AFL Record – Grand Final 2022

REVENGE FLAGS

How many sides have turned the tables on their previous year’s Grand Final opponent? ASHLEY BROWNE reports.

PRODIGAL SONS

The return of a champion player to coach his old side hasn’t always turned into premiership success. ASHLEY BROWNE reports.

RIGHT NOTE

It is 50 years since the Fable Singers recorded the original 12 club theme songs. ASHLEY BROWNE reports.

CLUTCH GOALS

The big Grand Final goal holds fond memories for fans and players alike. We relive a few. ANDREW SLEVISON reports.

SUPER SWAN

Ten years ago, Ryan O’Keefe led Sydney to a special win – and he took home the Norm Smith Medal. LAURENCE ROSEN reports.

BEST OF THE ‘G

A decade of MCG memories. SAM EDMUND reports.

THE Franklin’s season selection images

Australian Grand Prix CEO ANDREW WESTACOTT is a footy (and Bulldogs) tragic. Read his Love Letter To Footy.

What’s it like to spend an entire Grand Final sitting on the bench? It happened in 2021 and quite often back in the day. STEPHEN RODGERS reports.

WELCOME BACK

The Grand Final returns to the MCG for the first time since 2019 – and the MCC is well prepared for its biggest day. ASHLEY BROWNE reports.

SYDNEY SHINES

Inspired by a late Nick Malceski goal and some Adam Goodes magic, the Sydney Swans hung tough to win their last premiership 10 years ago.

TIGER TIME

In the blink of an eye, five years have passed since Richmond’s drought-breaking flag in 2017. We recapture that big day.

GET IT RIGHT

Senior writer ASHLEY BROWNE has six ‘must-fix’ items for the AFL’S new CEO.

The last Saturday in September marks the conclusion of a truly spectacular year of football. And what a remarkable season it has been.

This game, our game, is like no other, it is not just a sport – it is part of who we are. The footy season is the soap opera that dictates the rhythm of our lives.

A year of leading the front pages, the back pages, the water cooler conversations right around the country and we have well and truly bounced back from two really challenging years.

It has been a spectacular year, one of the best-ever. During the home and away season, 6.1 million loyal fans showed up week-in and week-out to see their team battle it out for a coveted spot in the eight.

FOOTY BOUNCES BACK BIG TIME

GILLON McLACHLAN AFL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

AFL club memberships hit an all-time record of more than 1.19 million members – one in 22 Australians is now a member of an AFL club – which is a testament to the deep love that our fans hold for our game.

The footy has been truly fantastic. The scoring up, congestion down, games are free-flowing and as competitive as ever.

Every week, every day, a new story, a new moment, with some of these golden moments shining the brightest.

Geelong winning yet another McClelland Trophy.

Collingwood winning 11 matches by under 12 points – something that has never happened before in a season.

Fremantle back in the finals for the first time since 2015.

PASSION AND PRIDE:

Magpie fans enjoyed an epic run of 11 wins by under 12 points; while Dockers champion David Mundy (right) bowed out after climbing into the AFL/VFL top 10 for games played.

The pure courage and strength of Sam Docherty and Ben Cunnington, whose bravery inspires their teammates more than any on-field act.

David Mundy joining the top 10 AFL/VFL games played list with an unbelievable tally of 376.

Scott Pendlebury and Joel Selwood reaching game No. 350, Shane Edwards and Paddy Dangerfield playing No. 300.

Fairytale goodbyes such as Robbie Gray, Michael Hurley, Dan Hannebery, Paddy Ryder and the two Josh Kennedys.

Of course, who could forget Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s 1000th goal.

A remarkable milestone, a feat we may never have the privilege of witnessing again.

I said at the time Buddy delivered a most magical moment and created

The 2022 season saw football back to its pulsating best. With heart-stopping finishes, record membership and moments like Lance Franklin’s 1000th goal, it was a year to savour.

one of the most euphoric, joyful scenes ever seen in football.

It was everything that makes our game the best in the world –and we should all never lose sight of that; how privileged we all are to be part of footy and the joy it brings to millions of people around the country.

Footy’s bounce-back in 2022 has revived the heartbeat in cities around the country and is something we’re incredibly proud of.

We wouldn’t be here without you and your unwavering dedication for the teams you love –I sincerely thank you.

The game will always be for you, and we’ll continue to ensure that these memorable experiences remain accessible to all.

The hugely successful sixth and seventh NAB AFLW seasons this year showed us once again women’s football continues to go from strength to strength without any sign of slowing down.

The league is now whole with 18 teams and is inspiring an entire generation of young female players.

Thank you to all our corporate and broadcast partners for your ongoing support this season, in particular the Seven Network, Foxtel/Kayo, Telstra and our premier partner Toyota, who work with us to drive great outcomes across Australia for the millions of fans of the game.

Our teams give us a sense of community. Our games give us something to celebrate and, often, commiserate over.

To be at the Grand Final with 100,000 fellow supporters watching our best two teams vie for the honour of being the 2022 premier is to be part of history.

To everyone at the game or watching at home, thank you for all you have brought to the AFL and Australian Football across the country this season.

We hope you have an incredible day.

Buddy created one of the most euphoric, joyful scenes ever seen in football

UNFORGETTABLE:

Lance Franklin celebrates his 1000th goal (top), while AFLW continues to go from strength to strength.

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PICTURE PERFECT

A PICTURE WORTH A 1000 GOALS

MW SAYS: I couldn’t picture this shot. There were so many variables, and consequently a lot of anxiety. When would he kick it? Where would he kick it? Would it be a mark, would it be a kick in play? Could I run out? Should I run out? Would I reach him? All I knew was I wanted one picture to tell the story. He marked it in my pocket. Tick. It was a set shot. Tick. I had a clear path to him. Tick. Plan A, B and C – shoot the kick then run like hell with my wide-angle lens. All was going to plan until I hit a wall of people, almost falling to the ground. Then all I could feel was an enormous crush behind me. A few seconds of panic, but then I found my spot and a gap opened up. On cue, ‘Buddy’ Franklin let out a roar and his famous fist pump. I held the camera above my head and hoped for the best. I took a quick look at the back of the camera and saw the image and that was me done. I was probably only out there for 30 seconds. I made my way back to the boundary (much to my relief none of my gear had been stolen), downloaded the pictures to my laptop and sent them out as soon as I possibly could. They were the very first pictures the world saw of this monumental moment. As the old adage goes, a picture is worth a thousand goals.

SYDNEY v GEELONG, ROUND 2, SCG

PIC: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

AFL Media photographers have brilliantly captured some of the biggest moments of the 2022 season, including Lance Franklin’s memorable 1000th career goal.

SPECIAL BOND

CARLTON v NORTH MELB,

ROUND 7, MARVEL STADIUM

PIC: MICHAEL WILLSON/ AFL PHOTOS

MW SAYS: A really nice moment between cancer survivors Ben Cunnington and Sam Docherty before the round seven match between North Melbourne and Carlton. I was actually near the North race shooting an item on the Roos’ photo brief when I saw Ben. I said g’day to him and asked how he was going. As we were chatting, I noticed his eyes drift to the field and saw this big smile come over his face. Sam had made a beeline for him and the pair embraced. I took a few steps back and captured the moment. I kind of like the light flaring in on the left of frame; it adds a bit of magic and mystique to the image, something these two players have in spades.

TEX HOLDS ’EM

W BULLDOGS v ADELAIDE, ROUND 6, MARS STADIUM

PIC: DYLAN BURNS/AFL PHOTOS

DB SAYS: There are two minutes left in the last quarter, Adelaide is up by a point and the ball makes its way into the Crows’ forward 50. ‘Tex’ Walker wraps his hands around the ball and marks about 20m out, but on a very difficult angle. I was set up about 50m out, so I made a quick decision to run down with my shorter lens and get in front of Tex and I hoped that if he kicked the goal, he would turn and celebrate to the fans, therefore facing me. Thankfully that’s exactly what happened. Tex kicked the goal with only about 90 seconds left to put the Crows up by seven points and he celebrated with great emotion. I got the frame and the moment I pressed the shutter, I knew it was going to be a great image. With a bit of luck, he stayed in the shady area of the ground, which meant he had nice even light covering him from head to toe, which is what I think makes this image so great – plus his obvious jubilation.

TOBY TAKES OFF

CARLTON v GWS GIANTS,

ROUND 19, MARVEL STADIUM

PIC: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

MW SAYS: Toby Greene almost hit the roof with this spectacular grab against the Blues. It was quite a unique mark and one that happened very quickly, to the point where I only started firing when he was halfway up. Usually, you can get a sense that a speccy is about to happen – you see the player timing his run, anticipating the ball drop and then jumping. Not the case here; it was all leap and was over in a flash. I was happy to get a few decent frames in the end considering the speed at which it happened.

MW SAYS:

STAYING FOCUSED

COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE, 13, MCG

PIC: DARRIAN TRAYNOR/GETTY IMAGES

DT SAYS: Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy had run from the half-backline to compete for a high ball close to the centre of the ground. He made the contest in time to punch the ball away from a Melbourne opponent. Instead of flying out forward of the contest, the ball ballooned up in the air. Realising he was the only one to touch the ball, Murphy made a lunging dive to complete the mark. Luck plays a big part in photographing action images like this one. I was fortunate that as Murphy dived for the ball, he was facing my way. It’s a good example of staying focused on the contest until the end, for both player and photographer in this instance.

’G match. When it

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MARK MY WORDS

NORTH MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE, ROUND 15, BLUNDSTONE ARENA

DB SAYS: The ball was kicked from the wing down to the Crows’ forward 50 and, as it was in flight, I switched from my long lens to my shorter lens as I knew the ball was going to drop right in front of me and would be too close to capture on the long lens. At the last second, I saw Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty running into the contest from behind and, before I knew it, he was up on the shoulders of Kangaroo Josh Walker. I held down the shutter and managed to get the full sequence of images. This was one of the best marks I’ve seen live and it was a great one to capture, especially as it was nominated for Mark of the Year.

PIC: DYLAN BURNS/ AFL PHOTOS

REMOTE CONTROL

RICHMOND v FREMANTLE, ROUND 19, MARVEL STADIUM

PIC: MICHAEL WILLSON/AFL PHOTOS

MW SAYS: With special permission from the AFL ground and football operations teams, I set up a remote camera behind the goals during this game at Marvel Stadium. Photographers are not permitted behind the goals during play, so this is a vantage point we rarely see for still images. Remote cameras can be a little bit hit and miss; you need the action to happen in the right spot, and there’s no guarantee the camera will always fire, especially if there are a lot of other radio signals in the area. Fortunately, I captured this image of Shai Bolton celebrating a goal in the last quarter, all activated via a foot pedal from my boundary position about 50m further down the field!

It is said revenge is a dish best served cold. That might have been the motivating factor on the 10 occasions a side has lost a Grand Final one year, but turned the tables on the same opponent 12 months later. Or perhaps not, as ASHLEY BROWNE explains.

hat made the 1902 VFLGrand Final notable wasnot just that Collingwood’s33-point win over Essendonwas the first in the club’s

Twelve months earlier, the Pies hadlost by 27 points to the ‘Same Olds’, asEssendon was then known, in the finalgame of the season.Since then, there have been nine moreGrand Finals where the winning team hasknocked over the club that beat it in theflag-decider the year before.But while the easy takeaway after each ofthese Grand Finals is that revenge playedthe major part, chatting to some of thecombatants leads to a different conclusion.Pride, joy, relief and satisfaction alsocame to the surface in equal measures.

ichmond entered the 1972 Grand Final as the warmest of favourites, having knocked over Carlton in three of their four meetings that year.

The other game resulted in a draw in the second semi-final, but in the replay the following week – extra time in finals was still 20 years away – the Tigers prevailed by 41 points.

Come the Grand Final, Richmond equalled the previous highest score in a Grand Final.

The only problem was that Carlton played out of its skin, to win by 27 points in a major boilover.

The Tigers at the time were in the thrall of two of the most competitive people in football –coach Tom Hafey and club secretary Graeme Richmond.

Losing was part of neither man’s DNA. But former Richmond ruckman Neil Balme says that revenge wasn’t necessarily a driving factor as the Tigers prepared for 1973.

“There was certainly an attitude of wanting to make up for the year before, but I’m not sure you’d want to call it revenge,” Balme said.

But there was shock throughout Tigerland at the result in 1972.

Balme remembers that his brother tried to enter the rooms after the game to console him, only for Graeme Richmond to tell him to “piss off’’.

“It showed that there was this attitude of, ‘this is no good and we

have to do something about it’,” he said.

“There was no doubt the club felt it had let people down and we had to fix it the next opportunity we had.

“And, as it turned out, we did.”

The Tigers had high expectations of themselves.

Hafey had led the club to flags in 1967 and 1969 and there were stars across every line – Ian Stewart, Royce Hart, Kevin Bartlett, Kevin Sheedy, Francis Bourke and Dick Clay were among some of the biggest names in the game. The Tigers were tenacious on the field; ruthless off it.

But Balme remembers that the 1972 Grand Final result was parked to the side for much of the following season.

“It was about the next week’s game, prepare as well as you can and play as well as you can,” he said.

“I’m not sure we talked that much about winning the flag, although I’m sure it was in the back of our minds.”

Nevertheless, come Grand Final day, the Tigers knew what needed to be done.

The under-19s and reserves teams had kicked off the day by winning flags and the seniors understood they had to be next.

“To be honest, if you end up making the Grand Final, then you’ve had a pretty good year, but when you played for Richmond at the time, it was win at all costs,” Balme said.

On a baking hot afternoon, Laurie Fowler set the scene by flattening Carlton captain-coach John Nicholls, who had kicked six goals in the Grand Final the previous year.

Balme went on a spree of his own, knocking star Carlton full-back Geoff Southby out of the game and

What are you doing? You’re going mad!

clashing with the equally rugged Vin Waite.

“We approached the game physically and desperately and I did a few things where it was a case of, ‘What are you doing? You’re going mad!’ but we felt we needed to impose ourselves on the opposition,” he said.

“It was ‘win at all costs’, but in our way. From my personal point of view, I’m not ashamed of what I did, but it was aggressive and not in my normal nature.

“But it’s what I thought my teammates needed from me in order for us to win the game.”

The Tigers got the win.

“We had a lot of confidence in ourselves,” he said. “There was a bit of relief afterwards. But more joy and satisfaction.

“We knew that making the Grand Final was satisfactory in itself and, while we were supposed to feel some shame about the result the year before, to win it felt considerably better.”

Balme has been involved in numerous flags as a player, coach (he led Norwood to two SANFL premierships) and as an administrator with Geelong and back at the Tigers, so upon reflection, the 1972 defeat wasn’t a crushing or defining blow.

“I felt that at the time, and after a long time in football, it’s a good job to get there in the first place, so don’t feel too disappointed,” he said.

“You have to take your chances when you get there and sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t.

“But we were made to feel like we owed them after what happened the year before.”

TIGER STAR NEIL BALME REFLECTING ON HIS FIERY CLASHES WITH BLUES GEOFF SOUTHBY AND VIN WAITE

BLUE HEAVEN: Carlton greats Alex Jesaulenko and John Nicholls with the 1972 cup.

REDEMPTION: Tiger skipper Royce Hart in 1973.

hey were most decidedly an unhappy team at Hawthorn after losing the 1975 Grand Final and handing the Kangaroos their first flag.

The Hawks had beaten North three times that season before curling up their toes in the Grand Final and coach John Kennedy let them know about it in no uncertain terms, reminding the players at a team meeting the following morning that there were large swathes of Hawthorn people who believed they just gave up without a yelp.

“We didn’t have a go,” he told the players.

“And now you have to wait 12 months to redeem yourselves. You let down your families and you let down the supporters. You should feel ashamed.”

It was a searing, brutal address and Hawks defender Ian Bremner recalls that Kennedy didn’t let up. It was brought up repeatedly from the moment the Hawks reassembled to begin preparing for 1976.

“It burned in all of us,” Bremner said. “And after that meeting the following day, if we were going to play North Melbourne again, there was no way we were going to lose to them.”

And he was right. The Hawks went 5-0 against North in 1976, beating them twice in the home and series, twice in the finals, including the Grand Final, and also in the final of the National Football League night competition, which was played at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.

North coach Ron Barassi said during 1976 that the Hawks held a “vendetta” against his club. Kennedy then reminded him that that was too weak a descriptor.

“We were just burning to make amends and Kennedy never let up,” Bremner said.

“He was into us about it all year. Every time we went out against the royal blue and white, they were never going to beat us. Never.

“To have our coach tell us how we had shamed our families was very hard to bear.”

Hawthorn’s season was further compounded by Peter Crimmins, the Hawks’ beloved captain who controversially wasn’t selected for the Grand Final in 1975 having recovered from cancer treatment, but fell gravely ill again before the start of the next season.

Bremner, like most of his teammates,

COACH JOHN KENNEDY’S BRUTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE 1975 HAWKS

believed Crimmins should have been selected.

A side note was that the Kangaroos approached Bremner to join them in 1976 and offered a significant pay rise to move to Arden St.

He was sorely tempted until Hawthorn agreed to increase its offer and give him a testimonial, which in those pre-salary cap days helped further line the players’ pockets.

The Hawks won the Grand Final by 30 points and, if not for their bad kicking, it would have been a thrashing.

For Bremner, it was his second premiership, having also played in Hawthorn’s 1971 winning team.

“It was vindication,” he said when asked how he felt after the final siren in 1976.

“But 1975 still burns. It really does. As I tell my grandkids, it should have been three.”

POIGNANT: Peter Crimmins passed away just three days after several Hawks, including Ian Bremner (far left), visited him on the night of the 1976 Grand Final.

HISTORIC: The Roos won their first flag in 1975.

We didn’t have a go. You should feel ashamed

early 40 years on, Simon Madden still has one enduring memory of Kevin Sheedy’s withering speech to the Essendon faithful at the post-Grand Final dinner following what was then a record 83-point loss to Hawthorn earlier that day.

Sheedy famously brought the room to a crashing halt with his “no smiling” edict. Even the reserves players, who did win the flag that day, soon shuffled quietly into the night.

“I remember turning to my wife Mary and saying, ‘It could have been worse than that’,” Madden said.

“He was the master of positive speaking, but when you needed a spray, he could deliver one.

“I’m sure there was some psychology behind it, but there was worse he could have given us.

“We had been a mediocre team and, when we made the ’83 Grand Final, we lost by a record margin.

“It was hard enough to make a Grand Final, so it was a catalyst. ‘Sheeds’ didn’t use it a lot, perhaps just a few times during the following season.”

It set the scene for one of the sweetest revenge Grand Final

Despite losing to Hawthorn three times the following season, including by eight points in an epic second semi-final, the Bombers entered the 1984 Grand Final convinced they had caught up to the Hawks and had the wherewithal to beat them.

That was the theme of Sheedy’s address to the players after the semi-final.

Even down by 23 points at the final change of the Grand Final, that confidence never wavered.

The game should have been put away by then, but the Hawks were wracked with fatigue, self-doubt and bickering, which Sheedy seized upon.

Madden cannot recall exactly what the coach said, but remembers the positivity oozing from the players as they assumed their positions.

“People never forget how you made them feel, and that’s what stuck with me,” he said.

“I remember how we felt and that we could do this.”

Madden got the Bombers going in the final quarter with a huge thump to Darren Williams who passed to Leon Baker who goaled and from there the rout was on; nine goals to one and a 24-point win for the club’s first premiership in 19 years.

“The final siren in ’84 was my best moment in footy,” Madden said.

“There was a whole range of emotions. Elation that you’ve done it, surprise that you’ve actually got there and

The final siren in ’84 was my best memory in footy

some satisfaction after all the work you’ve put in.”

The Bombers and Hawks met again in 1985 and this time it was a thrashing, an 84-point win to Essendon. Madden won the Norm Smith Medal.

But given how dominant the Hawks were throughout that time – five flags and eight Grand Finals between 1983 and 1991 –he no longer gives the ’83 loss much thought.

“That is a very good side that went on a very good run, so to beat them twice must also mean that we were a pretty good side,” he said.

He contrasts the 1983 loss with Essendon’s 1990 Grand Final defeat to Collingwood.

“We made amends for ’83, but we never got a chance to make up for 1990, so there’s always a difference

HAPPY HAWK: Leigh Matthews after the record 83-point rout of the Bombers in 1983.

ESSENDON CHAMPION SIMON MADDEN ON TURNING THE TABLES ON THE HAWKS

BOUNCING BACK: The Bombers on their lap of honour in 1984.

1986HAWTHORN 16.14 (110)

d CARLTON 9.14 (68)

1987CARLTON 15.14 (104)

d HAWTHORN 9.17 (71)

y 1986, the introduction of the National Draft was imminent, so Carlton, as was its wont at the time, cashed in all its chips and brought all its remaining big interstate signings to the club in one fell swoop.

Jon Dorotich came across from Western Australia, while star South Australian trio Stephen Kernahan, Craig Bradley and Peter Motley also made their way to Princes Park.

There would have been a fifth, but the courts ruled that John Platten was bound to Hawthorn by a prior agreement.

So there was considerable disappointment when the recruiting spree failed to land that year’s premiership.

It had been four years since Carlton had last won a flag and, for many of the well-heeled powerbrokers at the club, that was four years too many.

David Rhys-Jones was in his second season at Princes Park when the Blues lost the 1986 Grand Final, having left Sydney at the end of 1984.

“There was disappointment, but I think we had a pretty young team that year,” he said.

“We had some multiple premiership players, but it was a fairly new team.”

Compounding the disappointment for Rhys-Jones was that it was his direct opponent,

NORM SMITH MEDALLIST DAVID RHYS-JONES

Gary Ayres, who won the Norm Smith Medal.

Hawks coach Allan Jeans shook the team up after losing to the Blues in the second semi-final and played erstwhile back-pocket Ayres on the wing, where he starred.

There were big personalities and big money at Carlton at the time, led by president John Elliott.

“We didn’t see too much of ‘Jack’ when we were losing, only when we were winning,” Rhys-Jones laughed.

Rhys-Jones and the Blues did a tough pre-season heading into 1987.

And he entered the season with a chip on his shoulder, not unreasonable considering he was given the nickname ‘Smithy’ (as in Norm) at the mad Monday drinks.

“Most guys these days would be in therapy if you did that, but you had to take the good with the bad,” he said.

Revenge and redemption were the furthest things on Carlton’s mind that season.

The Blues were neck and neck with the Hawks all season in the race for the coveted top spot, which in the days of the final five meant a week off at the start of the finals.

It was only after Kernahan’s goal after the siren in the final home and away game at Waverley to beat North Melbourne that Carlton finished on top of the ladder.

“It was only after that we thought we might be OK,” Rhys-Jones said.

“Kernahan’s kick allowed us to have that week off and properly prepare for the semi-final and then the Grand Final.”

The Blues lost twice to the Hawks in the home and away season, but beat them in the second semi-final.

They then watched Hawthorn, without champion spearhead Jason

Dunstall, struggle to overcome Melbourne in an energy-sapping and brutal preliminary final.

And they awoke on Grand Final day to a weather forecast of about 30 degrees.

“They had a pretty hard campaign, while we were cherry ripe,” Rhys-Jones said.

“The only thing that was going to beat us that day was ourselves.

“Revenge was never part of it. But I had pride in my performance and the thing for me was that I wanted to play well in big games.

“What happened the previous year was in the back of my mind and I was determined that it wouldn’t happen again.”

They were again calling Rhys-Jones ‘Smithy’ after the 1987 Grand Final, this time for his best-afield effort at centre half-back on Dermott Brereton.

“I thought I had squared the ledger. My opponent the year before and me that year,” he said.

Rhys-Jones recalls the moment in the last quarter when he knew the game was won.

“It was a feeling of relief,” he said. “It wasn’t about the year before, but more because of the work you’d done that season.

“I was definitely spurred on by ’86 and the thought of just missing. I’d left the Swans to play in a premiership team and I picked Carlton, so it worked out in that regard.”

When he looks back, Rhys-Jones reckons landing the 1987 premiership was a great effort by the Blues.

He agreed with Simon Madden’s assessment that Hawthorn was the dominant team of the time, but as he saw it, “We were able to stop them from winning another one.”

SPOIL SPORTS: Carlton’s recruiting spree fell flat when the Hawks prevailed in 1986.

SQUARING THE LEDGER: David Rhys-Jones (second from left) redeemed himself in 1987.

The only thing that was going to beat us that day was ourselves

2005SYDNEY 8.10 (58) d WEST COAST 7.12 (54)

2006 WEST COAST 12.13 (85) d SYDNEY 12.12 (84)

est Coast ruckman Dean Cox was shattered the morning after the 2005 Grand Final, which his Eagles lost to the Swans, handing them their first flag since South Melbourne’s 1933 triumph and the first since the club’s move to Sydney.

And for Cox the pain was more acute given that it was his long kick into the forward line with just seconds to go that was marked by Sydney defender Leo Barry, in what is generally regarded as one of the best and most important marks ever taken in a Grand Final.

The fact it was replayed over and over during the days and weeks that followed compounded his misery.

“Obviously it was an amazing mark, but it did make me think if I should have done anything differently,” Cox said.

“Was there another option? That went through my mind for days afterwards.”

The Eagles didn’t need to be constantly reminded of the game thereafter.

The high standards driven by John Worsfold and his coaching group ensured the Eagles would be playing deep into September the following season.

And there was an incredible rivalry with the Swans at the time, with the Eagles winning their round 15 rematch in 2006 by two points and the Swans prevailing by one point in the qualifying final.

To the surprise of nobody, the Grand Final was a rematch of the previous year.

“Through all those games, one side would kick away, the other side would rally and the last quarter was extremely tight,” Cox recalled.

“Every time we played Sydney, we’d get to the last five minutes and there’d be nothing in it. They were amazing battles.”

No surprises that the Grand Final was equally climactic, with the

OTHER REVENGE PREMIERS

YEAR RESULT

1901 Essendon 6.7 (43)

d Collingwood 2.4 (16)

1902 Collingwood 9.6 (60)

d Essendon 3.9 (27)

1919 Collingwood 11.12 (78)

d Richmond 7.11 (53)

1920 Richmond 7.10 (52)

d Collingwood 5.5 (35)

1933 South Melb 9.17 (71)

d Richmond 4.5 (29)

1934 Richmond 19.14 (128)

d South Melb 12.17 (89)

1942 Essendon 19.18 (132)

d Richmond 11.13 (79)

1943 Richmond 12.14 (86)

d Essendon 11.15 (81)

1952 Geelong 13.8 (86)

d Collingwood 5.10 (40)

1953 Collingwood 11.11 (77)

d Geelong 8.17 (65)

Eagles holding off the fast-finishing Swans to win by one point.

“Oh, it was relief,” he said.

“We played in another Grand Final and this time we got the prize. It wasn’t about revenge for us.

“We were all about winning the ultimate prize and Sydney was the team standing in our way.”

It was after that game that Sydney coach Paul Roos made the startling, but brutally honest, observation that one flag for each club over that two-year period was a fair and just outcome.

“I would have loved to have won both of them,” Cox said.

“But we were an even match and we deserved to win one each.

“History showed that the games were always tight and we won half of them and so did they.”

Try as he might, Cox can never quite entirely expunge the memories of 2005.

He has been an assistant coach at the Swans for several years and cannot walk too far through the club’s SCG headquarters without glancing at an image from the game, such as Barry’s epic mark.

“It was a little strange when I first got here, but I always had great respect for the Sydney Football Club,” he said.

“I was coaching alongside guys like Tadhg Kennelly and Brett Kirk who played in that game.

“We have a bit of joke about it; I think we all become better players in our minds the longer we’re retired, but we all understand the dedication it took to be part of such successful teams.”

ONE EACH: The Eagles celebrate their one-point triumph in 2006.

‘LEO BARRY, YOU STAR’: Leo Barry hauls in his epic match-saving mark in the 2005 Grand Final.

of theReturn

Back in the day, clubs generally turned to a playing great to step into the coach’s box, often with great success. But as coaching became more about tactics, strategy and player management, that custom has changed in recent decades.

Ashley Browne

Dick Reynolds remains the biggest name in the history of the Essendon Football Club, which turned 150 this year.

In 2002, the club unveiled the Champions of Essendon list and Reynolds stood head and shoulders at the top of the list.

Nothing in the past 20 years has happened to change that thinking.

His contribution to the Bombers will unlikely ever be matched, but just to refresh, his seven best and fairests is the equal most in club history. He also won three Brownlow Medals – 1934, 1937 and 1938.

He became captain-coach during 1939 and held that position until the end of 1950, steering the club to four flags in that time. He stayed on for another 11 years as non-playing coach.

Essendon had its moments under Reynolds once he stopped playing, finishing runner-up to Geelong in 1951 and to Melbourne in 1957 and 1959.

But at some stage it became clear the club would have to tap him on the shoulder.

The Bombers’ coaching job was not a lifetime appointment, even for a giant of the club such as Reynolds.

But until told otherwise, Reynolds would keep putting his name forward for a position that was advertised on the eve of every pre-season.

Essendon wasn’t the first club to ponder how to move on from a club icon.

From Jock McHale at Collingwood through to Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn in 2021, clubs have had to consider how to move on from their legendary coaches and, even more critically, who to replace them with.

In most cases, the answer to the second part lay within. McHale was, and is, the greatest coach in League history.

He oversaw the Magpies from 1912 to 1949 and led them to eight premierships, most notably four in succession between 1927 and 1930.

His replacement was always going to be from Collingwood, but the concept of succession planning wasn’t part of corporate life, let alone football, in the late 1940s.

Magpie historians believe McHale coached through 1949 in the belief it would be his final season, but he didn’t inform the club until a committee meeting in March the following year, just as the players returned for pre-season training.

It is thought McHale delayed the announcement just long enough to ensure he wouldn’t have to choose his successor.

There were two obvious candidates to replace him – captain and dual premiership player

ONE BOMBER ICON TO ANOTHER: John Coleman (top and left) was the perfect man to replace fellow Essendon legend Dick Reynolds (above and right) as coach in 1961.

Phonse Kyne, and loyal Magpie foot soldier Bervin Woods, who had been reserves coach for the previous seven years.

Collingwood was bitterly divided on the issue.

It was thought Kyne had the numbers, but the committee was split, with club president Harry Curtis’ casting vote giving the job to Woods.

Woods lasted just four days in the role.

The Pies played an intra-club practice match that Saturday at Victoria Park.

Woods and the committee members who supported him were jeered and heckled all afternoon.

Kyne, who had the support of McHale and the players, arrived during the game and was afforded a hero’s welcome.

Woods resigned the following day, informing the club by letter: “It is quite obvious that I cannot expect the united support of all, which is so necessary for the success of the club.”

Kyne took over the next day and remained in charge at Victoria Park for the next 14 years before handing the job to another champion of Collingwood, Bob Rose.

We will never know what would have transpired had the Pies stuck with Woods, but Kyne coached them to two premierships and five Grand Finals, so despite the divisive process, it was the correct call.

Collingwood had discovered its solution was to move from one favourite son to another. Other clubs looked at the Pies and followed suit.

Melbourne had been grappling with a similar decision.

Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes was a four-time premiership coach at Melbourne before stepping down after the last of those triumphs in 1948.

The Demons were also faced with two choices – Allan La Fontaine, a 171-game player and member of the 1939-1941 premiership team, and Norm Smith, the champion full-forward and teammate of La Fontaine in the premiership hat-trick and again in 1948.

Both had strong ambitions to coach; La Fontaine had become match committee chairman on retirement, while Smith oozed leadership and footy smarts.

The club was divided, but it was felt La Fontaine had paid his dues and deserved the opportunity. But he was the wrong favourite son.

In three years, he took the club from first to worst, although a host of premiership stars retired or left the club in that time. Among them was Smith, who accepted the coaching job at Fitzroy rather than play through his disappointment at Melbourne.

While tactically sound, La Fontaine was a lousy communicator.

Up the road at Brunswick St Oval, Smith was taking Fitzroy up the ladder and the powerbrokers at Melbourne soon realised the error of their ways.

They talked Smith into returning to the Demons in 1952. He was the perfect choice. He knew every inch of the club and was Melbourne through and through.

He was the man to lead the club into a new era once and for all. Even the Fitzroy people, while disappointed to lose him, understood there was really only one club where Smith belonged.

And with six flags, all coming in that magical decade from 1955 and 1964, all were proven correct. The problem later for the Demons was how to move on from Smith.

Bob Davis was smart enough to read the play at Geelong. The legendary Reg Hickey was coming to the end of his second stint as the Cats’ coach.

He oversaw the 1937 flag in the first season of his initial four-year term as coach, and then after assuming the position once more in 1949, he led the club to premiership glory in 1951 and 1952.

But at the end of 1958, the end was in sight. Davis, known as the ‘Geelong Flyer’, had just retired as a player and was sounded out by some at the club to become coach, but he had too much respect for Hickey to be seen to move against him.

“‘Hick’ was getting tired and I was asked if I would like to be coach, but I said while Reg Hickey is coach, don’t even bother asking me,” Davis said in the 2011 book, We Are Geelong.

Instead, Davis went to Channel Seven as a commentator, a role he was clearly made for.

But when Hickey decided for himself 12 months later that it was time to retire, the Cats again turned to Davis and this time he was only too pleased to accept.

“I retired and that was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said. “I worked for Channel Seven and then, in 1959, Reg retired as coach and this time I was more comfortable about replacing him, so I took over in 1960.”

Unlike at Collingwood and Melbourne, there was no rancour and no animosity.

By waiting for 12 months, it assured a clean and friendly handover. And, by 1963, Geelong had won another flag.

It is quite obvious I cannot expect the support of all

BERVIN WOODS, WHO LASTED JUST FOUR DAYS AS MAGPIE COACH BEFORE JOCK McHALE

FAVOURITE SONS: (top from left) Jock McHale, Norm Smith, Phonse Kyne and Bob Davis all enjoyed premiership success at the clubs they had played for.

Having watched the Pies, Demons and Cats replace their coaching legends, the Bombers knew what they had to do at the end of 1960. Replace one Essendon icon with another.

John Coleman was football’s biggest star when he suffered a career-ending knee injury in 1954.

Twelve goals on debut in the opening round of 1949 and all up 537 goals in 98 games. He was just 25 when he retired.

But he remained close to the Bombers and football – in 1960 running a pub meant you were across everything in the game – and it was known to all at Essendon that he coveted the coaching job.

But a bit like Davis with Hickey ensconced at Geelong, he was prepared to wait for Reynolds to finish up, even though he felt the team needed some refreshing.

“He wouldn’t dream of saying that Reynolds should have a good look at himself and make a few more changes,” journalist Greg Hobbs said in Doug Ackerly’s biography of Coleman.

At the end of 1960, St Kilda made a play for Coleman to replace Jim Francis as coach. But Coleman chose not to apply.

He knew the Essendon job would be advertised as always, but not for another month.

Reynolds was Essendon, but his players sensed that change was needed.

His pre-match address rarely changed from week to week and when the VFL moved to make reserves games the curtain-raisers to the senior games, he refused to change his routine and would only arrive at the ground in time to watch a few minutes of the seconds game. He didn’t know the names of most of the reserves players.

The Essendon committee resolved to give Coleman the job in 1961 and pleaded with Reynolds to retire, to be spared the indignity of effectively being sacked. But he went ahead and applied.

He received a few votes, perhaps out of respect for all he stood for at the club, but Coleman had the numbers and soon revitalised the Bombers as promised.

They won the flag in 1962 and again in 1965 in what was Coleman’s second great act as an Essendon person.

Both Hawthorn and St Kilda had success with favourite sons as coach.

Long-time Hawk skipper and ruckman John Kennedy became coach in 1960, having just retired as a player.

There were shades of the McHale-Kyne succession at Collingwood a decade earlier given that it was a narrow vote at committee level between Kennedy and reserves coach Horrie ‘Tubby’ Edmonds.

But within two years of appointment, the Hawks were celebrating their first flag.

A school teacher, Kennedy was transferred to the country at the end of 1963, but the Hawks couldn’t bring him back quickly enough in 1967 and in the next decade he delivered two more flags.

The Hawks continued down the same route in 1977, replacing Kennedy with David Parkin.

When the Hawks won the flag in 1978, Parkin became the first non-playing premiership coach of the same club he had once captained to a flag.

In 1961, having been spurned by Coleman, the Saints turned to unheralded half-back flanker Allan Jeans. In 1966, he landed St Kilda its first and only flag.

Richmond named tough former back pocket Tom Hafey as coach in 1966.

He had gone to Shepparton after his retirement and led that club to three successive premierships before the call came to return home to Punt Rd, where he landed four premierships between 1967-74.

Carlton launched an audacious bid to get Barassi and it worked

Favourite sons continued to have some success through the 1970s and 1980s. Alex Jesaulenko in 1979 and Robert Walls in 1987 at Carlton and Tony Jewell at Richmond in 1980. But Walls had taken a Norm Smith-style detour, playing and coaching at Fitzroy before returning to Princes Park.

Jewell was one of several former Richmond players who attempted to fill Hafey’s giant shoes at Punt Rd. Barry Richardson came before him; Francis Bourke, Mike Patterson and Paul Sproule also had a go, but failed.

But the days of clubs turning automatically to their favourite sons started to fall out of favour.

Sensing correctly that Ron Barassi felt he had nothing left to prove at Melbourne and that Smith was not ready to retire, Carlton launched an audacious bid to get him across as captain-coach in 1965 and it worked.

He landed the Blues their first flag in 23 years in 1968 and the most famous of all two years later, coming from 44 points down at half-time to beat Collingwood.

In 1975, he masterminded North Melbourne’s first premiership and, two years later, the Roos were premiers again.

Football was heading into the professional era at supersonic speed and, following Barassi’s success, clubs were finding their coaches from anywhere, club of origin be damned.

In 1981, Parkin crossed from the Hawks to the Blues and won flags in his first two seasons.

The same year, Jeans came out of retirement to coach again and won three flags at Hawthorn, while Richmond champion Kevin

HOME-GROWN HEROES: (above) Hawthorn’s John Kennedy and his captain in 1971, David Parkin, St Kilda’s Allan Jeans (above right) and Richmond’s Tom Hafey (below) all tasted success after their clubs looked within for a coach.

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Sheedy joined Essendon, stayed for 27 years and was in charge for four premierships.

Having started the trend away from the favourite sons, Barassi reversed course that same year, returning to Melbourne amid great fanfare.

But the magic had worn off and he never had the talent he had at the Blues and the Kangaroos. His best result was a pair of eighth-place finishes in 1982-83.

North Melbourne’s 1996 and 1999 premierships were engineered by Denis Pagan, a feisty back pocket for the club through the late 1960s and early 1970s, who then had great success leading the Roos to a string of under-19 premierships.

Adelaide’s only two flags came back-to-back in 1997 and 1998.

Malcolm Blight was the coach and you could argue he was a favourite son. Not of the Crows, who only entered the competition in 1991, but of South Australian footy.

He was a champion of SA and won a Magarey Medal before moving to the VFL, playing for North Melbourne and coaching both the Kangaroos and Geelong.

Sydney and West Coast swapped premierships in 2005 and 2006.

Paul Roos coached the Swans, having previously played four seasons there after a glittering career with Fitzroy.

Was he a favourite son of Sydney? Given that it was people power that propelled him into the job when Terry Wallace was poised to take over, perhaps he was.

John Worsfold was Eagles skipper when they won the 1992 and 1994 premierships and the coach in 2006, joining only Parkin as a premiership-winning captain then coach at the same club.

Parkin wrote in his memoirs that they have an annual dinner to mark the occasion!

Since Worsfold, there have been no further favourite sons who have led their clubs to a premiership.

A few have tried; club champions Michael Voss and Justin Leppitsch were in charge at Brisbane, as was James Hird at Essendon.

Collingwood superstar Nathan Buckley came the closest, in charge at the Pies as they lost the 2018 Grand Final to West Coast by five points.

But it is coaching trees rather than favourite sons who enjoy premiership success these days.

Leigh Matthews won a hat-trick of Brisbane premierships between 2001-03, while protégé Chris Scott won at Geelong in 2011.

Scott replaced Mark Thompson, who won the 2007 and 2009 flags at Geelong, having graduated from the Sheedy school at Essendon, where he played in three premierships.

