triple Sydney's marks.[20]Joel Selwood was Geelong's leading disposal winner, with 12;[1] while the tactical decision to play Sam De Koning as a loose defender drifting onto the wing had been particularly influential in Geelong's effectively preventing Sydney from advancing the ball.[20]
Second quarter
Sydney won the opening centre clearance, ending with a behind to Lance Franklin. But, Geelong rebounded and again dominated the territory, at one stage enjoying a run of recording 18 out of 19 consecutive inside-50s. Over the next eight minutes, Geelong managed 1.2 (8), Tyson Stengle kicking the goal from a 50m set shot in the 5th minute. Thereafter, Sydney's competitiveness improved, and the balance of the quarter was much more even, with many repeat stoppages and ruck contests, and Sydney's run-and-carry game getting started.[21] After winning the ball from a free kick, Sydney kicked deep to Hayden McLean who marked one-handed in the goal square and kicked Sydney's second goal in the 9th minute. In the 17th minute, Hawkins won a free kick in a one-on-one marking contest and kicked his third goal. In the 20th minute, Callum Mills kicked a long goal for Sydney from 50m. The ensuing centre clearance was won by Geelong and ended with a mark to Stengle, who kicked his second goal from a 40m set shot. After turning over a kick-in, Isaac Heeney kicked a goal from a tight angle for Sydney in the 27th minute. It was the last score of the quarter, and at half time Geelong had extended its quarter time lead by one point, Geelong 9.8 (62) to Sydney 4.2 (26).[18][22][19]
Patrick Dangerfield was a dominant force in the centre for Geelong through the first half, winning several centre clearances which set up Geelong scoring opportunities.[22][19]
Third quarter
Geelong opened the third quarter with three goals in six minutes: the first went to Mitch Duncan from a 15m set shot in the 2nd minute, after winning a holding the ball free kick against Tom McCartin; the second went to Close in the 4th minute from a 15m set shot, after he intercepted a poor short pass across the face of goal by Tom McCartin; and the third was by Smith from a 50m shot. This opening flurry of goals extended Geelong's advantage to 54 points, all but securing the premiership.[22] During this period, Sydney's Sam Reid was substituted out of the game and Braeden Campbell came on.[23] Sydney's only shot on goal for the quarter came in the tenth minute, and was rushed through for a behind. Geelong continued to dominate, adding a further 3.3 (21), with goals to Cam Guthrie from a holding the ball free kick in the 12th minute, and to Stengle in the 18th and 21st minutes.
At three quarter time, Geelong's lead was an insurmountable 74 points: Geelong 15.11 (101) vs Sydney 4.3 (27). Geelong once again completely dominated territory (71% time in forward half)[21] and contested ball for the quarter.[22][24][19] Dangerfield contributed significantly to Geelong's drive, with ten disposals and three clearances.[21]
Final quarter
With the result beyond doubt, the final quarter was played with lesser intensity but still at a lively pace, Geelong kicking five goals to Sydney's four. Goals were scored by Sydney's Chad Warner (6th minute); Geelong's Jeremy Cameron (7th minute); Geelong's Brandan Parfitt, who was substituted into the game for Cam Guthrie in the 15th minute, then crumbed a goal in the 16th minute; Sydney's Paddy McCartin (17th minute); De Koning (20th minute), who marked a Dangerfield snap shot on the goal line and kicked the first goal of his 24-game career; Warner (22nd minute) with a 70m long bomb; Geelong captain Joel Selwood (25th minute); Cameron (27th minute); and Sydney's Tom Papley (30th minute).[24] The final score was Geelong 20.13 (133), Sydney 8.4 (52).[24][19]
Overall
Geelong had a statistical dominance throughout the game, particularly in the first and third quarters. Most starkly demonstrating Geelong's advantage it won: the inside-50s count 63–32; contested possessions 151–110; total disposals 395–304;[19] time in forward half 65%–35%.[21] Sydney won slightly more clearances (37–33),[19] but Geelong's clearances were won more cleanly,[20] such that Geelong lost possession after only one of its clearances compared with Sydney's 17, and led scores from stoppages 65–15. Sydney's rebound game was completely nullified by Geelong's strong marking and ground ball contests through its half-forward and centre-line, allowing Geelong repeat forward 50 entries throughout the game.[21]
Geelong winger Isaac Smith, who had a game-high 32 disposals, a game-high 772 metres gained on the ground, three goals and 14 total score involvements to be responsible for much of Geelong's attacking play, received the Norm Smith Medal, polling 14 out of a possible 15 votes. At age 33, he was the oldest recipient of the accolade in its history.[25]2002 Norm Smith Medallist Nathan Buckley presented the medal.
