Summary
Right, that’s all you need from me for tonight. Scott Heinrich has already filed your match report.
Thanks for joining in all season. For all the off-field drama it’s been compelling sport and a greatly appreciated distraction.
Well played Richmond.
Richmond are holding their lap of honour until Ablett is given chance to walk into the middle of the Gabba, salute the crowd, and then jog off on his own terms with a guard of honour. That is a nice touch from the Tigers. Ablett can’t lift his injured left wing. Poor guy.
Trent Cotchin and Damien Hardwick hold the trophy aloft and they’re soon engulfed by the rest of the Richmond team, showered in gold confetti. The famous team song rings out around the Gabba as the celebratory throng moves over to the stands.
These shots are being cut by Channel 7 with long close-ups of Gary Ablett, who leaves footy defeated and in no little pain after suffering an early shoulder injury. He will be missed.
Now here comes Ash Barty to present the premiership cup.
While Cotchin thanks the sponsors, a chance for me to say the night grand final hasn’t worked. The lead-up took forever without any impetus, the pregame entertainment was drab, and it’s now nearly 11pm. Worth a try, but no thanks, whatever the TV ratings come in as.
The final medal is hung around the neck of Trent Cotchin. The Tigers skipper arrives on the dais with his two children, handing the youngest to Jack Riewoldt to allow him to perform his media duties. Cotchin was one of a number of Richmond players celebrating with their children, a reflection of the hub lifestyle that has enabled this season to reach its conclusion.
While the medals are being distributed let’s hope Sam Simpson is ok after he was stretchered off late on, and talso that here are no lasting effects of the concussion for Nick Vlaustin. Both took very heavy blows to the skull.
And now the premiership medallion handover, for me, the purest moment in sport all year. Nothing beats the faces of the little tackers hanging the medals around the necks of their heroes, receiving a hair ruffle and a cap in return.
Dustin Martin wins the Norm Smith medal
How could it be anybody else. The only man to win the award three times. He is not a footballer, he is a force of nature.
Dustin Martin has won his third Norm Smith Medal 👏
— AFL (@AFL) October 24, 2020
The person in history to do so 🎖️#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/b3SKucgn0n
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The camera draws in tight to Gary Ablett who is choking back the tears and looks absolutely broken.
" We love ya, and we thank you for what you've done for the game" ❤️#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/Xs52iSKao3
— AFL (@AFL) October 24, 2020
Updated
Joel Selwood says what he has to up on the dais, checking his notes as the clock ticks beyond 10.30pm back home on the surf coast.
Over to the presentations now. A smattering of applause for the umpires, who I reckon did a great job, simply because I never needed to mention them once!
And of course, on the flipside, there’s Geelong. They led by 22 in the second quarter but leave this most arduous of seasons empty-handed. And for Gary Ablett, it spells a sad end to the most glittering of careers.
Three flags in four years, and you wouldn’t bet against more. The hunger is unlike anything I have ever seen before.
This team 💛#AFLGF #gotiges pic.twitter.com/wNnK31LKwN
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) October 24, 2020
21 disposals, four goals, four clearances, five inside-50s... surely this a hat-trick of Norm Smith medals for Dustin Martin. It wasn’t just the volume but the timing and impact of Martin’s interventions. He consistently dragged the game his way, be it from behind or as frontrunner.
THIS. MAN! #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/UbVleYnlcC
— AFL (@AFL) October 24, 2020
The only other obvious Norm Smith chances would be Shane Edwards, Richmond’s leading ball-winner with 27 disposals, and Jayden Short. Shai Bolton was busy and the key defenders kept Hawkins to 1.2 from three marks and Dangerfield to 1.1 despite the latter playing forward for the first half.
It was even at quarter-time, Geelong kicked ahead, but not away, in the second term, but Richmond turned up after half-time a different beast. They blew the Cats away in the third quarter and finished them off mercilessly at the death.
It was the fastest, most intense game of footy you could ever imagine at a sodden Gabba. It wasn’t pretty for long spells, but Richmond’s relentless pressure and will to win could not be denied.
Richmond 12.9 (81) v 7.8 (50) Geelong
Dynasty.
Jubilation for Richmond as the club song reverberates around the Gabba. Damien Hardwick runs on to embrace Dustin Martin. Geelong players slump to the turf crestfallen.
Updated
Q4: 1 min remaining: Richmond 12.8 (80) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - Martin’s kicked a fourth. The scoreboard is now cruel on Geelong, but these Tigers are something else. Ruthless. This time Martin just picked Stanley’s pocket like taking candy from a baby in side 50 then snapping on the turn from the boundary. Just unstoppable.
Q4: 1 mins remaining: Richmond 11.8 (74) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - The Cats are ragged now. Desperate footy doesn’t suit them and like an insect scrambling to escape a venus fly trap all they do is alert their foe to their vulnerability and the jaws clamp. The turnover is inevitable but the kick forward is uncommonly precise for the night. It finds Riewoldt leading towards the apex of the 50m arc and the boundary on the left wing. The veteran picks himself up, dusts himself off, and kicks a quite magnificent goal. That was a heck of an exclamation mark.
Q4: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 10.8 (68) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - It’s still Geelong in attack, but it’s slow and Richmond have numbers behind the ball. The Tigers clear and then allow Geelong to return to their attacking third with ease as they favour defending their danger zone. It’s a tactic that works and the weight of numbers wins out before Bolton hammers the ball forward for a huge territorial advantage.
Q4: 4 mins remaining: Richmond 10.7 (67) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - The Cats need a miracle and they wrestle the ball forward with incremental wins, but when they need some composure in traffic around the arc they can’t find any and Tuohy turns it over. Geelong continue to push though but the vital snap comes from Stanley and a shot turns into a smothered ball over the boundary line.
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 10.7 (67) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - Geelong have to gamble out of defence but Richmond have the numbers at the aerial contest and after the ball came to ground the rebound into 50 falls kindly for Riewoldt with separation. But he misses the long range set shot.