CHANGING COURSE:

Demon great Ron Barassi (left) was lured to Carlton and North Melbourne; Malcolm Blight (above) returned to his home state to win two flags with the Crows; Lions champion Paul Roos ended his career at the Swans before taking over the top job; master coach Alastair Clarkson (below) is back where it all started.

Alastair Clarkson won four flags at Hawthorn, while Damien Hardwick (2017, 2019-20), Luke Beveridge (2016) and Adam Simpson (2018) coached their clubs to premierships having worked under Clarkson and, of course, are now as revered by supporters as if they had played 250 games.

Melbourne’s 2021 premiership coach Simon Goodwin was moulded by Blight at the Crows.

In winning that elusive flag for the Demons last season, the first since 1964, Goodwin smashed the so-called ‘curse of Norm Smith’.

The Demons had been through 12 senior coaches (and a few more stand-ins) since Smith left amid some rancour at end the end of 1967, reportedly stating that the club would be down and out for decades, as he walked out the door.

But the favourite sons haven’t given up hope of shifting the narrative back their way.

Fremantle’s quest for its maiden premiership continues, with popular former player Justin Longmuir charting a course that this year included the club’s first finals appearance in seven years.

Over at Hawthorn, Sam Mitchell has been entrusted with steering the Hawks into the post-Clarkson era and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Parkin and Worsfold by captaining and then coaching that club to a flag.

Goodwin smashed the ‘curse of Norm Smith’

And then there’s Clarkson himself, who next year will be back where it started, at North Melbourne, where he played 93 games before finishing with Melbourne.

From there, he embarked on the journey to become the greatest coach in the modern era.

In an era where coaching candidates need as much a mastery of PowerPoint as they do centre square strategies and in which the psychological testing often reveals all, Clarkson was wooed back to Arden St through little more than establishing a comfortable working relationship with club president Dr Sonja Hood over a series of conversations.

In that respect, his appointment was a throwback to the days of favourite sons Norm Smith, Bob Davis, John Coleman and Phonse Kyne to name just a few.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

INTERVIEW

Gillon McLachlan WITH SENIOR WRITER ASHLEY BROWNE

By pretty much any measurement, Gillon McLachlan’s tenure as the chief executive of the AFL has been a raging success.

Crowds and memberships have been on the increase. The AFL is just about the hottest property on TV and not once, but twice, in his eight years in charge, McLachlan has had the movers and shapers of the Australian media industry queueing outside his door hoping for a slice of the action.

The $4.5 billion rights agreement signed earlier this month set the benchmark once again for televised sport in Australia and further underlined the code as this country’s national game.

The audacious move to introduce a national women’s competition several years ahead of schedule has led to a massive spike in participation numbers.

Women have always made up close to half the game’s supporter base, but until a few years ago, only a fraction of them ever pulled on the boots or learned to coach.

There is plenty still to be done, but women are on the path towards becoming equal partners in the game.

There have been blemishes. Head-high contact, holding the ball and prior opportunity continue to befuddle. Umpiring numbers haven’t kept track with the growth in players and teams. Mental health has thrown up all sorts of

challenges. Adam Goodes is not yet ready to return to the game.

McLachlan granted the AFL Record an exit interview from his office at AFL House earlier this month.

It was thought the 2022 Grand Final might be his last day on the job, but with Tasmania and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement still to be finalised, there remains work for him to do.

But this chapter of his life, 22 years with the AFL as a senior executive and then the boss, is about to finish. There will be another chapter, that much is certain.

But it will take something for it to be as rich, challenging and fulfilling as this one.

GILLON McLACHLAN

It’s a privilege to be in this role

So here we are with the ink barely dry on the new TV rights contract. Where does this one rank in terms of satisfaction compared with the other major deals you’ve done since you’ve been at the AFL?

u I feel really pleased now that there is a foundation that has been laid for us to be unassailably the No. 1 sporting and entertainment property in the country. It will provide tremendous opportunities for the community, for new markets, for players, clubs and coaches and for facilities. All of it invested wisely, the game will continue to grow.

And where did it rank in terms of difficulty?

u They’re very important for us and very important for the people who buy them. They’re long processes and can get a bit emotional, but we’re all trying to get the right deal and at the end of it you want relationships and reputations to be intact and I hope that’s happened this time.

It is a brilliant deal. You had every TV network throwing bundles of cash at the AFL to become or stay involved. You must have felt that was a big tick for you and your team and all you have done.

u It’s a tick for our game and our people who have been involved in its growth. Our purpose is to play a role in every community in the country and we’re doing that increasingly. The connection they have for our game and the passion is increasing. It comes through

It’s a tick for our game and our people

every week with the way it rates and the number of people who go. It’s that depth of connection and the breadth of connection which is why it has become so valued and that’s why the broadcasters wanted it. It speaks to so many Australians nationally, and not just on weekends, but every day.

You basically stunned the entire industry and especially your colleagues when you set a hard deadline for AFLW to start in 2017, which was about three years ahead of schedule.

u I think everyone was a bit taken aback by the decision, not the least me when I went home and reflected on the gravity of what I’d just said.

What was your thinking?

u We’d just had a Melbourne-Western Bulldogs game here at Marvel (Stadium) and we had a function afterwards and we wanted to speak to half the population in a more meaningful way. It just felt right for women to have their own league and proper pathway into playing professionally as well as coaching and administration. It was a strategic framework, but a lot of gut (instinct) in that decision. I’m thankful for the retrospective support of the Commission and my colleagues. It’s been a good business decision and the right thing to do.

Do you see AFLW and women’s footy in general as your greatest legacy?

u That’s for others to judge. All I would say is that I was emotional at my daughters’ grand finals and I get huge satisfaction at the local park when I see boys and girls playing kick-to-kick together. It is something that is personal to me as a father and I really feel it is something that makes a big difference to communities and the way people think about our game and I’m pretty pleased about that.

With Tasmania, it seems to have moved from ‘it would be nice to happen’ to awfully close to becoming a reality.

u That’s just media talk. I have said the same thing all the way through and it’s others that move around. Let’s see where we get to. My position is that we’d like to do it, but it has to be the right deal for football.

But this is the first time the AFL is talking about it seriously.

u I reckon we’ve always done a lot of work, which says we’ve taken it seriously. But it has to be the right deal and perhaps there’s a confidence about where it’s going. If the commercials stack up, Tasmania has to be represented in our national game and what’s interesting is that it’s not just Tasmanians, but mainland supporters who want it to happen as well because the game is national and should represent everyone. I think that’s been missed in the conversation.

McLACHLAN ON THE NEW TV RIGHTS DEAL

MEGA DEAL: Gillon McLachlan at the announcement of the new $4.5 billion TV rights deal.

With some time to reflect, what are your memories – good and bad – of the 2020 and 2021 COVID seasons? What did you learn about the game and yourself?

u Every day feels a bit easier since then. It was a very difficult and tough period. I felt at the time and believe it to be true that the game would find a way because it means so much to so many people, is incredibly resilient and the people within it are very resilient. That depth of care and resilience meant that everyone did what they had to do, be it my team, the players, coaches, clubs and supporters – basically none of them wanted their money back because they knew how important it was – and when we got going, we saw the ratings and what it meant because it was helping people get through each day and each week. It was a very difficult period where we saw the best of our people and we saw the best of our game and I think we have come out of it with the bonds and the connections between the game and its supporters at the community and the elite level with a clear understanding of how important it is to people and a recalibration of how to look after it. That was the silver lining out of it all.

In terms of its health, how close is the AFL industry back to being where it was before the pandemic?

u I reckon that by the time we finish the (2022) Grand Final, we will be tracking better than we were before the pandemic. I wouldn’t have said that at around round 10 this season, when we were tracking at about 90 per cent, but the last few weeks of the season, it kept on growing, kept on building and people have shed their COVID hesitancy and have worked through the COVID friction with ticketing and transport. The footy has been incredible. It’s back. You saw that with the first week of the finals – the crowds, the ratings and the connection. The semi-finals are normally down in week two, but Collingwood-Fremantle got 90,000 people. The community got there and I reckon by the time we get to the Grand Final, if 2019 was peak, we’ll be better than that.

You run not just the competition at the elite level, but the sport itself. That makes you different to, say, the NBA’s Adam Silver or the NFL’s Roger Goodell. Not many other sporting leaders carry those dual responsibilities. Do they sometimes conflict with each other?

u There are conflicts in my role, but I don’t see that as one of them. It’s like

everything, having a clear brief no matter your role and then delivering on them. It’s about having the right team and the right accountabilities. I am incredibly proud of the people I work with and having clear vision and hopefully the right culture. That works OK. There are tensions within portfolios; it’s probably not between community and elite, but being a regulator is challenging and trying to have partnerships and relationships when you’re the regulator is challenging. That provides the tension. But the community and the leagues are OK because both bodies know they can’t work without the other. The communities need the investment from the elite and the elite needs the development and the pathways from the people in the community and they work well together. I’m really pleased with that.

One example is that you schedule a Geelong-Collingwood final for 4.30pm and then you get local leagues complaining that it will keep people away from their games.

McLACHLAN ON TASMANIA’S OWN TEAM

u People are always looking for something – 4.30 is later than it has been for 100 years. There’s always games that people can’t get to. I can’t always get to my kids’ games. Sometimes the smallest things get the largest headlines.

That’s the AFL and that’s been happening for 125 years.

u The bigger we are, the more we are in people’s lives, even the little things make headlines. We accept that as a sign that things are going well. But I do a better job, the longer I’m in the job, of not worrying about things. I have good protections, but I take it as a compliment as to how big the game is.

The Sherrin has been freed, as Gerard Healy likes to say. Do you think the game as a spectacle is as good as it has been for some time?

u I couldn’t give more praise to (former general manager of football, now Geelong CEO) Steve Hocking. When he came in, the remit was really clear. I said to him that we, no, actually, you Steve, need to open this game up again. That was the main part of his brief, to find a way, and I couldn’t be more proud of Steve and the tweaks he made and the courage he showed. There was considerable push-back from a world that doesn’t like change. When you sit here, with the way things are, the crowds are up and with the passion, the connection and everyone loving the football … I mean, Leigh Matthews said the other day this is the best season he has ever seen. That comes from smart and courageous decision-making, obviously from the Commission, but led by Steve Hocking and I couldn’t compliment him more highly.

It has to be the right deal for football

EMPTY STANDS: The game has emerged from the COVID chaos stronger than ever.

COMMON TOUCH: McLachlan has remained a football fan at heart.

Are the coaches hard to stare down at times?

u They’re strong people. But if you can’t do that then you shouldn’t be in the job. That’s what it is. They’re passionate about their teams, they’re passionate about winning and I completely understand that. But my job is different to theirs and we have different stakeholders. You contextualise how much pressure they’re under – it’s brutal – but there is a different agenda.

How often do you engage with rank-and-file footy fans in this role? How important is feedback from supporters and what form does it take?

u We do a hell of a lot of research and I get all that in an aggregated way. We talk to the rank and file. I’m at the football a lot; five community games a weekend at a minimum and two-and-a-half AFL games every weekend. Hopefully the supporters see me because I’m there a lot and I try to respond to every piece of correspondence. Whether it’s the game, or the cost, I hope we listen. We don’t always get it right, but I do think if you look at the decisions we have made over the past decade, that the fans should think they have been listened to. I feel that if you look at the record crowds and record ratings, it is reflected in that, knowing you can’t keep everyone happy.

There was a lot of talk in the pre-season about the bump and protecting the head, yet two weeks out before the finals, the Appeals Board throws out a two-match suspension on Patrick Cripps for head-high contact? Do you need to go back to the drawing board on this issue?

People are aware I was very agitated by that decision. It made no sense to me in any way and it is frustrating to have a legal view about due process or procedural fairness –a complete nonsense – really affect a clear mandate to protect the head. We confused our supporters and set ourselves back and that

really frustrates me. When you can have something that is so important, which is protecting the head, and a clear statement from the MRO and backed up by the Tribunal, and then the player getting off because of a legal technicality and nobody really understanding what the hell happened, I find that challenging. So, I have asked the guys to review the system and we will see where that lands.

Are you comfortable with the relationship between the game and the sports wagering industry?

u We have self-regulated. We have made some decisions about how wagering can play a role in our game, but I don’t believe we should be making subjective decisions about what is and isn’t legal. Fast-food, alcohol, wagering … as long as there is a balance, people might debate that, but we have put some restrictions in around that. We could say we’ll have no relationship with sports betting, but that isn’t going to change what the average supporter will do because they’ll have relationships with venues and broadcasters. Our relationships help us regulate the bets, keep integrity in the game and collect some revenue for the game, which is not unsubstantial, and because we’re a not-for-profit organisation, it goes back into community football, facilities, players and clubs. I feel we have a responsible landing on that.

PERSONAL SATISFACTION: The evolution of AFLW in conjunction with the men’s game could be McLachlan’s greatest legacy; (below) with Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

STILL A HEADACHE: Head-high contact remains a contentious issue for the AFL.

An issue that has grown in your time as CEO is mental health and it is an area of the game you have resourced very deeply. How important is mental health in the game today?

u It’s broadly the biggest issue in football in terms of challenges. Talk to the players and it’s the biggest challenge and, at any one time, one in five of the playing cohort are dealing with a mental health challenge and its increasing, which is what we hear from the players and the clubs. It’s a reflection of lots of stuff, be it the ability of players to speak more openly about stuff, the limited window for professional athletes, and the pervasiveness of media and social media that has come to bear. We have invested heavily; we have a centralised model here at AFL House and we will continue to do what we can to make sure the players and people at clubs are looked after.

Did the events at the Gabba in the elimination final shake your faith in the ARC and do you need to invest more in technology?

u At some point, be it with technology or officiating, there will be subjective decisions made at the margins that people will have different opinions about. I think the ARC is working very well; there are different opinions about whether Tom Lynch’s kick missed and people can debate that. That’s football and sport everywhere. To me it’s simple. It was a point and that’s it.

What about computer chips in footballs?

u If you can improve decision-making with that and add insights and bring the game to life more for our consumers, without impacting the football, then yes, we should do it.

How have you handled the attention and the demands that come with the job, which is one of the most high-profile and scrutinised in Australia? You never seemed to have lost your sense of fun and perspective.

u In terms of the passion and people’s emotions and feedback on that, I take great pride that our game is so important to people. Once you contextualise that, you don’t take it personally. And it’s a privilege to be in this role and to be a custodian of something that is so important and matters so much to people. Being public and being able to deal with that, but to have some fun with that and be reachable is part of the role. If you accept that, then you’ll be fine.

You’ve been at the AFL for more than 20 years, not just as the chief executive. How has the organisation changed?

u Obviously, it has grown significantly. It is a much more diverse workplace that I feel truly represents modern Australia and I think the decisions we have made are in sync with the

community. Obviously, I hope it stays connected so that football is at its very core, but also understands its role as a leader with more to play than just on the field.

Who is the best player you have seen in your time at the AFL? And the best team?

u Chris Judd in his first few years at West Coast was the best player I saw. And the best team was Geelong of the late 2000s.

You’ve always had a deep love for the game. Has working in it and running it for 22 years changed that?

u I love it as much as ever. I have huge pride in my kids playing, huge enjoyment of it. If I find I have two hours to spare on the weekend, I’ll still go to the footy. And its hopefully why I have come to enjoy working here every day.

What will you miss about this job? How will you feel waking up on Grand Final Day knowing it’s your last Grand Final in charge?

u I’m sure I’ll be reflective and a bit emotional. I think I’ll be leaving the game in great shape, but you know, every dog has his day.

In an interview with the AFL Record in 2018, shortly before he passed away, your long-time colleague Tony Peek said, ‘We’re here, but we’re temporary trustees of the game and we have the responsibility to leave it in better health than when we arrived. Hopefully that’s the case.’ Do you think that’s the case with you?

u It’s for others to judge, but the game looks good, the numbers are great and there’s money to spend. I feel great about how it’s being left, but that’s for others to judge.

Will you leave a US-presidential style note on the desk for your successor?

Andrew Demetriou (McLachlan’s predecessor) left a one sentence note for me, “Be your own man.” I’m not sure I can do a better job of leaving a note for whichever man or woman replaces me. That’s what my advice is. Whatever attributes gets them the job, back them in, be your own person and never forget how important it is to so many people. Keep a sense of that and you’ll make more good decisions than bad.

Round one, 2023. Do you think you’ll be at the footy?

One hundred per cent.

@hashbrowne

FAMILY AND FOOTY: McLachlan with wife Laura and their children (from left), Edie, Cleo, Luna and Sidney; McLachlan rates Chris Judd at the Eagles (below) as the best player he saw in his time at the AFL.

I take great pride that our game is so important to people

McLACHLAN

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the AFL can be a bit hit and miss when it comes to celebrating milestones and anniversaries.

The 150th anniversary of the game was celebrated in 2008, quite rightly given the first game of what became Australian Football was played in 1858.

It was a 180-degree turn in logic from 1996 when the League decided to treat itself to the mother of all celebrations to mark its centenary. Never mind that the then VFL was actually formed in 1897.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the one of the most iconic features of the game, the Fable Singers’ recordings of the then 12 VFL clubs’ songs.

While it hasn’t raised a chord, so to speak, at League HQ, some sections of the media –notably journalist Shannon Gill writing for Code Sports earlier this year and now the AFL Record – are marking the occasion.

If you’re a footy fan, the lyrics, chords and rhythms of your team’s song have likely been etched in your minds for as long as you can remember.

Players have joined in song to celebrate victory for as long as there has been football. It is a trait not restricted to our code.

It wasn’t until 1906, when three-game Collingwood player Tom Nelson borrowed the tune from an American marching song Good Old Dolly Grey Forever and fashioned it into Good Old Collingwood Forever that club songs started to take effect in the VFL.

It took close to 60 years for all the other clubs to follow suit.

Supporters would learn them by rote and recite the words to memory, but there wasn’t any serious consideration given to making recordings of them until well-known Melbourne jazz musician Graham ‘Smacka’ Fitzgibbon did so in the late 1960s.

But the VFL wanted something more substantial. So in early 1972, a group of singers who used to come together for

It is 50 years since the then 12 VFL clubs’ theme songs were recorded by the Fable Singers. ASHLEY BROWNE takes a trip down musical memory lane.

various choral events in Melbourne, were shepherded into a studio, handed the lyrics to the 12 club songs and, in the space of one day, they recorded them all.

As noted in Code Sports, the group was put together by Kevin Casey, a Xavier College teacher and a founder of the National Boys Choir.

Among them was Ivan Hutchinson, a well-known Melbourne jazz musician and Channel Seven movie critic, Paul Gavin who sang with the ABC, Brian Fitzgerald, the director of music at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and John Caddy, whose nephew Josh later played in two Richmond premierships.

Because the recording took place at Fable Records in Albert Park, the motley group called themselves the Fable Singers.

Once they put down the 12 club songs, as well as the B-side (The Football Song), they never sang together again. They were paid $100 for their time and never saw a cent of royalties.

“Everybody knew the basic tunes, but some of them had four and five-part harmonies, so we had to learn our own little bits and record them,” Caddy said.

“They’d put them all together and when they were happy with that, they’d play it back and a fraction of a second later we’d sing it again and when recorded it would sound like 18 voices rather than nine.

“We had to learn them, record them, do them again, and do it all in one day. We did 12 songs plus the B-side.”

The songs made their debut on Channel Seven’s World of Sport in 1972 during the ‘Club Corner’ segments, which would bring together the two coaches from each of the previous day’s games to review the game

bottles of Patra orange juice and boxes Ballantynes chocolates.

The songs were also played at VFL Park as the teams ran out, with the winning team’s song again played after the final siren.

Home teams would play their songs at their own suburban grounds, provided their rudimentary public address systems would allow it.

And footy fans would go to the local record shop (remember those?) and buy the singles (remember them?).

The record covers came in club colours and the records themselves featured that famous Fable Records orange and pink centre.

The songs weren’t particularly great pieces of music, but football fans immediately took them to heart.

If Baa Baa Black Sheep was the first song parents taught their children, then their footy club theme song ran a close second. And they have largely endured for 50 years.

The change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs at the end of 1996 meant a new club song and Sydney’s was the first to be tweaked, and more recently re-recorded, to mark the Swans’ move from South Melbourne.

Post its Fitzroy takeover in 1996, Brisbane recorded a new version that incorporates several lines from the old Fitzroy song.

The AFL recorded new versions of each song in 2002, but they were never released.

The League tried again in 2018. Club legends Matthew Richardson and Kevin Bartlett were enlisted into the chorus for the Richmond version, but fans were quick to voice their disapproval.

Fifty years on, the originals are still the best.

so what is the secret sauce when it comes to the Fable Singers?

Why is it that none of the expansion clubs, with the GWS Giants the obvious exception, have come close to recreating the magic of that small recording studio 50 years ago?

According to Melbourne University music professor Mark Pollard, it’s the tribalism that makes them so enduring.

“First, there’s an association,” he said.

“We know it’s a multi-generational thing through the family. Our parents know the song. Our grandparents know the song.

“Every bit of the song is important and even changing one word is a huge thing.

“It’s my club, my players, my team and my song. So if you’re changing a piece of that, you’re changing a piece of me. Don’t touch it. It’s very personal.”

It is difficult to ascribe a particular music genre to the original club songs.

The tunes are not original, borrowed instead from show tunes, movie scores, marching songs, pop songs and, in the case of Fitzroy, the French national anthem, which at the time it was written caused a diplomatic flap with the French Embassy.

Lions star Bill Stephen, who helped write the song, had to assure the French Ambassador that it was a mark of respect for France.

“The style is popular, they are easy to sing, easy to remember and are well known in many ways,” Professor Pollard said.

“They are songs that represent pop music at a certain time.”

There are elements of traditional jazz in the music, with plenty of wind instruments, especially the trumpet; the banjos add a ragtime element, famously in the old South Melbourne song, while drums are also prominent, especially in the St Kilda song.

The vocals are drawn straight out of the barbershop quartet genre.

Professor Pollard is a Western Bulldogs tragic, whose father Clement Pollard was friendly with the legendary Ted Whitten and other members of the club’s 1954 premiership team.

But he moves in serious music circles and finds there are times when he has to defend the importance and significance of the club songs to friends and colleagues who don’t follow the game and perhaps might even look down on it.

“You can look at songs, the chords, the structure and the lyrics and how they’re used in an AFL theme song and, to be honest, there’s not a lot going on,” he said.

“They’re very straightforward and the lyrics, as pop songs go, are pretty bad.

“The story telling is shocking and some of their analogies don’t work or go against what they’re trying to do.

“But they’re the stuff of legend and they take on a lot of importance. The social impact can never be discounted.

A BOY FROM OLD FITZROY: Radio announcer Craig Huggins likens the Lions song to a royal fanfare.

“They have meaning and representation to millions of people and, if you can judge their impact, then these songs are very powerful.”

Just about every fan is biased towards their team’s song. But Professor Pollard agrees, as do many neutrals, that We’re From Tigerland might be the best of them all.

“It’s really up tempo and fast, and you can get into it,” he said.

“It has a great energy and chorus and I think that one works well from the original, which is Row, Row, Row. The original doesn’t work so well, but when set to the Richmond lyrics, it works really well.”

He also reserved praise for Good Old Collingwood Forever.

“Collingwood does the instrumental part so well, as does the old Footscray song and also St Kilda,” he said.

“The ones with the marching band type element, the trumpets blaring out and the drums and the rhythm sections, they’re the ones that keep the energy going.”

Professor Pollard has noted the attempts to update the original songs, but says the problem with that is that styles change.

What might be the current sound is not as current a few years later. Music styles go out of fashion.

“These songs have 50 years and, in some cases, 100 years of history that have stood the test of time,” he said.

“They’ve become iconic because of the way they are and that’s a hard thing to do.”

Writer and podcaster Dylan Leach has a keen eye for football history and is perhaps the greatest authority on the Fable Singers.

He claims the success comes from the simplicity, two verses with an instrumental interlude and because supporters associate them with success.

“All those songs are associated with a really good moment,” he said.

“You know the song, you know the beat, you know the trumpet and you can hear people sing those songs in harmony.

“They’re associated with a good time and, in footy, they’re just as iconic as the banners, the colours and the logo.”

YELLOW AND BLACK!:

AFL fans association president Cheryl Critchley believes We're From Tigerland is the best song of them all.

Carlton

We Are The Navy Blues

To the tune of: Lily of Laguna

ADAM ROZENBACHS

WRITER AND COMEDIAN

u What I love about this song is that in 2022 it was played after games because in the past 20 years it has largely been played before games and you can’t really sing it then. It is finally serving its purpose after all those years in the wilderness.

After the siren is great, but the really fun time to be singing it is when you’re walking out of the ground and people spontaneously start belting it out.

The best part is at the start, the trumpet solo that is now sung as, ‘Da-da-da-da-daaah …’ It is so old school, like we’re dancing around a music hall as we’re singing it.

There is a bit of the old Carlton arrogance. We heard it so often back in the day, but there’s a real appreciation for it again. Carlton in the ’90s were the hot guy in high school who then became fat and old. We lost the swagger. But we’re getting it back a little bit.

Collingwood

Good Old Collingwood Forever

To the tune of: Good Old Dolly Grey Forever

LIBBI GORR

BROADCASTER, PRESENTER, MC

u I like the prelude, ‘Da-da-da-dadadada, dadadadadada’. It’s an introduction that always makes my heart flutter. Good Old Collingwood Forever must be one of the oldest songs I know. I have a visceral response when I hear it.

I also love the musical interlude in the middle with the trumpets, but it is the words and the musical narrative that are ingrained in my heart. It’s a jolly song. All happy and nothing menacing.

Essendon

See The Bombers Fly Up To the tune of: Keep Your Sunnyside Up ROHAN CONNOLLY

FOOTY JOURNALIST AND MUSIC CRITIC

u The Essendon song has always been an identifiable song anyway because people know Keep Your Sunnyside Up. When I first heard the Essendon song as a kid, I was already aware of that song.

It’s upbeat and in the 1970s when I was a kid, you couldn’t always be upbeat about the fortunes of the Bombers, so there’s always that. They tried a pretty cheesy alternative in 1980, but the supporters soon stamped that out, as they did when they started playing Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud after goals in 2001. If nothing else, we have musical taste.

My favourite part is the brief banjo solo before the opening line. That’s why I like the Swans song because it also has a banjo solo.

I remember being in the outer after the 1984 Grand Final, when the ‘up, up’ line of the song was sung with particular zest.

Fitzroy

We Are The Boys From Old Fitzroy To the tune of: La Marseillaise

CRAIG HUGGINS

GOLD FM RADIO ANNOUNCER

u I played the trumpet as a teen and taught myself the very regal brass opening to the Fitzroy club song. It was like a royal fanfare that made you pay attention.

There was one thing that really bothered me about the Roys song. I didn’t like the fact that it mentioned losing: ‘Win or lose, we do or die. In defeat we always try’. The other teams’ songs didn’t mention losing. Perhaps because it’s based on the French national anthem, we were trying to be overly nice to compensate!

I did note once that France was famous for its history. There was a synergy in that with Fitzroy. We were also destined to history.

It also says ‘Premiers we’ll be this year’ which sadly never happened in the years I sang it, however, I must admit, the rejigging of the song helped get me over the line as a proud Brisbane Lions supporter.

Footscray

Sons Of The ’Scray

To the tune of: Sons of the Sea

DANNY McGINLAY WRITER AND COMEDIAN

u So much to love. The jaunty trumpet instrumental solo. The ‘we come out smiling’ line.

The opening bars mean either we’ve won or the game is going to start. It’s uplifting. There’s a party in my heart when I hear it.

There are other great lines such as, ‘Others build their teams my lad’ and I like the arrogance of, ‘You can’t beat the boys of the Bulldog breed’.

And even though the lyrics have changed since we became the Western Bulldogs, I still sing the line, ‘who made old Footscray’s name’.

When it comes to the original Fable Singers recordings, what I love is that it is the same voices for each song.

Geelong

We Are Geelong

To the tune of: Toreador Song

u I love it and I struggle to get through it without a little tear in my eye. It’s wonderful and very catchy and I know I hear it more than most, but I do think it’s one of the best in the AFL.

It’s thoroughly enjoyed by the supporters, but equally so by the players. I always have a giggle after they come off the ground bloodied and bruised after such a struggle, they all link arms and sing this happy song.

The song has all these trumpet solos and they’re the ones the supporters like to follow when they sing the song.

It’s also notable that ours was written by

REBECCA MADDERN

CHANNEL SEVEN NEWS PRESENTER

Hawthorn

We’re A Happy Team At Hawthorn

To the tune of: Yankee Doodle Dandy NAT EDWARDS

JOURNALIST AND PRESENTER

u You want your theme song to pump you up at the end of the game after a good win at the MCG. Nothing low and slow. You want a catchy jingle and Yankee Doodle Dandy and the Hawks is where it’s at.

It was an easy song to hum along to and then learn at primary school. That was in the ’90s for me, so I didn’t get to sing it all that often because there weren’t a lot of Hawthorn wins.

The best part is yelling out the ‘Four! Three! Two!’ leading into the ‘one for all and all for one’ line in the song. It gets stuck in your head very easily.

Singing the song now brings back the glorious memories of the ‘three-peat’ flags, as well as the 2008 Grand Final when we sang it all through the last quarter. The whole crowd joined in and it was a joyful and emotional moment.

My daughter is now two-and-a-half and it is one of the first songs I taught her. It took her a while to get into it, but now she sings it all the time. We were on the train recently and when the driver said we were approaching Hawthorn station, she burst into the song. That was a proud parenting moment.

Melbourne

It’s A Grand Old Flag

To the tune of: A Grand Old Flag

North Melbourne

Join In The Chorus

To the tune of: We Deeoch an Doris KAREN LYON

MEDIA PROFESSIONAL, AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME SELECTOR

u I love the call to action at the start of the song, ‘Hearts to hearts and hands to hands’, but it saddens me that it doesn’t feature in the Fable Singers’ recorded version of the song.

That part of it makes it unique to us and, while other sports might think it’s a bit naff, when you hear the crowd chant those words, it is a bit emotive and quite a lot of fun.

But the Fable Singers songs are great. They transport you back to being a kid at all those suburban grounds. That might be a bit starry-eyed, old-fashioned and dreamy, but that’s how we related to footy and there’s not much tradition left.

The trumpet solo at the start. That’s what all my friends say. That’s when you know to get excited to sing the song, not that we’ve had all that many opportunities the past few years. It’s what gives you that extra little bit of joy.

Richmond

We’re From Tigerland To the tune of: Row, Row, Row

CHERYL CRITCHLEY JOURNALIST,

AFL FANS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

u I’m biased, but yeah, a lot of people say it’s the best. It’s a bouncy and upbeat song and just so catchy.

St Kilda

When The Saints Go Marching In To the tune of: When The Saints Go Marching In BRUCE EVA

BROADCASTER AND JOURNALIST

u Apart from Happy Birthday, is there a more famous song in the world than our club song? And unlike every other club song, it is known everywhere. And how many great artists have sung it on stage at some stage?

I did suggest to the club a while ago that they adopt a slow version of the song, as has EPL club Southampton, also known as the Saints. But it can be sung up-tempo or more slowly … there are so many versions.

My favourite part? The brass section does it for me.

Supporters enjoy hearing the players singing the song, especially the second verse, which is now led by Jade Gresham, like Jarryn Geary and Stephen Milne before him.

I don’t sing it all that much these days to protect the vocal chords, but I have to confess that after a big win – and a few drinks – a few of us have been known to belt out Beside the Seaside, which was the St Kilda song until the early 1960s.

South Melbourne

Cheer, Cheer The Red And The White To the tune of: Notre Dame Victory March

PETER ‘GRUBBY’ STUBBS

3AW WEEKEND PRESENTER

u Those opening bars, that starting point, is so distinctive.

There’s no mention of ‘Melbourne’. There’s no mention of ‘Demons’, so it’s ‘Keep your eye on the red and the blue,’ that does it for us, especially as we don’t have that ‘Yellow and Black!’ equivalent.

And we’re still trying to understand what ‘Should old acquaintance be forgot’ actually means.

Like Geelong, we have this second verse, which starts with, ‘Oh, the team played fine in the year ’39.’ You never hear it, but it has always intrigued me and I can’t think of any other song that references something the team has done.

The challenge now is for someone to write a third verse about 2021.

There is nothing better than hearing the ‘YELLOW AND BLACK!’ line shouted out at the Grand Final, but after any win it gets you feeling emotional.

For people of a certain age, we just grew up with these songs. They’re daggy but in a positive way and that’s their charm. There have been imitations, but they’re not the same.

And yes, I’ve still got the single somewhere at home.

u I reckon it’s one of the good ones, easily in the top six, but the only downside is that the Giants song came out many years later and was better than ours. I hate the Giants.

When they went to Sydney, Mike Brady wrote Up There for Sydney. I went to the 1996 Grand Final with all my family, our first for 51 years, the team runs out on to the ground and what do they play? Up There for ‘freaking’ Sydney. I nearly died.

I love the song. All those songs by the old Fable Singers are so daggy, but they should never be changed. They’ve changed our song to say, ‘Swans will go in and win overall’, but a lot of us still sing ‘South’ instead of ‘Swans’, even after 40 years.

And how can you go past the banjo solo in the middle? We all play a little air banjo after a good win.

SHANNON GILL WRITER

GOLDEN GOALS

Selecting best goals in a Grand Final is a bit like naming your favourite child. But ANDREW SLEVISON has found two – one in 2008 and the other in 2016 –that were game-changers.

In every Grand Final there are moments that somewhat define that particular game.

Massive moments that spring to mind include Dom Sheed’s cool finish in West Coast’s 2018 triumph over Collingwood.

There is Paul Chapman’s late snap for Geelong against St Kilda in 2009 and Nick Malceski’s 2012 sealer for Sydney against Hawthorn.

Or if you ask a Richmond tragic, any of Dustin Martin’s four goals against Geelong in 2020.

But there are moments that are perhaps slightly more obscure.

Some of these may have flown under the radar to the average footy follower, but they certainly are remembered with great fondness by the club in question.

Tom Boyd was involved in one of the more significant moments with the Western Bulldogs in the 2016 decider.

In just his second season in the red, white and blue, the powerful forward, who could

pinch-hit in the ruck, helped drag the Bulldogs over the line against Sydney to snap a 62-year premiership drought.

Boyd’s fourth-quarter goal has been written into folklore at Whitten Oval.

His knockout blow occurred with just over five minutes to go in a frenzied final term.

A desperate spoil and tackle by Dale Morris. The ball spilled from Lance Franklin’s grasp. It bobbled to Boyd, who gathered, turned and bombed from inside the centre square.

The MCG exploded. Even commentator Brian Taylor lost his mind, dropping an audible obscenity on Triple M’s broadcast when the ball bounced through.

For Boyd, it was an experience that is difficult to explain.

“A great phenomenon that happens at the MCG, and it’s the only place that I’ve felt this happen, is the entirety of the near-100,000 people collectively react all at once, and you actually don’t hear the sound of how loud it is first, what you actually feel is the ground shaking,” he told the AFL Record

“It’s almost like an indiscernible amount of noise to process. That’s why my reaction to it was so natural because it was the moment where I just needed to let everything out and explode because the ground was literally shaking beneath my feet.”

Boyd recalls the chaos of the celebration, which included unknowingly wearing Toby McLean as a backpack, and some sage words from teammate Liam Picken.

While Boyd’s goal was crucial, he believes it was Picken who really sealed the game with two minutes remaining.

“The Toby McLean on my shoulders image is well documented, but I didn’t have any idea he was on my back or who it was,” Boyd said.

“Liam ran over to me and I was carrying on, rightfully so I might add, and I had sensed the moment that this was the goal that really sealed the game.

“But ‘Picko’, being the wise and mature head that he is, said, ‘Get your head back in the game, we haven’t won yet’.

“Since then I’ve thought about it and I’m like, ‘Get out of it, Picko! You don’t have to ruin my moment in the sun’, but that was just testament to the way he went about his footy.

“I felt that my goal in particular was so deflating to them in the fact that it was a unique and very difficult goal and the time of the game it came after to-ing and fro-ing.

“But Picko kicked the real sealer only a couple of moments later. That’s what really stood out to me.”

Boyd, who had popped his shoulder out before half-time, can still remember where he was when the siren sounded, but admits he couldn’t quite fathom what had happened.

“Toby (McLean) was having a set shot and I was in the forward pocket setting up for a zone,” he said.

‘THE GROUND WAS SHAKING’: (opposite page) Toby McLean hitches a ride on an oblivious Tom Boyd after his last-quarter goal for the Bulldogs in 2016.

(Below) Dale Morris’ desperate tackle on Swan superstar Lance Franklin, and (right) Liam Picken after kicking the sealer.

“Being in the forward line at that stage, I didn’t really have the knowledge of what was going on, I was just playing in the moment.

“The moment I remember best is, once you finish carrying on and running around, there’s a photo of me where I’ve got my hands on my head and I’m looking up into the crowd in disbelief.

“Because the game is so taxing, it’s the first moment where you can soak in a sense of relief that the physical side is all over.

“For me, that was the moment when it was like, ‘Holy hell, I think something has happened, but I’m not sure exactly what it is’, but I know that I don’t have to smash myself any longer, which was a crazy feeling.”

Making the most of your opportunities is a recurring theme in cut-throat finals, particularly an ultimate decider.

Campbell Brown was involved in a great Grand Final upset in 2008 when Hawthorn defeated Geelong.

The Cats had finished the home and away season four games clear of the Hawks and won their two finals comfortably, as had Hawthorn.

There were significant moments in a seesawing affair that Brown remembers vividly. One in particular was a goal late in the third quarter involving Stuart Dew and featuring Mark Williams.

Dew and Williams were fighting tooth and nail to win the ball under extreme pressure from Geelong defenders Matthew Scarlett, Josh Hunt and Harry Taylor.

After two scrappy handballs each, Williams finished off the desperate act with an end-over-end dribbler to put the Hawks up by 24 points.

“The game took a wild turn in the third quarter,” Brown said.

“The Cats’ dam wall burst when we kicked five goals in seven minutes. ‘Dewy’ was involved in everything. His cameo is the thing of legends.

“The goal that Mark Williams kicked after he and Dew scrapped and clawed in the pocket is my all-time favourite and was the first time I thought, ‘Hang on, we can win this’.”

At three-quarter time, the Hawks held a 17-point lead over a Cats side which was at times wasteful.

Brown says it became a true battle as they went about staving off Geelong’s attack before the floodgates opened and they could truly enjoy the moment.

‘TAKING A WILD TURN’: Mark Williams (above) and Stuart Dew (left) combined for a Hawks goal in the third term of the 2008 Grand Final that ‘burst the dam wall’ against the Cats.

the game in the balance right until the end.

O’Keefe remembered it being one of the most taxing matches of his decorated 286-game career, recalling the “relief and euphoria” that he felt after the final siren sounded and Sydney had sealed the 14.7 (91) to 11.15 (81) victory.

“It wasn’t until the siren went to be honest,” O’Keefe said when asked at what point he felt the Swans were home.

“I was in the zone for that game. Contest by contest and moment by moment, it was probably one of the most physically and mentally demanding games I’ve played in.

“I remember the feeling after it and being absolutely spent. It was high pressure and high intensity from the first siren to the final siren.

“When the final siren did go, there was just the relief and euphoria.

“It was an absolute battle, considering I played two Grand Finals against West Coast (2005 and 2006) and both being absolute nail-biters as well.

“But this seemed to be another level above that in terms of the intensity and the way the game was played.”

Much has changed at Sydney in the past decade, but the basic principles which have come to define the Bloods culture remain and that largely comes down to long-time coach John Longmire.

Longmire, who has guided the current generation of Swans to a place in the top four in 2022, and O’Keefe still keep in contact with each other.

“I do catch up with John every so often,” he said.

“(Former coach) Paul Roos did the same thing. The core things that make successful teams, clubs and players haven’t changed in probably 100 years.

“Discipline, hard work, everyone buying in and all that sort of stuff, that hasn’t changed.

“Maybe tactics and the way the game has played may have varied, but what John has done is create a strong team and culture.”

The 2012 Grand Final will live long in the memory, as two of the best sides in recent decades came up against each other at the peak of their powers.

But the ice-cool O’Keefe remained calm and composed throughout both the game and the finals series knowing he had been on the big stage before.