Midfielder Patrick Dangerfield was second with 10 votes; his nine clearances – many won cleanly and at speed from centre bounces – and 19 contested possessions launched many Geelong scores from stoppages.[24] Small forward Tyson Stengle, who was the leading goalkicker with 4.1, polled four votes. Tall defender Sam De Koning, whose work intercepting Sydney rebounds in the centre of the ground contributed significantly to Geelong's territorial advantage; and ruck/midfielder Mark Blicavs, with 14 contested possessions, 15 hit-outs and a team-high eight tackles – each polled one vote.[22]
Very few Sydney players were considered to have had good games: midfielders Chad Warner (29 disposals, 10 clearances) and James Rowbottom (16 disposals, 8 clearances) and defender Robbie Fox (nullified Jeremy Cameron until the final quarter) considered the Swans' best.[27]
Teams
Geelong's starting 22 made one change from its preliminary final team. Wingman Max Holmes, who was substituted out of the preliminary final with a hamstring injury, was included in Thursday's selected team, but was omitted on the morning of the game; he was replaced in the 22 by preliminary final medical substitute Mark O’Connor, and Brandan Parfitt came into the 23 as substitute.[28] Playing his 40th final, Geelong captain Joel Selwood surpassed Michael Tuck's record for most career VFL/AFL finals,[29] and he became Geelong's only four-time VFL/AFL premiership player. The grand final was ultimately Selwood's last game, as he retired less than a week later. With an average age of 28 years and 206 days, Geelong's grand final 23 set the record for the oldest selected team in any VFL/AFL game, grand final or otherwise, 67 days older than any previous team; it still holds the record as of 2024.[30]Zach Tuohy and Mark O'Connor became only the second and third Irish players to win an AFL title, after Tadhg Kennelly in 2005.[31]
Sydney made one change to its preliminary final 22, with Logan McDonald dropped after playing 17 games in 2022 for Hayden McLean, who played his first game at the AFL level since Round 8. Preliminary final medical substitute Braeden Campbell held his place in the 23. Two Swans under injury clouds — Sam Reid, who had been substituted out of the preliminary final with an adductor strain, and Justin McInerney, who had an ankle complaint — were both selected.[28] Reid played only half of the grand final, with limited impact, and was substituted out for Campbell shortly after half time with a recurrence of the same injury – and Sydney's decision to select him was widely criticised by commentators.[32]
The umpiring panel, comprising three field umpires, four boundary umpires, two goal umpires and an emergency in each position, is given below. 1977 VFL Grand Final umpire John Sutcliffe presented the umpires' medals in the post-match ceremony.[24][33]
Per the AFL TV rights, and for the eleventh consecutive year, the Seven Network had exclusive broadcast rights within Australia, with Fox Footy showing replays after the game's conclusion.[35]
The Seven coverage was led by James Brayshaw and Brian Taylor, with Luke Hodge and Daisy Pearce providing special comments. Abbey Holmes and Matthew Richardson provided interviews at the breaks, and boundary updates throughout the match. Hamish McLachlan served as Master of Ceremonies for the match as well as hosting the Seven coverage alongside Brayshaw. The Seven coverage was simulcast on 7plus on select devices for the first time.[35]
TV ratings for the game were comparatively low for a Grand Final. An average of 2.18 million viewers in capital cities (plus 95,000 viewers on streaming platforms) were recorded making it the lowest-rating broadcast of modern history,[36] behind only the 1993 AFL Grand Final between Essendon and Carlton, although viewership peaked at 5.76 million.[37] Seven's broadcast of the game via its streaming services, where its rights were non-exclusive, also experienced some technical problems.[38][39] Despite the lowest TV ratings in 29 years, it still received more than a million more viewers than any other non-AFL TV show of the day, and it still retained a 65.8% network share as well as the distinction of being most-watched TV show of the year.[40] Prior to the game, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan predicted the game would get 4.4 million viewers, more than 1.3 million more than the actual figure.[41] Channel Seven boss James Warburton called for the match to be brought back to a twilight or night time slot in order to increase ratings.[42]
^Twomey, Callum (16 September 2022). "What curse? Dominant Cats bury Lions to storm into Grand Final". The Cats strolled into next week's Toyota AFL Grand Final with a dominant win over Brisbane on Friday night, claiming their 15th consecutive victory to book their second appearance in the premiership decider in the past three years.