Q4: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - Richmond win the vital clearance and nip Geelong’s comeback in the bud. Downfield the Tigers play their pressure game to perfection, penning the Cats in the forward pocket. A minute-long phase ends with Graham kicking out on the full but the passage did its job.
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 7.8 (50) Geelong - Menegola kicks the goal! What a hit! After an eight minute delay the wingman, one of the stars of the season, belts home a clutch goal. Geelong are still a long way off, but they remain alive, just.
Q4: 7.30 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Simpson is now strapped onto the stretcher and is being driven off the ground. What a night this has been for incident. Let’s hope he’s back on his feet as quickly as Vlaustin was.
Q4: 7.30 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - When play restarts Menegola will have a set shot from 50m. He must score.
Q4: 7.30 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Both teams are in huddles in what is effectively a time out. The golf cart is out with the stretcher and a team of medicos to attend to the stricken Simpson. A few Cats look dazed, unable to comprehend how they can have competed so hard and given so much for so long and yet still find themselves overrun by this extraordinary Richmond outfit.
Q4: 7.30 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Another sickening moment. Geelong hurl the ball forward and Menegola takes a strong contested mark just on 50m. But the marking contest featured a Tiger and teammate Simpson and the latter was collateral damage in the air, and his head whiplashed into the turf on landing. That was very very ugly. The medical team are out yet again.
Q4: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 10.6 (66) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Tie a bow on it all. Richmond have won the flag. Martin has the Norm Smith in his back pocket. The best player in the competition has his third for the night, busting the tackle on 50m then snapping from range after the Tigers kept the long bomb alive at ground level.
Q4: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 9.6 (60) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - A few Geelong heads are starting to drop, by contrast, Richmond’s chests are puffing out. This one won’t be a contest much longer. Ablett is still out there somehow and he refuses to concede. His industry in midfield gets the ball forward, but the disappointing Rohan drops the diving mark.
Q4: 9.30 mins remaining: Richmond 9.6 (60) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - The Cats, so methodical, need something mercurial and miraculous now. They don’t win the centre clearance though, Martin does, and Richmond are on the hunt again. And they have another scoring opportunity when Taylor catches Cotchin high 45m out. He doesn’t have the journey on the angle.
Q4: 10 mins remaining: Richmond 9.5 (59) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Short has had a good night and he’s in the right place at the right time again to pilfer the ball on half-forward and centre it to a contest that Geelong spoil behind. Still Richmond come, Geelong can’t clear, they’re like a punch-drunk boxer on the ropes, repeat turnover after repeat turnover, and finally Bolton delivers the body blow. From 50m he picks out Lynch in space over the back and he hammers home the set shot from the goalsquare.
They are a fearsome machine this Richmond mob. Relentless.
Q4: 12 mins remaining: Richmond 8.4 (52) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - The Cats win a big stoppage on centre wing and Stanley and Selwood create space for Miers. But that is thoughtless footy from the Cat, smashing the ball aimlessly deep to be intercepted when smarter options were available.
The Tigers clear down the right flank and eat up the clock edging their way forward to a stoppage in the right forward pocket.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 8.4 (52) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - First 50m penalty of the night against Pickett takes Dahlhaus from inside 50 to halfway. He sets up Dangerfield in the air but the flying Cat can’t hold in a spectacular two-on-one contest.
Q4: 14 mins remaining: Richmond 8.4 (52) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - The Cats need some big plays now and Dangerfield earns a free-kick to set them moving but his long bomb inside 50 isn’t marked by Hawkins who spills the chest mark after spending so much time trying to separate from Grimes.
Richmond waste no time sending the Sherrin the other way and earning repeat stoppages in Geelong’s 50.
Q4: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 8.4 (52) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - The centre clearance is in dispute for an age - Dangerfield amongst it - but Nankervis eventually clears and Lynch takes a rare leading mark. His kick to the top of the square is a mongrel and Geelong clear. But they cough up the cheap turnover and the Tigers carve them open down the left wing. It’s not pretty, with a series of scruffy kicks and handballs along the boundary, but it ends with a neat offload to Prestia to dab a precise grubber just inside the right-hand post.
In the past 35 years, Geelong in 2009 are the only side to trail at 3/4 time and win.
I wonder if Edwards’ miss at the end of that quarter will prove costly? I wonder if Ablett will even appear after three-quarter-time?
The team stats are even around the ground, which is testimony to Richmond’s ability to claw back the clearances that quarter.
Mitch Duncan continues to boss the individual stats, but he now has Dustin Martin speeding up in his rearview mirror. The Tiger superstar delivered a barnstorming quarter that gave Geelong’s defensive unit shellshock. He has already had more than enough influence to be a near-certainty for the Norm Smith should Richmond get up.
Some more @DustinMartin4 magic 🤩
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) October 24, 2020
And don't the Tiger Army love it! #AFLGF #gotiges pic.twitter.com/UbCXMeaOiU
Three-quarter-time: Richmond 7.4 (46) v 6.8 (44) Geelong
A premiership quarter from the Tigers. Richmond blasted Geelong off the park for ten minutes, dominating en route to four goals. The Cats fought back late in the term to remain in touch when the game was at risk of escaping their clutches.
This is going to be a grandstand finish late into the night.
Q3: 1 min remaining: Richmond 7.4 (46) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Huge miss from Edwards! Richmond apply extraordinary pressure and go end to end. Once there they hassle Blicavs into another mistake - he’s made a few - and from that familiar Richmond turnover tidal wave Edwards has an untended goal to target but dribbles his effort a fraction wide.
Q3: 1 min remaining: Richmond 7.3 (45) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - This is now a long spell of Geelong pressure, hemming Richmond inside their own 50. Again Ablett goes down in pain at a stoppage - he shouldn’t be out there - and Bews belts out on the full to give the Tigers a break. They cough it up straight afterwards though but the Cats can’t pick a target inside 50 with Dangerfield and Hawkins outnumbered in the air.