“I had no nerves at all,” he said.

“I had a fair bit of experience coming in, I went into that finals series wanting to enjoy it and take each moment at a time to really appreciate it knowing it doesn’t happen all the time.”

@LaurenceRosen

NORM SMITH MEDAL WINNERS

Presented to the player judged by an independent panel of football experts to be best on ground in the Grand Final. Norm Smith was an icon of the game, as a player and a coach.

He played 210 games and kicked 546 goals for Melbourne (1935-48) and 17 games for Fitzroy (1949-50).

He coached Melbourne to eight Grand Finals for six premierships. Later he guided South Melbourne to its first final in 25 years. He died in 1973, aged 57.

1 979 Wayne Harmes C arl

1980 Kevin Bartlett Rich

1981 Bruce Doull C arl

1982 Maurice Rioli Rich

1983 C olin Robertson Haw Billy Duckworth E ss

1985 Simon Madden E ss

1986 Gary Ayres Haw

1987 David Rhys-Jones C arl 1988 Gary Ayres Haw

1989 Gary Ablett Geel

1990 Tony Shaw C oll

1991 Paul Dear Haw

1992 Peter Matera WCE

1993 Michael Long E ss

1994 Dean Kemp WCE

1995 Greg Williams C arl

1996 Glenn Archer NM

1997 A ndrew McLeod Adel

1998 A ndrew McLeod Adel

1999 Shannon Grant NM

2000 James Hird E ss

2001 Shaun Hart BL

2002 Nathan Buckley C oll

2003 Simon Black BL

2004 Byron Pickett PA

2 005 Chris Judd WCE

2006 A ndrew Embley WCE

2007 Steve Johnson Geel

2008 Luke Hodge Haw

2009 Paul Chapman Geel

2010 Lenny Hayes* StK Scott Pendlebury** Coll

2011 Jimmy Bartel Geel

2012 R yan O’Keefe Syd

2013 Brian Lake Haw

2014 Luke Hodge Haw

2015 C yril Rioli Haw

2016 Jason Johannisen W B

2017 Dustin Martin Rich

2018 Luke Shuey WCE

2019 Dustin Martin Rich

2020 Dustin Martin Rich

2021 Christian Petracca Melb

ICE COOL: O’Keefe fires out one of his 28 disposals in his ‘nerveless’ display, and (right) Adam Goodes’ goal in the final quarter was a defining moment in the match.

PICKING THE RIGHT WINNER

Liam Pickering was a more than handy midfielder with Geelong back in the 1990s, good enough to win a Cats best and fairest in 1997 and play in two Grand Finals.

These days he is better known as a prominent AFL and ALW player manager as well as being the other half of the Off The Bench team, together with Craig Hutchison, every Saturday morning on SEN.

And it’s that platform that has produced some friendly banter between the pair when it comes to placing their Buddybets.

Here are some recent examples.

Heading into the round 22 clash between Sydney and Collingwood, the Pies had been on an 11-game winning streak.

But ‘Hutchy’ was all over the Swans to win at the SCG, while ‘Pickers’ was keen on the Pies.

As an add-on, Hutchy predicted Sydney superstar Lance Franklin would kick three goals-plus (3.5 goals) while Pickers said ‘Buddy’ would go under three goals.

The result? The Swans won but Buddy kicked three – he had to kick four for Hutchy to collect – so they ended all square.

A week later they shook hands on a Buddybet with long-term implications.

Hutchy predicted Buddy would not remain with the Swans in 2023 and would head to another club or retire.

Pickers was adamant Buddy would stay with Sydney, so $50 and a nice bottle of red wine is still riding on that outcome.

One result that was determined on the same show was the result of the round 23 Showdown.

Hutchy went for Adelaide and Pickers selected Port Adelaide – and the Power duly won. We’re not sure if Hutchy has paid up yet!

The following week, Sam Edmond filled in for Hutchy and took on Pickers in a Buddybet on the crowd size for the historic Essendon v Hawthorn AFLW clash at Marvel Stadium that night.

Sam predicted it would be a record AFLW crowd, not quite realising the record was 53,034 for the 2019 Grand Final between Adelaide and Carlton at Adelaide Oval.

Talk about the early crow … the crowd at Marvel was 12,092!

• The AFL’s new CEO will lower admittance prices in 2023.

• At least three players will be chosen as father-son selections in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft.

• The Crows will win back-to-back AFLW premierships.

• Former North Melbourne premiership coach and now racehorse trainer Denis Pagan will train a winner during Melbourne Cup week.

• Steve Smith will be Australia’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket this summer.

WHAT IS BUDDYBET?

u It’s a social entertainment platform offering a ‘world-first’ innovative gaming product where customers place social bets against friends and can comment, chat, like, share and duplicate bets.

The app acts as a platform to legitimise and keep track of the wagers that friends and families have.

The big difference is that the wager doesn’t have to be money.

There is even a handshake bet option which can be for a box of beer or buying the other person lunch.

The bet can also be on anything. It doesn’t have to be sport and if it is on sport it doesn’t have to be on markets a traditional bookmaker would offer. For example, you might bet your mate that Steele Sidebottom will kick on his left foot three times in the first quarter.

There will be regular Buddybet updates in the AFL Record during the season, so download the Buddybet app via the App Store or Google Play and get some bragging rights over your mates!

Here are a few scenarios you might want to Buddybet your mates:

LANCE FRANKLIN

HISTORIC CLASH: Just over 12,000 fans attended the Hawks-Bombers AFLW game.

BEST OF THE ’G

As we welcome the Grand Final back to the MCG, SAM EDMUND looks back on a decade of unforgettable moments.

Finally, footy has come home. Yes, our game is a national one and we’re thankful for that. But there’s something comforting about getting back on the traditional stage in the traditional timeslot.

The ’G – Australia’s grand old lady of sport – is dressed to impress on Grand Final day like no other day of the year –save perhaps for Boxing Day.

It offers us a chance to reminisce about some of the biggest Grand Final moments

2010There’s 97 seconds left when Stephen Milne turns Ben Johnson inside out, and the nippy forward appears certain to gather a wildly bouncing ball to boot the go-ahead goal for the Saints. Yet, in a moment that might scar St Kilda fans forever, the Sherrin inexplicably bounces at right angles to elude Milne and tie the scores for good.

to have taken place on the hallowed turf. With the biggest game on the AFL calendar taking place at the MCG for the first time this decade, let’s canvass the past decade’s unforgettable moments.

Not all have been big goals or big marks. What of the defining moments? The momentum shifters? The fire starters?

And as we cast our eyes over the MCG on Grand Final day, it’s hard not to wonder where this year’s most significant moment will occur.

2011Geelong is irresistible in the last quarter of a previously tight Grand Final, booting five goals to zip in the final half hour – one of them a remarkable running effort from Travis Varcoe. First, Varcoe runs back with the flight in the Cats’ defensive 50 to stop Alan Toovey marking, before soccering the ball forward on the wing. He pushes on again, crumbing a Steve Johnson kick and, despite fatigue setting in, drills a running left-foot snap having run some 200m.

2012Nick Malceski had kicked Sydney’s first goal of this Grand Final against Hawthorn, but it was his last for the Swans hours later that clinched the premiership. Gathering a Dan Hannebery handball in traffic –and with his team clinging to a four-point lead – Malceski’s arcing left-foot snap sailed through with 37 seconds left. Cue the red and white celebrations.

A dogged Fremantle has closed to within 10 points of Hawthorn at the last change on a blustery, showery day that’s making goalkicking difficult. Enter Isaac Smith. With the first goal of the fourth term vital, Smith marks Brad Sewell’s pass right on 50m. He has to kick from 55m, but it never looks like missing. And Hawthorn never looks like losing from there. RD

2014Hawthorn leads Sydney by a goal 22 minutes into the first quarter when Jarryd Roughead encapsulates the essence of the ‘unsociable Hawks’ in one bone-rattling tackle. In a pile-driving hit that set the tone in the Hawks’ day of revenge, Roughead floored Dan Hannebery in an opening term that ended with Hawthorn registering 22 tackles to Sydney’s seven.

2015Hawthorn has West Coast on the canvas after a 5.0 to 1.5 first quarter. But the demoralising blow for the Eagles comes in the second term when Hawks skipper Luke Hodge, pinned up against the boundary line, kicks a banana off one step that somehow bends through. Hawthorn wasn’t losing from there.

2016The goal so powerful Brian Taylor dropped the F-bomb on radio. Lance Franklin is caught cold by the excellent Dale Morris. The ball spills to Tom Boyd, who launches a bomb from inside the centre square to bury Sydney – and his critics.

2017Adelaide leads Richmond by eight points with less than 10 minutes remaining in the second term when Jacob Townsend smashes Matt Crouch into the turf with a crunching tackle that delights the Tiger Army. With ‘Towna’ lighting the spark, Richmond catches fire. The Tigers kick the last three goals of the first half and the next six unanswered to floor the Crows.

One of the great Grand Finals has a final chapter that will forever be a part of Eagles folklore. Jeremy McGovern’s aggressive intercept mark sets in motion a counterattack that ends with a mark to Dom Sheed. Sheed’s 40m kick from the boundary is gun-barrel straight and it wins the Eagles their fourth flag.

From a prison cell to an unfathomable AFL debut on Grand Final day. In 2019, Marlion Pickett’s story was already footy’s best, but when he started running rings around GWS, we had one of the best stories the game has seen. A second-quarter 360-degree turn out of a centre bounce was the jaw-dropping moment in a Richmond hammering.

HEALTHY DIET:

Daisy Pearce eats plenty of fruit and vegetables.

ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIVING

The Coles Healthy Kicks program is a fun and entertaining health and fitness program designed specifically to encourage Australian children aged six to 12 to embrace healthy eating, mindfulness and exercise.

Starting in 2020, Coles Healthy Kicks is in its third year engaging with kids through fun fitness, healthy food education and engaging games and is delivered during the school holidays at vacation care centres and schools nationwide.

Coles and the AFL have partnered with several superstar AFL and AFLW Ambassadors to bring the Coles Healthy Kicks program to life, including GWS’s Stephen Coniglio, Melbourne’s Daisy Pearce, the Brisbane Lions’ Ruby Svarc, Collingwood’s Sabrina Frederick and Steph Chiocci and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield.

All these players have a strong focus on health and wellness, which makes them the perfect Ambassadors for the Coles Healthy Kicks program.

BEST OF COLES AFL AMBASSADORS 2022

What did you do as a kid to stay active?

u Patrick Dangerfield: I was raised in a very active family and loved all things sport. I played footy, tennis and regularly surfed. As a kid, I would also jump on the trampoline at home for two to three hours per day every day of the week.

What healthy foods did you love as a kid?

u Daisy Pearce: My beautiful Mum is an avid gardener, so we always had a steady supply of fresh fruit and vegetables from our own garden and grew to love them. Mum also grew the most amazing plump raspberries which my brothers and I devoured as soon as they were ready! We’d go to a local blueberry farm near our house too, so fresh berries were a big part of our diet when we were younger. What is your favourite healthy food now?

u Patrick Cripps: I enjoy nearly all healthy smoothies I can get my hands on, for example, banana smoothies. Chicken salads or a chicken and mushroom risotto is my pre-game go-to.

PATRICK CRIPPS

Why is it important for kids to be part of a team?

u Ruby Svarc: Team environments create vital opportunities for kids to have fun while also developing important life skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and resilience.

What’s your favourite memory of being part of a team as a kid?

u Sabrina Frederick: I played in quite a few teams when I was younger, but the first time I won my basketball championship definitely has to be my favourite memory overall. Our team had played in a weekend carnival and it was the best fun spending time with my teammates and ultimately winning the entire tournament. Do you do any mindfulness or breathing activities?

u Stephen Coniglio: Deep breathing is something I always practise to settle the mind and body to be very clear in what I’m trying to do. I also do mindfulness.

How does this help?

DAISY PEARCE

u Stephen Coniglio: I do a lot, other than constant positive self-talk daily, I encourage kids always to stop and think each day of what they’re most grateful for in their lives. Whether it be family, food, drink, school, friends, whatever it may be, gratitude for me is so important.

Why do you think the Coles Healthy Kicks program is so important for kids?

u Steph Chiocci: Not only does the Coles Healthy Kicks program promote being active in a fun and engaging way, it also provides benefits for our mental health and social development through education sessions, team-building activities and nutrition sessions, to name a few.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO

We always had a steady supply of fresh fruit and vegetables

u After 15 seasons at the top, Bachar Houli called time on his illustrious career towards the end of the 2021 season.

A dependable player with superb skills by hand and foot, he spent most of his days operating as a half-back flanker for the Tigers.

Houli started his career with Essendon, making his debut in 2007, before joining Richmond where he had an immediate impact, finishing fourth in the Jack Dyer Medal in his first season at Punt Rd in 2011.

He went on to play a significant role in a successful era of three premierships (2017, 2019 and 2020), claiming one All-Australian blazer (2019) and coming close to winning two Norm Smith Medals, finishing second to Dustin Martin in 2017 and 2019.

A devout Muslim who continues to do important work in the community, particularly with the Bachar Houli Foundation, he retired as one of the most universally respected people in the game.

In 2020, he won the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, which the AFL presents each year on Brownlow Medal night.

The award has become the pinnacle of recognition of philanthropic achievements within the AFL community, named in honour of the late Melbourne star ruckman, Brownlow medallist and Demons president, Jim Stynes.

The Bachar Houli Foundation is focused on engaging young Muslims in football through a series of community engagement and pathway programs for

males and females, in partnership with the AFL and Richmond.

The foundation has engaged more than 30,000 young people and delivers several national programs annually, including the Bachar Houli Academies, Ramadan dinners, the Bachar Houli Cup and an employment program.

Like most Victorians, the 2020 bushfires had a strong impact on Houli and, in January that year, he volunteered his time to visit victims in Gippsland through local charity Human Appeal.

Houli worked with local agencies, cooking and distributing meals to frontline workers, taking photographs with locals and the 2019 premiership cup, and distributing merchandise.

Few players have earned such respect on and off the field as Bachar Houli. That’s a plus.

everlasting footy love

The ‘Love Letter to Football’ lunch returned for its sixth year in 2022, again hosted by 3AW Breakfast presenter Ross Stevenson. His line-up of speakers included Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO ANDREW WESTACOTT who penned his letter around his heartfelt love of the Western Bulldogs. He was supported by fellow Love Letter writers: retiring AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, leading football writer and commentator Caroline Wilson, Stevenson’s old F-Grade amateurs teammate Alan McLean and Herald Sun football writer Lauren Wood. Here is the transcript and accompanying photos of Westacott’s letter, which confirm his unbridled love of the game.

Dear Footy, I love you.

FOOTY IS LOVE

u I’ve just returned from a pilgrimage of love in Italy with (wife) Tina. I spent time thinking of you, exploring you. Overlooking the Mediterranean, listening to the Dogs beat the Dees, I Googled “Definition of love, in English”. My search in the Google machine returned much, including: “A great interest and pleasure in something” e.g., “his love for football”. How good is it that I can be on a pilgrimage of love in Italy and the definition of love talks about footy.

SKIN DEEP LOVE

u Or that during conversation about suntans and Italian life with this local bloke, he says the word for skin is ‘pelli’.

BONT LOVE

u Hence, with the word ‘Bont’ meaning ‘goodness’, it’s no wonder that we have a Dogs captain whose name is literally ‘goodness of skin’. I love him even more.

Whether it’s passion, enthusiasm or just straight out that tingling sensation in my footy shorts, you do it for me footy.

John Legend and Ed Sheeran sing: All of me loves all of you

All your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Well, I can honestly say I’ve experienced those curves, edges and perfect imperfections in my love of footy.

DELIVERING A ‘COWBOY’

u We first met in the ’70s. Kardinia Park. Geelong v Footscray, seated next to my grandparents, Madge and ‘Westy’, in the Charles Brownlow Stand – homemade cakes and sandwiches (courtesy of Madge).

Westy was a former country doctor. He delivered Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale into the world at the Terang Hospital. To this day, not a word of thanks from any of my Saints mates. What a day. I don’t remember who won but, from then on, I was hooked.

DAD THE BULLDOG

u I wasn’t a twinkle in my father John’s eye when he played for Footscray in the ’50s alongside Ted Whitten and Charlie Sutton, as well as playing in the 1956 Olympics demo game.

IN THE NAME OF FOOTY LOVE

u What a treat to be introduced to something you love by your grandparents and father – it’s why I love you footy and it’s why you are part of us:

Our son, Charlie – after Sutton.

Our dog, Ted – after Whitten.

Our daughter, Amy – no AFLW back then, so she was named after the canteen lady at the Western Oval.

I was born a Bulldog and will die a Bulldog.

HOOKED ON FOOTY BOOKS

u My favourite book of the day, among others, was The Courage Book of VFL Finals

KEEPING SCORE

u I even got to update it in 1973 ‘Caro’ (Wilson, a Tiger fan).

LOVE YA, CHARLIE

u I made sure we filled up at the Mobil petrol station courtesy of the need to populate the 1971 Mobil Footy Photo Album. Big names like Royce Hart, Peter Hudson and Peter Bedford. Footscray was represented by Gary Dempsey, Bernie Quinlan and the very famous Italian Charlie Pagnoccolo.

How Pagnoccolo ever featured alongside those other luminaries I’ll never know, but he’s etched in my memory – an Italian VFL trailblazer … 46 Dogs games, no Brownlow votes and he’s in there with a guy like Royce Hart who famously “did a fart and blew the MCG apart”.

It doesn’t matter why he made it into the Mobil album, but he’s the reason, along with Bontempelli, Dimattina, Giansiracusa, Liberatore and throw in Barassi, Martello, Rocca and Catoggio, that we went on a pilgrimage to explore the Italian homelands of AFL greats as a sign of my love for you footy.

SIGN HERE

u The early days at the Western Oval were a treat in the John Gent Stand with access into the changerooms with the past players. As a 10-year-old, I probably saw way too many perfect imperfections.

Those early days at Dogs home games gave my autograph book a work-out and featured names such as Dempsey, Robbie ‘Bones’ McGhie (now they were real tatts) and even a young Doug Hawkins.

I was in love with you footy. I could never get enough.

LOVE IN THE ’70S

At the time of my developing love in the ’70s, I thought it normal:

u To collect every book and magazine possible;

u To pay attention to who was winning the Dr McClelland Trophy;

u To say I barracked for the Two Blues in the VFA, just because I lived in the City of Prahran;

You don’t forget these things if you’re really in love – it’s like never forgetting your first kiss.

FOOTY RECORD LOVE

u And to this day, I never forget to add the Grand Final Record to the collection that started in 1973. I won’t get started on some of the crap designs of the ’80s, suffice to say I did like the 3-D cover of 1994.

Other experiences grew my love for you:

BOOTS

u Going down to Como Park in my first pair of footy boots and trying to make stud marks in the Merri Creek mud of the cricket pitches;

u Taking speccies on the back lawn to mimic Hobbs, Knights, Vander Haar or ‘Jezza’;

u Standing on steel cans in the outer to get a better view of the action;

u Checking the scores of A v B, J v K – 3KZ is football.

The list is endless.

FLIRTING WITH THE HAWKS

u Footy – you already know this –others don’t.

To fully understand my love for you, to get relativity, I’ve had dalliances.

I bought an NRL jumper once. I’ve supported the Wallabies. Only for nationalistic bandwagon reasons.

But I did commit the cardinal sin – I’ve had allegiances to more than Footscray – and I’m going to blame Mum and Dad.

You see, growing up in Toorak wasn’t conducive to wearing a Footscray jumper. So, after coming home in tears and being in love with Peter Crimmins, I was allowed to change to the Hawks.

To this day, why there was not a “a damn good thrashing” to keep me in the red, white and blue of the Dogs, I’ll never know.

I realised the error of my ways after many years, before it was too late. But I did get:

To learn that Bohdan Jaworskyj was a Hawks backman and not a type of German sausage;

To meet Peter Knights and Leon Rice at an Alcoa Cash-a-Can collection day.

They all add to the completeness of my love for you.

DOGGONE, I DO LOVE YOU

While I was having this dalliance, Footscray waited patiently in the wings.

The moment needed to be right. But footy, until the moment was right, and to this day, I’ve pursued extra-curricular activities. You see, I’ve tried everything to make our bond stronger.

WAVING TO MY LOVE

u I wasn’t much of a player at school – so why am I in the photo for the first 18?

They needed a goal umpire, didn’t they. I think I inadvertently won a game for Wesley against Geelong College.

That’s what happens when you mimic the VFL goal umpires by running all the way across to the point post before prancing back to the centre of the goals to signal a goal for Wesley. The Geelong boys were not happy.

Where was the ARC to help me back then?

RAINING LOVE

u After my half a dozen games at school in the thirds, I plied my craft in the thirds and ressies at Collegians in the Ammos, including a few against 3AW’s very own Russel Howcroft – a decent player might I add.

I can never forget days in the VAFA at Elsternwick Park; the boundary line ‘moat’ filled with three feet of water – perfect for making a waterlogged Sherrin feel like a torpedo when kicked towards you at short range.

Only now do I reflect that the sensations in the footy shorts referred to earlier were not so much about passion, but were indeed from the curves and edges hitting me at full speed in the pills from three feet.

I realised who really did it for all of us –The Sons of the West

REAL BULLDOG LOVE

u When Amy and Charlie were born, the moment had arrived.

There was only one team for them – the Western Bulldogs.

My love became real again. I realised who really did it for all of us – The Sons of the West.

Thank you ‘Johnno’, ‘Darce’, ‘Gia’, ‘Murph’, everyone for waiting for me until the time was right.

Waiting for success since 1954 is way too long for anyone, so when momentum started to build in the 2016 season, I let my mind get a little bit ahead of myself. I started to really dream.

I said to Tina one afternoon when there was inner belief: “If we make the Grand Final, we’re going to paint the front fence in Bulldogs colours.”

Perth: v Eagles – win

MCG: v Hawks – win Quick – make the bookings for Sydney.

NORTHERN ADVENTURE

u The scarcity of flights and the short notice ensured it was a road trip to Homebush.

A northern pilgrimage: cars, buses, faith, hope, love. (Sounds a bit too much like Corinthians 13, but that was how we all felt).

Homebush: Dogs fans everywhere.

The enormity of the Dogs crowd meant a few things:

I’LL DRINK TO THAT

u When the whole ground completely runs out of beer before half-time, it’s pretty easy to develop a taste for Canadian Club and Dry.

A SEASON WITH THE BOMBERS

u A season for the Jabiru Bombers in Kakadu rounded out my playing days before doing what we all do:

AUSKICK

u Running the boundary, umpiring, volunteering or coaching your children at Auskick.

COUNTRY LOVE

u Or, on weeks off, attending country footy at Lorne home games – often accompanied by Mike Brady punching out the national anthem followed by Up There Cazal y.

PUPPY LOVE: Andrew Westacott (right) was happy to hug anyone in red, white and blue after the 2016 preliminary final win over the Giants, including Homebush road trip co-driver Tim Colquhoun and Bulldogs tragics Jason and Craig Stephens.

FATHERLY DUTIES: With son Charlie (note the Bulldogs socks).

MR BONT AND ME

u When you win and make your first Grand Final since 1961, you don’t get sick of hugging anyone in the red, white and blue – you even get photos with Bont’s Dad, Carlo (right).

In addition to the Dogs being in the Grand Final, the win meant a few things … a 900km trip with the scarf hanging out the window on the way home – polyester scarves don’t fray.

NOT SITTING ON THE FENCE

u Tina and Amy painted the front fence on Sunday morning – possibly one of the first in Melbourne. Now that is love! How good – to arrive home at about 6pm, still nursing a hangover –to see that!

FOR THE LOVE OF THE KIDS

u I loved seeing Charlie winning a premiership with the Glen Iris Gladiators by shutting down a kid called Josh Daicos who was playing for Greythorn.

I loved watching my goddaughter Lily Hede’s 100th game for the East Brighton Vampires (above right) and watching my godson George Wood field umpire a VAFA grand final (right).

FEVER PITCH

u But I loved it most when our front fence featured on the first ad break of the 2016 Brownlow Medal coverage to the words of Pete Mitchell: “Bulldogs fever has hit Melbourne”.

There’s no need to give a run through of the drought-breaker.

SUNDAY MASS

u The day after the win, it was mandatory to attend the biggest out-pouring of love ever held in the western suburbs. Dad and I caught the train out to West Footscray station to join 30,000 other Dogs fans in a mass celebration of love at Whitten Oval.

SCORE ON THE BOARD

u The winning scores were added to the front fence on the Sunday afternoon and remained there for several months.

REAL LOVE

u Footy, if you really want to know why I love you so much …

u It’s when Amy says to me out of the blue, “Dad – that was the best day of my life.”

u Or when Charlie searches Fox Sports on Christmas Day and we open our presents while watching the Grand Final replay.

u Or finally, when I watched Charlie play at Como Park recently, while I sat in the sun next to Dad – at the ground where my imprints are still somewhere in the Merri Creek mud – I think back to how it all started with Madge and Westy and know that the next generations of the Westacotts will love you just as much as I do.

u Footy … not only do I love you, but my whole family loves you.

Go Dogs.

Ross Stevenson’s Love Letter to Football is in its sixth year, with all proceeds going to RULE Prostate Cancer. To donate, scan the QR code or visit ruleprostatecancer.org.au.

PAINTING THE TOWN RED, WHITE AND BLUE: The Bulldogs colours and final score adorned the family home fence for months after the 2016 Grand Final.

In the build-up to the 2021 AFL finals series, and the Grand Final in particular, there was plenty of media speculation as to how the medical substitute would play out.

From the moment the new ruling was introduced on the eve of the season, commentators speculated: What if the medical sub of the eventual winner in the Grand Final doesn’t get a run, and then receives a premiership medallion? Will he really feel part of it?

During the 2021 home and away season, of 198 matches comprising 396 selected teams, the medical sub was used 199 times and remained unused 197 times.

It transpired that in the eight finals played in the lead-up to the Grand Final, the medical sub was

unused only three times – by both teams in the Western Bulldogs v Essendon elimination final and by Melbourne in its qualifying final win against the Brisbane Lions.

In most cases throughout the season, the cause for using the sub was concussion or hamstring issues.

There had been a general consensus that, with the higher intensity in finals, there was a greater likelihood the sub would be needed – and so it proved.

It was somewhat of a surprise then that neither sub was required in the Grand Final.

At one stage it appeared Bulldogs veteran Easton Wood had a serious hand injury, but he played out the match.

James Jordon, Melbourne’s sub in its three finals, took the

JAMES JORDON

Neither sub was required in the Grand Final

field in only one of those when Steven May came off late in the preliminary final with a hamstring concern.

In the closing stages of the Grand Final, with the game well in his keeping, Demons coach Simon Goodwin was well aware of Jordon’s situation but, sticking to the letter of the law, he just couldn’t get him on.

Jordon’s counterpart on the big day, Bulldog Laitham Vandermeer, had something of a mixed bag in the finals.

A goalscorer in week one, then the hero with the winning point in the dying seconds against Brisbane in week two, he was himself subbed out with a minor hamstring complaint and replaced by Anthony Scott in the preliminary final. GRAND FINAL

PLAYERS WHO SPENT AN ENTIRE GRAND FINAL ON THE BENCH RESERVES (19TH MEN)

Frank

RESERVES (19TH AND 20TH MEN)

Allan

MEDICAL SUBS

James

NOTE:

Dropped from the starting 22 for the Grand Final for the returning Cody Weightman – the week one four-goal hero against Essendon – Vandermeer then, like Jordon, saw the whole Grand Final unfold from the bench.

It’s a little-known fact that Jordon and Vandermeer became the first Grand Final participants for 40 years – since Carlton’s Mario Bortolotto in 1981 – not to be involved in the play at any stage.

Vandermeer also became the first unused player by a runner-up team for 58 years.

Extensive research has revealed that, overall, they became the 37th and 38th players in AFL/VFL history – and the 40th and 41st such cases, because, as the table on the previous page shows, it happened to three players twice – to spend their entire Grand Final experiences completely out of the action.

What player would not have mixed emotions about the hand that fate had dealt him?

Is it worse to not have shared, on-field, the elation of the winning side, as was the case with Jordon?

Or not to have had the chance for the team that finished runner-up, as befell the two Essendon reserves in the one-point loss to Carlton in 1947?

Did Bombers Ken Newton and Greg Tate ever think: “I can come on and make the difference here?”

Footy buffs can be the judge of that!

OFF EARLY

u Until 1977, the earliest a reserve had come on in a Grand Final was during the first quarter on two occasions –match-ending injuries being the cause. The first was in 1940 when Melbourne’s Ron Barassi snr replaced Ray Wartman and the other in 1971 with Ken Beck of Hawthorn coming on for Les Hawken. In 1942, Richmond’s Des Martin replaced Fred Burge at quarter-time.

STAFFORD STIFF

u Fred Stafford’s winning goal for Carlton late in the 1947 decider against Essendon gave the Blues a famous one-point win. But two years later against the Bombers, Stafford couldn’t get on to the ground – not that it would have made much difference this time, with the Bombers exacting a crushing revenge on the Blues by 73 points.

SORRY ABOUT THAT

u With Footscray seemingly safe at three-quarter time in 1954 – the Bulldogs held a 38-point lead on their way to a 51-point win over Melbourne –captain-coach Charlie Sutton promised his two reserves, Jack Nuttall and Angus Abbey, he’d get them on before the final siren. But in the excitement of the club’s first premiership, Sutton forgot all about it!

BOLT FROM THE BLUE

u Melbourne’s fiery, lightning fast wingman/rover Frank ‘Bluey’ Adams was involved in a famous (or infamous!) Grand Final incident in 1955. Dashing off the bench in the last quarter to replace Geoff Case, Adams was knocked out when he cannoned head-first into Collingwood’s Des Healey, who among other facial injuries, sustained a fractured skull. After being in the play for an estimated 10 seconds, the unconscious Adams had to be replaced by Melbourne’s other reserve, Terry Gleeson, and later woke in the rooms to hear of Melbourne’s premiership. Healey, who won that year’s Copeland Trophy at age 28, never played in the VFL again.

Bortolotto missed out despite ‘warming up about 25 times’

WHOOPS, I FORGOT: In the excitement of the Bulldogs’ historic first flag, playing coach Charlie Sutton (left) forgot to put his reserves on.

ON A COLLISION COURSE: The famous Frank ‘Bluey’ Adams-Des Healey collision in the 1955 Grand Final saw the Demon reserve wake up in the rooms (right) to find out he was a premiership player.

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BACK YOU GO

u The only other case of a reserve replacing a reserve in a Grand Final was in 1965 when Essendon’s Kevin Egan came on for David Shaw in the second quarter, then was replaced by Bruce Waite in the last quarter.

MACCA’S RUN

u As Ron Barassi once observed, Norm Smith usually gave his reserves a run. The legendary coach’s name adorns the medal for best afield in the Grand Final and last year Christian Petracca was the first Demon to claim one. Smith oversaw eight Melbourne Grand Final sides between 1954 and 1964 and from his total of 16 starting on the bench (Terry Gleeson did so three times), only one failed to make the action – Peter McLean in 1964. With Barassi initially his captain at Melbourne, then his coach after he joined Carlton, McLean was on the right side of two thrillers just four years apart, in his first and last years as a player. As noted, he stayed on the pine for Melbourne’s four-point victory in 1964, but did come on for the second half in the Blues’ three-point triumph over Essendon in 1968.

CHARLIE CHARGES ON

u Carlton’s dual premiership player Charlie McInnes didn’t make it on as the reserve in 1938, but most certainly did in the second quarter in the mayhem and carnage of the 1945 ‘Bloodbath’ Grand Final. South Melbourne’s reserve Ron Hartridge was also on before half-time. An interesting sidenote, McInnes was Lou Richards’ opponent in 1941 when the future Collingwood star made his debut. According to Richards, McInnes had “thighs like tree trunks”.

STAYING PUT

u There seems there was almost a glut of permanent bench warmers in 1948. Of the eight potential changes, covering both sides across the Grand Final draw and replay, only one occurred – Essendon’s Ron McEwin replaced Keith Rawle at three-quarter time in the replay. While Wally May, on the bench for all of the draw, was in Essendon’s starting 18 for the replay, his teammate Vic Fisher, as well as Melbourne’s Gordon Bowman and Eddie Jackson, stayed on the bench for both matches.

THOUGHTFUL: Legendary coach Norm Smith always tried to get his reserves on the ground in Grand Finals.

IN THE NICK OF TIME

u Twenty-nine years later, the same fate almost befell first-year player Steve McCann of North Melbourne, who later recalled: “I was a reserve in the 1977 Grand Finals and did not get on to the field until the 20-minute mark of the last quarter in the replay.”

WHAT ABOUT ME?

u The two interchange cases of 1978 and 1981 may seem unusual, but in its infancy, interchange was remarkably conservative, with nothing like the multiple moves so common these days. David Parkin was the coach both times (Hawthorn in 1978 and Carlton in 1981). Michael McCarthy warmed the bench all day for the Hawks in 1978 and in 1981 Mario Bortolotto, who passed away only a fortnight ago, missed out despite, in his own words, “warming up about 25 times!”

WARMING THE PINE: Mario Bortolotto collects his premiership medallion in 1981 (above) despite not stepping foot on the ground; Steve McCann (right) sat on the bench for more than seven-and-a-half quarters of the 1977 Grand Final draw and replay before getting a run.

GRAND FINAL RITUALS TO RETURN

ASHLEY BROWNE

The AFL Grand Final is no longer on loan. The Gabba and Optus Stadium have had their turns to host the games and both did so spectacularly.

Do Sydney and Adelaide one day deserve their opportunity to host the biggest game of the year? It should at least be a point for discussion.

But the game is back home this year and for 100,000 lucky fans, it will be a return to the familiar rituals of not just the game, but the entire week.

Hawthorn supporter Jeff ‘Tank’ Keller will be at his 50th AFL Grand Final.

Few footy fans have been as fortunate as the schoolteacher from Brighton East who has watched 12 of his club’s 13 premierships in the flesh.

Whether or not the Hawks are playing, his build-up and routine rarely changes.

It starts the Monday night before the Grand Final (Sunday night this year) with a whisky-tasting gathering with a collection of friends to watch the Brownlow Medal. And then comes Friday night drinks as the game draws closer.

“On Saturday morning, it is brunch with friends in Swan St before walking to the MCG and then

u The 2022 Grand Final is back at the MCG after two long years in which time the home of Australian sport stood deserted on this day.

BACK AT THE ‘G:

SEN broadcaster Anthony Hudson is looking forward to commentating the big game live after two years of calling it from a studio, while fan Jeff Keller (inset) will be attending his 50th Grand Final.

taking a slow lap around it to soak up the atmosphere,” he said.

“Head into the ground about 1pm for all the festivities and then enjoy the game.”

By virtue of his longstanding AFL membership, he is fortunate to get a ticket to the game most years.

“To watch on TV these last two years and not share the day with friends was really weird,” he said.

“Our other ritual is catching up after the game. You have friends who are happy and others who are sad. But we always see each other, no matter the result.”

There are some who work in the burgeoning AFL industry who were fortunate enough to travel interstate

for the past two Grand Finals. But the majority of the 25,000 people directly employed by football are based in Victoria and many cannot wait to get back to the MCG for their biggest and best working day of the year for the first time in three years.

Anthony Hudson will be there for SEN 1116 and AFL Nation after calling the past two Grand Finals from the studio.

His pre-Grand Final ritual always involves watching an old Grand Final the night before.

“It’s that reminder of what it feels like, that notion that every moment matters,” he said.

His day will consist of getting to the MCG early, taking part in a pre-game outside broadcast and then making his way into the ground, pretty much as he has done for most of his 30 years as a professional broadcaster.

“In 2020, it was so strange,” he said.

“My team Geelong was in it, but because it was a night game, it felt like such a long day waiting for it to start.

“I’d been to every Grand Final since 1988, so to not be there was tough.

“It felt like the Grand Final, but it also did not, if you can understand that.

“And then last year, calling the game as Melbourne went nuts was disappointing. It just felt as if we were constricted.

“The game finished and we just got into our cars and left.

“There were no break-up drinks with the team or anything like that. The Grand Final was over and we just went home.”

But before we toast the return of the biggest day to our biggest venue, it is timely to reflect and thank the people of Queensland (2020) and Western Australia (2021) for taking good care of the Grand Final in the MCG’s absence.

Brisbane in 2020 was the first city outside Victoria to host the Grand Final and the Gabba was rocking that night as Richmond won its third premiership in four years over a gallant Geelong, which had no answer to a one-man wrecking ball named Dustin Martin.

Last year was an old-fashion shootout in the west with Melbourne claiming its first

flag since 1964 with a second-half demolition of the Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.

Here at the Record, we are delighted to return to the MCG where fans will be able to access a match-day edition for the first time since 2019.

Both the retail and match-day editions have all aspects of the Grand Final covered over 244 pages – and for just $15.

Among the many stories and interviews, we catch up with retiring AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan.

He leaves a lasting legacy – from women’s football right up to the recent new broadcast deal – but his ability to steer the game through two pandemic-impacted seasons was, in my view, his greatest achievement. Good luck wherever life takes you.

We will now work to secure a deal that compensates the club accordingly

DEMONS LIST MANAGER TIM LAMB AFTER PREMIERSHIP BIG MAN LUKE JACKSON ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETURN TO WA

BACK HOME AGAIN

ASHLEY BROWNE

The Grand Final is coming home. There is excitement in every corner of Victoria after COVID caused the relocation of the biggest event in Australian sport to the Gabba in 2020 and to Optus Stadium last season.

But the epicentre of it all is the MCG, which sat sad and empty these past two years as the conclusion to those seasons were played out elsewhere.

But all roads lead to Jolimont this week. Not just for Saturday’s game, but for the Festival of Football that precedes it from Wednesday.

“To say we’re a bit excited is an understatement,” Melbourne Cricket Club president Michael Happell said.

“There has obviously been a terrific build-up to the game, with great games through the finals.

“All of Melbourne has got behind it and we expect to have about 500,000 people coming through in September if you count the Grand Final, which is terrific.

“Everyone has supported it well.”

The MCG has been rocking all season.

There was some COVID hesitancy at the start of the season and the move to full mobile ticketing – which the AFL has walked back for next season – also kept some fans from attending, especially those who

make last-minute decisions to come to games and are less tech-savvy.

“I think during COVID, people got used to watching on TV and were comfortable with that and there was a lingering concern over health issues,” Happell said.

Interestingly, data suggests MCC members were quicker to return to games this year than the general public.

Happell said one reason for that might be that having paid their subscription fees through the pandemic, they were eager to get back to the football and enjoy a return on their often considerable investment.

“Because they’re regular attendees they might have gotten over watching on TV that little bit quicker,” he said

The flow-on effect from Melbourne’s premiership win last year and Carlton’s bright start to 2022 ensured the MCG turnstiles were ticking over early in the season.

And then came Collingwood’s barnstorming run towards the top four.

The Pies drew 72,402 fans in round 19 against Essendon, 70,956 against Melbourne in round 21 and 88,287 for the season-closing game against Carlton that the Blues needed to win to make the finals.

In their two finals at the MCG, Collingwood attracted 91,525 against Geelong and an incredible 90,612 against Fremantle. All but a handful that night were there to support the Magpies.

MCC management made themselves available to their Gabba and Optus Stadium counterparts for any advice ahead of the relocated Grand Finals.

Travel restrictions meant they couldn’t be there themselves, but Happell said there wasn’t too much for his people to glean the other way.

Given they were played in the evening, the 2020 and 2021 Grand Finals were fundamentally different spectacles.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN: Massive crowds have celebrated the return of finals to the MCG, after COVID forced the Grand Final to be relocated to Brisbane in 2020 (below) and Perth (opposite page) in 2021.

“They were great events, but it was hard for us to learn too much from them,” he said.

“But we as a club are mindful that it might one day change to a different timeslot. We have to start thinking about that.”

In preparing for this year’s Grand Final, the MCC team will draw on the familiar rituals and practices of a 2.30pm opening bounce, which includes preparing for the several thousand members who will arrive well before dawn to grab the 7500 seats available on a walk-up basis.

It has been a sad year at the MCG, following the passing of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne in March and this will be the first Grand Final to be played with the Great Southern Stand carrying his name.