Q3: 2 mins remaining: Richmond 7.3 (45) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Geelong pinning Richmond in their own half but they can’t get clean possession. There’s a chase on, and Ablett leads it - but with the Cat being stalked by two Tigers towards the goalsquare Richmond smuggle clear and Ablett lies prone grimmacing and clutching his shoulder.
Q3: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 7.3 (45) v 6.8 (44) Geelong - Superb mark from Henry on halfback to stop a dangerous Richmond incursion. His clearing kick turns into a hanger from Guthrie! Duncan then advances the Cats towards 50, they crumb effectively and Ablett feeds the leading Hawkins. From the boundary Hawkins plays on and snaps a behind.
Q3: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 7.3 (45) v 6.7 (43) Geelong - Free-kick to Geelong just inside 50 for Miers catching Broad holding the ball. He plays on to Guthrie but his long range effort from an angle is wide.
In that passage Ablett barely attempted the tackle on the bustling Broad. He is only just out there the little master.
Q3: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 7.3 (45) v 6.6 (42) Geelong - Selwood tries to hit back by force of will, crashing away from the clearance like a pinball until he reaches 50 and Baker stops him with an outstretched arm. Can he score from 52m? No, the effort drops short. Geelong keep it alive though but Richmond’s pressure is incredible and force O’Connor to kick out on the full.
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 7.3 (45) v 6.6 (42) Geelong - That’s the Norm Smith. Dustin Martin kicks Richmond in front with an opportunistic snap from 50m. After a long spell of chaotic turnover footy between the arcs Richmond gain territory with a barrel forward. Martin, in his forward role, is at the contest in the air, then when it lands he’s first to it and dribbles through from range.
Q3: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 6.3 (39) v 6.6 (42) Geelong - Richmond have been so impressive upping the ante this quarter. Hard and fast around the ground and brave in possession. Geelong clinging on, trying to sloe the game down, but their big players haven’t seen enough of the footy.
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 6.3 (39) v 6.6 (42) Geelong - The Cats win the centre clearance and Dahlhaus does well to keep it alive just inside 50 but then Blicavs is caught in possession and Richmond rebound.
Q3: 9 mins remaining: Richmond 6.3 (39) v 6.6 (42) Geelong - Gee whizz, there is so much happening! Richmond attack at pace down the right and kick to a 2-1 to their advantage but O’Connor does miraculously to keep the ball alive. Geelong can’t clear though and Richmond return, the ball eventually landing in Lambert’s hands - and he drills the set shot from 20m.
There was a horrible turnover from Bews in there on the way out after such good work from O’Connor and Taylor.
Q3: 10 mins remaining: Richmond 5.3 (33) v 6.6 (42) Geelong - The Cats with some slow footy across halfback, which suits them nicely. Eventually they go long down the line and one kick later Dahlhaus has a free-kick on the arc. His centring ball ends up with Stanley snapping wide when a nimbler smaller player may have snagged a goal.
Q3: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 5.3 (33) v 6.5 (41) Geelong - Another Richmond centre clearance win - they are dominating in there now - and Castagna snaps a behind from broken play.
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Q3: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 5.2 (32) v 6.5 (41) Geelong - It’s chaos footy in midfield again, like the opening quarter, but this time it’s on Richmond’s terms and the Tigers look hungry and Geelong look rattled. This is brutal from Richmond, bullying the Cats backwards like Djokovic hammering a qualifier from the baseline until his opponent is back against the fence. Desperate from Geelong in defence just to stay afloat.
But then they clear! And how! Richmond are all over them like a rash for repeat stoppages inside-50. But the ball pops out and Hawkins and Ablett are calm in midfield, handballing smartly in traffic, then Dahlhaus carries bravely before feeding Miers to kick into the unguarded goal on the run. The Cats needed that.
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Richmond 5.2 (32) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Kolodjashnij coughs up an awful turnover at halfback and two kicks later Castagna has the mark 45m out on an angle. And he kicks the goal! It wasn’t a clean strike, but it just cleared the men on the line. The Cats have not come out since the break and the Tigers are rampant.
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 4.2 (26) v 5.5 (35) Geelong -High tackle on Selwood wheeling around the centre clearance, but he dwells over his kick and ends up with a hospital handball to Guthrie in traffic. Richmond rip the other way at warp speed and kick to the 1-1 between Blicavs and Graham - and it’s another fee-kick to Richmond for a poor aerial contest. This time the set shot is well short.
Geelong need to gain a foothold.
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 4.2 (26) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Richmond win the centre clearance and withstand some Geelong pressure to winkle the ball around half-forward until there’s time and space on the wing to centre the ball. They go to the Henderson-Riewoldt 1-1 and there’s a free kick to Richmond for a hold! Riewoldt doesn’t miss from 20m out on a slight angle. That was just the start the Tigers needed.
Ablett starts the half on the bench. His left shoulder is heavily strapped.
“I thought we were really good around the ball,” says Chris Scott. “The second-half will be about the contest and we have to drive home the advantage.”
“We’re getting beaten up around scrimmages,” says Damien Hardwick. “It destabilises us (losing Vlaustin) we have to try a few things to get back in the game”.
One of those things appears to be starting Martin forward.
So, how are you all feeling? Do the Cats have enough of a lead? Can Richmond’s under-par performers like Lynch, Rioli and Houli step it up?
That half was so manic I forgot there was a pitch invasion. Has word got around who those donuts happen to be yet?
And some more half-time review fodder:
Harry Taylor yet to lose a single one-on-one out of the five he's had with Tom Lynch
— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) October 24, 2020
Updated
Sheppard are putting on a good show. They’re giving this FM radio staple a faithful rendition.
@JPHowcroft In NZ watching the game with a classic brew. pic.twitter.com/EQlT1q2a4k
— Steph Coutts (@Tepania_Steph) October 24, 2020
Drink responsibly Essendon fans, you have your share of sorrows to drown.
Sheppard (a Brisbane band, not Brad from the Weagles) are now out in the middle doing some very pleasant indie-pop-dance thingumajigs. This is more like it. These should have been pregame. Lots of light and colour and movement.
Although, maybe some of that is the product of this...
Some half-time headlines:
- Geelong lead by 15 points at half-time after dominating the second quarter.
- Their run of five consecutive goals either side of quarter-time was broken by a piece of individual brilliance by Dustin Martin, a goal that keeps Richmond in touch after they struggled to clear their lines.
- The Cats are leading marks 31-9 and marks inside-50 7-1. That is the story of the match so far with both sides applying ferocious pressure around the ground turning every contest into a demolition derby.
- Mitch Duncan is dominating the individual stats, followed by Joel Selwood and Tom Stewart. But nobody has had the decisive impact of Dustin Martin.
- Nick Vlaustin is thankfully up and about after he was knocked out early in the first quarter, but will play no further part in the grand final.
.@JPHowcroft With pubs closed and home visits restricted I'm following the @AFL Final on your @guardian_sport live blog from @zach2e hometown @DowntownPortlao & can sense the tension from here! Sure hope @zach2e isn't as nervous as I am! @GeelongCats #GoCatsGo #GeelongStrong
— John Whelan (@SenJohnWhelan) October 24, 2020
Great to have you on board John.
Half-time: Richmond 3.2 (20) v 5.5 (35) Geelong
Geelong with a handy lead at the main break. They dominated that quarter, and against any other side you’d expect them to be plenty clear. But this is Richmond in the wet and that added degree of difficulty means the 2020 grand final remains very much in the balance.
Updated
Q2: 1 mins remaining: Richmond 3.2 (20) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Oh my, Dustin Martin. Richmond win the clearance and force a ball-in in their right forward pocket. Stanley wins the tap to Stewart but Martin is on him in a flash and wins the tackle. But he horribly miss-hits the free-kick. He is human after all.
Q2: 1 mins remaining: Richmond 3.2 (20) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Lynch drops a mark he should hold onto running towards the left forward pocket. The air is being sucked form Richmond’s balloon. But Geelong offer a lifeline and kick out on the full from the desperate clearance. The Tigers reload and bomb back to the pack, the ball comes to ground, who’s there? DUSTIN MARTIN! Wallop. Fend-off , step away, half a yard of space, snap, bang, goal. That was magnificent. Richmond finally get one back.
Our guy, @DustinMartin4 😤#AFLGF #gotiges pic.twitter.com/doZ6afKsTI
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) October 24, 2020
Updated
Q2: 2 mins remaining: Richmond 2.2 (14) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Another poor clearing kick invites Richmond back onto attack but Balta is not who the Tiger want with ball in hand and his delivery inside 50 is poor. From the stoppage the ball ends up in dispute in Geelong’s danger zone but Stewart comes up with a superb tackle on Rioli to arrest the momentum shift. Brilliant tackle.
Q2: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 2.2 (14) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Parfitt has done well playing honey badger in the wet, scrapping hard for every clearance. Richmond look like they have a stoppage win but it’s soon a ball-up. They do finally get territory with the second phase, but once it gets near Geelong’s 50 Stewart is there to intercept. His clearing kick is poor though and Richmond turn it over and belt it straight back. Bolton is handily placed to take an uncontested mark just inside 50. Can he stem the tide? No. He hangs that one out to the right.
Q2: 4 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 5.5 (35) Geelong - Another clearance win for Geelong followed by manic hassling from both sides ending with a ball-up around Geelong’s half-forward line. Ablett flicks it out of traffic to Selwood, who finds Hawkins lace out, who smashes a trademark left-to-ride fade from 50m to send the Cats clear. Five in a row for Geelong!
I'm watching the AFL Grand Final for some reason.
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) October 24, 2020
Quick question: at what point do the police arrest everybody involved?
Updated
Q2: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 4.5 (29) Geelong - The Cats have time at half-forward but can’t pick a target. Eventually they turn it over but win it back in an instant when Houli is left outnumbered. This is an extraordinary contest of hurried turnover after hurried turnover. From the latest there is a target to hit - Menegola - and he goes back and slots the set shot from 45m. Four in a row for Geelong!
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Q2: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 3.5 (23) Geelong - Geelong’s pressure is superb - equalling Richmond’s. It has meant the Tigers have only once threatened this quarter so far. The Cats are also ahead in midfield where their ability to clear out from the stoppage is allowing them to turn contested ball in congestion into attack.
Q2: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 3.4 (22) Geelong - Now Tuohy adds a point from long-range.
Ablett’s arm is too sore to high-five, how is he out there?
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) October 24, 2020
Q2: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 3.3 (21) Geelong - Brilliant from Stewart, hitting the contest hard, winning the ball and belting it back over the pack and scuttling towards goal. The Tigers are hurried in the clearance because Dangerfield is so committed and the ball is soon back in Geelong’s hands - but Miers snaps wide when he should have done better.
Q2: 9 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - The pressure is wild. “How good is this!?” Asks Bruce on TV. Well, I guess it depends what you want to watch. For pressure-ball it is a clinic. For footy, it’s turnover after turnover in midfield followed by a hacked kick forward.
Finally there’s some breathing room courtesy of the excellent Duncan. He picks out Miers who delivers a teasing ball to the tip of the arc where Dangerfield is lurking. Instead of shooting he goes to the top of the square and the ball is forced out for a ball-in.
Richmond with just six marks all game.
Updated
Q2: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - The Cats win the clearance and work it nicely outside until the ball is on to find Hawkins leading on an angle to the 50m arc. But Dahlhaus gets in his way! Miscommunication from Geelong. The Cats continue to press and the ball is soon back inside 50, the first entry is dealt with quickly, then the second is held for an age by Nankervis who doesn’t realise it’s not a mark, but a touched kick. The umpire goes easy on the big man and there’s a stoppage. Richmond win it and hurl forward at rapid pace, surging like we know they do so well, and in the blink of an eye a long spell of defence is suddenly a dangerous attack. Geelong do just enough to survive and clear to left centre wing.