The future of the entire southern side of the MCG is now being considered. A feasibility study is underway to determine whether

MCC PRESIDENT MICHAEL HAPPELL

PREMIERSHIP POSTER RETURNS

BIG PLANS: A feasibility study is underway to decide whether the Shane Warne Stand will be refurbished or rebuilt.

u Footy fans will again be able to collect the traditional Herald Sun Premiership poster following the final siren, with the Grand Final making its comeback to the MCG.

One of the most sought-after items of footy memorabilia and raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal, the Premiership poster is celebrating its return to the MCG after three years.

Drawn by award-winning Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight, the poster is also marking a proud 69-year-old tradition, started by legendary Herald Sun cartoonist, William Ellis Green, also known as WEG.

Over the past seven decades, the posters have raised almost $7m for the Good Friday Appeal, which supports The Royal Children’s Hospital. More than $4.2m has been raised over Knight’s 14 years at the helm.

the Shane Warne Stand needs to be redeveloped in stages or totally demolished and rebuilt from scratch.

“We would expect to have some reasonably firm decisions in another six months or so about which way we are likely to go,” Happell said.

“People will look at it and think it’s not that old, so why not just refurbish it, but these grandstands are incredibly expensive to refurbish and this one was built at a time (1991) when expectations for food and beverage outlets, corporate facilities and facilities for the disabled were very different.

“There are a lot of compromises in refurbishing versus rebuilding, but obviously a major cost difference, so that’s a work in progress together with the State Government and we’ll have a lot more to say about this towards the middle of next year.”

Up to 100 volunteers will be selling the posters for $5 outside the MCG post-match on Grand Final day. Posters are also available online at goodfridayappeal.com.au.

THE FINAL ACT

u Once again, the final game of football at the MCG for 2022 won’t be the AFL Grand Final. On Sunday morning, the Jolson-Houli Unity Cup will be staged featuring two games between the Jolson-Maccabi-AJAX team and the Bachar Houli Academy. The games are staged with the support of the Richmond Football Club and the Melbourne Cricket Club and are the culmination of a series of interfaith events between the Jewish and Islamic communities. Admission is free and gates open at the MCG at 8am.

There has been a terrific build-up

A FORGOTTEN

EPIC THAT IGNITED BLUES

The 1968 Grand Final between Carlton and Essendon doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Tight and low-scoring, it features in a new book Barassi’s Blues.

Author MILES WILKS recalls some pivotal moments from that game.

“I don’t know about how their nerves are going out there, but I’m just about shattered,” Channel Seven commentator Alan ‘Butch’ Gale said during the frenetic and stressful last quarter of the 1968 Grand Final.

Gale’s shattered nerves were due to the close contest, as there was less than a goal difference for the final eight minutes.

There was no doubt he was emotionally invested in the game and his passion came through regularly in

his commentary, including the moment when he muttered under his breath “stupid rule”.

Gale wasn’t fond of a new rule where a player had to hand the ball back to their opponent on the full after a free kick.

The 1968 Grand Final has been described as a low-quality match, yet not many of the more ‘glamorous’ grand finals have had such an exciting last quarter.

Unlike many grand finals, the result of the 1968 Grand Final was not decided by three-quarter time. And it was still in the balance up until the last seconds before the Blues claimed a three-point victory.

Here are three great moments of that nerve-racking last quarter:

1. Neil Chandler’s mark

u Besides the final siren, the best moment of the last quarter from a Carlton perspective was Chandler’s contested mark 26 minutes into the term.

“Oh Chandler, Chandler has marked!” commentator Mike Williamson said.

The difference was less than a goal. On reflection, Chandler’s mark had similarities to the famous Leo Barry mark from the 2005 Grand Final as both were pack marks taken in time-on with less than a goal separating the teams.

While Barry’s mark will be remembered for generations, it appears Chandler’s has been forgotten and remains somewhere in a footy time capsule.

2. Brent Crosswell’s over-the-shoulder snap

u When Crosswell had a snapshot at goal early in the quarter, Williamson couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Crosswell snaps over his shoulder! Look at this!” he screamed.

The ball landed in the goalsquare a few centimetres from the line. All it needed was momentum to carry it over for a goal, but instead the ball bounced sideways and toward the boundary line.

“That was the flukiest thing I have ever seen in my life the way the ball bounced,” Gale said.

“You would have bet your life that was going to go through,” Williamson replied.

3. Garry Crane’s courageous run down the wing

u With only two minutes left until time-on and just two points the difference, any mistake could have changed the result of the match.

That’s why Crane’s run down the wing and confident bounce while being closely chased by Bomber David Shaw was so gutsy.

“He better get his kick,” Williamson said nervously. And just seconds before Shaw applied a tackle, Crane got his kick away.

The play continued to the next frenetic battle on the wing. With his stress levels rising, Williamson stated, “Boy, oh boy, what a Grand Final.”

The 1968 Grand Final was the starting point of a Carlton era that netted eight premierships between 1968 and 1995.

Some may have viewed it as a subpar match, but any Grand Final that has your nerves on edge until the last seconds deserves to be recognised.

Barassi’s Blues by Miles Wilks. Published by Bas Publishing. RRP $34.99

DOWN TO THE WIRE: Carlton captain John Nicholls raises the premiership cup after the Blues‘ thrilling three-point win, while disappointed Bomber skipper Don McKenzie looks on.

TOP THIS! ROUND 21

KEY STATS

u Collingwood’s seven-point win over Melbourne in round 21 came in typical Magpies fashion – and we have rated it the ‘stats factor’ win of the season!

In what was the final victory of their 11-game winning streak through the latter stages of the home and away season, Craig McRae’s men did what they’ve done throughout the season and came back from a three-quarter time deficit to snatch victory.

How they did it still beggars belief.

Melbourne dominated almost every facet of the clash, winning disposals (409-316), inside 50s (65-41), clearances (53-31) and contested possessions (162-138).

Four of the most crucial stats in a game of footy – and the Magpies were convincingly beaten in all of them!

However, they had enough of the game on their terms to maintain their never-say-die attitude, which saw them produce a sterling fourth-quarter comeback.

Collingwood had enough pressure on the ball with a 71-59 win in tackles, a whopping 18 of those coming in its forward 50, more than seven better than its season average.

The Magpies had their running game going and took eight bounces to the Demons’ zero and also won the one-percenters (49-46).

But what kept the Pies in the clash was their goalkicking. They kicked 15 goals from 19 shots, while Melbourne kicked 13 from 22.

In a game that went down to the wire, Melbourne failed to put Collingwood away when it had a chance, and the Pies found a way to win again.

u Brownlow Medal wins don’t come more dominant than that of Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines in 2021.

The star on-baller polled a record-equalling 36 votes to finish three clear of Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, who was favoured to win the award for most of the year.

It was a Brownlow count in which the cream rose to the top, with Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver polling 31 votes and Carlton’s Sam Walsh finishing with 30.

Wines averaged a career-high 32.1 disposals and credited his improved form in 2021 with understanding that his role was purely that of an inside midfielder and contested ball-winner.

“I understood I wasn’t going to be the silky-smooth mid who carved up outside the contest,” Wines said.

“All Ken (coach Ken Hinkley) needed from me was to put my head over the ball inside and dish it out to the guys on the outside, who are the creative, more talented players.

“Once I simplified my game a little bit more, everything clicked from there.”

Wines, who hails from Echuca in northern Victoria, became the first Port Adelaide player to win the medal.

“If I can inspire those young kids from my town, who perhaps don’t get as much opportunity as the kids in the city, I think I’m doing my job well,” he said.

PERFORMANCE PLAYER

CATS BY A WHISKER two the first a

ASHLEY BROWNE

After one of the greatest seasons ever, capped off by a preliminary final for the ages and the best Brownlow Medal count in recent memory, the Grand Final has returned to the MCG for the first time in three years with a match-up between the most deserving teams of the year, Geelong and Sydney.

Never before has the Grand Final featured two clubs in such good form. The Cats are unbeaten in their past 15 games, while the Swans have won nine on the trot.

It is a Grand Final laced in history. Two foundation clubs (the Swans moved from South Melbourne to Sydney in 1982), meeting in just their sixth final and first Grand Final.

Together with Hawthorn and Richmond, they are the greatest clubs this century. But they have never met on the last Saturday in September.

Geelong comes into the Grand Final having won 15 successive

games, the fourth time in club history it has been this dominant.

And the most recent win might have been the most impressive, a 71-point belting of Brisbane in the preliminary final last Friday night.

The Lions had no match for Geelong’s pressure game, and the Cats were able to score repeatedly and easily off turnover.

Patrick Dangerfield staged a master class for Geelong with 28 disposals and two goals, the first of which came inside the first minute of the game. He was clearly on and so were the Cats.

Tom Hawkins was wayward early, but finished with four goals, but what was great for the Cats was that some of their so-called lesser lights, such as Jake Kolodjashnij, Brad Close, Gryan Miers and Zach Guthrie, were among the best.

The Cats appear to have peaked at precisely the right time.

Their only issue this week was speedster Max Holmes, who pounded the MCG turf in disappointment when he hurt his hamstring in the third term of the preliminary final.

But coach Chris Scott was upbeat afterwards and the 20-year-old did enough on the track this week.

Of course, the Cats are the masters of the late change, so the release of

the final team sheets one hour before the game will confirm once and for all that he is playing.

His availability means the Cats will enter the Grand Final with a full list to choose from, quite remarkable given they will likely field 10 players aged 30 and over. One of them, skipper Joel Selwood, will break Hawthorn great Michael Tuck’s record when he plays his 40th final.

Sydney got there, albeit just.

At one stage in the third quarter last Saturday at the SCG, the Swans led Collingwood by six goals.

All they needed was one last goal to put the plucky Pies away, but after three quarters of bold and attacking football, which has become their hallmark these past two seasons, they retreated into their shells as the Pies came hard.

In the end, they held on by a point, holding on grimly deep in their backline. But they are equally deserving grand finalists. They are riding a nine-game winning streak into the Grand Final.

They came to the MCG for the qualifying final and brought heavily favoured Melbourne undone with a fierce pressure game that was a throwback to the best of the club’s long-patented defensive DNA.

But over the past two years of what has been an incredible rebuild,

HISTORY MAKER: Cats skipper Joel Selwood will be looking to lead his side to victory in his record 40th finals appearance.

The Cats have been the best team all year

they have regularly cut teams apart with slick and enterprising ball movement and a forward line with multiple scoring options.

They kicked 14 goals against Collingwood but had 11 goalkickers. Tom Papley kicked three and Lance Franklin two. Both have the capacity to run rampant this afternoon. Jed Bews shapes as the likely opponent for the elusive Papley, while impressive Cats youngster Sam De Koning might stand Franklin.

All eyes will be drawn to Franklin, who has played so many great games – and great finals – on the MCG going back to his days with Hawthorn.

The Swans also had an injury concern of their own.

Veteran key forward Sam Reid injured an adductor in the preliminary final, but he was selected on Thursday night. Again, the final team sheet will reveal all,

but if he plays, then second-year key forward Logan McDonald will be the hard-luck story.

He has been dropped for the Grand Final, replaced by fellow ruck-forward Hayden McLean, whose last game was against Gold Coast in round eight.

It is a fascinating selection and it might have something to do with the Swans believing it gives them a better chance of making Tom Stewart, the perennial All-Australian Geelong defensive general, that bit more accountable.

Don’t expect the Swans to be overawed.

Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills play well in big games, while Chad Warner, Errol Gulden, Justin McInerney and James Rowbottom headline several young Swans with an X-factor that suggests they will handle the big occasion comfortably.

They will be the converse of Geelong, set to have up to eight players aged 22 or younger in their Grand Final side.

Sydney has won the past two games between them. It was a two-point win at the SCG in round seven last season and 30 points in the second round of this season.

But that was an unusual night at the footy.

The game was almost secondary as Franklin went in search of his 1000th career goal, which he reached amid scenes of bedlam in the final quarter.

But a deep dive shows that the numbers between them were quite even. The Cats actually won the inside-50 count 65-47, but it was conversion, 10.17 to 17.5, that did them in.

Geelong has defied football punditry for the best part of a decade.

With every premature finals exit since its last premiership in 2011, the obituaries keep getting written, but back it comes, invariably playing until deep into September.

It is a tribute to Scott and his entire football program, although there have been clear changes in style this year, with more direct footy and more speed on the game.

If Holmes gets up it will be a huge bonus because he has been a key to their revamped game-plan.

The Swans have always been in equally good hands with Longmire, who started as senior coach in 2011, the same season as his Geelong counterpart.

He is the steadiest hand on the wheel a club could hope for. Three cheers for both veteran coaches.

It is said before pretty much every Grand Final that it has the makings of a great one. But this one ticks every box.

Every week this season has provided high-octane drama and entertainment and Geelong and Sydney are primed to deliver more of the same for one last time in 2022.

But as great as the Swans have been this year, their time is just starting.

At Geelong, everything from playing and coaching, through to conditioning and list management, has worked perfectly.

The Cats have been the best team all year and today at the MCG they will show us why.

PREDICTION: Geelong by eight points

u EXTRA TIME

1. G oal umpires confirm scores are identical;

2. T here is a six-minute break;

3. Teams change ends;

4. T hree minutes of additional time will be played, plus time-on;

5. At the end of the first additional time period, the siren will sound and teams will immediately change ends without a break;

6. T he ball will be bounced (or thrown up) in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will start;

7. At the end of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;

8. If scores are still tied, steps 3-8 are repeated until a result is determined.

u INTERCHANGE CAP

u Clubs will receive 10 interchanges for each two three-minute period (excluding medical substitute). Any leftover interchanges from each period of additional time will not carry over into a subsequent period. PROCESS

STEVEN MAY

ECSTATIC: The young Swans will not be overawed after standing up in the preliminary final thriller.

CENTRE STAGE: Swans superstar Lance Franklin was born to play on the MCG.

MOST FINALS

PRELIMINARY

GRAND FINAL WEEK RETIREMENTS

Geelong Cats 4.2 7.7 14.11 18.12 (120)

Brisbane Lions 2 .0 3.1 5.2 7.7 (49)

BEST: Geelong Cats – Dangerfield, Miers, Hawkins, Stengle, Kolodjashnij, Close. Brisbane Lions – Gardiner, Rich, Neale, Bailey.

JOEL SELWOOD

GEELONG

Will Hawthorn).

MOST FINALS –VENUE

JOEL SELWOOD

GEELONG

Will at

GOALS: Geelong Cats – Hawkins 4, Stengle 3, Dangerfield 2, Miers 2, Rohan 2, Cameron, Z. Guthrie, Close, Holmes, Selwood. Brisbane Lions – Hipwood 2, Ah Chee, Bailey, J. Berry, Cameron, McCarthy.

Substitutes: Geelong Cats – O’Connor (replaced Holmes). Brisbane Lions –Mathieson (replaced Rayner).

Umpires: H. Gavine, B. Hosking, B. Rosebury.

Crowd: 77,677 at the MCG.

PRELIMINARY FINAL 2

SHAUN HIGGINS

Sydney Swans 6.3 11.7 13.10 14.11 (95)

Collingwood 3.0 7.1 10.5 14.10 (94)

BEST: Sydney Swans –Mills, Papley, Chad Warner, Gulden, Parker, Blakey, Rowbottom. Collingwood – Crisp, Pendlebury, Moore, Sidebottom, N. Daicos, Lipinski, Quaynor

GOALS: Sydney Swans – Papley 3, Franklin 2, Clarke, Heeney, McDonald, McInerney, Parker, Reid, Rowbottom, Stephens, Chad Warner. Collingwood – Elliott 2, McCreery 2,Hoskin-Elliott 2, Bianco, Cameron, Crisp, N. Daicos, J. Daicos, Ginnivan, Mihocek, Sidebottom

Substitutes: Sydney Swans – Campbell (replaced Reid). Collingwood – Kreuger (replaced Cox).

Umpires: S. Meredith, A. Stephens, M. Stevic. Crowd: 45,608 at the SCG.

A GIANT OF THE GAME

u North Melbourne and the AFL are mourning the passing last week of Dr Allen Aylett, 88, one of the most influential football people of the past 50 years.

Aylett was a champion 220-game rover for the Roos, a three-time best and fairest and dual All-Australian.

As president in late 1972, he lured the great Ron Barassi to the club. North went from worst to first in three years.

Off the field, he was an innovator, introducing the Grand Final breakfast and sponsors logos on jumpers.

He took that flair to the VFL when he became president in 1977. Under his watch, the League introduced a live Grand Final telecast into Victoria, the Grand Final Parade and pre-game entertainment,

moving the Brownlow Medal to the Monday before the Grand Final, Sunday football and playing games outside Victoria.

In 1982, he engineered the relocation of South Melbourne to Sydney, the first step towards a national competition. His last act was to introduce the independent commission.

GEELONG / NORTH MELBOURNE / ESTERN BULLDOGS

GAMES 260 (Geel 23, NM 108, WB 129)

GOALS 229 (Geel 5, NM 96, WB 128)

IMPACT: A veteran of three clubs, Higgins announced his retirement during Grand Final week as Geelong prepared for today’s decider. After starting with the Bulldogs in 2006, he joined North Melbourne at the end of 2014 as a free agent. Played his best footy with the Roos where his silky skills in the midfield saw him win the best and fairest in 2017 and 2018 and make the All-Australian side in 2018. But with North heading down a youth-driven path, Higgins joined a strong Geelong outfit in a trade at the end of 2020. Played 18 games in 2021, but just five this season. Can look back on his 17 seasons with great satisfaction.

MICHAEL LOVETT

QUOTE: “I feel privileged to have been able to play at this level for 17 seasons at three great clubs. I feel enormously lucky to have lived out a childhood dream of playing footy and I’m thankful for all the friendships, memories and support through the years.”

MITCH ROBINSON

BRISBANE / CARLTON

IMPACT: The Brisbane hard nut announced his retirement last Sunday, two days after the Lions were sent packing from the 2022 finals series. A player who wore his heart on his sleeve, Robinson filled a variety of roles across his 14 seasons with Brisbane and Carlton. He joined the Blues as a third-round draft selection in 2008 and spent six seasons at Ikon Park. A bargain pick-up as a delisted free agent at the end of 2014, Robinson played his best footy at the Lions across eight seasons up north. Was equal best and fairest in his first season in 2015 and played finals in each of his last four seasons, but was overlooked for this year’s semi-final and preliminary final.

MICHAEL LOVETT

QUOTE: “After 247 games with Carlton and Brisbane, I have given everything I could to get the best out of myself.”

ASHLEY BROWNE

GAMES 247 (BL 147, Carl 100) GOALS 129 (BL 71, Carl 58)

ROBBIE WILLIAMS

A bevy of local stars will also perform as part of the Telstra Pre-Match and Half-Time Entertainment including G Flip, Mike Brady, The Temper Trap featuring Budjerah and Ngaiire, Katie Noonan, plus Goanna with Christine Anu, Emma Donovan, Tasman Keith and William Barton.

Georgia Flipo, the Melbourne-born pop-rock artist known as G Flip, has played sold-out shows in Australia and overseas and will provide their “unfiltered” and “always energetic” tunes.

“Performing at the AFL Grand Final is literally a dream of mine,” G Flip said.

“It will be one of the biggest highlights of my life. I’ve grown up going to games since I was little.

“I’m a MCC member and have followed Collingwood since I was born. I even have a ‘GO PIES!’ tattoo on me. I am beyond excited.”

Aussie rockers Goanna will play their hit song Solid Rock and singer-guitarist Shane Howard can’t wait to take centre stage.

“Although we’d prefer to be playing footy at the ’G ... Goanna is rapt to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Solid Rock on that hallowed ground for the 2022 AFL Grand Final,” Howard said.

ANDREW SLEVISON

A world-class act and some of Australia’s best talent headline this year’s entertainment line-up.

Robbie Williams’ wish of “let me entertain you” has been granted with the superstar primed to get the MCG rocking on Toyota AFL Grand Final day.

The much-loved British artist is set to grace the hallowed turf for the first Grand Final at the ’G since 2019, headlining the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment line-up.

Williams, whose back catalogue includes hits Angels, Kids (with Aussie legend Kylie Minogue), Feel, Rock DJ and Let Me Entertain You, is excited to perform on Australia’s biggest sporting stage.

And it was announced late in Grand Final week that Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem will be joining Williams to sing Kids. She appeared in the 2005 pre-game entertainment line-up.

Williams is also gunning to step into the vacancy left by departing AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan (tongue-in-cheek of course).

“I am so excited to be performing for all the fans, on the hallowed turf of the MCG, for the biggest game of the year,” Williams said.

“I’m really looking forward to performing with a cast of very talented local Australian musicians and I can’t wait to see you all on that last Saturday in September.

“If it goes well, I might even put my hand up to be the next CEO of the AFL.” ENTERTAIN

“We’re honoured to share this rare moment with our First Nations friends Christine Anu, Emma Donovan, William Barton and Tasman Keith.”

Telstra’s Head of Media and Sponsorship Genelle Sharples said, “This year marks the 20-year milestone of our brilliant partnership with the AFL and we’re proud to bring the music to the fans through the 2022 Telstra Pre-Match and Half-Time Entertainment back at the mighty MCG.”

“I’d like to thank Telstra for its support of this year’s entertainment and look forward to seeing the return of 100,000 fans at the MCG on the last Saturday in September for this much-loved occasion,” Rogers said. so excited to be performing for all the fans

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers is thrilled to welcome such big-name acts to the MCG to celebrate Australian sport’s grandest of days.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS

DELTA GOODREM

2022 TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL TIMETABLE

Pre-match Colgate AFL Grand Final Sprint

1.25pm Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Hunter jnr

1.26pm Grand Final Motorcade in Toyota Hilux vehicles

1.33pm Mike Brady

1.40pm Telstra Pre-Match Entertainment –Robbie Williams and Delta Goodrem

2 .11pm Umpire entry and Toyota match ball delivery

2.13pm Sydney enters 2.16pm Geelong enters

2.24pm MC Hamish McLachlan –Acknowledgement of Country

2 .25pm Delivery of the 2022 Toyota Premiership Cup by Bachar Houli, Premiership Cup Ambassador

2 .26pm National anthem performed by Katie Noonan

2.28pm Coin toss

2.30pm 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final starts

Half-time Telstra Half-Time Entertainment – Australian musicians’ line-up

• G Flip • The Temper Trap featuring Budjerah and Ngaiire

• G oanna with Shane Howard, Christine Anu, Emma Donovan, Tasman Keith and William Barton

• The Australian Girls Choir

Post-match Final siren, followed by the presentation of the umpires’ medals (to be presented by J ohn Sutcliffe), Norm Smith Medal (to be presented by Nathan Buckley), Jock McHale Medal (to be presented by John Nicholls), premiership medallions (to be presented by NAB AFL Auskick p articipants), the premiership cup (to be presented by Cameron Ling if the Cats win and P aul Kelly if the Swans win)

Note: all times are Australian Eastern Standard Time

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Mushroom Events

CEO Matt Gudinski; project director Anna Toman; show producer Travis Hogan; creative producer Tom Macdonald; musical director Chong Lim.

Production consultant Nick Pitts; production manager Simon Johnson; assistant production manager Leon Kneebone; production coordinator/artist liaison Ann Gibson; audio director James Kilpatrick; pyrotechnics Allan Spiegel. Choreographer Yvette Lee and Ash Wallen.

G FLIP MIKE BRADY

KATIE NOONAN

NGAIIRE

BUDJERAH

THE TEMPER TRAP

GOANNA

CHRISTINE

EMMA

BARTON

2022 NAB AFL A uskicker of the Year

2022 NAB AFL A uskicker of the Year

2022 marks NAB’s 20th year of partnership with the AFL. We have supported the game at all levels from NAB AFL Auskick through to the big time. The NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year nominees were chosen from across the country based on their enthusiasm, passion, commitment and dedication to Auskick. The nominees will present the premiership medals at the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final and the winner receives $5000 from NAB as well as Geelong captain Joel Selwood and AFLW star Katie Brennan as their personal footy mentors in 2023.

2022 marks NAB’s 20th year of partnership with the AFL. We have supported the game at all levels from NAB AFL Auskick through to the big time. The NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year nominees were chosen from across the country based on their enthusiasm, passion, commitment and dedication to Auskick. The nominees will present the premiership medals at the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final and the winner receives $5000 from NAB as well as Geelong captain Joel Selwood and AFLW star Katie Brennan as their personal footy mentors in 2023.

MEET THE 2022 NAB AFL AUSKICKER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

MEET THE AFL AUSKICKER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Livinia Buchan

Auskick

Auskick

Harding

King

Worley

Joel King Auskick centre South Warrnambool, Joshua Worley

Auskick Aberfoyle Park Campus,

Auskick centre Aberfoyle Park Campus, SA

Angus Thomson Auskick

Angus Thomson Auskick centre Ipswich Eagles,

Ariyah

Harvey Williams Auskick centre West Bulldogs Toowong,

Ariyah Auskick centre West Bulldogs Toowong, Berwick,

Matthews

Auskick centre Berwick, VIC A uskicker of the Year

Buchan

Fetayel Molla

Fetayel Molla centre

Fetayel

Emma Ritchie

Ritchie

u Hawkins’ contested marking has been a highlight this season – averaging 1.8 a game – his most since 2018. He has taken a team-high 42 contested marks, which includes at least one in 22 of his 24 games. Hawkins took a season-high five contested marks in round four.

u Atkins led the way defensively in the preliminary final against the Lions, having a team-high 68 pressure points. His tacking was relentless, applying 10 effective tackles from 11 attempts. Since moving into the midfield in round 11, Atkins has applied a team-high 149 tackles – 49 more than the next best, Cameron Guthrie.

TOM HAWKINS

TOM ATKINS

A statistical value is expressed relative to opposition teams. This is calculated as ‘For’ minus ‘Against’ within a game. For example, if Carlton has centre

CALLUM MILLS

u Mills had 79 intercept possessions during the home and away rounds –ranked sixth at the Swans. The side scored from 29 per cent of his intercepts –the best percentage at the club. Mills had four intercept possessions in the preliminary final against the Magpies.

clearances to Essendon’s 12, Carlton’s centre clearances differential for the game is 15-12 = +3, while Essendon’s is 12-15 = -3.

ISAAC HEENEY

u Heeney had 51 kicks into the forward 50 during the home and away rounds –ranked eighth at the club. The Swans scored from 49 per cent of those kicks –the second-best percentage at the club.

GEELONG CATS

Geelong’s season started at the MCG with an impressive opening round victory over Essendon and will finish there on Saturday in the biggest match of the year.

Looking back to that warm mid-March Saturday afternoon, it was a clinical performance against the Bombers but, let’s face it, the opposition was well off the pace that day and not much changed as the season progressed.

The following week, the Cats ventured to Sydney where the night was more akin to a wild rock concert than a football match. It was all about one man – Swans

superstar Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin –as he closed in on his 1000th goal.

The Cats were merely bit players that night and a 30-point loss was no major surprise.

Come round three, Geelong had to climb off the canvas to defeat Collingwood after spotting the Magpies a five-goal lead at the final change.

The Cats then struggled to shake off a pesky Brisbane at home in round four; they looked listless in losing to old rival Hawthorn on Easter Monday and were sitting 3-2 after five rounds.

While they easily accounted for eventual wooden-spooner

North Melbourne in round six, they suffered a rare home loss to Fremantle in round seven, downed a struggling GWS in round eight and were run off their feet by St Kilda in round nine.

So, approaching the mid-point of the season, they sat 5-4 and the “too old, too slow” obituaries were being written.

Fast-forward four months and there has been no hotter team than the Cats.

Geelong’s winning streak extended to 15 since that loss to the Saints when it dismantled the Lions in spectacular fashion in last Friday night’s preliminary final.

The slow start to the year could have been attributed to some of the tweaks Chris Scott made over the off-season.

Several big-name assistant coaches departed, a new-look coaching panel was installed and the playing group embraced a clear direction to take the game on, move the ball quickly and catch opposition defences out of position.

There was less reliance on Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield, who struggled with a calf issue early on, as Cameron Guthrie, Tom Atkins and Max Holmes provided more dash through the middle.

Twin towers Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron finished off their good work, along with small forwards Tyson Stengle and Brad Close, while a backline led by ace defender Tom Stewart performed admirably.

The Cats have all bases covered. It’s just a matter of continuing that free-flowing brand of football on the big stage.

PRELIMINARY FINAL win.

AT A GLANCE

u Geelong is chasing premiership No. 10 and its first since 2011, but the decade-plus ‘mini’ drought has been full of finals appearances. Before the 2011 flag, the Cats played in three successive deciders from 2007 to 2009, claiming the first and last of those. Before that, their previous successes came in the early days with the other six premierships landing between 1925 and 1963. This is Geelong’s sixth Grand Final in the past 16 years, highlighting the modern-day consistency of this great club.

COACH

CHRIS SCOTT

u Scott has guided Geelong to 11 finals campaigns in 12 seasons, leading the club to the 2011 premiership in his first season at the helm. The two-time Brisbane premiership player has an exemplary winning percentage of just over 70 per cent, which is quite remarkable. Under his guidance, the club has remained in contention year in, year out despite the annual prediction from pundits that time has caught up. Scott is loyal to his players, almost to a fault and the Cats will constantly contend while he’s in charge.

Geelong is the hottest team in the AFL this year, storming into the Grand Final on the back of a remarkable 15-game winning streak. MICHAEL LOVETT

u Still the ultimate warrior at 34 and in his 16th season, the veteran Cat is close to realising his dream of standing on the dais as a premiership captain. Few would begrudge him given his contribution which now sees him as Geelong’s games record-holder and the AFL’s leader for most games as captain. Is playing reduced minutes in the twilight of his career, but never shirks a contest. This would be a career highlight.

BRANDAN PARFITT

u The durable Irishman has missed just one game in 2022 and has become an integral member of the Cats’ defence since crossing from Carlton at the end of 2016. Ranks in Geelong’s top five for disposals, kicks and intercept possessions and his long, penetrating kicks can often catch opposition defences out of position. Turns 33 next month, but is still as effective as ever. Brings up his 250-game milestone in the Grand Final.

u Held down the No. 1 ruck position for most of the year, playing 17 of a possible 22 home and away games. Struggled with a groin issue towards the end of the season and missed the last game, but returned for the finals. Competed hard and was a presence at centre bounces and around the ground in 2022. His ruckwork often gave the Cats’ midfield the first look and he carries a huge responsibility this week.

u You know a side is stacked with depth and talent when a player of Parfitt’s calibre can’t break into the best 22, which was the case in all three finals. A broken hand and a spell due to health and safety protocols halted his momentum at the back end of the season. He missed rounds 14-19, played the final four home and away games, but was squeezed out. Is a chance if Max Holmes is a late out on the day.

MEDIUM DEFENDER

MIDFIELDER

u Geelong’s massive investment in the former star Giant is just one win away from repayment. After an injury-riddled debut season with the Cats in 2021, Cameron has been one of the competition’s best players – let alone forwards – this season. Roaming further up the gound to create more space for fellow key forward Tom Hawkins, he has won games off his own boot and was a massive presence in the qualifying final win over the Pies.

u The former Hawthorn winger is on the cusp of adding a fourth premiership medal to his list of honours and joining a select group of players to win a flag at two clubs. Having played in the Hawks’ three-peat in 2013-15, the ever-smiling Smith joined the Cats in 2021 and has been a fine acquisition. His hard running and long kicking have been the missing link in Geelong’s attacking chain. Won’t be overawed.

u A regular member of Geelong’s back six, Kolodjashnij hit a couple of road bumps late in the season with concussion and a knee injury. The latter saw him subbed out of the qualifying final just before half-time, but he returned for the preliminary final and was a real influence with his run from defence. The versatile close-checker can shut down forwards of any size and is an experienced finals campaigner.

u The second-year Cat kept the medicos busy all week after suffering a hamstring injury during the preliminary final. The club maintained that if it was only nerve damage he would be selected. He’ll be needed because his run and carry through the midfield are a real plus. Not surprisingly, the son of former champion sprinter Lee Naylor can leave opponents in his wake. Kicked the winning goal in the qualifying final.

MEDIUM

u Traded from Hawthorn last off-season, Ceglar made only three appearances (one as an unused sub) late in the season due to a foot injury suffered in the pre-season. With Rhys Stanley out with injury in two of the final four rounds, Ceglar stepped up with 11 disposals and 18 hit-outs against the Bulldogs in round 20 and 24 disposals and 29 hit-outs in a crushing defeat of the Eagles in round 23. Named an emergency.

u The 21-year-old finished runner-up in the NAB AFL Rising Star voting, playing all but two games as a key defender. The Cats were patient with his development, and it has paid off, with De Koning serving as a key pillar in neutralising opposing key forward threats alongside Jack Henry and Zach Guthrie. Will have a massive job in the Grand Final, but premiership glory would be the perfect way to cap off an impressive season.

TYSON STENGLE

u The big man did not progress as he would have liked in 2022, mainly due to injury setbacks. Appeared in the opening three rounds before succumbing to shoulder and ankle concerns, with his road to recovery interrupted by a further ankle injury at training which required surgery. Made his long-awaited return in round 23 against West Coast, but lost his spot and has not been a factor this September.

u Couldn’t have been more impressive in his first year at his new club, with 49 goals and an All-Australian blazer – a great return for little investment. The Cats threw the 23-year-old a lifeline last off-season after a year spent in the SANFL with Woodville-West Torrens and three previous unfruitful AFL seasons with Richmond and Adelaide. Kicked bags of three or more goals on 11 occasions and can break a game wide open.

RUCK

RUCK/KEY FORWARD

SMALL FORWARD

u Having earned a one-year extension based on a fine season in 2021, Narkle struggled to break into the senior side, last appearing in round 16 against North Melbourne. Wasn’t accumulating enough of the ball to retain a spot in the crowded Cats midfield and struggled to hit the scoreboard. Among the VFL side’s best across 10 games, but has lost touch with the bottom end of Geelong’s best 22.

u Rohan proved he can bring it to the heat of finals with a brilliant performance in the qualifying final. He overcame injury issues earlier this season and has largely played as the Cats’ third tall when he’s been available. With the ability to play tall and small, Rohan is a tough match-up for opposition coaches, and on his day he’s among the most dangerous in the competition.

u Duncan has enjoyed a different role in 2022, roaming largely where he wants between the two arcs. He’s been a key part of Geelong’s more attacking shift and his pinpoint kicking has been used to great effect to surge the Cats forward. Duncan overcame a hip concern to be fit for the finals and his versatility to go where needed will be an important asset for Chris Scott.

u A much-loved player at GMHBA Stadium, Bews flies under the radar in a talent-laden Geelong line-up. But the small defender often gets the hardest job and goes about it with little fuss. While his defensive attributes are where Bews has made a name for himself, the 28-year-old has a booming right foot and can punish oppositions on the counterattack. He’s an integral part of Geelong’s back six.

JED BEWS

MEDIUM FORWARD

MEDIUM DEFENDER

SMALL DEFENDER

TOM

SAM MENEGOLA

u Another Cat who continues to get better with age, Hawkins hasn’t been far off career-best form at the age of 34. Despite his veteran status, he hasn’t missed a game in 2022 and has formed a lethal combination with Jeremy Cameron. The spearhead is as dangerous as any in a one-on-one contest, and his footy smarts are among the best in the competition. After a quiet opening final, he slotted four crucial goals last week.

u Menegola is another one of Chris Scott’s role players who goes about his job without a fuss. He waited until round 14 for his first game in 2022 due to a knee injury, but has shown his importance as the season has gone on. A hard runner and clean ball-user, Menegola has made a name for himself by cracking in all day and has a knack for coming up clutch when his side needs him. Might be an option if Max Holmes is a late out.

TOM ATKINS

u Given Patrick Dangerfield’s injury woes, Guthrie has stepped up to become the Cats’ premier inside bull in 2022. A best and fairest winner in 2020, he has handled the added responsibility with aplomb. Guthrie doesn’t often stand out to the eye, but would be one of Chris Scott’s most trusted players, rarely putting in a subpar performance. He’s a big part of how the Cats set the tone.

u The hard nut has taken his game to new heights this season. Atkins entered 2022 as a fringe player, but has taken multiple steps forward to be in the Cats’ first-choice midfield for the big moments. He’s stepped up several times late in games and has a will to win the football that is matched by few, if any. There’s no doubt he’ll be in the middle when the game is on the line.

MIDFIELDER MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

PATRICK DANGERFIELD

MIDFIELDER

u After missing the first three games, Miers has played every game since and is coming off his best performance of the year in the preliminary final. Hasn’t been a prolific goalscorer in 2022, but the small forward is in the 22 for his pressure and forward craft. If he can seize the moment when it’s presented to him, Miers can have an influence on the Grand Final, as he showed last week against the Lions.

ZACH GUTHRIE

u The Geelong local has been a first-choice defender since he made his debut in 2018 and works well with his fellow backmen. Can also push forward if the situation arises, as he did in round 15 when he kicked the winning goal against Richmond. Missed more than two months with a foot injury earlier in the season, but has been a tower of strength down back upon his return. Will relish the big occasion.

u This year was one of Dangerfield’s quietest seasons since the early 2010s, but the Brownlow medallist is hitting form at the right time. He played only 15 games because of calf and fitness issues, but opened the preliminary final in devastating style last week and finished with 28 touches. One of the best players in the AFL when fully fit, Dangerfield will be hoping to claim his first premiership medal to add to a distinguished career.

u Another player who has stepped up in 2022 to push the Cats towards premiership contention. Guthrie’s spot in Geelong’s best side was far from assured at the start of the year, but the 24-year-old has proved to be among his side’s best on many occasions. Deployed primarily as a medium intercepting defender, Guthrie rarely gets beaten in the air and will look to stand up in the big moments.

JACK

SMALL FORWARD

MEDIUM DEFENDER

MEDIUM DEFENDER

TOM STEWART

u The Irishman missed the early part of the season with a knee injury, but has spent large chunks in the Cats’ best team again. Can play a myriad of roles within the team. Small defender, intercepting defender and winger are just some of the jobs he has fulfilled. Has also been used as a run-with player. Came on as the medical sub to replace Max Holmes last week and might be in that role again today.

u Close’s rise has come as a surprise to many, with the 24-year-old among his side’s best on several occasions. Played every game in 2022 as a connector between the midfield and forward line and often hits the scoreboard, averaging a goal a game. Close is a classy finisher, great decision-maker and has enjoyed his fair share of big moments this season. He could be a big barometer for the Cats.

u An out-and-out star who has taken his game to another level in 2022. Served a four-match suspension for a hit on Richmond’s Dion Prestia, but has otherwise been a model of consistency. Stewart can defend for his life, but is preferred as the loose man in the Cats’ system and doesn’t have a noticeable weakness. The All-Australian can play tall and small and is one of the game’s best interceptors.

u A remarkable season for the hybrid ruckman was rewarded with a first All-Australian blazer. Deployed as a key defender in previous seasons, Blicavs has enjoyed more time on the ball in 2022 to generally split his time between the wing and ruck. He’s provided a good chop out in the ruck, but his running power and work ethic are his key attributes. Will outrun almost all opponents and is clean at the toughest times.

MEDIUM DEFENDER

Powering our way of life

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As our country continues to evolve, so does our fuel and energy offering. So, wherever your journey takes you, we will be there providing the fuel, energy and mobility solutions needed to keep you moving.