Q2: 14 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 3.2 (20) Geelong - Richmond clear and mark on their right wing around halfway but the ball inside 50 is dealt with by Geelong. They then clear back to halfway where there’s chaos with the ball in dispute until Rohan wins a free-kick for scragging Prestia. His kick intelligently goes to the 1-1 between Dangerfield and Cotchin inside 50 - and the outcome is a free to the Cat. From a tight angle about 35m out the #35 executes a beautiful pendulous swing of his right boot and Geelong have three in a row!
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 2.2 (14) Geelong - Martin hacks the centre clearance forward to set up good field position for Richmond. From the stoppage Stewart does well to clear out of defence and Ablett creates a stoppage for the Cats on their left wing.
The sprint! It happened in the ad break!
Jordan Clark wins it for Geelong, just pipping Brad Hill on the line.
The team stats are pretty even. The major discrepancy is marks with Geelong’s precision kick-mark approach standing up so far despite the wet footy and Richmond’s pressure.
QT | Stat Leaders
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 24, 2020
Goals: Duncan, Guthrie
Disposals: 8 - Duncan, Stewart, 7 - Guthrie, Selwood#AFLGF #GeelongStrong
The headlines:
- Nick Vlaustin is out of the game with a head injury. He was stretchered off after just four minutes following a collision with Patrick Dangerfield.
- Gary Ablett is still playing, but he was off the ground for much of the quarter with what we suspect was a dislocated left shoulder.
- Brandon Parfitt and Nathan Broad are both carrying knocks sustained in that opening term.
- Footy-wise, Richmond’s extraordinary pressure has set the tone, but Geelong have matched it, and shown some clean skills in tight when they’ve needed to.
- Dustin Martin looks in ominous form, driving Richmond forward and creating havoc in Geelong’s midfield and defensive thirds.
- The Cats missed gettable set shots early through Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins, but superb goals from Cam Guthrie and Mitch Duncan edged them in front at the siren.
I could do with a breathy Cher cover to calm down after that.
Quarter-time: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 2.2 (14) Geelong
34.5 minutes after the opening bounce, we can all take a breather. That was absolute chaos.
Q1: 0.30 min remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 2.2 (14) Geelong - Stanley takes a superb momentum-shifting intercept mark in the centre circle. He picks out Menegola on his outside who delivers inside 50 to the leading Duncan. From the right forward pocket one of the Cats of the season threads the needle and Geelong lead!
Superb finish from Duncan, but that was a 12-point play from Stanley.
Q1: 1 min remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Geelong - The ball is in dispute on centre wing but soon it’s in Richmond’s hands courtesy of some silk from Houli. After switching from right to left the ball goes inside 50 but Geelong have numbers and clear - but only as far as Astbury and the Tigers mount another attack. But Astbury is wasteful and picks out Stewart inside 50.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Geelong - Is that another one!? Nope, just a security guard running across the Geelong 50m arc back to his station. Deary me. This has been bonkers.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Geelong - Richmond attack at pace and rattle Geelong’s defence - but what on earth? There are two pitch invaders! This is nuts.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Geelong - Guthrie with the centre clearance towards Ablett, who looked unconvincing with the ball coming towards him, but he laid a tackle afterwards. Geelong keep the ball in Richmond’s territory on the left wing with Hawkins dominating the ruck. They can’t find any space though with Richmond’s pressure extraordinary around the stoppage. Eventually Duncan has a shooting window but Martin executes a brilliant smother. Then the same Cat kicks out on the full and Richmond clear.
Broad is back on.
Updated
Q1: 5 mins remaining: Richmond 2.1 (13) v 1.2 (8) Geelong - Ablett is back on! That’ll be a huge story tomorrow, presumably he has been given all sorts of painkillers.
Meanwhile Martin forces a behind after imposing himself in the right forward pocket. Then Geelong finally string a long sequence of passes together with some intelligent movement, setting up Guthrie for a set shot at the limit of his range - and he nails it! The hardest set shot of the three so far for the Cats, and the All Australian delivers!
And another player is off the field looking ropey - Broad it is now. I think that’s another HIA. Wowzers.
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Richmond 2.0 (12) v 0.2 (2) Geelong - Martin wins the centre clearance, then the ball comes back his way after Geelong repel the first wave of attack. This time Martin picks out Baker with a superb pass. He feeds McIntosh and the wingman snaps a beautiful struck goal on the run from 50m. Richmond flying!
Q1: 7 mins remaining: Richmond 1.0 (6) v 0.2 (2) Geelong - First goal of the night goes to Dion Prestia! Richmond’s forward pressure forces Geelong to kick hurriedly from halfback and the interception follows. The bomb inside 50 is brought to ground and Edwards and Graham do well to keep it alive before Prestia snaps truly from 35m straight in front.
The last six grand finals have been lost by the team that kicked the first goal. Hmmm.
The pressure so far is extraordinary.
Q1: 8 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.2 (2) Geelong - Richmond fail to clear and the Cats apply serious pressure to force a stoppage in the left forward pocket. From the ball-in Hawkins dominates the ruck and sets up Dangerfield to sweep around for a shot, but he offloads to Tuohy instead as is cleaned up after the play for a free-kick. And now he misses a gettable set-shot from 45 out straight in front.
Ablett is back out on the boundary! Roars from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Parfitt looks to have a dislocated finger put back in.
Q1: 9 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.1 (1) Geelong - Geelong work their way out of heavy traffic in defence, superb series of tight handballs. Menegola was involved and he ends the phase with a beautiful kick to Guthrie who then feeds Hawkins on the lead. Huge moment coming up. From 40m on a 45 degree angle, Hawkins.... just shaves the left-hand upright.
Vlaustin has his boots off. Unsurprisingly he is done for the day.
Q1: 10 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Richmond win the turnover quickly and gain good territory but Geelong’s backline holds up in the chaos. Then there’s some more harum-scarum stiff in midfield with bodies flying everywhere like shrapnel. I hope this settles down at some point.
Q1: 11 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Martin imposes himself in traffic to unsettle Geelong in attacking territory. Short profits, runs and bounces, then slams a wild kick out of bounds on the full.
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - After that long break so early into the contest the match restarts. How much will it affect the psychology of these teams?