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CLUB HISTORY

MOST

MOST

Reg Hickey 04 Scott* Thompson Blight

MOST

Gary Ablett 1021 Wade Hawkins* Johnson Brownless

TOP GOALKICKING PERFORMANCES Essendon, Sydney, Richmond, R9, 1989, (v South Melbourne, R17, 1967, Lake Oval)

13 Doug Wade (v North Melbourne, R20, 1971, GMHBA Stadium)

BROWNLOW MEDALLISTS

Edward ‘Carji’ Greeves (1924), Bernie Smith (1951), Alistair Lord (1962), Paul Couch (1989), Jimmy Bartel (2007), Gary Ablett jnr (2009), Patrick Dangerfield* (2016)

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

LEGENDS: Graham Farmer, Malcolm Blight (coach Geel, also player/coach NM, coach Adel, coach St K)

INDUCTEES: Charles Brownlow, Bernie Smith, Edward Greeves, Jocka Todd, George Moloney, Henry Young, Peter Burns, Reg Hickey (also coach Geel), Tom Wills (admin), Bob Davis (also coach Geel), Doug Wade (also NM), Fred Flanagan, Bill Goggin (also coach Foots), Greg Williams (also Syd, Carl), John Newman, Ian Nankervis, Denis Marshall, Tom Fitzmaurice (also Ess, NM), Gary Ablett snr (also Haw), Henry Harrison (admin), Tom Hafey (coach Geel, also Rich, coach Rich, Coll, Syd), Garry Hocking, Brian Peake, Matthew Scarlett

AFL TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Bernie Smith (back pocket), Graham Farmer (ruck), Gary Ablett snr (interchange), Greg Williams (interchange)

INDIGENOUS TEAM OF THE CENTURY Graham Farmer (ruck and captain)

LEADING GOALKICKER MEDALLISTS

1897: Eddy James (22)

1899: Eddy James (31)

1900: Teddy Lockwood (24)

1910: Percy Martini (51)

1921: Cliff Rankin (61)

1925: Lloyd Hagger (70) 1932: George Moloney (109) 1948: Lindsay White (86)

JOHN COLEMAN MEDALLISTS

1955: Noel Rayson (77)

1962: Doug Wade (62)

1967: Doug Wade (79)

1969: Doug Wade (122)

1976: Larry Donohue (99)

1993: Gary Ablett snr (124)

1994: Gary Ablett snr (113)

1995: Gary Ablett snr (118)

2020: Tom Hawkins* (42)

NORM SMITH MEDALLISTS

Gary Ablett snr (1989), Steve Johnson (2007), Paul Chapman (2009), Jimmy Bartel (2011)

PREMIERSHIP COACH MEDALLISTS

Cliff Rankin (1925), Charlie Clymo (1931), Reg Hickey (1937)

JOCK McHALE MEDALLISTS

Reg Hickey (1951, 1952), Bob Davis (1963), Mark Thompson (2007, 2009), Chris Scott* (2011)

MICHAEL TUCK MEDALLIST Joel Selwood* (2009)

AFL RISING STAR AWARD Joel Selwood* (2007)

JIM STYNES MEDALLIST

James Kelly (2011), Harry Taylor (2015)

AFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION MVP AWARD Greg Williams (1985), Gary Ablett snr (1993), Gary Ablett jnr (2007, 2008, 2009), Patrick Dangerfield* (2016)

PREMIERSHIPS

1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011

RUNNERS-UP

1897, 1930, 1953, 1967, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2008, 2020

McCLELLAND TROPHY

1952, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2007, 2008, 2019, 2022

WOODEN SPOONS

1908, 1915, 1944, 1957, 1958

FINALS

131 games – 58 wins, 72 losses, 1 draw

MOST FINALS

Joel Selwood* 3 9 Tom Hawkins* 3 1 Harry Taylor 3 1 Jimmy Bartel 2 8 Andrew Mackie 2 6

Gary Ablett jnr 2 5 Mitch Duncan* 2 5 Corey Enright 24 Mark Blicavs* 2 3 Joel Corey 2 3 Steve Johnson 2 3 Matthew Scarlett 2 2

MOST GOALS IN FINALS

Gary Ablett snr 6 4 Billy Brownless 6 0 Tom Hawkins* 5 3 Doug Wade 4 6

HIGHEST SCORE IN A FINAL

26.16 (172) v Western Bulldogs, QF, 1992

LOWEST SCORE IN A FINAL 3.6 (24) v Collingwood, SF, 1901

GREATEST WINNING MARGIN IN A FINAL 119 points v Port Adelaide, GF, 2007

GREATEST LOSING MARGIN IN A FINAL 118 points v Richmond, 1SF, 1969

MOST GOALS IN A FINAL

11 G eorge Goninon, v Collingwood, 2SF, 1951

BEST FINALS WINNING STREAK

Five games (2007-08)

WORST FINALS LOSING STREAK Seven games (1901-25)

PRE-SEASON/NIGHT SERIES

108 games – 57 wins, 51 losses

Premierships 1961, 2006, 2009

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

1984 (7709), 1985 (7718), 1986 (6985), 1987 (6981), 1988 (9667), 1989 (7760), 1990 (15,087), 1991 (11,356), 1992 (13,535), 1993 (15,500), 1994 (14,312), 1995 (15,922), 1996 (17,346), 1997 (18,858), 1998 (19,971), 1999 (21,032), 2000 (25,595), 2001 (25,420), 2002 (23,756), 2003 (24,017), 2004 (25,021), 2005 (30,821), 2006 (32,290), 2007 (30,169), 2008 (36,850), 2009 (37,160), 2010 (40,326), 2011 (39,343), 2012 (40,205), 2013 (42,884), 2014 (43,803), 2015 (44,312), 2016 (50,571), 2017 (54,854), 2018 (63,818), 2019 (65,063), 2020 (60,066), 2021 (70,293), 2022 (71,943)

JOEL SELWOOD

Cats v Swans

Played 228: Geelong Cats 125, Sydney Swans 103.

Since 2017: Geelong Cats 5, Sydney Swans 4.

Most recent game: round 2, 2022, Geelong Cats lost to Sydney Swans by 30 points at the SCG.

Home record: 73-37

Away record: 52-66

Highest score: 26.11 (167), round 20, 1978, at the Lake Oval.

Lowest score: 3.1 (19), round 6, 1899, at the Lake Oval.

Best 1st quarter score: 11.4 (70), round 10, 1925, at Corio Oval.

Best 2nd quarter score: 8.6 (54), round 7, 1934, at Corio Oval; 9.0 (54), round 20, 1978, at the Lake Oval.

Best 3rd quarter score: 10.4 (64), round 17, 1967, at the Lake Oval.

Best 4th quarter score: 8.10 (58), round 7, 1938, at Corio Oval.

Greatest winning margin: 104 points, round 12, 1976, at Kardinia Park.

Longest winning sequence: 9, round 20, 2006, to round 4, 2011.

Most goals in a game: 14, Gary Ablett snr, round 8, 1994, at the SCG.

Highest attendance: 71,772, preliminary final, 2016, at the MCG. to

Patrick Dangerfield

MIDFIELDER

u Dangerfield led the way in the preliminary final against the Lions with a game-high 28 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 720m gained. He had nine disposals and kicked two goals in the opening term, while also being involved in eight scoring chains across the match. Dangerfield was excellent in the clinches and around the stoppages, generating a game-high eight clearances from 10 first possessions. His numbers across the season have dipped slightly, averaging 22.2 disposals – his fewest since 2011.

POCKET PROFILE Joel Selwood

Favourite non-AFL sporting team: LA Clippers

Do you go to AFL games your team is not playing: Not many

Should the centre bounce be retained: No

My non-football wish for 2022 is: It’s a secret

Scariest non-football moment: Surgery

Who rules the roost in your household: 50/50

KEY STATS

Contested possessions per game in 2022 u 11.2 – ranked equal 1st at the club v Brisbane Lions in the preliminary final u 28 disposals u 16 contested possessions u 720m gained

GEELONG CATS VENUE RECORD

MCG Melbourne

Venue capacity: 100,024

Ground dimensions: 162m x 139m

Played 351: 193-157-1.

Most recent game: preliminary final, 2022, Geelong d Brisbane Lions by 71 points.

Highest score: 32.19 (211), round 9, 1989, v Richmond.

Lowest score: 3.1 (19), round 2, 1897, v Melbourne.

Best 1st quarter score: 10.7 (67), round 14, 1934, v Melbourne.

Best 2nd quarter score: 10.3 (63), round 24, 2011, v Collingwood.

Best 3rd quarter score: 10.4 (64), round 16, 1987, v North Melbourne.

Best 4th quarter score: 10.10 (70), semi-final, 1989, v Melbourne.

Greatest winning margin: 134 points, round 9, 1989, v Richmond.

Longest winning sequence: 10, round 1, 2011, to round 2 2012.

Most goals in a game: 14, Gary Ablett snr, round 6, 1993, v Essendon; Gary Ablett snr, round 9, 1989, v Richmond.

Highest attendance: 109,396, Grand Final, 1967, v Richmond.

Your favourite or most influential junior coach: Andy Walker

Where did you go to Auskick: Junortoun

What was the common theme of your school report card: “Talked too much”

Did you have a part-time job while still at school: Lifeguard

Best storyteller at your club: Jeremy Cameron

Best social outing organiser at your club: Mark Blicavs

The most tech savvy teammate: Cameron Guthrie

Which teammate should run for political office in the future: Tom Hawkins

Rate your cooking skills from 1-5: 3

Best dish: Seafood lasagne

Worst cooking disaster:

Lasagne

Golf or tennis – or neither: Tennis

Have you ever used ‘Dr Google’ to diagnose an injury or illness: Yes

Can you keep a secret: Yes

Your biggest fear: Heights

If you could play an instrument, what would it be: Guitar

What TV series are you binge-watching: Shameless Best movie of all time: The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption

Tom

CEGLAR Jonathon 15 2 04 9 9 14/2/1991 2 013 T R/2021 Wodonga Raiders (Vic)/Murray U18/Collingwood List/Hawthorn 12 3 104 3 0 4 3

CLOSE Brad # 4 5 181 7 1 30/7/1998 2 020 R D/2020 North Gambier (SA)/Glenelg (SANFL) 2 2 24 5 4 5 4 24 41

CONWAY Toby 6 2 05 100 24/4/2003 * *** 24/2021 St Mary’s, Geelong (Vic)/Geelong College (Vic)/Geelong U18 0 0 0 0 0 0

DAHLHAUS Luke 4 0 179 82 2 1/8/1992 2 011 UFA/2018 Leopold (Vic)/Geelong U18/Western Bulldogs 2 1 10 2 25 7 1 3 141

DANGERFIELD Patrick 3 5 189 97 5/4/1990 2 008 T R/2016 A nglesea (Vic)/Geelong U18/Adelaide 16 17 302 148 8 3 16

DE KONING Sam 16 2 04 101 2 6/2/2001 2 021 19/2019 Mornington (Vic)/Dandenong U18 1 2 2 23 23 0 0

DEMPSEY Oliver # 28 185 70 7/1/2003 2 022 R D/2022 Boroondara (Vic)/Carey Grammar (Vic)/Old Carey (Vic) 0 2 2 2 1 1

DUNCAN Mitch 2 2 188 8 5 10/6/1991 2 010 28/2009 C arine (WA)/East Perth (WAFL) 13 2 1 257 257 8 175

EVANS Francis 3 1 182 8 3 23/8/2001 2 021 41/2019 Brunswick North OB (Vic)/Brunswick SC (Vic)/Calder U18 2 5 7 7 1 3

GUTHRIE Cameron 2 9 187 8 8 19/8/1992 2 011 23/2010 Sunbury (Vic)/Calder U18 23 24 2 29 2 29 11 74

GUTHRIE Zach 3 9 187 8 4 30/6/1998 2 017 R E/20119 Sunbury (Vic)/Calder U18 13 2 0 5 3 5 3 5 7

H AWKINS Tom 2 6 198 104 2 1/7/1988 2 007 41/2006 F inley (NSW)/Melbourne Grammar (Vic)/Sandringham U18 25 24 326 326 6 4 7 29

HENRY Jack 3 8 192 9 6 2 9/8/1998 2 018 R E/2018 St Mary’s, Geelong (Vic)/Geelong U18 24 16 106 106 4 2 0

HIGGINS Shaun 4 184 8 9 4/3/1988 2 006 T R/2020 Newtown & Chilwell (Vic)/St Joseph’s Coll, Geel (Vic)/Geel U18/WB/NM 18 5 260 23 1 2 29

HOLMES Max 9 189 8 3 2 9/8/2002 2 021 2 0/2020 East Malvern (Vic)/Prahran (Vic)/Melb Grammar (Vic)/Sandr U18 12 18 30 30 13 14

KNEVITT Mitch 10 193 8 4 8/1/2003 2 022 25/2021 Grovedale (Vic)/Grovedale College (Vic)/Geelong U18 0 2 2 2 0 0

KOLODJASHNIJ Jake 8 193 9 6 9/8/1995 2 015 41/2013 Prospect (Tas)/Launceston (Tas) 2 2 2 2 154 154 2 3

K ROEGER Flynn 25 185 8 5 23/7/2003 * *** 4 8/2021 Wandin (Vic)/Rowville Secondary College (Vic)/Eastern U18 0 0 0 0 0 0

MENEGOLA Sam 2 7 189 8 9 7/3/1992 2 016 6 6/2015 Attadale (WA)/E Frem (WAFL)/Haw Rks/Frem Rks/Subiaco (WAFL) 23 7 116 116 5 8 1

MIERS Gryan 32 179 8 1 30/3/1999 2 019 57/2017 Grovedale (Vic)/Geelong U18 15 2 1 82 82 13 7 2

NARKLE Quinton 19 182 8 8 3/12/1997 2 018 6 0/2016 Maddington (WA)/Wesley College (WA)/Perth (WAFL) 16 8 41 41 4 18

NEALE Shannon 3 3 2 03 100 25/7/2002 2 022 3 3/2020 Jandakot (WA)/Leeming HS (WA)/South Fremantle (WAFL) 0 2 2 2 0 0

O ’CONNOR Mark 42 191 8 9 17/1/1997 2 017 R E/2018 C ounty Kerry (Ireland) 14 2 1 8 6 8 6 0 4

PARFITT Brandan 3 180 8 3 2 7/4/1998 2 017 2 6/2016 Nightcliff (NT)/NT Thunder (NEAFL)/North Adelaide (SANFL) 23 16 111 111 4 4 5

RATUGOLEA Esava 17 198 108 24/7/1998 2 018 4 3/2016 C obram (Vic)/Murray U18 15 4 5 9 5 9 0 3 8

ROHAN Gary 23 189 9 3 7/6/1991 2 010 T R/2018 C obden (Vic)/Geelong U18/Sydney 2 1 11 176 70 14 189

SELWOOD Joel 14 183 8 4 2 6/5/1988 2 007 7/2006 Sandhurst (Vic)/Bendigo U18 24 2 0 3 54 3 54 6 174

SIMPSON Sam 37 183 7 5 14/6/1998 2 017 R E/2019 St Joseph’s, Geel (Vic)/St Joseph’s College, Geel (Vic)/Geel U18 4 0 19 19 0 7

SMITH Isaac 7 188 8 3 30/12/1988 2 011 UFA/2020 Wagga Tigers (NSW)/NSW-ACT U18/Redan (Vic)/N Ballarat (VFL)/Haw 24 23 257 47 12 192

STANLEY Rhys 1 2 00 102 1/12/1990 2 010 T R/2014 Berri (SA)/West Adelaide (SANFL)/St Kilda 19 19 182 124 3 105

STENGLE Tyson 18 175 73 19/10/1998 2 017 DFA/2021 Portland (SA)/W-WT (SANFL)/Richmond/Adelaide/W-WT (SANFL) 0 24 4 0 24 4 9 6 4

STEPHENS Cooper 12 188 8 6 17/1/2001 2 022 16/2019 C olac (Vic)/Geelong U18 0 7 7 7 0 0

STEVENS Nick 2 1 193 8 5 23/3/2002 47/2020 East Point (Vic)/Geelong Grammar (Vic)/GWV U18 0 0 0 0 0 0

STEWART Tom 4 4 190 8 8 15/3/1993 017 4 0/2016 South Barwon (Vic)/Geelong U18/Geelong (VFL) 2 0 19 125 125 0 3

T SAPATOLIS Paul 36 2 02 101 2 0/6/2002 R

Tom

Tom

Joel Selwood

Tom

Isaac

AMARTEY Joel 36 197 100 2 /9/1999

2 020 R E/2020 Beaumaris (Vic)/Mentone Gram (Vic)/Sandringham U18 6 6 13 13 5 10

BELL James 32 183 87 10/2/1999 2 019 R E/2019 University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs (NSW) 12 6 28 28 4 10

BLAKEY Nick 2 2 195 8 4 2 7/2/2000 2 019 10/2018 University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs (NSW) 17 23 7 7 7 7 2 32

CAMPBELL Braeden 16 181 7 9 4/2/2002 2 021 5/2020 Pennant Hills (NSW) 8 16 24 24 2 3

C LARKE Ryan 4 186 8 3 17/6/1997 2 016 T R/2018 Rowville (Vic)/Melbourne Grammar (Vic)/Eastern U18/North Melb 3 13 8 0 4 0 5 16

CUNNINGHAM Harry 7 181 8 0 6/12/1993 2 012 R E/2012 Turvey Park (NSW)/NSW-ACT U18/Wagga (NSW) 2 1 10 161 161 0 4 8

FLORENT Oliver 13 184 8 1 2 2/7/1998 2 017 11/2016 Beaumaris (Vic)/Mentone Grammar (Vic)/Sandringham U18 23 24 117 117 5 37

FOX Robbie # 42 185 8 4 16/4/1993 2 017 P LR/2020 Burnie Dockers (Tas)/Coburg (VFL) 15 13 6 6 6 6 0 8

F RANKLIN Lance 23 199 106 30/1/1987 2 005 R FA/2013 Dowerin (WA)/Perth (WAFL)/Hawthorn 18 2 2 3 40 158 52 1047

GOULD Will 17 191 97 14/1/2001 * *** 2 6/2019 Lucindale (SA)/Glenelg (SANFL)

Errol Gulden

Luke Parker

Callum Mills

Jake Lloyd

Oliver Florent

Paddy McCartin

Isaac Heeney

Luke Parker

Callum Mills

Chad Warner

Jake Lloyd

James Rowbottom

Luke Parker

Callum

Chad Warner

James Rowbottom

Isaac Heeney

Callum Mills

Jake Lloyd

Chad Warner

Errol Gulden

Oliver Florent

Paddy McCartin

Nick Blakey

Tom McCartin

Jake Lloyd

Callum Mills

0 0 0 0 0 0

GULDEN Errol 2 1 176 78 18/7/2002 2 021 32/2020 UNSW-Eastern Suburbs (NSW) 18 24 42 42 18 32

HALL-KAHAN Hugo # 4 5 188 78 2 2/9/2003 * *** MD/2022 E ast Sandringham (Vic)/Hailebury College (Vic)/Old Haileybury (Vic)/Sandringham U18 0 0 0 0 0 0

H AYWARD Will 9 186 8 4 2 6/10/1998 2 017 2 1/2016 Walkerville (SA)/North Adelaide (SANFL) 2 0 24 113 113 3 3 133

HEENEY Isaac 5 185 87 5/5/1996 2 015 18/2014 C ardiff (NSW)

2 1 24 153 153 4 8 196

HICKEY Tom 3 1 2 02 97 6/3/1991 2 011 T R/2020 Morningside (Qld)/Gold Coast/St Kilda/West Coast 2 1 15 138 36 3 4 5

KENNEDY Josh 12 188 9 5 2 0/6/1988 2 008 T R/2009 East Sandr (Vic)/Xavier Coll (Vic)/Sandr U18/Hawthorn 2 1 11 2 90 2 77 2 157

LADHAMS Peter 19 2 02 101 14/1/1998 2 019 T R/2021 Modbury (SA)/Norwood (SANFL)/Port Adelaide 17 11 4 3 11 2 23

LLOYD Jake 4 4 180 8 0 2 0/9/1993 2 014 R E/2014 Horsham Demons (Vic)/North Ballarat U18 2 2 23 199 199 2 3 3

McANDREW Lachlan # 4 6 2 09 101 2 6/5/2000 * *** MD/2021 St Augustine’s Coll (NSW)/Manly Waringah (NSW)/Syd Swans (VFL) 0 0 0 0 0 0

McCARTIN Paddy # 3 9 195 9 5 19/4/1996 2 015 P SS/2022 St Joseph’s (Vic)/Geelong U18/St Kilda 0 23 5 8 23 0 3 4

McCARTIN Tom 30 193 97 30/12/1999 2 018 3 3/2017 St Joseph’s, Geel (Vic)/St Joseph’s Coll, Geel (Vic)/Geel Gram (Vic)/Geel U18 22 24 9 4 9 4 0 28

McDONALD Logan 6 196 9 2 4/4/2002 2 021 4/2020 A pplecross (WA)/Aquinas College (WA)/Perth (WAFL) 7 17 24 24 15 24

McINERNEY Justin 2 7 188 8 4 18/8/2000 2 019 4 4/2018 B anyule (Vic)/Marcellin College (Vic)/Northern U18 2 1 2 1 52 52 6 18

McLEAN Hayden # 2 197 9 8 2 0/1/1999 2 019 P SS/2019 Beaumaris (Vic)/St Bede’s College (Vic)/Sandr U18/Sandr (VFL) 12 8 30 30 10 2 6

MELICAN Lewis 4 3 194 100 4/11/1996 2 017 R E/2017 Birregurra (Vic)/Geelong U18 6 0 52 52 0 1

MILLS Callum 14 187 87 2 /4/1997 2 016 3/2015 North Shore (NSW) 18 24 134 134 9 18

NAISMITH Sam 10 2 05 110 16/7/1992 2 014 R D/2013 North Shore (NSW)

0 0 30 30 0 3

O ’CONNOR Barry * 3 5 193 9 3 2 6/6/1998 * *** R D/2020 C ounty Wexford (Ireland) 0 0 0 0 0 0

O ’RIORDAN Colin 3 8 186 87 12/10/1995 2 018 R E/2017 C ounty Tipperary (Ireland) 6 5 3 4 3 4 0 1

PAPLEY Tom 11 177 8 0 13/7/1996 2 016 R D/2016 Bunyip (Vic)/Gippsland U18 23 18 140 140 3 1 2 20

PARKER Luke 2 6 183 8 8 25/10/1992 2 011 4 0/2010 L angwarrin (Vic)/Dandenong U18 23 24 259 259 14 190

RAMPE Dane 24 188 9 1 2 /6/1990 2 013 R E/2013 W illiamstown (VFL)/Eastern Suburbs (NSW)/Uni of NSW (NSW) 2 0 24 2 14 2 14 1 7

R ANKIN Lachlan 41 184 73 5/2/2003

* *** 5 8/2021 Beverley Hills (Vic)/Caulfield Grammar (Vic)/Oakleigh U18 0 0 0 0 0 0

R EID Sam 2 0 196 9 8 2 7/12/1991 2 010 3 8/2009 Wangaratta Rovers (Vic)/Murray U18 10 17 180 180 18 183

ROBERTS Matt 3 4 184 8 4 3 1/7/2003 2 022 3 4/2021 Langhorne Creek (SA)/St Peter’s Coll (SA)/South Adelaide (SANFL) 0 1 1 1 0 0

RONKE Ben 25 183 8 0 18/12/1997 2 018 R D/2017 St Bernard’s (Vic)/Calder U18 2 8 4 4 4 4 6 3 9

ROWBOTTOM James 8 186 82 19/9/2000 2 019 25/2018 C amberwell (Vic)/St Kevin’s College (Vic)/Oakleigh U18 17 23 6 8 6 8 8 2 2

SHEATHER Marc * 3 3 185 87 11/6/2002 * *** R D/2020 Pennant Hills (NSW) 0 0 0 0 0 0

SHELDRICK Angus 2 9 179 8 8 7/11/2003 2 022 18/2021 Mosman Park (WA)/Christ Church Grammar (WA)/Claremont (WAFL) 0 2 2 2 0 0

SINCLAIR Callum 18 199 9 8 23/9/1989 2 013 T R/2015 Beaumaris (Vic)/Port Melb (VFL)/Subiaco (WAFL)/West Coast 4 0 118 8 9 0 6 3

STEPHENS Dylan 3 184 78 8/1/2001 2 020 5/2019 Red Cliffs (Vic)/Walkerville (SA)/St Peter’s Coll (SA)/Norwood (SANFL) 7 14 29 2 9 5 8

TAYLOR Lewis # 28 174 8 1 17/2/1995 2 014 R D/2022 Terang-Mortlake (Vic)/Geelong U18/Brisbane 2 1 124 12 0 9 4

WARNER Chad 1 181 82 19/5/2001 2 020 3 9/2019 W illetton (WA)/Aquinas College (WA)/East Fremantle (WAFL) 13 23 3 8 3 8 18 2 6

WARNER Corey 37 182 7 1 7/10/2003 * *** 4 0/2021 W illetton JFC (WA)/East Fremantle (WAFL) 0 0 0 0 0 0

W ICKS Sam # 15 180 8 1 14/9/1999 2 020 R D/2019 Manly-Warringah (NSW)/Sydney (NEAFL) 2 2 10 3 9 3 9 4 24

Lance Franklin 52 .27

Isaac Heeney 4 8.28

Will Hayward 3 3.22

Tom Papley 3 1.24

Chad Warner 18.24

Chad Warner 3 5

Isaac Heeney 28

Tom Papley 2 7

Callum Mills 2 5

Luke Parker 24

Chad Warner 16 3 Isaac Heeney 16 2

Lance Franklin 150

Luke Parker 140

Callum Mills 137

Luke Parker 146

James Rowbottom 109

Callum Mills 9 4

Chad Warner 8 7

Tom Hickey 6 1

James Rowbottom 157

Callum Mills 155

Luke Parker 136 Isaac Heeney 112

Chad Warner 9 1

Chad Warner 129 Errol Gulden 109

Callum Mills 104

Luke Parker 9 2

James Rowbottom 8 7

Swans v Cats

HEAD to HEAD

Played 228: Sydney Swans 103, Geelong Cats 125.

Since 2017: Sydney Swans 4, Geelong Cats 5.

Most recent game: round 2, 2022, Sydney Swans d Geelong Cats by 30 points at the SCG.

Away record: 37-73

Home record: 66-52

Highest score: 24.16 (160), round 3, 1998, at the SCG.

Lowest score: 1.2 (8), round 3, 1898, at Corio Oval.

Best 1st quarter score: 8.4 (52), round 10, 1909, at the Lake Oval; 8.4 (52), round 14, 1973, at the Lake Oval.

Best 2nd quarter score: 9.2 (56), round 15, 2005, at the SCG.

Best 3rd quarter score: 10.4 (64), round 16, 1935, at the Lake Oval.

Best 4th quarter score: 9.3 (57), round 18, 1933, at the Lake Oval.

Greatest winning margin: 110 points, round 11, 2014, at the SCG.

Longest winning sequence: 8, round 13, 1906, to round 10, 1909; round 16, 1940, to round 11, 1946.

Most goals in a game: 10, Jack Graham, round 8, 1948, at Kardinia Park.

Highest attendance: 71,772, preliminary final, 2016, at the MCG.

Chad Warner

MIDFIELDER

u No Swans player has had a greater impact on the scoreboard at the MCG this season than Warner – recording a total of 54 points from three goals, four behinds and five score assists. He is averaging 19 disposals, nine contested possessions, one goal, two score assists and seven score involvements. Warner has also been busy around the stoppages, generating 11 clearances from eight first possessions – ranked fourth at the club behind Callum Mills, James Rowbottom and Luke Parker.

SYDNEY SWANS VENUE RECORD

MCG Melbourne

Venue capacity: 100,024

Played 235: 98-135-2.

Most recent game: qualifying final, 2022, Sydney Swans d Melbourne by 22 points.

Highest score: 25.19 (169), round 18, 1997, v Melbourne.

Lowest score: 2.3 (15), round 6, 1898, v Melbourne.

Best 1st quarter score: 10.5 (65), round 18, 1997, v Melbourne.

Best 2nd quarter score: 10.3 (63), round 6, 1991, v North Melbourne.

Best 3rd quarter score: 8.3 (51), round 15, 1979, v Melbourne.

Best 4th quarter score: 8.6 (54), round 4, 1991, v Richmond.

Greatest winning margin: 116 points, round 18, 1997, v Melbourne.

KEY STATS

Score assists per game in home and away rounds by midfielders u 1.5 – ranked equal fourth in the AFL v Collingwood in the preliminary final u 22 disposals u 12 contested possessions u 9 inside 50s

Longest winning sequence: 5, semi-final, 1933, to preliminary final, 1934; round 22, 2005, to round 19, 2006.

Most goals in a game: 10, Tony Lockett, round 7, 1998, v Collingwood.

Highest attendance: 104,239, semi-final, 1970, v St Kilda.

Did you have a part-time job while still at school: No Best storyteller at your club: Chad Warner

Best social outing organiser at your club: Nick Blakey

The most tech savvy teammate: Lewis Melican

Which teammate should run for political office in the future:

Callum Sinclair

Rate your cooking skills from 1-5: 5

Best dish: Toast

Worst cooking disaster: Burning toast Golf, tennis – or neither: Golf

Have you ever used ‘Dr Google’ to diagnose an injury or illness:

Absolutely Your idea for a perfect day: Play footy, win footy, celebrate, sleep

Can you keep a secret: Absolutely Something you are proud of:

Finishing school

Your biggest fear: Swimming

The biggest compliment you have ever received: “Plenty of potential, but needs to apply himself”

Ground dimensions: 162m x 139m was the common theme of your school report card: “Lots of potential, needs to apply himself more”

If you could play an instrument, what would it be: Guitar

What TV series are you

binge-watching: Entourage Best movie of all time: Django Unchained

T.Hickey 14.8 7.7 8.3 6 8.0 179.3 5.8 3 4.2 1.8 6.1 28.1

P.Ladhams 14.8 7.5 7.4 52.4 6 8.7 187.6 5 5.6 4 4.4 20.5 5.4 26.1 263 12.4 6.7 5.7 55.9 66.9 166.4 59.3 40.7 21.6 6.6 30.7

C.Mills 24.9 14.7 10.2 67.3 74.2 406.0 39.8 6 0.2 4.3 3.9 6.5 26 24.5 13.0 11.5 58.7 67.0 322.2 4 9.3 50.7 3.8 6.1 5.7 19

C.Warner 23 22.5 13.6 9.0 59.0 6 5.8 502.1 41.7 58.3 5.6 3.8 4.0 56

E.Gulden 24 19.4 13.6 5.8 6 6.7 72.1 369.1 3 5.3 6 4.7 4.5 1.9 3.6 116

J.Rowbottom 23 18.6 11.7 6.8 57.4 6 5.8 313.8 50.0 50.0 3.8 4.7 6.8 110

J.McInerney 2 1 18.0 11.6 6.4 6 9.1 7 5.7 317.9 28.1 7 1.9 3.3 1.7 1.0 171

D.Stephens 14 16.1 11.6 4.5 6 5.0 6 8.1 310.4 31.5 6 8.5 2.6 1.1 2.6 4 99

J.Kennedy 11 12.1 6.0 6.1 7 1.2 7 5.9 147.3 4 3.0 57.0 1.2 2.1 1.7 150

M.Roberts 1 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 50.0 19.0 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 7 10

L.Taylor 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 700

AFL 19.8 10.8 9.0 61.1 70.8 39.2 0.8 3.1 3.5 4 8.3 51.7 4 8 28 6 3.2 42 12.1 8.0 4.1 6 8.6 7 1.7 181.4 4 3.3 56.7 3 3 2 2 6 0.0 200

T.Papley 15.0 10.6 4.4 5 5.3 58.5 265.6 4 6.4 5 3.6 31 24 56.4 118 11.6 6.4 5.2 6 5.7 7 1.6 185.1 6 0.0 4 0.0 18 20 47.4 288

L.McDonald 17 8.5 5.6 2.9 6 4.6 72.4 127.2 4 3.0 57.0 15 16 4 8.4 4 53

H.McLean 8 9.6 5.6 4.0 6 4.4 7 5.3 95.5 51.3 4 8.7 10 3 76.9 4 44

B.Ronke 8 9.0 5.4 3.6 6 9.8 72.2 137.8 47.1 52.9 6 5 5 4.5 591

R.Clarke 13 8.8 3.8 5.1 6 3.3 6 8.7 9 0.0 42.9 57.1 5 4 5 5.6 5 57

J.Amartey 6 7.2 4.8 2.3 51.7 58.1 109.5 59.5 4 0.5 5 3 62.5 5 37 S.Wicks 10 9.1 4.3 4.8 6 0.5 7 1.4 124.6 4 6.2 5 3.8 4 4 50.0 376

J.Bell 6 7.5 5.5 2.0 57.6 5 5.6 116.2 4 0.4 59.6 4 3 57.1 570 A.Sheldrick 2 4.0 2.0 2.0 7 5.0 7 5.0 16.1 57.1 42.9 0 0 0.0 6 86 11.1 7.1 4.1 60.7 67.7 190.4 42.5 57.5 51.7 2 9.9 70.1 5.3 2.8 2.1 16.0 73.9 2.8 0.6 2.2 5.2 3.5 4.5 2.0 3.8 56.2 3.0 4.7 1.0 2.3 8.0 1.5 5.4 1.1 1.2 1.8

CLUB

HIGHEST SCORE

36.20 (236) v Essendon, R17, 1987, SCG

LOWEST SCORE

0.5 (5) v Carlton, R8, 1899, Princes Park

GREATEST WINNING MARGIN

171 points v St Kilda, R12, 1919, Lake Oval

BEST WINNING SEQUENCE

12 games – R5, 1918 to GF, 1918; R10, 1933 to R1, 1934; R2, 1935 to R13, 1935; R5, 2014 to R17, 2014

WORST LOSING SEQUENCE

29 games – R7, 1972 to R13, 1973

MOST GAMES

Adam Goodes 37 2

Jude Bolton 325

Jarrad McVeigh 325 Michael O’Loughlin 3 03 Ryan O’Keefe 2 86

MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES

Adam Goodes 2 04

Brett Kirk 2 00

Jared Crouch 194, all from debut

Jude Bolton 145 Ryan O’Keefe 121

AFL GAMES RECORDS HELD IN GUERNSEY NUMBERS

1 Paul Roos 3 56 – Syd & Fitz

3 Jarrad McVeigh 325

5 John Rantall 3 30 – S Melb & NM

19 Michael O’Loughlin 2 92

37 Adam Goodes 37 2

41 Shane Mumford 2 15 – Geel, Syd & GWS

MOST GAMES AS CAPTAIN

Paul Kelly 182

Bob Skilton 165

Jarrad McVeigh 139

Dennis Carroll 131 Brett Kirk 119

MOST GAMES AS COACH

John Longmire* 2 82 Paul Roos 2 02

RECORD

Venue

Rodney Eade 152 Ian Stewart 111 Charlie Pannam 108

MOST GOALS

Bob Pratt 6 81 Michael O’Loughlin 521 Barry Hall 4 67

Lance Franklin* 4 67 Adam Goodes 4 64 Tony Lockett 4 62

TOP GOALKICKING PERFORMANCES

16 Tony Lockett (v Fitzroy, R19, 1995, Whitten Oval)

15 B ob Pratt (v Essendon, R3, 1934, Lake Oval)

14 Harold Robertson (v St Kilda, R12, 1919, Lake Oval)

12 Tony Lockett (v Richmond, R19, 1996, SCG)

12 Tony Lockett (v Port Adelaide, R16, 1998, SCG)

12 B ob Pratt (v Footscray, R15, 1934, Lake Oval)

12 L indsay White (v Melbourne, R5, 1942, Princes Park)

BROWNLOW MEDALLISTS

J. Herbie Matthews (1940, tied), Ron Clegg (1949, tied), Fred Goldsmith (1955), Bob Skilton (1959, tied; 1963, 1968), Peter Bedford (1970), Graham Teasdale (1977), Barry Round (1981, tied), Greg Williams (1986, tied), Gerard Healy (1988), Paul Kelly (1995), Adam Goodes (2003, tied; 2006)

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

LEGENDS: Ron Barassi (coach Syd, also Melb, Carl, coach Carl, NM, Melb), Roy Cazaly (also St K, coach S Melb, Haw), Bob Pratt, Bob Skilton (also coach S Melb, Melb), Norm Smith (coach S Melb, also Melb, Fitz, coach Melb, Fitz), Ian Stewart (coach Syd, also St K, Rich), Tony Lockett (also St K), Jack Oatey

INDUCTEES: Like McBrien (admin), Johnny Leonard, Laurie Nash, Mark Tandy, Ron Clegg, Vic

Belcher (also coach S Melb, Fitz), J. Herbie Matthews, John Rantall (also NM, Fitz), Terry Daniher (also Ess), Peter Bedford (also Carl), Jack Sheedy, Len Thompson (also Coll, Fitz), Des Tuddenham (coach S Melb, also Coll, Ess, coach Ess), Paul Roos (also Fitz), Tom Hafey (coach Syd, also Rich, coach Rich, Geel, Coll), Dermott Brereton (also Haw, Coll), Gerard Healy (also Melb), Barry Round (also Foots), John Murphy (also Fitz, NM), Frank Johnson, Paul Kelly, Bob Hammond (coach Syd, also Adel admin), Michael O’Loughlin, Austin Robertson jnr, Barry Hall (also St K, WB), Terry Cashion

AFL TEAM OF THE CENTURY Bob Skilton (rover), Greg Williams (interchange), Norm Smith (coach)

INDIGENOUS TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Adam Goodes (centre half-back), Michael O’Loughlin (full-forward)

LEADING GOALKICKER MEDALLISTS 1934: Bob Pratt (138) 1935: Bob Pratt (97) 1942: Lindsay White (67)

JOHN COLEMAN MEDALLISTS 1996: Tony Lockett (114) 1998: Tony Lockett (107) 2014: Lance Franklin* (67) 2017: Lance Franklin* (69)

NORM SMITH MEDALLIST Ryan O’Keefe (2012)

PREMIERSHIP COACH MEDALLISTS Charlie Ricketts (1909), Bert Howson (1918), Jack Bisset (1933)

JOCK McHALE MEDALLISTS

Paul Roos (2005), John Longmire* (2012) JIM STYNES MEDALLIST Ryan O’Keefe (2006)

AFL RISING STAR AWARD Adam Goodes (1999), Dan Hannebery (2010), Callum Mills* (2016)

AFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION MVP AWARD Gerard Healy (1988)

PREMIERSHIPS 1909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012

RUNNERS-UP 1899, 1907, 1912, 1914, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1945, 1996, 2006, 2014, 2016

McCLELLAND TROPHY 1996, 2014, 2016

WOODEN SPOONS

1903, 1922, 1938, 1939, 1962, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1992, 1993, 1994

FINALS

92 games – 42 wins, 50 losses

MOST FINALS

Adam Goodes 28 Jarrad McVeigh 2 8 Jude Bolton 2 6 Ryan O’Keefe 24 Dan Hannebery 2 2 Kieren Jack 2 2 Josh Kennedy* 2 2 Luke Parker* 2 1 Ted Richards 2 1 Nick Smith 2 1

MOST GOALS IN FINALS

Barry Hall 3 9 Bob Pratt 3 7

Michael O’Loughlin 3 7 Adam Goodes 3 3 Lance Franklin* 28 L aurie Nash 2 7

HIGHEST SCORE IN A FINAL 19.22 (136) v North Melbourne, PF, 2014

LOWEST SCORE IN A FINAL 3.8 (26) v Fitzroy, GF, 1899

GREATEST WINNING MARGIN IN A FINAL 71 points v North Melbourne, PF, 2014

GREATEST LOSING MARGIN IN A FINAL 99 points v Hawthorn, QF, 1987

MOST GOALS IN A FINAL 9 Lindsay White, v Essendon, PF, 1942

BEST FINALS WINNING STREAK Five games (2005-06)

WORST FINALS LOSING STREAK Seven games (1945-87)

PRE-SEASON/NIGHT SERIES

113 games – 55 wins, 58 losses Premierships 1956, 1957, 1960, 1982

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

1984 (2750), 1985 (2777), 1986 (4927), 1987 (3594), 1988 (2516), 1989 (2631), 1990 (2624), 1991 (2907), 1992 (3020), 1993 (3097), 1994 (3327), 1995 (6088), 1996 (9525), 1997 (22,109), 1998 (31,089), 1999 (31,175), 2000 (30,177), 2001 (28,022), 2002 (27,755), 2003 (21,270), 2004 (25,010), 2005 (24,955), (30,382), 2007 (28,764), 2008 (26,721), 2009 (26,269), 2010 (28,671), 2011 (27,106), 2012 (29,873), 2013 (36,358), 2014 (40,126), 2015 (48,836), 2016 (56,523), 2017 (58,838), 2018 (60,934), 2019 (61,912), 2020 (48,322), 2021 (50,144), 2022 (55,394)

*

ADAM GOODES

SYDNEY SWANS

There is no stopping Sydney in 2022, at least not since a nine-point loss to Essendon at the MCG in round 16.

Since then, the Swans have cut a swathe through the competition, winning their last seven games of the home and away season to finish in third place and both their finals to make it back to their first Grand Final since 2016, seeking their first premiership in a decade and their sixth overall.

They are here ahead of schedule. The Swans finished 15th in 2019

ROUND 2

SYDNEY v GEELONG

u This was one of the biggest highlights of the season as a whole, let alone for the Swans. Superstar Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th goal to raucous scenes at the SCG. Sydney capped it off with a comfortable 30-point win over Geelong.

with eight wins and won just five of 17 during the COVID-affected 2020 campaign.

But the Swans were in the midst of a rapid rebuild. They returned to the finals last year, losing a heartbreaking elimination final to GWS, but they have been top-four material through most of 2022.

They can beat you any number of ways. The formerly dour Swans were the fourth-highest scoring team this year. Second-year assistant coach Don Pyke has added some attacking flair to a team that has always had

ROUND 11

SYDNEY v RICHMOND

u The Swans produced one of the comebacks of the season, clawing their way back from 33 points down to beat Richmond by six points. Again it was ‘Buddy’ Franklin doing the damage with a bag of five goals.

the capacity to defend and play elite contested footy.

Youngsters such as Chad Warner, Errol Gulden, Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney, Justin McInerney, Tom Papley, Nick Blakey, Oliver Florent and James Rowbottom can do serious damage with ball in hand.

But the hard-nosed defensive DNA of the Swans remains and they brought reigning premier Melbourne undone in the qualifying final at the MCG with a relentless display of pressure football, with co-captain Luke Parker leading the way.

Sydney benefited from some excellent homegrown players from its Academy, but has also recruited smartly. Giving St Kilda’s former No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin a lifeline and moving him to the backline has been a master stroke, where he has formed a great combination with younger brother Tom and veteran Dane Rampe.

Ruckman Tom Hickey arrived after stints with Gold Coast, St Kilda and West Coast, but is now the club’s No. 1 big man and a major weapon.

All of this and we have yet to get to Lance Franklin. The superstar forward, who this year became just the sixth player in League history to kick 1000 goals, has 52 goals to his name this season – and this week he announced he would play on with the Swans for another year.

It took the heat off ‘Buddy’, his club and, more importantly, his teammates.

A flag will be a triumph for a club that has nailed every part of the puzzle – playing, coaching, conditioning and list management –in a short period of time.

QUALIFYING FINAL

SYDNEY v MELBOURNE

u John Longmire’s side had beaten Melbourne at the MCG in round 12, but most pundits doubted it could do it again in the qualifying final. But the Swans were brutal in their attack on the ball and advanced to the preliminary final with a 22-point victory.

AT A GLANCE

u The Sydney Swans proudly own five premiership trophies, three of which came during their South Melbourne days.

As the Swans in Sydney, the club has claimed two flags –in 2005, courtesy of a memorable win over West Coast, and in 2012 when they beat Hawthorn. Their wins as South Melbourne came over Carlton (1909), Collingwood (1918) and Richmond (1933). After 10 years in the premiership wilderness, the stage is set for the Swans to add a sixth piece of silverware.

COACH

JOHN LONGMIRE

u Longmire has been at the helm of the Swans since 2011, leading the club to a premiership in just his second year.

Affectionately known as ‘Horse’, the former North Melbourne full-forward has overseen an era of consistency in Sydney.

During his 12-season tenure, the Swans have played in three Grand Finals (2012, 2014 and 2016) and have been part of the finals on 10 occasions. If successful in this year’s decider, Longmire will stand above all other Swans coaches.

The Swans are on a run of nine successive wins and have momentum, as well as all playing bases covered, as they chase their sixth flag. ASHLEY BROWNE

u The youngest of the club’s three co-captains has slipped seamlessly into the role in his first year, producing his most prolific season. The 25-year-old has emerged as a top-line midfielder and was duly rewarded with a spot in the All-Australian team for the first time. Mills recently signed a long-term contract with the Swans until 2029, displaying how much faith the club has in him. Will be a key to Sydney’s chances.

u The Swans co-captain epitomises the team’s selfless, down-to-earth mantra and has commanded the League’s fourth-best side defensively this season. Rampe is worth his weight in gold as a lockdown backman, and his weekly efforts are a large part of why the Swans have conceded 100 points on just three occasions in 2022. Has seen Sydney through a mini rebuild and is now reaping the rewards as an elder statesman.

u One of two Swans still active from the club’s premiership team a decade ago, the co-captain remains in vintage form in his 12th season. Despite no longer shouldering such a heavy burden in a talent-stacked team, Parker is one of the AFL’s best inside midfielders. He ranks in the top 10 in contested possessions and clearances in the League. Is a proven finals former and will play a big role if Sydney is to claim the cup.

u Warner has had a breakout year, elevating himself into the top bracket of midfielders in the AFL. He has developed nicely alongside Luke Parker, Callum Mills and James Rowbottom and has become a vital cog in the on-ball unit. Warner had played only 15 games before 2022 and, like the Swans, snuck up on the competition across the season. The 21-year-old has averaged 22.6 disposals, four tackles, 5.5 inside 50s and four clearances a game.

Andrew Slevison, Nic Negrepontis, Laurence

Rosen, Lachlan Geleit, Vas Shipp.

CO-CAPTAIN/MIDFIELDER

MIDFIELDER

u The powerful ruck-forward has been recalled despite not playing since round eight. McLean is a capable goalkicker at AFL level. He played the first eight games of the season, kicking 10 goals, before helping the Swans’ VFL side through a finals campaign. He was selected in the 2018-19 Pre-Season Supplemental selection period out of the SANFL and played a career-high 12 games in 2021.

ISAAC

u The former North Melbourne midfielder has made a remarkable comeback after it appeared his AFL career was at the crossroads in the middle of the season. After playing two games earlier in the year, Clarke was recalled to the senior line-up in round 15 and hasn’t looked back. Coach John Longmire decided to deploy Clarke as a defensive forward and his tackling and manic pressure have been a bonus.

u Stephens has announced himself in this finals series, breaking out in the qualifying final with a huge performance on the big stage. He was selected with pick No. 5 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft and featured intermittently at AFL level before locking himself into Sydney’s best side in the second half of 2022. A midfielder with a piercing left boot, Stephens is quickly finding his feet at AFL level.

u Has enjoyed a career-best season in 2022, making the All-Australian team on the interchange bench. He kicked 46 goals across the home and away season playing as a deep forward where he is strong in the air and crafty at ground level. While his disposal numbers are down on his time as a midfielder, he is averaging two goals a game to go with 4.6 tackles. Born to perform on the big day.

RUCK/KEY

LOGAN

u The young Swan played the first two finals, but has been omitted for the Grand Final. The West Australian key forward has been touted as a star of the future and a potential Lance Franklin replacement. He played 15 games in the home and away season, kicking 14 goals. He had a career-best performance against Carlton in round 10, taking 10 marks and kicking three goals. HAYWARD

u Has come of age in 2022, his fourth season at AFL level. The midfielder possesses elite ball-winning abilities combined with a hard edge, which has made him a key component for Sydney this season. One of the club’s best contested-possession and clearance players and provides grunt in the middle with a penchant for tackling. Has emerged as an integral member of the Swans’ engine room, which will be crucial today.

u Has been a Swans stalwart for several years, filling defensive roles in the backline and through the midfield this season. Has played 10 games, averaging 11 disposals, but has not been in the senior team since round 18. He also struggled with an abdominal injury earlier in the year. Now in his 11th season, Cunningham has been named as emergency and will be determined to win his place back in the Swans’ best 22 in 2023.

u Having somewhat lost his way a few years ago, Hayward has firmly re-established himself in Sydney’s attacking set-up over the past two seasons. He has played every game this year and proven his worth with 33 goals. The 23-year-old has also shared his handy work around, busy with score involvements and goal assists. A tricky match-up given his speed for his size and will no doubt be a headache for whoever gets the job.

JOSH

u The heartbeat of Sydney’s forward line, Papley has been electric in 2022. He missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury, but since returning in round seven, his form was so impressive that he was rewarded with selection in the 44-man All-Australian squad. Has one of the best goal-assist averages in the competition and ranks in the top bracket for score involvements. One of the League’s premier small forwards.

u A lion-hearted warrior for the Swans for more than a decade, Kennedy has played his last AFL game after tweaking his hamstring at training, ending his bid to be fit for a possible recall for the Grand Final. The 2012 premiership player, who started his career at Hawthorn, captained the club from 2017 to 2021. He holds the AFL record for contested possessions in finals (21), hitting the 15-plus mark on 16 occasions.

BRAEDEN

u In his sixth season with the Swans, Florent has become an important player who does his best work on the outside. Mostly deployed on the wing or off half-back, he is a quality ball-user who breaks the lines and provides plenty of dash – elements that are important in finals. With more than 100 games, Florent is a regular under John Longmire, who will look to use him in varying roles.

u Campbell has become almost a super sub in recent weeks, having been the 23rd player in Sydney’s round 22 win over Collingwood as well as in the qualifying and preliminary finals. Named as one of four emergencies today. Since being taken with pick No. 5 in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, Campbell has made a bright start to life as a Swan and the local Sydney product is a handy back-up should he be called upon.

WILL

u Sydney’s second selection at the 2019 NAB AFL Draft is yet to make an appearance at AFL level. The South Australian has been earmarked by John Longmire to play across half-back. Averaged 19 disposals, six rebounds 50s and six marks a game in the VFL. Was named on a half-back flank in the VFL Team of the Year. Close to the Swans’ best 22, having been an emergency in the preliminary final and Grand Final.

u There must be something in the water in Sydney because the veteran key forward was passed fit to play after he suffered an adductor injury in the preliminary final win over Collingwood and had to be subbed out. He did all that was required at training on Thursday but is likely to need another fitness test before the game. He has been enjoying a fine season and is chasing his second flag in red and white.

NICK BLAKEY

u Having just turned 20, Gulden is playing football beyond his years and has featured in every game this year. Another product from the club’s Academy, Gulden is a mainstay in just his second season. The mid/forward embodies everything that has made the Swans such a good team this year, with his pressure and ball use a feature. One suspects the Grand Final stage won’t faze him.

u Another of Sydney’s young brass who have come in and immediately looked the part. Coming off a career-best home and away season playing off half-back, Blakey could make a big impact on Grand Final day. If he can bring the defensive pressure to football’s biggest stage, it’ll go a long way to seeing the Swans emerging with their sixth premiership.

LANCE

u The superstar Swan delivered the best news possible for Sydney fans announcing earlier in the week he would play on in the red and white for another season. As he pointed out, it took the focus off him, and he and his teammates can now concentrate on the job at hand. He was beaten by Steven May in the qualifying final, but was dangerous in the preliminary final. He’s certainly no stranger to the big stage.

u Part of a group of young players who have burst on to the scene in the past couple of seasons, McInerney is a running machine on the wing. He has built on his breakout 2021 season with another consistent year, averaging 18 disposals and providing outside run and polished delivery inside 50. One of several rising stars who efficiently go about their business, regardless of the occasion or the opponent.

u At just 22, the Swans full-back is cool under any situation, combining with off-season acquisition and older brother Paddy and wily veteran Dane Rampe to create a formidable tall defensive trio. Started his career up forward, but has clearly found his calling preventing goals rather than kicking them. Wears his opponent like a glove and forms a key part of a defensive unit that bends but never breaks.

u The ruckman has been a revelation since moving to Sydney at the start of 2021, with his arrival coinciding with the Swans’ rise up the ladder. A solid tap ruckman, Hickey’s best work comes around the ground with his ability to pick up high disposal numbers as well as clearances. Was impressive in Sydney’s qualifying final win against Melbourne and will need to have another big day.

PADDY

u The 23-year-old has been a big improver since arriving at the club in the 2018 Rookie Draft. A forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck, Amartey could add more aerial power to a strong Swans line-up if he gets an unlikely call-up. Can cause the opposition some problems inside 50 with his height and athleticism. Did not make the Swans’ final squad despite being in the frame if Sam Reid didn’t get up.

u The medium defender has been impressive for the Swans post the bye in 2022 with his desperate efforts becoming a hallmark of the Sydney side. The 29-year-old embodied the surging Swans in the last term of the qualifying final win over Melbourne, with his desperate double effort to smother a certain Jake Melksham goal sealing the win for his team. John Longmire will have full faith in his man to get the job done again. LLOYD

u The key defender has been reborn as a Swan in 2022 after overcoming the concussion battles that plagued his time at St Kilda. The former No. 1 draft pick started his career as a forward, but has developed into one of the game’s best key defenders, alongside his younger brother Tom. With safe hands and a high football IQ, McCartin has been a big reason for Sydney’s surge up the ladder.

u The former rookie has been one of the AFL’s most dependable defenders since making his debut for the Swans in 2014, with his elite ball use helping set his side up from half-back. Will play his 200th game on Grand Final day, and the Swans will look to him to get their attack going from kick-ins or exiting the defensive 50. His lethal right boot could have a big say in proceedings.

No. NAME CLUB/S

No. NAME CLUB/S

1 Koen Sanchez East Fremantle

2 C am Nyko Eastern Ranges

3 L uamon Lual GWV Rebels

4 D arcy Wilson Murray Bushrangers

5 M ahmoud Taha C alder Cannons

6 J ack Delean South Adelaide

7 A rchie Roberts Sandringham Dragons

8 N athan Philactides Oakleigh Chargers

9 A lex Holt Sturt

10 L uca Slade Sturt

11 C olby McKercher Tasmania Devils/Launceston

13 J ack Callinan Tasmania Devils/Clarence

14 C lay Hall Peel Thunder

15 M ichael Rudd Geelong Falcons

16 K ane McAuliffe North Adelaide

17 S am Frangalas Dandenong Stingrays

18 H arry Francis Glenelg

19 C onnor O’Sullivan Murray Bushrangers

20 W ill Graham Gold Coast Suns Academy/Palm Beach Currumbin

21 C oen Livingstone Perth

22 D aniel Curtin Claremont

23 B rad McDonald Brisbane Lions Academy/Maroochydore

27 J ed Walter Gold Coast Suns Academy/Palm Beach Currumbin

28 Ethan Read Gold Coast Suns Academy/Palm Beach Currumbin

NAB AFL Futures

u The NAB AFL Under-17 Futures match showcases the next generation of AFL stars, with all players turning 17 in 2022 and eligible to be drafted in 2023.

This game had been played annually and returns to the MCG on Grand Final day after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

It provides AFL club recruiting personnel and fans the chance to see future stars on show as part of our game’s biggest day.

This year’s teams have been named after retired AFL stars Carlton’s Marc Murphy and Richmond’s Bachar Houli.

Many of these players were prominent in this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships as bottom-aged players and others have

emerged from all states and territories as AFL prospects.

A medal will be presented to the best player on the ground on behalf of NAB and the teams compete for the Kevin Sheehan Trophy, named after the AFL’s talent ambassador who has spent more than 40 years developing talent in Australia and abroad.

The game will be streamed live on afl.com.au

2022 BROWNLOW MEDAL

CRIPPS CLAIMS

MEDAL IN A THRILLER

ASHLEY BROWNE

What could one of the greatest seasons do for an encore? How about one of the most thrilling Brownlow Medal counts in recent memory.

Carlton’s Patrick Cripps polled 29 votes to win on the final vote of the night, in a count artfully called by outgoing AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

The 27-year-old finished one vote clear of former winner Lachie Neale (28 votes) and Gold Coast’s Touk Miller (27) in the first count held in Melbourne since 2019.

Cripps was best on ground in the final game of the season, Carlton’s heartbreaking one-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG, which knocked the Blues out of the finals after being in the eight all season.

The win was not without controversy given that Cripps was suspended for the last two games after head-high contact with Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee in round 21, but the Blues successfully challenged it at the AFL Appeals Board, which allowed him to keep playing.

But as one of the premier midfielders of the past few seasons, and for so long one of the few beacons of hope for a struggling Carlton side, he was a worthy and popular winner.

The game that actually clinched the Brownlow for Cripps was against Adelaide in round 20.

The Blues lost to the Crows at Adelaide Oval by 29 points in an abjectly disappointing performance. But Cripps was incredible, with 41 disposals and 12 clearances.

All up, he averaged 28.1 disposals, five tackles and 7.8 clearances this season to become the first Carlton player to win the Brownlow since Chris Judd in 2010.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Cripps said after being presented with the medal.

He had arrived back from the Greek Islands only a few hours before the count, which was brought forward by a night because of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last Monday night.

“I loved footy growing up as a kid, and I still remember being at boarding school back in WA, and I used to always ask my mum, ‘Make sure you sign me out, give me leave on Brownlow night’, because I used to love watching it,” he said.

“My older brother Daniel used to sign me out and we always used to watch it together … I can’t put it into words at the moment, but it’s a massive honour and I’m absolutely pumped.

“My parents, my brothers, they mean everything to me, but most importantly my fiancée Mon (Monique Fontana).

“They’re all the backbone of what I do, and you can’t play high-level sport without a good backbone.”

In other awards given out last Sunday night, Port Adelaide forward Mitch Georgiades won Mark of the Year and Essendon ruckman Sam Draper won Goal of the Year for his effort against Gold Coast in round 18.

Geelong skipper Joel Selwood won the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

BITTERSWEET:

EPIC GRAND FINAL MOMENTS

Given how high the stakes are, it is no wonder Grand Final day has produced some epic moments.

Over the past 40 years, we have seen some outstanding team and individual efforts on the biggest day of all – and over the past few months we have relived them in a special AFL Record feature.

Each week, we brought you four Grand Finals, taking you through to the finishing point in 2021 when Melbourne ended a long drought.

It was a remarkable peformance from the Demons who last won a premiership in 1964 when the majority of Melbourne supporters weren’t even born!

We revisit that game and feature the star of the show – Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca.

2021 MELBOURNE 21.14 (140)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 10.6 (66)

u Melbourne ended a 57-year premiership drought to claim its 13th flag with a 74-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in an all-Victorian Grand Final at Optus Stadium in Perth. After jumping to a 21-point lead at quarter-time, the Demons were hauled in during the second term and the Bulldogs enjoyed an eight-point buffer at half-time. But incredibly Melbourne kicked 16 of the last 17 goals. Bayley Fritsch booted six goals – the most since Crows star Darren Jarman kicked six in the 1997 decider. The star of the show was Norm Smith Medal winner Christian Petracca, who gathered an equal-Grand Final record 39 disposals.

NORM SMITH MEDAL

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA

u Melbourne’s 74-point thrashing of the Western Bulldogs was highlighted by one of the best individual performances seen in a premiership decider. Christian Petracca had 39 disposals, matched only by Brisbane’s Simon Black in 2003. Throw two goals, 11 inside 50s, four tackles, three marks and 15 score involvements into the mix and the magnitude of his contribution on the night is clear. “We created history,” he roared jubilantly, eyes moistened after the game. So too were those of hundreds of thousands of fellow Demons around Australia and all over the world after watching their side end a 57-year premiership drought. Take a bow Christian Petracca.

end of season trip

The Sydney Swans’ thrilling 10-point Grand Final victory summed them up as a team and a club: resilient, resourceful, tireless and as selfless as any that has graced the game.

Against a highly-favoured Hawthorn that was widely regarded as far more talented, the Swans appeared in trouble at a couple of critical junctures. But as great sides have a habit of doing, they just kept finding a way until they conquered.

In front of a crowd of 99,683, the Hawks kicked the last three goals

of the opening term to lead by 19 points at the first change – and the deficit actually flattered the Swans. Hawthorn dominated to such an extent that it looked like the game could be over by half-time.

In the first half-hour, the Swans had placed an extra man in defence in an unsuccessful attempt to stifle Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, but this allowed Hawks defenders Josh Gibson and Luke Hodge to do as they pleased. Thereafter, Sydney generally went seven on seven in attack.

The tactic had immediate and devastating results with the Swans piling on 8.1 while their No. 1 rated defence restricted the competition’s most potent attack to just two behinds. The Swans had opened up a 28-point lead midway through the third term.

Sydney’s single miss in this period was a left-foot snap from Josh Kennedy, the former Hawk, who hit the post while attempting his third goal. With a little luck, the Swans could have been 33 points clear.

Amazingly, just 10 minutes into the third quarter they reached their average tackle count of 72. (They finished with a phenomenal 110.) This also kept the Hawks’ uncontested marks and disposal efficiency to season-low tallies.

Just as remarkably, the Swans kept Hawthorn goalless for a 44-minute period.

Then the momentum of the game swung violently once again. In fact, it seemed to depend on which team was kicking towards the city end, where 19 of the 25 goals were scored.

The Hawks rattled on the next five goals in the space of just 10 minutes to snatch a four-point lead late in the quarter.

Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh converted from a 50m penalty – the result of an uncharacteristically sloppy effort by Hawks star Sam Mitchell – but Hawthorn still managed to skip away to a 12-point lead in the last quarter and threatened to run away.

Franklin had the chance to extend the advantage to 17 points but missed. Opposed to Ted Richards, who had enjoyed great success on him in their previous two encounters, the game’s best forward had nine shots at goal, but blazed 3.4 and two out of bounds on the full.

The Swans continued to breathe –barely – and then began to power. Despite being unlucky not to receive several free kicks in a five-minute period midway through the final term, they managed to get seven points clear following goals to Daniel Hannebery on the run, Kieren Jack from a dreadful Hawthorn error in the goalsquare and co-captain Adam Goodes with a brilliant, bouncing snap.

The Hawks added three behinds – including one from a regulation opportunity for Jack Gunston, whose season tally from set shots had been 29.5 – to claw back within four points.

The sealer came with just 34 seconds remaining when defender Nick Malceski snapped truly. The left-footer had bobbed up to slot the Swans’ first and last goals.

Despite finishing well behind in many key statistical categories, including 43-61 in inside-50s –Sydney won its fifth premiership, and its second in seven years.

The Norm Smith Medal was awarded to Ryan O’Keefe, who amassed 28 disposals and limited Mitchell’s effectiveness after quarter-time.

In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to his football “brothers” and exhorted them to “run amok”.

Hannebery was probably the next-best afield with a team-high 29 touches. As he received his premiership medal, he leaned into the microphone and exclaimed: “How good is it?”

Veteran Jude Bolton – one of just four Swans to remain from the 2005 triumph (with Goodes, O’Keefe and Lewis Roberts-Thomson) had shown extraordinary courage and toughness to play with partial tears in both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee, which he suffered in round 19 against Carlton. Many players would not have made it back, but Bolton missed just three games and was a typically blood-and-guts competitor.

When he was introduced to the crowd, fans screamed “Juuuuude!” On the dais he roared: “This is for the Bloods again!” Of course, he was referring to the legendary ethos of all-for-one-and-one-for-all that has been so critical to the club’s success over the past decade.

Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, in a raspy voice that amplified the struggle, then told his teammates over the microphone: “Any time, anywhere, we did it. This is going to be the best month of our lives.”

McVeigh has been through enormous upheaval in his person life over the past 12 months. Last year, he and wife Clementine suffered the tragic loss of baby daughter Luella. This year has been far better, bringing with it another daughter, Lolita, and his first premiership. But had the Swans lost, he would have coped better than most. After all, he’s been through infinitely worse.

PURE ECSTASY: Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh’s delight is obvious aftter a stunning Grand Final win.

McVeigh and coach John Longmire received the premiership cup from much-loved Swans great Bob Skilton.

As the Swans gathered for the premiership photo on the dais, the paparazzi appeared to miss an emotional moment as Josh Kennedy shared a lingering embrace with his grandfather, John Kennedy snr.

The Kennedy name is revered at Hawthorn. Kennedy snr coached the club to its first three premierships. John Kennedy jnr – Josh’s father –was a four-time premiership player and is now the president of the club’s past players association.

Young Josh left the club of his birth in pursuit of opportunity after playing just 13 games in two seasons and being told he couldn’t be guaranteed a game.

Three years later, he has won a club best and fairest, All-Australian selection, a reputation as one of the best inside players in the game, and now a premiership at the expense of his former club.

And he was an influential player on the day with 26 possessions and two goals, proving the catalyst for strong starts to the second and third terms.

Another great name of a rival club has also flourished with the Swans. Rhyce Shaw’s father Ray and uncle Tony both captained Collingwood (the latter led the Pies to the 1990 flag), and his brother Heath was part of the

club’s 2010 premiership side. But he needed a change and the Harbour City represented a footballing refuge at the opposite end of the hype spectrum to Collingwood.

Shaw finally exorcised his demons of the 2003 Grand Final. In his fourth season with the Swans, Shaw has become the club’s best rebounding defender with his pace and daring.

Key forward Sam Reid also joins his Magpie brother Ben as a premiership player. They had played on each other in the previous week’s preliminary final. After struggling for form recently, the youngster claimed several contested marks in the Grand Final.

One of the greatest stories has been Canadian rugby union convert Mike Pyke. With the promise of rain, there was talk Pyke might be left out of the team for balance. But he remained in the side and made an enormous impact.

Pyke’s senior ruck partner Shane Mumford missed out on a premiership at Geelong in 2009, but has largely carried the Swans’ big-man department for the past three years.

Another Swan with a rugby (league) pedigree is Kieren Jack – the son of former Australian representative Garry Jack – who has also come a long way since being slammed for his disposal early in his career. He was one of five

MAKING HIS OWN NAME: Josh Kennedy’s grandfather and father are revered at the Hawks, but the tough midfielder was influential with 26 touches and two goals in the Swans’ triumph (top); John Longmire (above) masterminded the victory to put an exclamation mark on Sydney’s superbly executed coaching succession plan.

Swans to chime in with two goals in the Grand Final.

The Swans did not get any majors out of Lewis Jetta – the club’s leading goalkicker this season with 45. And he had just 12 kicks for the afternoon. But it seemed every time the electrifying Jetta touched the ball, something happened. His long, bouncing run from defence, leaving Hawk speedster Cyril Rioli in his wake, is certain to become part of Grand Final folklore. He is a special talent.

An unlikely hero was former West Coast and Richmond discard Mitch Morton. During the Grand Final parade the previous day, he volunteered: “Some bloke just said I’m the luckiest man in the world –and I tend to agree.”

Morton, who was traded to the Swans for a pick Richmond did not even use, played his first game for his new club in round 21 and always appeared on the brink of losing his spot. But in the Grand Final he kicked two goals – both from neat snaps – and kept a crucial ball alive in the final term that resulted in a goal to Jack.

At the opposite end of the food chain, Goodes is now a dual premiership player to go with his two Brownlow Medals status, He has improved his leadership to a point where he has earned universal respect from the football world.

Great team success is always built on great individual success, and inspiring personal stories.

None have been bigger than Longmire, who replaced Roos just two years ago as part of a superbly executed succession plan.

His peers voted him the AFL Coaches’ Association coach of the year – and it is little wonder. Longmire took the Swans to a premiership against seemingly overwhelming odds. Indeed, it was one of the most unexpected triumphs in recent memory.

Such assessments do not denigrate the Swans or their achievement. On the contrary, in fact – they highlight a monumental feat in the history of the game.

Longmire’s first-up effort last year to finish sixth was seen as admirable rather than a portent of the glory that was to follow just 12 months later.

The Swans won their first five games by an average of 34 points before losing three of their next four. Then they won nine in a row by an average of 46 points, before again losing three of their next four.

They still had the double chance, but there were indications they might again be among the also-rans in September. The finals presented another series of Everest-like challenges for the Swans. Remarkably, they overcame

longstanding hoodoos in three successive finals.

Sydney had won just one of its previous nine games against Adelaide, but defeated the Crows by 29 points at AAMI Stadium in the qualifying final.

Its preliminary final opponent, Collingwood, had beaten the Swans 11 successive times, seven times at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

But the Swans led from start to finish in a comprehensive 26-point victory – a margin that flattered the 2010 premier.

It was a great omen. The previous time Sydney had beaten the Magpies – in round 13 of 2005 – it went on to win the premiership.

In the Grand Final, the Swans had the dual problem of trying to overcome a mighty opponent and their dismal record at the MCG. All they had to show from their previous nine games on the hallowed turf was a measly draw.

In stark contrast, the Hawks had played 15 times at the MCG this season and won eight of their previous nine games at the ground.

Hawthorn deserved premiership favouritism after easily being the AFL’s best side from round 10 onwards. It won 14 of its next 15 games (including the first eight in succession by an average of 81 points).

Some bloke said I’m the luckiest man in the world –and I tend to agree

MITCH MORTON

UNLIKELY HEROES: West Coast and Richmond discard Mitch Morton (above) kicked two vital goals, while Canadian rugby union convert Mike Pyke (right) made an enormous impact in the ruck.

The Grand Final combatants had previously produced two wildly fluctuating contests this season.

In their first clash – at Aurora Stadium in Launceston in round five – the Swans trailed by 22 points in the second quarter before piling on 11 of the next 13 goals to storm to a 37-point victory.

It was the day Sydney announced itself as a premiership contender.

The Swans rose to the top of the ladder and stayed there for seven weeks until Hawthorn pipped them at the SCG in a top-of-the-table clash in round 22.

In a thriller, Sydney led by 38 points midway through the second term only to go down by seven points.

Five weeks later, the roles were reversed yet again in one of the truly great Grand Finals.

THE FINAL SIREN:

As the Hawks slump in despair (above), it’s party time for the Swans and their loyal fans (below).

When Longmire took over from Paul Roos as Swans coach at the end of the 2010 season, most assumed he had inherited a team in decline.

In hindsight, he had inherited a team indeed, an entire football department, that had been conditioned to remain competitive, even in the most testing times.

Such was – and is – Roos’ legacy and the Bloods ethos.

Of course, Longmire was intimately involved in establishing such things, having been an assistant to Roos for the best part of a decade.

But, when the coaching succession plan came into effect, the consensus view was the Swans would struggle.

After winning the premiership in 2005 and finishing runner-up the following year, they had dropped off the pace.

In 2009, they finished 12th, missing the finals for the first time in seven years (since their turbulent 2002 season when Rodney Eade was sacked mid-season and replaced by Roos). Injuries had been costly, but many believed

the slump was inevitable after the team had defied gravity for so long by stringing together so many September campaigns.

Predictably, most wrote off Sydney for 2010, but Roos conjured an unlikely finals appearance in his last season, and even came within a goal of a preliminary final berth.

The gloomy forecast had nought to do with Longmire’s appointment. First and foremost, the Swans appeared to have major personnel issues.

At the time, some speculated that Bolton was past his best at 30. Goodes was showing no signs of slowing down but would be 31 before he next played, and the club’s other major star, O’Keefe, would be 30.

This was in addition to the fact that, in the last three seasons of the Roos era, the Swans lost a raft of premiership players, including Barry Hall and Darren Jolly in trades and Brett Kirk, Michael O’Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch to retirement.

And in the first season of Longmire’s reign, defenders Craig Bolton and Tadhg Kennelly also hung up their boots.

They weren’t just terrific players but respected leaders and strong personalities who were crucial to the dynamics of the playing group. They had set standards and then exceeded them.

Spiritually, the biggest loss was Kirk, who had long been the heartbeat of the club with his fanatically focused yet holistic approach driving the Bloods culture.

Such a mass exodus would have left a gaping hole in many playing lists and required a considerable recovery time.

But the Swans have made a mockery of the theory clubs need to bottom out in order to rise again, believing it possible to remain in the finals mix through constant, subtle regeneration.

In any case, they could not afford to bottom out in the Sydney market, where a slump could have a huge bearing on sponsorship, membership and the general growth of the club, its brand and that of the AFL. These pressures only intensified with the addition of a cross-town rival, Greater Western Sydney.

Sydney’s remarkable capacity to remain competitive over the past decade has become part of the club’s DNA. The key figures have been Roos and Longmire, who, between them, have taken the Swans to nine of the past 10 finals series for three Grand Finals, two flags and a third placing.

2012 AFL GRAND FINAL IN DETAIL

SYDNEY SWANS 10.5

HAWTHORN .5 4.6 9.10

BEST: Sydney Swans – O’Keefe Hannebury Kennedy, McVeigh, Jetta, Goodes. Hawthorn – Franklin,Sewell, Burgoyne, Mitchell, Breust, Hale.

GOALS: Sydney Swans – Jack 2, Kennedy 2, Malceski 2, McVeigh 2, Morton 2, Goodes, Hannebury, Reid, Roberts-Thomson. Hawthorn – Franklin 3, Breust 2, Gunston 2, Hale 2, Ellis, Smith.

UMPIRES: Brett Rosebury, Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith

CROWD: 99,683 at the MCG

NORM SMITH MEDAL: Ryan O’Keefe

JOCK McHALE MEDAL: John Longmire

SYDNEY’ GRAND FINAL STATISTICS

PlayerKHDMHOTFFFAGBAF

Craig Bird 10 9 19 4060201 79

Jude Bolton 67 13 2070000 66

Adam Goodes 77 14 2060010 71

Heath Grundy 77 14 3020300 43

Daniel Hannebery 12 17 29 4050010 108

Kieren Jack 95 14 3091220 89

Lewis Jetta 12 0 12 3011101 48

Alex Johnson 10 5 15 4030001 65

Nick Malceski 14 3 17 2070120 91

Martin Mattner 56 11 1060100 51

Jarrad McVeigh 17 4 21 7092120 127

Mitch Morton 65 11 2040120 59

Shane Mumford 3362 14 31200 42

Ryan O’Keefe 15 13 28 30 15 0000 140

Josh Kennedy 14 1226 2040321 92

Luke Parker 2130021100 14

Mike Pyke 79 16 6 29 32000 100

Sam Reid 67 13 3030011 60

Ted Richards 74 11 2050100 52

Lewis Roberts-Thomson 68 14 7142111 78

Rhyce Shaw 96 15 3020000 56

Nick Smith 65 11 4040100 53

TOTALS190143333694411010211461584

TEAMS AS SELECTED

SYDNEY SWANS

B: Shaw, Richards, Mattner

HB: Johnson, Grundy, Smith

C: Jetta, Jack, McVeigh

HF: O’Keefe, Reid, Bird

F: Pyke, Goodes, Roberts-Thomson

R: Mumford, Kennedy, Bolton

I/C: Malceski, Hannebury, Morton

SUB: Parker

EM: Armstrong, Dennis-Lane, Walsh

HAWTHORN

B: Birchall, Gibson, Stratton

HB: Suckling, Schoenmakers, Burgoyne

C: Lewis, Mitchell, Smith

HF: Breust, Franklin, Gunston

F: Rioli, Roughead, Puopolo

R: Hale, Hodge, Sewell

I/C: Ellis, Young, Shiels

SUB: Savage

EM: Bailey, Cheney, Murphy

What makes this all the more remarkable is that Longmire was an accidental coach.

If he had not missed the 1996 premiership with North Melbourne, Longmire might never have coached.

That year, while recovering from a second knee reconstruction, he assisted Denis Pagan in the coach’s box. It was the first time he had contemplated coaching.

Longmire also missed the 1998 Grand Final (which North lost), and regards himself as lucky to play in the 1999 premiership side (his last match) after battling more injuries. He believes such experiences help him empathise with players who encounter hardship.

A player’s man at heart, he was vice-president of the AFL Players’ Association for three years and also headed up IMG’s AFL division as a player agent. He had a broad perspective of the football industry before he even pursued coaching.

Longmire – who spent the first 16 years of his life on a grain farm near Corowa in the Riverina district of New South Wales joined the Swans as an assistant coach at the end of 2001.

He was keen to work under Eade, whose more instinctive approach contrasted with Pagan’s structured regime.

Before then, Longmire had hardly known fellow assistant Roos. But they quickly, fatefully, became entwined.

Midway through their first season together, Eade was sacked and Roos took over as caretaker coach.

Longmire was uncertain about his future. Of course, Roos won the job,

and so started a long and successful relationship between the coach and his most trusted assistant.

The pair clicked immediately. In many ways they were similar in personality – driven, forward-thinking, tough when required, but down-to-earth.

Longmire also became a convert to Roos’ football philosophies, which revolved around winning contested possessions, defence, competitiveness and continual improvement.

Longmire was particularly taken with Roos’s insistence on giving players a say, and some responsibility, rather than simply imposing discipline upon them. This led to the creation of the Bloods culture.

The succession plan was the result of a combination of factors: Roos feeling as though he had had enough of coaching, along with a wish to devote more time to family matters, and a determination to ensure Longmire was not lost to the Swans.

They had almost lost him once, at the end of 2006, when he came close to getting the St Kilda coaching job, which was won by fellow Swans assistant coach Ross Lyon.

The handover was as seamless as could be imagined. Of course, the key was Longmire had been an integral part of the Swans’ coaching panel for 10 seasons (including the last four as senior assistant and coaching coordinator), the players loved and respected him, and he had been exposed to more on-the-job training than your typical, so-called rookie coach.

During NAB Cup campaigns, Longmire would coach the side under Roos’ supervision.

During home and away matches, Roos began coaching from the interchange bench so he could deliver messages faster and have more one-on-one contact with players.

Of course, this would not have even been a consideration if Roos did not have complete faith in Longmire’s ability to coordinate operations from the coach’s box.

Such trust was also obvious when Roos gave Longmire the responsibility of running the Swans’ pre-Christmas training programs. (This also allowed Roos and his family to spend time in the United States with his wife Tammy’s family.)

The decision to rubber-stamp the succession plan was basically a no-brainer for the Sydney board, which found the continuity of a competitive system appealing. Their replacement coach would basically be a younger version of Roos.

BLOOD AND GUTS: Veteran Jude Bolton and Kieren Jack soak up that winning feeling.

AS GOODES AS IT GETS: Co-captain Adam Goodes added another chapter to his remarkable career with his second premiership. They have made a mockery of the theory clubs need to bottom out

In the latter stages of the Roos reign, Longmire’s apprenticeship became even more comprehensive as he worked even closer with Roos and spent more time liaising with the club’s medicos, fitness staff and board members.

He was also given a greater say in key decisions, including those relating to recruiting – and this is where the club has been able to maintain its proud finals status.

The Swans have identified the talent, secured via the draft or in trade periods, embraced it with their culture, and nurtured and refined it with quality coaching.

Trading for Kennedy, Mumford, Shaw, Ben McGlynn and Matter, for little outlay, have proved to be master strokes.

Critically, they have also injected speedy, skilful players such as McGlynn and youngsters Jetta, Trent Dennis-Lane and Gary Rohan to complement their abundance of inside players with damaging outside run.

Through the draft and rookie system, they have also added the likes of Reid, Jack, Pyke,

Hannebery, Craig Bird, Nick Smith, Alex Johnson and Luke Parker –each of whom have found niches in the line-up and helped create list depth.

Consequently, Longmire’s first two seasons have resulted in a sixth placing and now a premiership.

Craig Bolton believes minor adjustments have brought about major improvement.

“They have shown great foresight to identify areas of weakness and trade and recycle players to address those deficiencies,” he said.

“The planning had already begun when ‘Roosy’ was there to introduce more speed into the side.

“But ‘Horse’ (Longmire) has been extraordinary in the way he’s kept the best of the old, with the emphasis on contested ball and defensive stuff, while making this new game style work by capitalising on the offensive flair of the quicker players.”

Also critical has been the caring-and-sharing way in which the Swans welcome new players into the fold. Longmire’s inclusive approach can be traced back to the

“Just because you’re in a city with a couple of million people doesn’t mean you don’t get lonely,” Kennedy would say.

This remains applicable to Longmire, with the vast majority of his players hailing from outside New South Wales. He is conscious of providing newcomers with a support network.

Bolton, who found his way to the Swans from the Brisbane Lions, believes this “strong cultural base” assisted his transition.

It is a culture that players who have joined from other clubs regard as the strongest they have experienced.

“There are clear expectations,” he said. “The club expects success, and, to get there, a series of things have to happen, which aren’t just on-field things.

“That’s been firmly instilled in the playing group for a long time now, and it gives them a solid base to work from. It’s a real driving factor.

It is an environment that is the envy of their rivals.

CHEER, CHEER THE RED AND THE WHITE: Club stalwart Ken Williams leads the Swans in a rousing rendition of the club song.

great John Kennedy snr, his first coach at North Melbourne.