Blicavs hammers Geelong deep inside 50 for the first time but every Cat is manned up and Geelong smuggle the ball to the boundary.
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Vlaustin is now off the ground strapped to a stretcher. Let’s hope he’s ok. The latest on Ablett suggests a dislocated shoulder.
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - There’s a stoppage while the stretcher comes on to attend to Vlaustin. Replays show Dangerfield punches the loose ball and shortly afterwards in his follow through Vlaustin’s head smashed into his elbow. The Richmond defender is surely out for the remainder of the game. Dangerfield was bracing for contact but the way the collision occurred that brace turned into an elbow to Vlaustin’s head.
Ablett hasn’t been seen for an age after going down to the rooms. He was skewered into the turf on his left arm and he left with his arm in that cradling position familiar with breaks or dislocations. I hope he returns. That would be a tragic way for his career to end.
Both Gary Ablett and Nick Vlastuin have been helped off the ground in a wild sequence of play. #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/hA4gZbXoFe
— AFL (@AFL) October 24, 2020
Updated
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Guthrie bangs the ball forward but Balta outmuscles Hawkins 1-1, which is a big early win for the youngster. Turnovers from both sides between the arcs. The pressure is wild!
Vlaustin looks to be knocked out! Dangerfield followed through with his fist in a collision that took ball and man.
And Ablett leaves clutching his left arm! That does not look good at all. His left wrist has left him in agony and he leaves the ground.
Carnage!
Updated
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Boundary throw turns into a ball-up but then Selwood wins another clearance only to belt it out on the full on the run on left centre wing. Then there’s some manic pressure-ball from Richmond, keeping play frantic just in Geelong’s half of the ground. Another clearance to Selwood, but it leads to another ball-up. This is not going to be one for the purists. Kolodjashnij is playing up the ground on Martin.
Q1: 15 mins remaining: Richmond 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Geelong - Selwood wins the opening clearance but his kick is smothered, a pack forms and there’s a ball-up. Get used to that ladies and gents.
Opening bounce!
Who will be crowned AFL premiers for 2020, Richmond or Geelong?
Siren, toss, Cotchin calls correctly, makes no difference, teams huddle. It’s on!
Your 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Finalists 🐯😺#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/K9WQgtvGex
— AFL (@AFL) October 24, 2020
Anthem time, and it’s a classic-era Hollywood edition. The latest questionable choice on an odd night for musical curation.
You’ll be pleased to know that, for the time being, it’s dry and still.
Simon Black arrives with the premiership cup, handing it over to Ash Barty and Ian Nankervis.
I’m a massive Ash Barty fan so I’m delighted the Richmond-supporting Queenslander has been invited to present the premiership trophy to Trent Cotchin should the Tigers win. This could have been her year to cash in on the WTA Tour but unfortunately her schedule was wrecked by the pandemic.
Nankervis, of course, is one of the most decorated Cats in the club’s history.
Hype feels like it’s the Wizard Cup grand final
— Luke Henriques-Gomes (@lukehgomes) October 24, 2020
I was just thinking the same. Feels like an exhibition to me, not a grand final. So far this has not been the audition the night gf boosters might have hoped for.
And here come the Tigers, in the blackest version of their iconic yellow and black outfit.
On with the main event, and here come the Cats! They are in the whitest iteration of their famous hooped uniform.
That was the weakest pregame I can recall.
One of those footyisms that’s always stuck with me is the one from Paul Roos around grand finals being decided not by the top six players on a list, but the bottom six. With that in mind, AFL.com have ranked the 44 selected using the AFL Player Ranking system. What does it tell us? That the bottom end of each list is as evenly matched as the top...
1. Dustin Martin (Rich) 562.6 (midfielder)
2. Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) 533.8 (midfielder)
3. Shane Edwards (Rich) 501.1 (midfielder)
4. Dion Prestia (Rich) 489.6 (midfielder)
5. Gary Ablett (Geel) 467 (forward)
6. Tom Hawkins (Geel) 422.3 (key forward)
7. Nick Vlastuin (Rich) 403.8 (defender)
8. Kane Lambert (Rich) 397 (midfielder)
9. Sam Menegola (Geel) 387.2 (midfielder)
10. Joel Selwood (Geel) 386.2 (midfielder)
11. Mitch Duncan (Geel) 384.9 (midfielder)
12. Rhys Stanley (Geel) 384.6 (ruck)
13. Mark Blicavs (Geel) 366.6 (key defender)
14. Trent Cotchin (Rich) 354.1 (midfielder)
15. Jack Riewoldt (Rich) 344.8 (key forward)
16. Cameron Guthrie (Geel) 328.9 (midfielder)
17. Brandan Parfitt (Geel) 319.9 (midfielder)
18. Harry Taylor (Geel) 318 (key defender)
19. Dylan Grimes (Rich) 313.3 (key defender)
20. Shai Bolton (Rich) 309.5 (midfielder)
21. Bachar Houli (Rich) 305.7 (defender)
22. Zach Tuohy (Geel) 293.8 (midfielder)
23. Tom Lynch (Rich) 292.6 (key forward)
24. Gryan Miers (Geel) 292.4 (forward)
25. Luke Dahlhaus (Geel) 287.7 (forward)
26. Daniel Rioli (Rich) 278 (forward)
27. Liam Baker (Rich) 277.9 (defender)
28. Toby Nankervis (Rich) 276.2 (ruck)
29. Jayden Short (Rich) 275.5 (defender)
30. Jack Graham (Rich) 266.9 (midfielder)
31. Kamdyn McIntosh (Rich) 264.4 (midfielder)
32. Mark O’Connor (Geel) 252.7 (defender)
33. Gary Rohan (Geel) 249.6 (forward)
34. Jack Henry (Geel) 242.3 (defender)
35. David Astbury (Rich) 237.6 (key defender)
36. Tom Stewart (Geel) 235.7 (defender)
37. Jed Bews (Geel) 223.3 (defender)
38. Jason Castagna (Rich) 219.3 (forward)
39. Nathan Broad (Rich) 197.6 (defender)
40. Jake Kolodjashnij (Geel) 194.1 (defender)
41. Noah Balta (Rich) 164.9 (key defender)
42. Lachie Henderson (Geel) 155.1 (key defender)
43. Marlion Pickett (Rich) 94.6 (midfielder)
44. Sam Simpson (Geel) 41.2 (forward)
Change of pace. Not before time either. Andrew Stockdale + Band & QSO Orchestra are wailing through Joker and the Thief. This at least allows the nighttime staging to shine with plenty of strobes and whatnot making the Gabba look like three-quarter-time at a Fremantle home game at Optus Stadium.
The second track, Criminals, is not Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling, or The Killers nailing Midnight Oil. I feel like I’m watching the closing credits to Gray’s Anatomy after a break-up or a tragedy.
DMA’s are up, and they open with a pedestrian cover of Cher’s Believe. That was underwhelming and odd for a pump-up 30 minutes from the bounce.
I feel like Principal Skinner in the Simpsons, gazing upon this scene of youthfulness like a tourist in my own timeline.
Updated
As easy as it is to take for granted how very good Richmond are these days, it is just as easy to forget how very ordinary they were not long ago.
Scott Heinrich puts the Tigers in context.
Brisbane band Club Sport are now doing a breathy synth rendition of Brisbane band Powderfinger’s These Days.
I’m not a fan of breathy covers. Every bloomin advert at the moment seems to be someone slowing down a perfectly serviceable song into something supposedly poignant and meaningful the minute it’s whispered and had the drums removed.
Win or lose, today will be remembered for the presence, one final time, of Gary Ablett.
Mike Brady is singing an orchestral version of Up There Cazaly, from an empty MCG, while a VT package salutes this year’s crop of retirees.
Probably lucky there’s no parade of Hi-Luxs around the boundary tonight, they would absolute destroy the sodden turf.
Scott Heinrich ran the rule over the grand finalists following their (upset?) preliminary final victories.
I can’t split them. The form lines are similar. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. The weather means it’s going to be close. If you have a clear tip, I’d love to know how you arrived at it.
As the floodlights take effect, Shannon Ruska leads the welcome to country.
There’s a special call out to the people of the Kulin nation, home of the MCG, which is a nice touch.
Updated
Geelong XXII
Chris Scott entered the finals with a couple of questions over his best 22. Rhys Stanley has emphatically answered one of those, pushing Esava Ratugolea out of the equation in the ruck, while the eye-catching form of Sam Simpson has sidelined Tom Atkins, Zach Guthrie and Brad Close, and meant the injuries and questionable form of Jack Steven have not hurt the Cats.
This is the fifth-oldest 22 in VFL/AFL history and clearly much will be expected of the veteran spine of Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Tom Hawkins. The latter has been a bellwether for the Cats, averaging three goals per game in victories, but only one in defeats.
When Geelong have excelled this year the two-way running of Sam Menegola, Mitch Duncan and Mark Blicavs has been notable. Their link play when Geelong secure clean possession is going to be important, especially in these conditions, and they know that Richmond are fearsome at hitting teams on the counter if the Cats turnover in attacking territory.
Around the ground the lines look evenly matched and full of quality but the one area that would worry me slightly from a Geelong point of view would be the small forwards and defenders. Considering the weather, the game is likely to be played at ground level, which must favour the likes of Daniel Rioli and Jason Castagna against a pretty tall Geelong defence. Then at the other end we know Gary Rohan and Gryan Miers can blow hot and cold, but they will have to do plenty of heavy lifting after Hawkins and Dangerfield have competed in the air.
B: Jed Bews, Harry Taylor, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Lachie Henderson, Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart
C: Mitch Duncan, Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola
HF: Luke Dahlhaus, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers
F: Mark O’Connor, Tom Hawkins, Gary Ablett
FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie
I/C: Jack Henry, Brandan Parfitt, Zach Tuohy, Sam Simpson
Richmond XXII
For just the third time in VFL/AFL history neither grand finalist has made any changes from their preliminary final triumphs.
For Richmond there is no obvious hard-luck selection story. Mabior Chol and Jake Aarts have played their roles during the season and Josh Caddy carries a hefty reputation, but this is now clearly Damien Hardwick’s preferred 22. Ivan Soldo would be in but for injury, while Sydney Stack would be in the mix had he not disgraced himself on the Gold Coast.
The back three are going to be crucial this evening with veterans David Astbury and Dylan Grimes, and the emerging Noah Balta having to marshal Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield. They did so superbly back in round 17, keeping Geelong to just 1.5 at three-quarter-time.
Further forward, if there is one area that Geelong can fall short it’s the application of their small-medium forwards, which means Liam Baker and Bachar Houli loom as potential weapons. In midfield Dion Prestia’s return to the side has been timed perfectly with his ball-winning ability vital to stopping Geelong dominating clearances and setting up the game on their terms.
How the Cats combat Dustin Martin will be fascinating with Richmond’s previous finals opponents almost conceding defeat on that score before a ball had been kicked. Shane Edwards and Shai Bolton offer bags of outside class, while Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt have the size and snarl to unsettle any defence.
B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Liam Baker, Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
HF: Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna, Dustin Martin
F: Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin
I/C: Jack Graham, Shai Bolton, Jayden Short, Nathan Broad
We’ve just received confirmation of the team lists, and there are no late changes.
Here’s the official schedule from the hour or so leading up to the opening bounce.
Grand final sprint during quarter time feels a bit odd.
Your Grand Final night running sheet ... #aflfinals pic.twitter.com/UQKWsUq3TD
— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) October 22, 2020
After that afternoon deluge largely drained away (despite further rain) Michael Voss has just reported from near the centre square that the puddles are forming again as the rain intensifies.
Chances are the rain will clear around the 'Gabba. The main rain mass is presently east of the 'Gabba and tracking SE. Rain in brisBANE comes in quickly and then goes away quickly. The 'Gabba has very good drainage systems. 🚣♂️#AFLGF
— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) October 24, 2020
BOMhttps://t.co/KfKUL7iz0r pic.twitter.com/IlJvn5lUFG
We will look back on the 2020 premiership season in disbelief in years to come. With the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping across the world at the turn of the year it was only a matter of time before it encroached on footy.