They have shown great foresight to identify areas of weakness

FORMER SWAN CRAIG BOLTON

Richmond has won its 11th premiership and all the misfortune of the past 37 years can finally be sealed in a casket and buried deep underground, somewhere in Yarra Park.

Let’s roll call these Tiger misdeeds one last time because Richmond supporters can now shrug their shoulders and laugh.

For any Tiger fan aged 45 or under, these are no longer the defining moments of their lives in yellow and black.

Losing the 1982 Grand Final to the hated Carlton and then have two of their best players, David Cloke and Geoff Raines, depart for Collingwood.

Richmond poached Phil Walsh from the Magpies a year later and the trading war between the two clubs that ensued nearly sent both clubs to the wall. Only the ‘Save Our Skins’ campaign at the end of 1990, spearheaded by club president Neville Crowe, saved the Tigers from going under. Richmond’s troubles at the time saw club legend Kevin Bartlett sacked as coach and he stayed away from the club for the next 15 years.

The Tigers made the preliminary final in 1995 with a talented young squad. But a contractual dispute with coach John Northey – a galvanising figure at the club – saw him depart and the

reluctant Robert Walls brought in. Walls was gone within two seasons and Richmond was stuck in the middle of the ladder for years afterwards.

u The Tigers lost the preliminary final in 2001 under Danny Frawley and mistakenly thought they were still poised to win the premiership. They opted out of the deepest draft in history and instead topped up with recycled players such as Paul Hudson, Greg Stafford and Adam Houlihan.

u The debacle that was the 2004 draft. The Tigers had five picks inside the first 20 and after doing well with the No. 1 pick, Brett Deledio, who played 243 games, the remainder – Richard Tambling (pick four), Danny Meyer (12), Adam Pattison (16) and Dean Polo (20) – played just 242 games between them at Richmond.

For so long Richmond was considered a basket case and the butt of many a footy joke. But the Tigers reigned supreme, turning a 13th-place finish in 2016 into a premiership 12 months later.

ASHLEY BROWNE

HOW THE FLAG WAS WON

The selection of Tambling over Lance Franklin was seen as symptomatic of a club that was regarded for many years as a lightweight of the competition.

Certainly, those who worked in the football department at the time would tell you how under-resourced the club was, but irrespective, the Tigers were famous for stuffing up the draft.

In 1987, Richard Lounder was the poster boy for failed No. 1 draft picks after playing just four senior games, but they also missed badly in 1999 when they took Aaron Fiora immediately ahead of Matthew Pavlich and in 2005 when they took Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls one selection before Mitch Clark.

What with the revolving door of coaches after the 1980 premiership win (the Tigers changed coaches six times in that decade alone), a bunch of near misses that

for a time spawned the name ‘Ninthmond’ and various other false dawns, it is little wonder Richmond supporters became the most downtrodden in the AFL and the whipping boys for fans of just about every other club.

They stayed loyal though, and the Tigers’ attendances remained impressive despite year after year of disappointment.

But the hurt was there and would sometimes spill over with episodes such as membership cards being microwaved and truckloads of manure being dumped outside the front door of the club’s Punt Rd offices in the wake of bad defeats.

The travails of the Richmond faithful have always made for entertaining content for neutrals.

Talkback callers such as ‘Mario from Doncaster’ and ‘Trout from Woodend’ light up SEN 1116 after great wins, but they were in even

LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS: The Tigers had not experienced premiership success since the 1980 team trounced Collingwood.

DESPERATE TIMES: Former Richmond star and publican Brian ‘Whale’ Roberts lends a hand to the Save Our Skins campaign with Tigers supporter Geoff Brown in 1990 (above); and coach Terry Wallace with 2004 draftees Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling and Danny Meyer.

better form after defeats. The same with Mick Molloy on radio and Matthew Richardson on television.

However, since the turn of the century, Richmond was a more stable club than given credit for.

The Tigers finally put the chaos and the ‘rule by fear and intimidation’ of the 1980s and ’90s behind them.

Ian Wilson and Graeme Richmond delivered five premierships to the club between 1967 and 1980 with their ruthless, authoritarian management style, helped by a great playing list and some excellent coaching from Tom Hafey and Tony Jewell,

but the Tigers’ way of doing things soon became outdated and the problem for the club was that it took the best part of 20 years to work it out.

The Tigers have had just three presidents, four chief executives and three permanent coaches over the past 18 years.

Frawley and Terry Wallace were given five years each as coach, while Damien Hardwick has just completed his eighth season in charge.

The Wallace era was disappointing. His appointment at the end of 2004 was hailed as

The club was in a pretty good place

a coup for the Tigers given his work at the Western Bulldogs, who he turned into regular finalists. Wallace asked for five years and lasted four-and-a-half.

Slashing wins such as his coaching master class against flag favourite Adelaide in 2006 and a comfortable win over premiership-bound Hawthorn in 2008 were juxtaposed by the 157-point loss to Geelong in 2007, which kick-started the Cats’ golden era and cast the first doubts over whether Wallace could deliver Richmond the goods.

And Wallace’s cards were marked for good after the opening round of 2009.

The Tigers had recruited the brilliant but troubled Ben Cousins, after his ‘gap year’ to deal with his drug addiction issues.

They drew 87,043 against Carlton, the largest crowd of the 12 season-openers between the clubs, but Cousins shredded his hamstring and the Blues won by 83 points.

It was a hugely deflating night for Richmond, all the optimism surrounding the club disappeared in an instant and, by mid-season, Wallace was gone and the club was back to square one.

SLOW BURN: Damien Hardwick won just six games in his first season in 2010.

GUIDING LIGHT: Peggy O’Neal became the first female president of an AFL club in 2014.

FOOTBALL BOSS NEIL BALME

STRONG AND BOLD: The MCG was a sea of yellow and black as the new breed of Tigers put the Crows to the sword.

The Tigers entered 2010 with a new look and with some new messaging.

Brendon Gale, the popular shaggy-haired 244-game key forward for the club, had returned as chief executive after an impressive five-year stint running the AFL Players Association.

Hardwick was the new coach, joining the club after 153 games and a flag as a player with Essendon and 54 games and another flag with Port Adelaide.

He had leapt straight into coaching at the end of his playing career and was an understudy to Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn where he was part of yet another premiership in 2008.

The mandate was clear. The Tigers were in for yet another rebuild, only this time the clock would not be ticking. Hardwick would be given all the time he needed and the club exercised patience. It would take as long as it took.

Indeed, it took 10 games for the first win, a 47-point victory over Port Adelaide in the slop of AAMI Stadium, in a performance marked by 142 effective tackles.

The improvement came, but there were setbacks along the way. This is Richmond that we’re talking about after all; it was never going to be smooth sailing and there were more ‘cover-your-eyes’ moments to come.

In 2012, the Tigers were in the finals mix, but coughed up two goals to lowly Gold Coast in the final half a minute (described by commentator Paul Roos as the worst 30 seconds of football in living memory) to lose by two points in Cairns. AFL convert Karmichael Hunt kicked the winner after the final siren.

In 2013, Richmond broke through to make the finals and did so again the next two years. But the Tigers were knocked out in the elimination final each time.

In 2013, they squandered a 32-point lead in the third quarter to lose to Carlton, while two years later they were out-hunted by North Melbourne and lost by 17 points. Hardwick’s post-game review was so brutal, it could be heard through the thick walls of the MCG dressing rooms.

And 2016? Well, that was a disaster. Eight wins, 13th place and a funereal mood around the club come the end

There is a calmness when he speaks

PEGGY O’NEAL ON NEIL BALME

of the season. Hardwick survived a searching review of football operations, perhaps only because he had two years remaining on his contract. But there was plenty of traffic nevertheless in and out of the football department.

Blake Caracella came across from Geelong as a senior assistant coach, while the popular Justin Leppitsch returned after three years as senior coach with the Brisbane Lions.

However, the key acquisition Neil Balme as general manager of football. A hero at Richmond through 159 games over 10 years, including the 1973 and 1974 flags, Balme coached at Norwood and Melbourne, but found his post-football niche as an administrator at Collingwood, Geelong and then at the Magpies once more.

The Tigers had been keen to bring him home for years and watched with a degree

of envy as he played a key part in three flags at Geelong between 2007 and 2011 as that club’s head of football.

“There is calmness and experience when he speaks,” Richmond president Peggy O’Neal told AFL.com.au during the finals.

“When he came to the club, we were all pretty down and he made us feel better about ourselves straight away. He said, ‘I don’t think you’re that far away.’”

Balme was happy to be home. He was itching to become a Tiger again, but the opportunity had to be right. And he liked what he saw.

“The club was in a pretty good place and you just had to make sure it was all pulling in the right direction,” he said.

“If you looked at their personnel, people were writing them off as no good at all, but I didn’t think that was the case. They just had some work to do.”

And work they did.

CUP OF DREAMS: Tiger great Matthew Richardson presents the premiership cup to coach Damien Hardwick and skipper Trent Cotchin.

RICHMOND

ADELAIDE CROWS

BEST: Richmond – Martin, Rance, Houli, Astbury, Prestia, Edwards, Graham, Grimes. Adelaide Crows – M. Crouch, Jacobs, B. Crouch, Sloane, Laird.

GOALS: Richmond – Graham 3, Townsend 2, Martin 2, Riewoldt 2, Caddy, Houli, Grigg, Lambert, Castagna, Prestia, Butler. Adelaide Crows – Sloane 2, Walker 2, Betts, Greenwood, B. Crouch, Cameron.

UMPIRES: M. Stevic, S. Meredith, S. Ryan CROWD: 100,021 at the MCG

NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dustin Martin

JOCK McHALE MEDAL: Damien Hardwick

WINNING FEELINGE:

The change was obvious from the first day of pre-season as the Tigers moved swiftly to address an area of the game where they were deficient last season.

“We trained specifically on our tackling pressure and numbers at the football,” veteran Shane Edwards said.

“It was a shock to the system, compared to other pre-seasons where you gradually built up to those sorts of things.”

Hardwick had done plenty of thinking and had several hard conversations with those around him at the end of last season.

As he accepted the Coach of the Year award at the AFL Coaches Association Awards just days before the Grand Final, he expanded on this, saying: “I probably found out in a nutshell I was probably the worst thing for us at that stage. I spoke to a lot of people, opened myself up to the playing group and we learnt a lot from each other.

“I had no choice because we were getting smashed.”

From day one of pre-season, buoyed by a bountiful and strategic trade period that landed a new ruckman, Toby Nankervis, midfielder Dion Prestia and medium forward Josh Caddy, the mood at Richmond was entirely positive.

Whereas last year, the players checked their watches counting down the minutes until it was time to leave the club, this year it was again a fun place to be.

Hardwick had instilled an attitude of ‘nothing to lose’ and the change at the club was noticeable.

“From the first day back, there was something vibrant about the place that I wasn’t expecting, especially after 11 years,” Edwards said.

PlayerNameKHDMHOTFFFAGBAF

Dustin Martin 14 15 29 1 0 1 3 2 2 2 90

Dion Prestia 16 11 27 4 0 3 0 1 1 2 99

Bachar Houli 20 5 25 11 0 5 0 0 1 2 131

Shane Edwards 12 13 25 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 74

Kane Lambert 13 9 22 4 0 3 2 0 1 0 89

Trent Cotchin 14 7 21 4 0 4 1 0 0 0 85

Toby Nankervis 10 8 18 4 28 3 0 2 0 0 92

Shaun Grigg 10 7 17 1 0 3 2 1 1 0 64

Jack Graham 6 10 16 2 0 3 1 2 3 0 69

Nick Vlastuin 13 3 16 6 0 1 0 2 0 0 61

Brandon Ellis 10 4 14 3 0 3 1 0 0 0 60

Jack Riewoldt 11 3 14 6 0 7 1 2 2 3 95

Nathan Broad 10 3 13 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 50

Josh Caddy 9 3 12 5 0 3 2 0 1 1 69

Alex Rance 9 2 11 6 0 3 4 1 0 0 62

Daniel Rioli 9 2 11 2 0 5 2 0 0 0 59

Jason Castagna 4 6 10 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 42

Dan Butler 5 4 9 0 0 4 1 0 1 0 46

Kamdyn McIntosh 5 4 9 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 37

Jacob Townsend 4 4 8 2 0 5 3 3 2 0 52

David Astbury 4 3 7 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 15

Dylan Grimes 4 2 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 30

ADELAIDE CROWS

B: R. Laird, K. Hartigan, J. Lever

HB: P. Seedsman, D. Talia, L. Brown

C: D. Mackay, R. Sloane, R. Atkins

HF: C. Cameron, J. Jenkins, E. Betts

F: T. Lynch, T. Walker, R. Douglas

R: S. Jacobs, B. Crouch, M. Crouch

I/C: R. Knight, J. Kelly, H. Greenwood, A. Otten

EMG: W. Milera, A. Keath, R. O’Brien

RICHMOND

B: B. Ellis, A. Rance, D. Grimes

HB:, B. Houli, D. Astbury, N. Vlastuin

C: K. McIntosh, T. Cotchin, J. Townsend

HF: K. Lambert, D. Martin, J. Caddy

F: D. Butler, J. Riewoldt, D. Rioli

R: T. Nankervis, D. Prestia, S. Grigg

I/C: S. Edwards, J. Graham, N. Broad, J. Castagna

EMG: S. Hampson, C. Ellis, J. Short

“There was something different in the air and lots of positivity.”

Richmond jumped from the gate this year and won the first five games. The Anzac eve clash with Melbourne in round five was indicative of what the club could achieve.

In front of more than 85,000 fans, the Demons comfortably had more of the ball, but Richmond held the edge in the pressure and contested statistics and ultimately won the game.

“That’s the one thing I love about our group,” defender Dylan Grimes said.

“It’s the pressure and the game-plan. No one can take it away from us. We rate it really highly. We rate the little things, chases, tackles and smothers that almost go unnoticed.

“Players really started to buy into that and it made a great difference to us culturally.

“We are not the most talented list … but we fight and scrap. We’re rough around the edges. Yes, we have our superstars, but the role players are just as important.”

About those superstars.

Midfielder Dustin Martin won every media award of note, romped home to win the Brownlow Medal with 36 votes and then became the first player to land the Brownlow and Norm Smith Medal quinella.

He polled votes in 14 of the 22 games and was best-on-ground in 11 of those.

AFL legend Leigh Matthews might be right when he declared Martin had enjoyed the greatest individual season in League history.

Martin will be a Tiger for life, having signed a huge seven-year contract extension late in the season. That he put together a season for the ages while grappling with his playing future only adds to the legend.

Skipper Trent Cotchin ended last year with the retrospective awarding of the 2012 Brownlow Medal. Whether that was a contributing factor is unclear, but he took his game to another level in 2017.

There was a harder edge and he was a touch fortunate to play in the Grand Final after a bump to the head of Greater Western Sydney midfielder Dylan Shiel in the preliminary final was given the all-clear by the Match Review Panel.

CROWNING GLORY: Dustin Martin’s Norm Smith Medal and premiership medallion capped a ‘season for the ages’ in which he also won the Brownlow Medal and every media award of note.

Everyone at Richmond credits him with being the driver of elite standards at the club, and he was captured on television after the qualifying final as the last player to leave the rooms, having cleaned them up beforehand.

Called “sweeping the sheds”, it is borrowed from the ultra-successful All Blacks and has become part of the mantra at Richmond.

There is a ‘big four’ at Richmond and Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt again enjoyed great seasons. But it was the cast around Riewoldt, the ‘role players’ as Grimes described them, that were so pivotal to the Tigers this year.

Richmond lost Ty Vickery to free agency before the season and Ben Griffiths struggled for fitness and form. Hardwick was concerned

Martin had enjoyed the greatest individual season in history

AFL GREAT LEIGH MATTHEWS

at the prospect of a forward line with Riewoldt as the only tall, but Leppitsch urged him to instead see it as an opportunity.

“The game always evolves,” Leppitsch said. “We’ve got what we’ve got and it puts pressure on the opposition and, as we’ve seen in the last month, it can score.”

Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler and Jason Castagna – if they weren’t kicking goals (and at various stages through the year they all did), they were laying tackles and keeping the ball in the forward line.

It is not an entirely new strategy, but it is the first time a premiership team has boasted such a small forward line.

One of the fascinations next year will be whether Hardwick persists with this set-up, or consigns it to the dustbin of history and comes up with an entirely new structure.

But that’s for another time. Let’s celebrate this premiership, forged in large parts out of self-belief.

The Tigers of old might have crumbled following a three-match stretch between rounds seven and nine during which they lost

three games by less than a goal, with the Fremantle and GWS defeats coming in the most heart-breaking fashion imaginable.

The Tigers of new lost just three more games for the rest of the season.

“Even after losses, we never questioned anything internally,” Grimes said.

“We knew what we were and our strengths as a team.”

Those strengths delivered the Tigers a flag that few saw coming. Even those inside the club admitted that while they expected a better year – Hardwick was insistent all year the Tigers would play

finals – the top four was considered a stretch.

A flag? Not even the supreme optimists were going there.

But it truly is Tiger time. Richmond is now a behemoth, with 72,669 members and, in 2017, comfortably the most-watched team in the AFL.

The Tigers made this September one of the most memorable and enjoyable for years. Commercially, they are a powerhouse, culturally they are a leader and, on the field, they are now the best team in the competition.

THE WAIT IS OVER: Richmond fans erupt at the final siren as the Tigers’ 37-year premiership drought comes to an emphatic end.

Yellow and black? Yellow and back. are not the most talented list ... but we fight and scrap DEFENDER DYLAN GRIMES

JOEL

This year’s list of retirees is headed by two 300-game players, David Mundy and Shane Edwards.

Fremantle veteran Mundy moved into eighth place on the AFL/VFL all-time games played list during the finals, while Edwards bowed out as only the fifth Richmond player to reach 300 games. Namesakes Josh Kennedy retired having

reached similar milestones and career achievements – they both started at rival clubs and lasted only a season or two, but went on to become premiership players at West Coast and Sydney respectively. Even their games tallies are remarkably similar. We salute all retiring greats who gave the game wonderful service. FAREWELLS

IMPACT: Mundy retires as Fremantle’s games record-holder and an all-time great of the club. The 37-year-old was taken in the 2003 National Draft and leaves as one of the most consistent and reliable midfielders of his time and certainly goes out on top. His best season came in 2015, making the All-Australian team, though 2021 was equally impressive. Mundy won the Dockers’ best and fairest in 2010 and featured in the top four on 11 occasions. Defined by his skills and smoothness, Mundy was just as good at stoppages as he was in space. He joins Matthew Pavlich as the only two Dockers to play 300 games, a true accomplishment given the extra kilometres in the legs of a team travelling regularly in and out of Western Australia. Mundy captained the Dockers in 2016, serving as the mature-age bridge between Pavlich and Nat Fyfe.

I’ve grown up at the Fremantle Football Club and I’ve spent more than half of my life in WA and associated with Fremantle. The whole club integration at the moment is the best it’s ever been, I love coming to work every day and it’s meant a lot to me.

DAVID MUNDY

IMPACT: Over 16 years with the Tigers, Edwards made himself a player his teammates simply wanted next to them. He had an innate ability to find space for his teammates with slick handballs, chiselled kicks and deft tap-ons. His selflessness was a key component of what made him the player he was. The South Australian was a central yet underrated figure of the club’s three premierships between 2017 and 2020 and was second in the best and fairest in 2019, a premiership season. He was also selected in the 2018 All-Australian team. A much-loved figure at Tigerland, Edwards finished his career as one of just five Tigers who played 300 games for the club, sitting alongside Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer, Francis Bourke and teammate Jack Riewoldt.

ANDREW SLEVISON

JOSH KENNEDY

WEST COAST / CARLTON

GAMES 293 (WCE 271, Carl GOALS 723 712, Carl 11)

IMPACT: The West Coast star will go down as one of the Eagles’ greatest players, kicking 721 goals in 293 games. Kennedy started his career at Carlton after being taken with pick No. 4 in the 2005 National Draft. After kicking 11 goals in 22 games in two years with the Blues, he returned home to WA in the famous Chris Judd trade. By his fourth season at West Coast, Kennedy was one of the competition’s premier tall forwards as he earned the first of his eight club leading goalkicker awards. All-Australian honours followed in 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as Coleman Medals in 2015 and 2016. Kennedy became a premiership player in 2018, kicking an important three goals in the decider against Collingwood. He retires 22nd on the all-time AFL/VFL goalkicking list and as the Eagles’ greatest goalkicker.

QUOTE: “It’s been a privilege to play so many years at this great football club. One of the biggest things I’ve wanted to do over my career is to have respect from my teammates – that’s always driven how I acted, trained or tried to play.”

LACHLAN

JOSH KENNEDY

SYDNEY / HAWTHORN

GAMES 290 (Syd 277, Haw 13) GOALS 157 (Syd 153, Haw 4)

IMPACT: It was a brave, but heart-wrenching decision for Kennedy to leave Hawthorn, the club where his grandfather John Kennedy snr was an iconic figure and where his father John Kennedy jnr played in four flags. But Sydney was where he belonged and he gave the Swans 13 years of magnificent service as a tough, ball-winning midfielder and inspirational leader who took to the famed Bloods culture like a hand to a glove. He won three best and fairests, three All-Australian blazers and played in the 2012 premiership side. He was a brilliant finals performer and, as noted by coach John Longmire, in 16 of the 22 finals he played, he had 15 or more contested possessions. In the 2016 Grand Final, off a limited preparation, he had 34 disposals and kicked three goals.

ASHLEY BROWNE

QUOTE: “I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at the club. The overarching sentiment I want to leave is one of gratitude – I am grateful to Alastair Clarkson and Hawthorn for the opportunity, and to the Sydney Swans for believing in me. I am (at peace). It’s as simple as that.”

PADDY RYDER

STK / PA / ESS

GAMES 281 (StK 38, PA 73, Ess 170)

IMPACT: The veteran called time on an incredible career, retiring after 281 games across 17 seasons for Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda. The West Australian was selected by the Bombers with pick No. 6 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft and played 170 games in the red and black before moving to Port Adelaide at the end of 2014. After a successful four-year stint at Port, where he won a best and fairest and earned All-Australian selection in 2017, he joined St Kilda ahead of the 2020 season. He helped the Saints to the finals in his first year, but injured his hamstring in the elimination final win over the Bulldogs and missed the semi-final against eventual premier Richmond. Ryder retires as a star of the game. His skill set for a player standing at 196cm was first class, his ruck work was superb and he is respected by the wider AFL community as a fine indigenous leader.

HUGH FITZPATRICK

QUOTE: “I’ve been lucky to live out my childhood dream, playing at three great clubs. I’ve loved the role it’s enabled me to play in the community and the platform it’s given me to help educate people about indigenous culture.”

ROBBIE GRAY

PORT ADELAIDE GAMES 271 GOALS 367

IMPACT: There has been no shortage of champions who have passed through the doors at Alberton Oval, but there is a school of thought that Gray might be the best of the lot, certainly in the club’s AFL incarnation. He arrived at the club in 2007 as an unheralded No. 55 draft pick from East Burwood and departs as the club’s second greatest goalkicker, three-time best and fairest, four-time All-Australian and the 2014 AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player. Time and again, Gray would deliver for the Power in clutch moments with vital goals, often with a considerable degree of difficulty. He was one of the more reliable players of what has been a good era for the Power and his loyalty to the club was never in doubt, given he was never linked with a return to Victoria at any stage of his career. This speaks plenty about his character.

ASHLEY BROWNE

QUOTE: “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had over the journey with this club. I’ve got some amazing friends and memories that I’ll take with me forever, but it’s time for others to get their chance now.”

LIAM SHIELS HAWTHORN GAMES 255 GOALS 90

IMPACT: By his own admission, Shiels was no superstar. There were more than enough of those in the various Hawthorn teams he played in, especially those that won three successive flags between 2013 and 2015. But those all-conquering teams needed foot soldiers like Shiels, who selflessly played whatever role Alastair Clarkson required, be it a hard run-with role, inside midfielder, or a defensive or attacking flanker. He was the best tackler for most of his time at the club, but could also do some damage with the ball when given time and space. Shiels, who joined the Hawks as a bottom-aged draftee in 2009, also played a huge role in creating the culture of excellence at the Hawks and was one of the most popular figures at the club – beloved by players, coaches and staff.

ASHLEY BROWNE

QUOTE: “It’s been a great journey for me, having walked into this footy club as a 17-year-old still in school, to finish 14 years later with 255 games and three premierships is something I will be forever grateful for. The club has done so much for me, I’ve had so many great life experiences and met so many great friends.”

BEN McEVOY

HAWTHORN / ST KILDA

GAMES 252 (Haw 161, StK 91)

GOALS 106 (Haw 79, StK 27)

IMPACT: Hawthorn had a ruck vacancy at the end of 2013 and moved swiftly to bring McEvoy across from St Kilda, yet another example of the brilliant trading that underpinned the club’s golden era of success in the past decade. He played in the 2014 and 2015 premiership teams and gave the Hawks fantastic service not just in the ruck but, as he got older and lost some spring, his contested marking and huge tank became major assets in both the front and back halves of the ground. He was truly Hawthorn’s bloody warrior and would regularly play out games with a blood-soaked bandage around his head. He was captain of the Hawks for the past two seasons and provided much-needed leadership, even though he missed much of 2022 because of a serious neck injury.

ASHLEY BROWNE

QUOTE: “It’s not like my body’s completely given out on me. It’s always been slow – it’s getting slower – but it hasn’t actually broken down. But physically, mentally and emotionally, the petrol tank’s just empty. (But) I have an enormous amount to be grateful for across my whole journey.”

DAN HANNEBERY

ST KILDA / SYDNEY

GAMES 226 (StK 18, Syd 208) GOALS 100 (StK 5, Syd 95)

IMPACT: Hannebery will look back on his time at St Kilda and Sydney with contrasting memories. The midfielder starred for the Swans, playing 208 games in the red and white across 10 seasons. During his time in the Harbour City, Hannebery won a premiership in 2012, was named All-Australian on three occasions and took out the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year in 2015. The 31-year-old was traded to the Saints at the end of 2018, but was restricted to just 18 appearances in four injury-ravaged years at Moorabbin. Hannebery played his 226th and final game for St Kilda against his former club at Marvel Stadium in round 23.

ALEX ZAIA

QUOTE: “What the end of the season would look like was always in the back of my mind. Footy has been cruel at times, but I’ve also been lucky to see the highest of highs and share them with some truly incredible people.”

MATT DE BOER

GWS GIANTS / FREMANTLE

GAMES 223 (GWS 85, Frem 138)

GOALS 83 (GWS 35, Frem 48)

IMPACT: Gave wonderful service to Fremantle and GWS over 14 seasons, playing as a running midfielder for the Dockers (2009-16) and as a run-with player at the Giants (2017-22). Started under Mark Harvey at Fremantle after being selected with pick No. 19 at the 2009 Rookie Draft. Was elevated to the leadership group during Ross Lyon’s tenure and was pretty much a regular until 2014 when he injured his knee. After playing just four games in 2016, he was delisted and picked up by the Giants as a fourth-round selection in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft. Was highly regarded by both clubs and was a terrific mentor for young players. Played in two losing Grand Finals – in 2013 with Fremantle and 2019 with GWS – but can look back on his career with great satisfaction.

MICHAEL LOVETT

QUOTE: “I’d particularly like to thank Leon Cameron for believing in me and challenging me always to be the best version of myself. I’d also like to thank the Fremantle Dockers for first recruiting me and, in particular, Mark Harvey and Ross Lyon for teaching me the abnormal effort and football IQ required to perform at the highest level.”

STEVEN MOTLOP

PORT ADELAIDE / GEELONG GAMES 217 (PA 82, Geel 135) GOALS 229 (PA 54, Geel 175)

IMPACT: Enjoyed a 13-year career with two clubs, starting in a talent-laden Geelong side in 2010 before being lured to Port Adelaide in 2018 via free agency. In his eight seasons with the Cats, the small forward averaged more than a goal a game and played in some big finals. He finished second in Geelong’s best and fairest in 2015 and made the 40-man All-Australian squad in 2013. The defining moments of his time at Port were kicking the winning goal in the 2018 Showdown (round eight) and bobbing up with three goals against his old side in a low-scoring qualifying final in 2020. That helped the Power to the preliminary final where they fell a goal short of eventual premier Richmond.

MICHAEL LOVETT

QUOTE: “It was always a childhood dream to play in the AFL and I’ll always be grateful to Geelong and to Port Adelaide for giving me the opportunity to achieve that dream. As a kid you just want to play in finals. I played in five preliminary finals and, while it would have been nice to have won one, playing in those big games alongside my teammates is something I’ll always look back on fondly.”

BRAD SHEPPARD *

WEST COAST

GAMES 216 GOALS 19

IMPACT: A hard-nosed yet skilful player, Sheppard roamed the Eagles backline for more than a decade, notching up 216 games before ongoing concussion symptoms forced the warrior into retirement in December last year. Pick No. 7 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, the East Fremantle product made his debut in round seven, 2010, against Hawthorn at the MCG. A breakout season in 2015 saw him play every game as the Eagles made it all the way to the Grand Final before falling short to the Hawks. Fast-forward three seasons and it was a cruel hamstring injury that kept Sheppard out of the team’s first premiership in 12 years. Arguably played his best footy towards the twilight of his career, making the All-Australian squad in 2019 before going one step further and earning a blazer in the back pocket in 2020.

VAS SHIPP

QUOTE: “It’s a job like no other. To be able to do it for 12 years, I’m over the moon. To be able to play in front of big crowds is something I’ve never taken for granted. Throughout the journey, the amount of adversity you go through, it makes me really proud.”

SHANE MUMFORD *

GWS / SYDNEY / GEELONG

GAMES 216 (GWS 116, Syd 79, Geel 21) GOALS 57 (GWS 18, Syd 36, Geel 3)

IMPACT: This is his second appearance in the farewells section, but Mumford certainly made his mark during his time in football. An intimidating presence on the field, the big man was one of the most consistent ruckmen in the game throughout his 13-year career. Known for making the most of his size, Mumford played a key role in Sydney’s run to the premiership in 2012, the peak of his four seasons in the red and white after starting his career with Geelong. Moving to GWS in 2014, Mumford was pivotal in getting the Giants off the bottom of the ladder, providing his experience as part of the leadership group. Mumford was a vital member of the club’s ruck group until a foot injury resulted in his initial 2017 retirement. Yet even that couldn’t keep the big man down, with Mumford returning to the Giants in 2019 for three more seasons of tough, physical football.

QUOTE: “I’m incredibly proud of all that I’ve achieved across my career in the game, including winning the ultimate, a premiership, in 2012.”

JACK MAKEHAM

LUKE BROWN

ADELAIDE CROWS

GAMES 189 GOALS 13

IMPACT: The experienced and highly-respected Adelaide defender announced his retirement in mid-September after 189 games. Renowned for his consistency and toughness, Brown often had the job of quelling the opposition’s most dangerous small forward. He pulled up stumps on an 11-year career and can look back with great satisfaction at some of his achievements. They include finishing third in the Crows’ best and fairest in 2020 and playing in the 2017 Grand Final side which lost to Richmond. He missed the second half of the 2021 season with an achilles injury and a knee injury restricted him to 11 games in 2022. Brown was pre-listed by GWS from his SANFL club Norwood ahead of the 2011 draft before being traded to Adelaide

QUOTE: “I’d like to thank the club for the journey. I’ve spent a third of my life here and with a young family I am now ready for the next chapter. I remember being overlooked in my draft year in 2010 and to be given the chance to play AFL in my home state the year after is something I was very grateful for.”

EASTON WOOD *

WESTERN BULLDOGS

GAMES 188 GOALS 20

IMPACT: Wood owns a unique piece of Western Bulldogs history, the only player to have lifted the premiership cup on the victory dais at the MCG (premiership cups were not awarded until 1959). He was the stand-in skipper in 2016 when Bob Murphy missed most of the year with a knee injury. Wood was an athletic, cerebral defender with tremendous agility and his intercept marking was a major weapon throughout his career. His on-field achievements include a Charles Sutton Medal and an All-Australian blazer in 2015, and he assumed the captaincy on a permanent basis in 2018 and 2019. He was also widely admired throughout the AFL for his strong views on the direction of the game and his willingness to take leadership on industry issues.

ASHLEY BROWNE

QUOTE: “Whilst it’s been difficult to confront, the reality is I’ve athletically declined. I wanted to finish up on my own terms and I felt that if I declined further next year, I wouldn’t have that opportunity. I’m proud to go out as a member of the team and being part of an amazing run to get to the Grand Final.”

DEVON SMITH

ESSENDON / GWS

GAMES 182 (Ess 73, GWS 109) GOALS 146 (Ess 46, GWS 100)

IMPACT: Smith called time on his AFL career as the Bombers’ season drew to a disappointing end in 2022. From Lara near Geelong, Smith played for the Geelong Falcons before being selected by GWS with pick No. 14 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. The small forward/midfielder finished second in the Giants’ best and fairest in his third year, but requested a trade to Essendon after missing GWS’ finals run in 2017 with a knee injury. The trade immediately paid off for the Bombers, with Smith winning the Crichton Medal in his first year at the club and breaking the record for tackles in a home and away season with 184. A persistent knee injury saw him play just seven games in 2019 and, unfortunately, he could not return to the level that saw him become one of the League’s most dangerous weapons in 2018.

SAM WATSON

QUOTE: “While it wasn’t an easy decision to come to, unfortunately I couldn’t quite get the body to where it needed to be to perform week-in and week-out. I’ve loved my AFL journey and I’ve had the true privilege of representing two fantastic football clubs.”

MICHAEL LOVETT

JOSH CADDY

IMPACT: After 24 games with Gold Coast and 71 with Geelong, the talented midfielder/forward joined the Tigers before the 2017 season where he eventually linked up with former Suns teammates Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch. In his debut season with Richmond, Caddy helped the club break a 37-year premiership drought. He was then a key part of the 2019 side, winning a second AFL flag. Originally drafted at pick No. 7 in 2010, he spent two years with the Suns before he found his way to the Cats, where he played finals footy in three of his four years in the hoops. Caddy’s best individual season came at Richmond in 2018 when he booted 46 goals and was included in the 40-man All-Australian squad.

ANDREW SLEVISON

QUOTE: “Footy has given me everything and I’m forever indebted to Gold Coast, Geelong and Richmond for making me the man that I am. Now I’m looking forward to sitting on the other side of the fence as a part of the Tiger Army.”

TOM LYNCH *

ADEL / ST KILDA

GAMES 164 (Adel 158, StK 6) GOALS 203 (Adel 199, StK 4)

IMPACT: Despite starting his career at St Kilda and ending it in North Melbourne colours, Lynch will always be remembered as a key figure of the Adelaide Crows. An absolute stalwart of their forward line for the best part of a decade, Lynch booted 203 goals across 164 career games. The medium forward had four seasons with more than 30 goals, playing a key role in Adelaide’s phenomenal 2017 season which saw the Crows secure the minor premiership and their first Grand Final appearance since 1998. A dangerous player whenever the ball entered Adelaide’s forward 50, Lynch’s best performance was undoubtedly his 10-goal performance against GWS in 2013, becoming only the third Crow to kick 10 or more in a game. An absolute workhorse, Lynch certainly left his mark on the club.

JACK MAKEHAM

QUOTE: “I am also incredibly grateful to my wife Courtney and our three kids and the sacrifices they have made along the way in allowing me to pursue an AFL career.”

*Retired at the end of 2021.

KANE LAMBERT

RICHMOND

GAMES 135 GOALS 78

IMPACT: Lambert’s story is one of resilience, fortitude and persistence. He was overlooked in several drafts while honing his craft in the VFL with the Northern Bullants and Williamstown, before finally getting his chance in the AFL. The Tigers picked him up in the 2015 Rookie Draft and he quickly became a favourite with his hard-working nature and ability to play his role for the team. The hard-running midfielder/forward played a pivotal role in the club’s trio of premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020. He enjoyed two top-three finishes in the best and fairest, running second in 2018 and third in the premiership year of 2017. A debilitating hip injury disrupted Lambert late in his career and ultimately prompted him to call time. His two crucial final-quarter goals in the 2020 preliminary final win over Port Adelaide are legendary among the Tiger faithful.

ANDREW SLEVISON

QUOTE: “It is not what you win, it is who you win it with, and it has been an absolute pleasure to share this journey with all our players, staff and members both past and present.”

RICH / GEEL / GCS

GAMES

With the return of big crowds, spectacular games and storylines everywhere, football resumed close to normal transmission in 2022, producing a season for the ages.

MICHAEL LOVETT

ROUND 1

HIGHLIGHTS

u It was an opening round for the ages with 2021 Grand Final combatants Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs kicking off the season on a Wednesday night. Again, there were twists and turns, but Melbourne’s stars, led by Christian Petracca, came to the fore. A feisty Luke Beveridge clashed with Fox Footy reporter Tom Morris in the post-match press conference with the fallout being an apology from the Bulldogs coach and the club making a $20,000 donation to a charity partner. In an unrelated follow-up, Morris was later sacked by Fox Footy after audio emerged of him making disparaging remarks about a female colleague. Carlton, under new coach Michael Voss, scored its first round one win over Richmond since 2012 with a stirring 25-point victory. The Blues were inspired by skipper Patrick Cripps and courageous defender Sam Docherty. Collingwood won its first game under new coach Craig McRae, while Hawthorn did likewise for Sam Mitchell. Fremantle hung tough in a thriller over Adelaide and Gold Coast saluted for the first time in six attempts at Optus Stadium.

u RESULTS

ROUND 2

HIGHLIGHTS PTS Geelong Cats Melbourne Hawthorn Gold Coast Suns Carlton Sydney Swans Collingwood Brisbane Lions Fremantle Adelaide Crows Port Adelaide St Kilda GWS Giants Richmond West Coast Eagles North Melbourne Western Bulldogs Essendon PTS Hawthorn Sydney Swans Kilda Coast Crows Adelaide

Wednesday, March 16

Melb 14.13 (97) v WB 11.5 (71) (MCG) (N)

Thursday, March 17

Carl 14.17 (101) v Rich 11.10 (76) (MCG) (N)

Friday, March 18

St K 12.13 (85) v Coll 15.12 (102) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, March 19

Geel 20.18 (138) v Ess 11.6 (72) (MCG)

GWS 13.14 (92) v Syd 17.10 (112) (AS) (T)

BL 11.14 (80) v PA 10.9 (69) (G) (N)

Sunday, March 20

Haw 11.12 (78) v NM 8.10 (58) (MCG)

Adel 12.10 (82) v Frem 11.17 (83) (AO) (T)

WCE 12.8 (80) v GCS 16.11 (107) (OS) (T)

u STATS THAT MATTER

ON THE BOARD AT LAST: Only 45 AFL/VFL players have reached 100 games without kicking at least one goal, with Jake Kolodjashnij and Tom Clurey the only ones in the past 25 years. Tom Barrass avoided joining that group by kicking career goal No. 1 in his 100th match, becoming the only player to achieve that feat.

u O ne of highlights of the season were the extraordinary scenes in the aftermath of Sydney star Lance Franklin booting his 1000th career goal. Thousands of fans flocked on to the SCG after Franklin kicked his fourth goal in the final term against Geelong to reach he milestone. The game was held up for more than 30 minutes as officials tried in vain to clear the ground. Despite coach Michael Voss being sidelined due to COVID, Carlton made it two from two with a 12-point win over the Western Bulldogs. Charlie Curnow starred with five goals. New coaches Craig McRae (Collingwood) and Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) also started the season 2-0 with wins over Adelaide and Port Adelaide respectively. West Coast made a staggering 14 changes, 12 of them due to health and safety protocols, but was gallant in a 15-point defeat to North Melbourne. Dustin Martin took time off to deal with personal issues, but Richmond was still too good for the GWS Giants at the MCG, while St Kilda upset Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

u RESULTS

Thursday, March 24

WB 13.12 (90) v Carl 16.6 (102) (MRVL) (N)

Friday, March 25

Syd 17.5 (107) v Geel 10.17 (77) (SCG) (N)

Saturday, March 26

Coll 15.10 (100) v Adel 8.10 (58) (MCG)

Ess 10.15 (75) v BL 15.7 (97) (MRVL) (T)

PA 7.14 (56) v Haw 19.6 (120) (AO) (N)

GCS 10.9 (69) v Melb 12.10 (82) (MS) (N)

Sunday, March 27

NM 10.14 (74) v WCE 8.11 (59) (MRVL)

Rich 16.13 (109) v GWS 10.13 (73) (MCG)

Frem 8.7 (55) v St K 9.11 (65) (OS) (T)

u STATS THAT MATTER

BUDDY BRILLIANCE:

Lance Franklin became the sixth player to kick 1000 goals. Coming into the game, ‘Buddy’ needed four for the milestone. It was the third time he had played the Cats at the SCG – and he has kicked four goals each time.