It began with a curtain raiser at an empty MCG...
Suspension of the nascent season was inevitable.
But administrators were creative and clubs nimble and the show soon got back on the road.
There were wobbles along the way as bubbles burst and brief spells away from home stretched. These grand finalists have racked up over 100-days of near solitude.
But through it all the footy kept on keeping on, sometimes for days on end as the schedule magically accommodated everything thrown at it, like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag.
She reminds me of Ricky Ponting covering the cricket, always looking to provide some insightful cut-through against a wall of noise.
Trent Cotchin has done his Sorkinesque walk-and-talk with Luke Hodge. The central theme was ‘one week at a time’, all business. “Everyone who runs out tonight has a job to do,” he said, dismissing any talk of dynasties.
Welcome to the @GabbaBrisbane + the 2020 #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/d9UyAram1U
— Richmond FC 🐯🏆 (@Richmond_FC) October 24, 2020
How’s your day going so far? When the announcement of a grand final under lights was made the decision was met with near universal derision. A quick glance of social media this afternoon suggests that dissent has only stiffened. If the AFL hope to win hearts and minds for a long-term change to the start time they’ve got their work cut out.
Is it sinking in about now a night GF was only ever a good idea in the minds of TV executives scrambling for a few more thousand viewers, and "event" types who don't give a shit about the game & will probably talk more about the entertainment? Both can FRO. #AFLGF #AFLTigersCats
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) October 24, 2020
If today has felt somewhat hollow, especially for any Victorians, you’ll enjoy this from Jonathan Horn.
In Melbourne, not surprisingly, it hasn’t felt like grand final week at all. The Brownlow medal barely registered. There has been no long lunches, no tortured pleas for tickets, no barbecue invitations. In 2017, it seemed like every pub, laneway, warehouse, henhouse and outhouse in Richmond was painted yellow and black. Now there are just a few half-arsed attempts at Halloween decorations. There’s a public holiday on Friday, but no parade. On Saturday, they’ll wheel out Mike Brady – or someone fitting his description – to sing to an empty MCG.
How will Geelong adapt to the conditions? “We’ll take the game on and be brave,” says Joel Selwood out on the ground with Luke Hodge. “We’re from Geelong, we’ve seen rain before.” Typically straightforward and confident from the Cat ahead of his 200th appearance as skipper.
Gold Coast ➡️ Brisbane.#AFLGF #GeelongStrong pic.twitter.com/gSnGmWbPhx
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 24, 2020
Conditions
Oh boy, the craziest year could well be topped off by the craziest conditions ever seen for a grand final. Thunderstorms have lashed southeast Queensland all day with at least 40mm of rain falling on the Gabba (according to Channel 7), the biggest drenching it has received in six months. Large pools of standing water started forming around 3pm.
The outfield has drained well over the past hour or so, but the forecast for the evening is for more scattered showers, some of which could be thundery.
Temperatures will be in the low 20s with the high humidity balanced by a northerly breeze.
The wet conditions play firmly into Richmond’s hands. They have proven themselves adept at chaotic footy where there is a premium on territorial gain and improvisation. Geelong, by contrast, prefer a more precise approach, dominated by kick-mark possession football that will be challenging to execute in these circumstances. It remains to be seen if this forces a change of approach from Chris Scott either with his team selection or strategy.
Just as a sidenote, the AFL does have a lightning rule that allows for a match to be stopped for up to an hour, or postponed entirely, if lightning strikes are identified within 10km of the stadium. The rule was implemented in 2018 for the AFLW and last used in the men’s competition early in 2014.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the AFL grand final between Richmond and Geelong. The opening bounce at the Gabba is 6.30pm local time (7.30pm AEDT).
It is a landmark day in Australian sport. An AFL season like no other concludes a month later than scheduled, 1,500km further north than usual, and with an unfamiliar start time. Shaped by compromise it is a showpiece that reflects the weeks that have preceded it; an atypical decider to cap a unique year.
Despite all the uncertainty and upheaval the cream has risen. Richmond are here to make it three flags in four seasons, which consensus appears to dictate is the entry point for dynastic status. Geelong are four quarters from the premiership trophy for the first time since 2011, but they haven’t been far from the mark in the intervening period as they prolong a 15-year stretch of being there or thereabouts.
Few grand finals in recent history have presented such clear narratives, especially for Geelong.
Today marks the conclusion of the career of Gary Ablett, the standout footballer of his generation. Alongside him in the Cats’ forward line stands Patrick Dangerfield, hitherto the best player in the contemporary game never to reach a grand final, and now looking to add a premiership medallion to his extravagant haul of individual honours. Then there are the legacy players like Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor and Mitch Duncan, who are back to take another look at the summit of their sport after first scaling it almost a decade ago. Chief amongst that number, captain Joel Selwood is on track to become the most decorated player in the history of the second-oldest football club in the world.
For Richmond tonight is the exclamation point at the end of one almighty ‘I told you so’. Back in 2010 CEO Brendon Gale made fans of rival clubs guffaw when he outlined a masterplan to make the Tigers the competition’s dominant force; those supporters are not laughing now. But after the euphoria of 2017 and the redemption of 2019, this iteration of Richmond has a sharper edge. Controversy has dogged them all year with the once cuddly Tiges now renowned for their unapologetic ruthlessness on-field and not infrequent missteps off it.
But the defending champions also have some individuals of their own with storylines worthy of grand final day. Not least Dustin Martin, the popular choice to collect his third Norm Smith medal, an accolade that would put him in a category of one and cement his status as one of the all-time great finals footballers.
Time to settle in, soak up the atmosphere of this grand final evening and steam into the opening bounce like Mark Yeates 31 years ago. Remember, this is more fun if you make yourselves heard, so get in touch via Twitter or email, and I’ll be keeping an eye on what’s happening below the line.