OUT OF THE BLUE: Carlton celebrated a round one win over Richmond for the first time in nine seasons.

PANDEMONIUM: Thousands of fans invaded the SCG after Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th career goal.

ROUND 3 ROUND 4

TEAM PTS Brisbane Lions 12 Melbourne 12 Carlton Hawthorn Fremantle Collingwood Geelong Cats Sydney Swans St Kilda Gold Coast Suns Richmond Western Bulldogs GWS Giants Adelaide Crows North Melbourne Port Adelaide West Coast Eagles Essendon

HIGHLIGHTS

u C omebacks were the common thread of round three. After the Bulldogs scored their first win of the season in the Thursday night opener against Sydney, defending premier Melbourne made it a 3-0 start with a hard-fought 29-point win over Essendon on Friday night. But the action hotted up in the other Friday night clash when Adelaide reeled in a 19-point deficit in the last term to down Port Adelaide. Recruit Jordan Dawson goaled after the siren with his swinging left-foot shot sinking the winless Power. The following night at the MCG, Geelong stormed home from 37 points down late in the third term to down Collingwood by 13 points. In Joel Selwood ’s record-breaking 227th game as captain, Jeremy Cameron starred with six goals. The following day, Carlton raced to a 41-point lead early in the second quarter only for Hawthorn to fight back with six straight goals. But the Blues steadied and hung on for a one-point win. A Max King -inspired St Kilda kicked 10 goals in a row at Marvel Stadium to put Richmond under the pump.

u RESULTS

Thursday, March 31

WB 9.17 (71) v Syd 9.6 (60) (MRVL) (N)

Friday, April 1

Melb 14.15 (99) v Ess 10.10 (70) (MCG) (N)

Adel 15.6 (96) v PA 13.14 (92) (AO) (N)

Saturday, April 2

GWS 12.11 (83) v GCS 8.9 (57) (GS) (T)

Coll 13.13 (91) v Geel 16.8 (104) (MCG) (N)

BL 23.18 (156) v NM 7.6 (48) (G) (N)

Sunday, April 3

Carl 11.8 (74) v Haw 11.7 (73) (MCG)

St K 18.9 (117) v Rich 13.6 (84) (MRVL)

WCE 7.5 (47) v Frem 15.12 (102) (OS) (T)

HIGHLIGHTS

u RESULTS

Thursday, April 7

TEAM PTS Melbourne 16 Brisbane Lions Fremantle St Kilda Geelong Cats Sydney Swans Carlton Collingwood Coast Hawthorn Adelaide Crows Western West Coast Essendon North Melbourne Port Adelaide

u STATS THAT MATTER

BOMBING OUT EARLY: Essendon suffered its third consecutive loss, going down by 29 points to reigning premier Melbourne at the MCG. One of the inaugural teams in 1897, it was just the second time the Bombers had started a season with a 0-3 record – 1967 was the other.

u After being hit hard by health and safety protocols and injuries to senior players, West Coast broke its maiden status in 2022 with an upset 13-point win over Collingwood at Marvel Stadium. Essendon also recorded its first victory for the season, holding on to down Adelaide by four points. Crows veteran Taylor Walker kicked four goals in his return from a six-match club-imposed ban for making racist comments at a SANFL game late in 2021. Port Adelaide’s miserable start to the season continued with the Power slumping to 0-4 after Melbourne recorded a comfortable 32-point win in the opening game of the round. Geelong and Brisbane played out another thriller at GMHBA Stadium amid more umpiring controversy after Tom Hawkins appeared to push Harris Andrews in the back before kicking the match-sealing goal. Gold Coast ended Carlton’s unbeaten start to 2022 with a 30-point win at Metricon Stadium, while St Kilda’s Max King , Bradley Hill, Jade Gresham and Tim Membrey each booted four goals in the Saints’ 69-point thumping of Hawthorn.

PA 4.12 (36) v Melb 10.8 (68) (AO) (N)

Friday, April 8

Geel 11.14 (80) v BL 11.4 (70) (GMHBA) (N)

Saturday, April 9

Syd 13.8 (86) v NM 12.3 (75) (SCG)

Coll 10.14 (74) v WCE 14.3 (87) (MRVL) (T)

Rich 15.9 (99) v WB 7.19 (61) (MCG) (N)

Frem 13.10 (88) v GWS 8.6 (54) (OS) (T)

Sunday, April 10

Ess 15.13 (103) v Adel 15.9 (99) (MRVL)

Haw 10.13 (73) v St K 22.10 (142) (MCG)

GCS 13.14 (92) v Carl 8.14 (62) (MS) (T)

u STATS THAT MATTER

KICKING COUSINS: Jack Riewoldt kicked his 718th goal to equal the career tally of cousin and former Saint Nick. The pair’s respective 718th goals were both kicked from outside 50m to the Punt Rd end of the MCG.

INSTANT HERO: Recruit Jordan Dawson is mobbed by teammates after his match-winning goal against the Power.

EAGLES ROCK: Junior Rioli booted three goals as West Coast upset the Magpies at Marvel Stadium.

ROUND ROUND 6

TEAM PTS Melbourne 20 Fremantle 16 Brisbane Lions 16 St Kilda Sydney Swans 16 Carlton 16 Geelong Cats 12 Hawthorn 12 Collingwood Western Bulldogs Richmond Gold Coast Suns Adelaide Crows GWS Giants Essendon West Coast Eagles North Melbourne Port Adelaide

HIGHLIGHTS

u E aster football action stretched over five days with a couple of upsets to excite fans. Adelaide put Richmond under the pump with a 19-point win at home as Elliott Himmelberg (five goals) and Taylor Walker (four) feasted on a weakened Tigers defence. However, the Crows’ win came at a cost after captain Rory Sloane suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The traditional Easter Monday billing between Hawthorn and Geelong produced another classic, with the Hawks holding off their more fancied rivals by 12 points. The crackdown on umpire dissent was a talking point for days after the game. Brisbane held out a plucky Collingwood to kick the round off with Lions forward Joe Daniher and Magpie Jordan De Goey each kicking four goals. The Western Bulldogs and Sydney recorded big wins over North Melbourne and West Coast respectively on Good Friday, while Melbourne snuffed out GWS with a 10-goal third quarter. Port Adelaide came from 51 points down to almost catch Carlton and Matt Taberner kicked a career-best seven goals in Fremantle’s 48-point mauling of Essendon.

u RESULTS

Thursday, April 14

BL 15.8 (98) v Coll 14.7 (91) (G) (N)

Friday, April 15

NM 11.5 (71) v WB 21.13 (139) (MRVL) (T)

WCE 9.4 (58) v Syd 18.13 (121) (OS) (T)

Saturday, April 16

St K 13.9 (87) v GCS 9.7 (61) (MRVL)

Adel 15.11 (101) v Rich 12.10 (82) (AO) (T)

Melb 19.6 (120) v GWS 7.11 (53) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, April 17

Carl 14.10 (94) v PA 13.13 (91) (MCG)

Ess 8.11 (59) v Frem 16.11 (107) (MRVL) (T)

Monday, April 18

Haw 14.8 (92) v Geel 11.14 (80) (MCG)

u STATS THAT MATTER

HIGHLIGHTS

u RESULTS

Friday, April 22

TEAM PTS Melbourne 24 Fremantle 20 Brisbane Lions 20 Sydney Swans 20 St Kilda Geelong Cats Carlton Collingwood Hawthorn Adelaide Crows Western Bulldogs Gold Coast Suns Port Adelaide Essendon West Coast Eagles North Melbourne

ALL SQUARE: Jeremy Howe’s 200th game was his 100th for the Magpies, matching the 100 he previously played for the Demons. He joined Mitch Robinson (Carlton and Brisbane) as the only other player to achieve that feat.

u Anz ac Round kicked off with St Kilda making it five on the trot with a 17-point victory over GWS at Manuka Oval. Jack Higgins starred with four goals for the Saints. Adelaide upset the Western Bulldogs in a one-point thriller at Mars Stadium as Crows veteran Taylor Walker kicked his 500th career goal. Port Adelaide broke through for its first win of the season with an 84-point thumping of West Coast, while Fremantle moved into second spot, scoring an impressive 35-point win over Carlton. Jeremy Cameron broke the goals record for Blundstone Arena with seven majors as Geelong recorded an easy win over North Melbourne. Melbourne brushed aside Richmond in the big Anzac eve clash, while Brisbane had no problems accounting for Gold Coast. Another concussion to Paddy McCartin soured Sydney’s win over Hawthorn. And 84,205 fans – the biggest crowd since the 2019 Grand Final – packed the MCG for the Anzac Day blockbuster as Collingwood held out Essendon by 11 points. Magpie teenager Jack Ginnivan booted five goals to claim the Anzac Medal.

GWS 8.12 (60) v St K 10.17 (77) (MO) (N)

Saturday, April 23

WB 9.8 (62) v Adel 8.15 (63) (MARS)

PA 18.9 (117) v WCE 4.9 (33) (AO) (T)

Frem 14.13 (97) v Carl 9.8 (62) (OS) (T)

Sunday, April 24

NM 9.7 (61) v Geel 17.19 (121) (BA)

GCS 11.14 (80) v BL 21.6 (132) (MS) (T)

Rich 8.6 (54) v Melb 9.22 (76) (MCG) (N)

Monday, April 25

Haw 10.8 (68) v Syd 16.13 (109) (UTAS)

Ess 12.10 (82) v Coll 15.3 (93) (MCG)

u STATS THAT MATTER

JACK IN THE BOX: Jack Ginnivan’s five-goal heroics saw him become just the second teenager to win the Anzac Day Medal. Ginnivan hadn’t been born when fellow Magpie Mark McGough was awarded the medal in 2002.

BEWDY NEWK: Young gun Jai Newcombe had a career-high 31 touches as the Hawks overpowered the Cats in a classic.

JUMPING JACK: Livewire small forward Jack Higgins booted four goals as the Saints downed the Giants in Canberra.

HIGHLIGHTS

u Fremantle claimed its biggest scalp to this stage of the season with a thrilling three-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, but the news was not good for rival WA club West Coast. The Eagles were smashed by Richmond at Optus Stadium with Tiger key forwards Tom Lynch (seven) and Jack Riewoldt (four) on fire. The one bright spot for West Coast was Josh Kennedy kicking his 700th career goal. Toby Greene was back to his dynamic best with four first-half goals in GWS’s 59-point win over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Hawthorn pushed Melbourne, but the 10-point margin in favour of the Demons kept them at the top of the ladder. Port Adelaide eked out its second win of the season by just one point against St Kilda at a soggy Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. Carlton, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs scored regulation wins over North Melbourne, Gold Coast and Essendon respectively. The Brisbane Lions confirmed they were the real deal with a four-goal victory against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

u RESULTS

Friday, April 29

TEAM PTS Melbourne 28 Brisbane Lions 24 Fremantle 24 St Kilda 20 Sydney Swans 20 Carlton 20 Geelong Cats 16 Collingwood 16 Richmond 12 Western Bulldogs 12 Hawthorn 12 Adelaide Crows 12 Port Adelaide 8 Gold Coast Suns GWS Giants Essendon North Melbourne West Coast Eagles

HIGHLIGHTS

WCE 8.8 (56) v Rich 25.15 (165) (OS) (N)

Saturday, April 30

Geel 10.6 (66) v Frem 10.9 (69) (GMHBA)

Adel 8.6 (54) v GWS 17.11 (113) (AO)

Melb 13.13 (91) v Haw 11.15 (81) (MCG) (T)

St K 4.18 (42) v PA 5.13 (43) (CS) (N)

Carl 17.12 (114) v NM 10.4 (64) (MRVL) (N)

Sunday, May 1 Coll 17.13 (115) v GCS 14.6 (90) (MCG)

WB 16.7 (103) v Ess 10.11 (71) (MRVL) Syd 13.11 (89) v BL 17.11 (113) (SCG) (T)

ROUND ROUND THAT

MARVELLOUS MILESTONE:

The Western Bulldogs and Essendon met in the 1000th match at Marvel Stadium. The venue was the third to reach this mark, behind the MCG in 1974 and Princes Park in 1988.

u P ort Adelaide made it three wins on the trot with a 17-point win against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval. Jeremy Finlayson and Todd Marshall were good up front as the Power reversed their preliminary final loss to the Bulldogs at the same venue in 2021. Fremantle made light work of North Melbourne at Optus Stadium to complete the Friday night double-header. Gold Coast upset Sydney at the SCG, while Tom Lynch gathered a career-best 25 disposals and kicked six goals in Richmond’s 27-point win over Collingwood at the MCG. It was a big round for key forwards – Jeremy Cameron booted five goals for Geelong against his old side GWS, Peter Wright bagged six as an illness-hit Essendon ran all over Hawthorn with an eight-goal-to-one final term and Carlton’s twin towers Charlie Curnow (six) and Harry McKay (three) led the Blues to a 48-point victory against Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Mother’s Day. Earlier that day, Melbourne made a statement, pushing St Kilda aside to win by 38 points at the MCG.

TEAM PTS Melbourne 32 Fremantle 28 Brisbane Lions 28 Carlton 24 Geelong Cats 20 Sydney Swans 20 St Kilda 20 Richmond 16 Collingwood Western Bulldogs Port Adelaide Hawthorn Gold Coast Suns Adelaide Crows GWS Giants Essendon North Melbourne West Coast Eagles

u RESULTS

Friday, May 6

PA 12.14 (86) v WB 10.9 (69) (AO) (N)

Frem 15.12 (102) v NM 3.6 (24) (OS) (N)

Saturday, May 7

Rich 17.11 (113) v Coll 12.14 (86) (MCG)

Syd 8.13 (61) v GCS 10.15 (75) (SCG)

GWS 4.11 (35) v Geel 12.16 (88) (MO) (T)

Ess 16.12 (108) v Haw 11.15 (81) (MRVL) (N)

BL 16.9 (105) v WCE 4.6 (30) (G) (N)

Sunday, May 8

Melb 14.9 (93) v St K 8.7 (55) (MCG)

Carl 17.14 (116) v Adel 10.8 (68) (MRVL) (T)

u STATS THAT MATTER

TON UP FOR TRAV: Power veteran Travis Boak became the first to play 100 AFL games at Adelaide Oval. Boak had played in all but two of Port Adelaide’s games at the ground.

REAL DEAL: Ex-Cat Jordan Clark was among the best as Fremantle proved its credentials by upsetting Geelong.

TIGERS OF OLD: Richmond was delighted to have champion Dustin Martin back as it easily downed Collingwood.

ROUND ROUND 10

TEAM PTS Melbourne 36 Brisbane Lions 32 Fremantle 28 Carlton 28 Sydney Swans 24 St Kilda 24 Geelong Cats 20 Richmond 20 Western Bulldogs 16 Port Adelaide 16 Collingwood 16 Gold Coast Suns 16 Hawthorn 12 Adelaide Crows 12 GWS Giants 8 Essendon 8 North Melbourne 4 West Coast Eagles 4

HIGHLIGHTS

u T here were some lop-sided contests with seven of the nine games decided by 30 points or more. The closest result was St Kilda’s 10-point win over Geelong – the Saints’ first victory over the Cats since 2016. The Saints were 21 points down during the third term, but piled on six unanswered goals with Paddy Ryder (three goals for the game) and Jade Gresham (30 disposals) leading the charge. The Western Bulldogs hit back with a 48-point win over Collingwood. Bulldogs midfielders Bailey Smith (41 disposals), Jack Macrae (37), Adam Treloar (35) and Tom Liberatore (31) ran riot, while Aaron Naughton, Josh Dunkley and Buku Khamis each kicked three goals. Gold Coast scored another upset win, this time ending Fremantle’s six-game winning streak with ex-Tiger Mabior Chol booting four goals in difficult conditions at Metricon Stadium. Questions were raised over Essendon’s lack of intensity in its 58-point loss to Sydney. The Bombers laid just 30 tackles. There was no fairytale farewell for retiring GWS coach Leon Cameron as the Giants went down to Carlton by 30 points.

u RESULTS

Friday, May 13

Coll 7.9 (51) v WB 14.15 (99) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, May 14

Haw 14.10 (94) v Rich 17.15 (117) (MCG)

NM 6.10 (46) v PA 17.13 (115) (BA)

St K 13.12 (90) v Geel 11.14 (80) (MRVL) (T)

Syd 14.21 (105) v Ess 6.11 (47) (SCG) (N)

Adel 9.12 (66) v BL 16.6 (102) (AO) (N)

Sunday, May 15

GCS 10.9 (69) v Frem 4.9 (33) (MS)

GWS 11.9 (75) v Carl 15.15 (105) (GS)

WCE 5.8 (38) v Melb 16.16 (112) (OS) (T)

HIGHLIGHTS

u RESULTS

Friday, May 20

TEAM PTS Melbourne 40 Brisbane Lions 32 Carlton 32 Fremantle 28 St Kilda 28 Geelong Cats 24 Sydney Swans 24 Richmond 24 Western Bulldogs 20 Collingwood 20 Port Adelaide 16 Gold Coast Suns Hawthorn 16 GWS Giants Adelaide Crows 12 Essendon North Melbourne West Coast Eagles

u STATS THAT MATTER

PERFECT PADDY: Paddy Ryder was the hero as St Kilda defeated Geelong by 10 points, recording 22 hit-outs and kicking three goals, including two in the last term. At 34, he was the second-oldest Saint behind Nick Riewoldt to poll the 10 coaches’ votes for his efforts.

u C arlton kicked off Sir Doug Nicholls Round with a 15-point win over fellow finals aspirant Sydney in one of the games of the season. The Blues, with key forward Charlie Curnow on fire, booted nine goals in the second quarter, but the Swans fought back doggedly in the second half. The Blues steadied to win by 15 points with Curnow kicking six goals. Just over 70,000 fans saw Richmond record a comfortable 32-point win over Essendon in the Dreamtime at the ’G game. Tiger Dion Prestia won the Yiooken Medal for best afield. As expected, Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Melbourne scored wins over Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Adelaide and North Melbourne respectively. The biggest upsets of the round came via two of the three Sunday games. Hawthorn won a shootout against the Brisbane Lions at UTAS Stadium while Collingwood was too good for Fremantle in wet conditions at Optus Stadium, with medical sub Oliver Henry a match-winner with four goals. Mark McVeigh started his coaching career on a high, guiding GWS to a 52-point win over West Coast.

Carl 15.12 (102) v Syd 13.9 (87) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, May 21

Geel 11.16 (82) v PA 7.5 (47) (GMHBA)

WB 15.16 (106) v GCS 13.9 (87) (MARS)

NM 8.5 (53) v Melb 14.16 (100) (MRVL) (T)

Adel 9.15 (69) v St K 14.6 (90) (AO) (N)

Rich 11.14 (80) v Ess 7.6 (48) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, May 22

GWS 21.12 (138) v WCE 13.8 (86) (GS)

Haw 18.9 (117) v BL 17.10 (112) (UTAS) Frem 6.8 (44) v Coll 12.8 (80) (OS)

u STATS THAT MATTER

DROUGHT OVER: Melbourne recorded a resounding 47-point win over North Melbourne. It was the ninth time the sides had met at Marvel Stadium, but the first time the Demons had walked away with the four points.

OFF THE LEASH: Dashing midfielder Bailey Smith had 41 touches as the Bulldogs crushed the Magpies.

FLYING START: Co-captain Toby Greene led from the front as the Giants saluted in stand-in coach Mark McVeigh’s first game.

HIGHLIGHTS

u A chaotic finish to the opening game of the round saw Sydney climb off the canvas to score a thrilling six-point win over Richmond at the SCG. The Swans fought back from a 33-point deficit on the back of a five-goal haul from Lance Franklin. Chad Warner booted the ball into the crowd on the final siren after Dion Prestia had been paid a free kick –potentially a 50m penalty –but the umpire deemed it was after the siren had sounded. Prestia’s shot from 65m to draw the match fell well short. It was an eventful night for Franklin, who was reported for striking Richmond’s Trent Cotchin and handed a one-game suspension. Fremantle ended Melbourne’s 17-game winning streak, coming from 25 points down at half-time to score a 38-point win. The Dockers kicked 8.2 to 1.2 in the third term, with small forward Lachie Schultz enjoying a day out to finish with four goals. Old rivals Collingwood and Carlton produced a Sunday afternoon classic in front of more than 80,000 fans at the MCG with the Magpies holding on by four points. Adding injury to insult, the Blues lost Jacob Weitering to a shoulder injury.

u RESULTS

Friday, May 27

TEAM PTS

1 Melbourne 40

2 Brisbane Lions 36

3 Fremantle 32 St Kilda 32

5 Carlton 32 Geelong Cats 28 Sydney Swans 28 Western Bulldogs 24 Richmond 24

10 Collingwood 24 Port Adelaide 20 Gold Coast Suns 20 Hawthorn 16 GWS Giants 12 Adelaide Crows 12 Essendon 8 North Melbourne 4 West Coast Eagles 4

HIGHLIGHTS

Syd 16.10 (106) v Rich 15.10 (100) (SCG) (N)

Saturday, May 28

Geel 15.7 (97) v Adel 7.13 (55) (GMHBA)

Bris 16.14 (110) v GWS 15.6 (96) (G)

Melb 7.14 (56) v Frem 14.10 (94) (MCG) (T)

WCE 9.6 (60) v WB 25.11 (161) (OS) (T)

GCS 18.13 (121) v Haw 7.12 (54) (TIO) (N)

Sunday, May 29

St K 16.7 (103) v NM 7.8 (50) (MRVL)

Coll 11.13 (79) v Carl 11.9 (75) (MCG) PA 9.12 (66) v Ess 6.14 (50) (AO) (T)

BOWEY BLOW: Melbourne’s came to after a second-half fightback by Fremantle at the MCG. Jake Bowey fell one short of equalling former Magpie Albert Lauder’s record of for most consecutive from debut.

u T he first of the bye rounds produced statement wins by Geelong, Sydney, Collingwood and Fremantle. The Cats booted seven goals to one in the first term to take a stranglehold over the Western Bulldogs in the Friday night opener at Marvel Stadium. But after star defender Tom Stewart was subbed out with concussion in the second quarter, the Bulldogs fought back and trailed by just 11 points at the final change. However, Jeremy Cameron went to work for the Cats, booting three goals in the final term to give him six for the night. Bulldog Bailey Smith was suspended for two matches after being reported for headbutting Zach Tuohy during a three-quarter time melee. The Swans handed Melbourne its second successive defeat, clawing back from a 20-point quarter-time deficit to win by 12 points. Sam Reid and Logan McDonald kicked three goals each for Sydney. Collingwood won another thriller, holding out Hawthorn by four points in wet conditions at the MCG, while Fremantle claimed another big scalp with a 14-point win over Brisbane at Optus Stadium.

TEAM PTS

1 Melbourne 40 Brisbane Lions 36

3 Fremantle 36 Geelong Cats 32 St Kilda 32 Sydney Swans 32 Carlton 32

8 Collingwood 28

9 Western Bulldogs 24 Richmond 24 Gold Coast Suns 24 Port Adelaide 20 Hawthorn 16 Adelaide Crows 16 GWS Giants 12 Essendon 8 North Melbourne 4 West Coast Eagles

u RESULTS

Friday, June 3

WB 10.10 (70) v Geel 12.11 (83) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, June 4

Adel 13.10 (88) v WCE 8.9 (57) (AO)

GCS 15.19 (109) v NM 7.5 (47) (TIO) (T)

Melb 9.7 (61) v Syd 10.13 (73) (MCG) (N)

Sunday, June 5

ROUND ROUND THAT

Haw 10.8 (68) v Coll 10.12 (72) (MCG)

Frem 15.9 (99) v BL 13.7 (85) (OS)

Byes: Carlton, Essendon, GWS Giants, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St Kilda

SIDE BY SIDE: Having first played together in 2009, Collingwood stalwarts Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were teammates for the 254th time, equalling the long-standing club record set in 1978 by Wayne Richardson and Len Thompson.

HIGH DRAMA: Tiger Dylan Grimes appeals for a 50m penalty after Swan Chad Warner booted the ball into the crowd.

CAT ATTACK: Jeremy Cameron kicked six goals, including three in the final term, as the Cats held off the Bulldogs.

ROUND 13 ROUND 14

TEAM PTS Brisbane Lions 40 Melbourne 40 Fremantle 40 Carlton 36 Geelong Cats 32 St Kilda 32 Sydney Swans 32 Collingwood 32 Richmond 28 Western Bulldogs 24 Gold Coast Suns 24 Port Adelaide 20 GWS Giants 16 Hawthorn 16 Adelaide Crows 16 Essendon 8 North Melbourne 4 West Coast Eagles 4

HIGHLIGHTS

u T he second bye round saw six games spread over five days. One of the highlights was the Big Freeze event returning to the MCG after a two-year break due to COVID. More than 76,000 fans saw celebrities and sports stars, including retired tennis champion Ash Barty, take the icy plunge. On the field, Collingwood recovered from a 20-point deficit to down Melbourne by 26 points. The Magpies were well served by Brody Mihocek (four goals) and Mason Cox (21 disposals, eight marks), while Demon Clayton Oliver (43 disposals) won the Neale Daniher Trophy for best on ground. Richmond kicked off the round with a gritty 12-point win over Port Adelaide in co-captain Dylan Grimes’ 200th game, while the following night Carlton spoiled Essendon’s 150-year celebrations with a 26-point win. Fremantle star Nat Fyfe returned for his first game since round 19, 2021, after back and shoulder surgeries. The Dockers held out a gallant Hawthorn by 13 points at Optus Stadium. Brisbane downed a banged-up St Kilda by 21 points and GWS was too good for North Melbourne.

u RESULTS

Thursday, June 9

Rich 11.11 (77) v PA 10.5 (65) (MCG) (N)

Friday, June 10

Ess 7.12 (54) v Carl 12.8 (80) (MCG) (N)

Saturday, June 11

Frem 14.11 (95) v Haw 12.10 (82) (OS)

BL 10.18 (78) v St K 8.9 (57) (G) (N)

Sunday, June 12

NM 7.11 (53) v GWS 15.12 (102) (MRVL)

Monday, June 13

Coll 12.10 (82) v Melb 8.8 (56) (MCG)

Byes: Adelaide Crows, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, Sydney Swans, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

u STATS THAT MATTER

HIGHLIGHTS

u RESULTS

Thursday, June 16

TEAM PTS

1 Brisbane Lions 40 Melbourne 40 Fremantle 40 Geelong Cats 36 Carlton 36 Richmond 32 Sydney Swans 32 St Kilda 32 Collingwood 32 Western Bulldogs 28 Gold Coast Suns 28 Port Adelaide 24 GWS Giants 16 Hawthorn 16 Adelaide 16 Essendon 12 North Melbourne West Coast Eagles

GIANT STRIDES: Callan Ward became the first to play 200 games for GWS. It continued a long line of achievements for Ward, who kicked the Giants’ first goal, won their first best and fairest and, along with Phil Davis and Luke Power, was their first co-captain.

u Richmond opened the final bye round with a strong 15-point win over fellow finals aspirant Carlton in front of 50,741 fans at the MCG on Thursday night. Midfielder Dion Prestia (31 disposals) starred for the Tigers with the win lifting Richmond from ninth to sixth. Essendon put a dent in St Kilda’s finals hopes, upsetting the Saints by 35 points at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. The following day, Port Adelaide secured a home win over the Sydney Swans by 23 points with Ollie Wines (35 disposals) back to his Brownlow Medal-winning form and in-form forward Todd Marshall kicking four goals. West Coast rolled out a cavalcade of former stars as part of its 1992 premiership celebrations, but Geelong –the club the Eagles downed in the decider 30 years ago – held on for a three-goal win. Cats forward Tom Hawkins kicked three goals, including the 700th of his career. The Western Bulldogs won a shootout against GWS despite Toby Greene kicking a career-high seven goals for the Giants. Gold Coast stayed in finals contention with a 43-point win over Adelaide.

Rich 11.15 (81) v Carl 9.12 (66) (MCG) (N)

Friday, June 17

St K 11.6 (72) v Ess 15.17 (107) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, June 18

PA 12.10 (82) v Syd 8.11 (59) (AO)

WCE 9.9 (63) v Geel 12.9 (81) (OS)

GWS 16.9 (105) v WB 19.11 (125) (GS) (N)

Sunday, June 19

GCS 18.8 (116) v Adel 10.13 (73) (MS)

Byes: Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne

u STATS THAT MATTER

500 CLUB: Adam Simpson became the 20th person to reach 500 AFL/VFL games when he coached West Coast for the 194th time, having previously played 306 games for the Kangaroos.

LEAPING LION: Brandon Starcevich marks strongly in Brisbane’s hard-fought win over the Saints.

POWERHOUSE: Ollie Wines was back to his Brownlow best as Port Adelaide downed the Swans.

HIGHLIGHTS

u M elbourne ended a three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, downing the Brisbane Lions by 64 points at the MCG. Stand-in skipper Jack Viney covered for the injured Max Gawn with a team-lifting performance. The Friday night double-header saw the Western Bulldogs comfortably account for Hawthorn, while West Coast recorded just its second win, taking down Essendon by 10 points at Optus Stadium. Veteran Eagle Josh Kennedy booted five goals. A depleted Carlton was too good for Fremantle with Sam Walsh (40 disposals) putting himself in Brownlow Medal contention. Geelong gave up a 35-point lead over Richmond before a Jack Henry mark and goal in the last minute gave the Cats a three-point win in one of the games of the season. It came at a cost though, with star defender Tom Stewart outed for four weeks for a high hit on Dion Prestia . Sydney was too strong for St Kilda, Adelaide took out North Melbourne with Taylor Walker kicking six goals, Collingwood held on by 10 points over GWS and Port Adelaide won a thriller against Gold Coast.

TEAM PTS

1 Melbourne 44 Geelong Cats 40

3 Brisbane Lions 40 Fremantle 40 Carlton 40 Sydney Swans 36 Collingwood 36 Western Bulldogs 32 Richmond 32 St Kilda 32 Gold Coast Suns 28 Port Adelaide 28 Adelaide 20 GWS Giants 16 Hawthorn 16 Essendon 12 West Coast Eagles 8 North Melbourne 4

u RESULTS

Thursday, June 23

Melb 16.21 (117) v BL 7.11 (53) (MCG) (N)

Friday, June 24

WB 19.11 (125) v Haw 12.11 (83) (MRVL) (N)

WCE 16.11 (107) v Ess 14.13 (97) (OS) (N)

Saturday, June 25

Carl 12.9 (81) v Frem 7.8 (50) (MRVL)

Geel 13.11 (89) v Rich 13.8 (86) (MCG) (T)

Syd 12.11 (83) v St K 4.8 (32) (SCG) (N)

Sunday, June 26

NM 8.10 (58) v Adel 17.13 (115) (BA)

Coll 11.22 (88) v GWS 12.5 (77) (MCG) PA 13.15 (93) v GCS 13.13 (91) (AO)

ROUND ROUND THAT

HIGHLIGHTS

TEAM PTS

1 Melbourne 48 Geelong Cats 44 Brisbane Lions 44 Fremantle 44 Carlton 40 Collingwood 40 Richmond 36 Sydney Swans 36 St Kilda 36 Western Bulldogs 32 Gold Coast Suns 28 Port Adelaide 28 GWS Giants 20 Adelaide 20 Hawthorn 16 Essendon 16 West Coast Eagles North Melbourne

u RESULTS

Thursday, June 30

TOP DOG: The Bulldogs moved into the eight on the back of a 42-point win over the Hawks at Marvel Stadium. In doing so, Luke Beveridge became the first coach to clock up 100 wins for the Dogs.

u C arlton and Sydney both missed golden opportunities to stake themselves as genuine threats. The Blues were upset by St Kilda which ended a three-game losing streak to stay in the finals race. Despite holding a three-goal lead at quarter-time, the Swans could not shake off a persistent Essendon and went down by nine points. Brisbane made it seven wins from seven games at the Gabba with a 41-point victory over a disappointing Western Bulldogs. Charlie Cameron kicked four goals for the Lions and Lachie Neale starred with 33 disposals. Geelong welcomed back Patrick Dangerfield for his first game since round 10 as the Cats unleashed on a hapless North Melbourne. Gold Coast went down narrowly for the second successive week, this time to Collingwood at Metricon Stadium. Nick Daicos (37 disposals) again impressed for the Magpies. Richmond held off a determined West Coast at the MCG, GWS rookie Callum Brown booted four goals to sink Hawthorn at a wet Giants Stadium and Rory Lobbe kicked a career-high five goals in Fremantle’s eight-point win over Port Adelaide.

BL 16.12 (108) v WB 9.13 (67) (G) (N)

Friday, July 1

Carl 10.18 (78) v St K 14.9 (93) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 2

Ess 15.5 (95) v Syd 12.14 (86) (MCG)

Adel 10.5 (65) v Melb 14.10 (94) (AO) (T)

Geel 21.18 (144) v NM 5.2 (32) (GMHBA) (N)

GCS 8.14 (62) v Coll 9.13 (67) (MS) (N)

Sunday, July 3

Rich 20.8 (128) v WCE 13.15 (93) (MCG)

GWS 11.6 (72) v Haw 7.8 (50) (GS)

Frem 15.9 (99) v PA 14.7 (91) (OS)

u THAT MATTER

DANIHER DYNASTY: The Brisbane-Western Bulldogs clash saw the Daniher clan bring up a collective 900 AFL/VFL games. Joe played his 142nd game, combining with father Anthony (233 games), brother Darcy (six) and uncles Terry (313), Chris (124) and Neale (82).

DESPERATE DEE: Jack Viney led from the front in skipper Max Gawn’s absence as Melbourne crushed Brisbane.

BOMBER BLAST: Jake Stringer’s two quick goals helped Essendon overpower the Swans in a big upset at the MCG.

HIGHLIGHTS

u In the last Thursday night home and away game for the season, Geelong claimed top spot with an impressive 28-point win over Melbourne. Former premiership Hawk Isaac Smith celebrated his 250th game in style with 22 touches for the Cats. Sydney bounced back from a disappointing loss the previous week to easily account for the Western Bulldogs by 53 points. North Melbourne almost pulled off the upset of the year, going down to Collingwood by seven points at the MCG. The Kangaroos led by 26 points at the last change, but could not hold off the fast-finishing Magpies. Gold Coast young gun Noah Anderson was the hero of the Suns’ thrilling two-point win over Richmond, kicking a goal after the siren to secure the victory. The Suns came from 40 points down in the third term. Fremantle and Port Adelaide scored comfortable wins over St Kilda and GWS respectively. Essendon upset an injury and COVID-hit Brisbane at the Gabba and Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay booted five goals each in Carlton’s big win over West Coast.

u RESULTS

Thursday, July 7

TEAM PTS Geelong Cats 48 Melbourne 48 Fremantle 48 Brisbane Lions 44 Carlton 44 Collingwood 44 Sydney Swans 40 Richmond 36 St Kilda 36 Western Bulldogs 32 Gold Coast Suns 32 Port Adelaide 32 GWS Giants 20 Hawthorn 20 Adelaide 20 Essendon 20 West Coast Eagles 8 North Melbourne 4

HIGHLIGHTS

Geel 12.19 (91) v Melb 9.9 (63) (GMHBA) (N)

Friday, July 8

Syd 17.18 (120) v WB 9.13 (67) (SCG) (N)

Saturday, July 9

Coll 13.10 (88) v NM 12.9 (81) (MCG)

GCS 14.10 (94) v Rich 13.14 (92) (MS) (T)

St K 10.10 (70) v Frem 17.9 (111) (MRVL) (N)

PA 12.12 (84) v GWS 3.11 (29) (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 10

BL 13.12 (90) v Ess 15.10 (100) (G)

Haw 13.8 (86) v Adel 8.6 (54) (MRVL) WCE 8.5 (53) v Carl 17.14 (116) (OS)

LONG TIME COMING: Hawthorn won its victory. No

u Less than a week after sacking senior coach David Noble, North Melbourne pulled off a stunning upset over finals contender Richmond. With caretaker coach Leigh Adams in charge, the Roos stood tall in a hectic final term to down the inaccurate Tigers by four points. Cameron Zurhaar starred with six goals, while Jy Simpkin (30 disposals) and Luke Davies-Uniake (28) dominated the midfield battle. The Western Bulldogs kept their finals hopes alive with a 28-point win over a disappointing St Kilda. Youngster Nick Daicos (40 disposals, three goals) led Collingwood to a tough five-point win over Adelaide in Magpie skipper Scott Pendlebury ’s 350th game. Sydney scored a 17-point win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium with Chad Warner (35 disposals) outstanding for the Swans. Geelong’s class and experience proved too great for Carlton in front of 68,208 fans at the MCG. Lively Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett booted six goals in the Demons’ 14-point win over Port Adelaide in Alice Springs. Hawthorn veteran Luke Breust also kicked six goals in the Hawks’ 25-point win over West Coast.

TEAM PTS Geelong Cats 52 Melbourne 52 Brisbane Lions 48 Fremantle 48 Collingwood 48 Sydney Swans 44 Carlton 44 Richmond 36 Western Bulldogs 36 St Kilda 36 Port Adelaide 32 Gold Coast Suns Hawthorn 24 Essendon 24 GWS Giants Adelaide 20 West Coast Eagles North Melbourne

u RESULTS

Friday, July 15

WB 13.6 (84) v St K 7.14 (56) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 16

Adel 13.8 (86) v Coll 14.7 (91) (AO)

GWS 9.5 (59) v BL 15.9 (99) (MO)

NM 14.8 (92) v Rich 11.22 (88) (MRVL) (T)

Carl 8.7 (55) v Geel 12.13 (85) (MCG) (N)

Frem 9.11 (65) v Syd 11.16 (82) (OS) (T)

Sunday, July 17

ROUND ROUND THAT

Haw 15.12 (102) v WCE 12.5 (77) (MCG)

Melb 12.11 (83) v PA 10.9 (69) (TP)

Ess 14.19 (103) v GCS 8.7 (55) (MRVL) (T)

SUNS DOUBLE: Gold Coast’s David Swallow played his 192nd game to equal Jarrod Harbrow’s club record and coach Stuart Dew became the first person to coach the Suns in 100 matches.

LAST-GASP HERO: An ecstatic Noah Anderson celebrates his after-the-siren goal in the Suns’ thriller against the Tigers.

SIX-SHOOTER: Cameron Zurhaar kicked six goals as the Roos ended a week of drama with an upset win over Richmond.

HIGHLIGHTS

u Richmond and Fremantle played out the first draw of the season with the Tigers blowing a couple of late chances to win the game. The highlight of the round was Jamie Elliott ’s match-winner after the siren to give Collingwood a famous four-point victory over Essendon, its ninth win in a row. The Western Bulldogs, with young key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan booting a career-high five goals, fought back from a 27-point deficit to down Melbourne by 10 points. After trailing Geelong by 34 points at half-time, a Charlie Dixon -inspired Port Adelaide slammed on eight goals in the third quarter and took a seven-point lead into the final term. But the Cats, led by Tom Atkins, steadied to record their ninth consecutive win. The Brisbane Lions were too good for Gold Coast in the QClash, while Adam Saad (Carlton) and Toby Greene (GWS) took Mark of the Year contenders in the Blues’ 36-point win over the Giants at Marvel Stadium. Jack Gunston paid tribute to his late father, former AFL executive Ray, by kicking five goals in Hawthorn’s easy win over North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.

u RESULTS

Friday, July 22

TEAM PTS

1 Geelong Cats 56

2 Melbourne 52

3 Brisbane Lions 52 Collingwood 52 Fremantle 50 Sydney Swans 48 Carlton 48 Western Bulldogs 40 St Kilda 40

10 Richmond 38 Port Adelaide 32 Gold Coast Suns 32 Hawthorn 28 Essendon 24 GWS Giants 20 Adelaide 20 West Coast Eagles 8 North Melbourne 8

HIGHLIGHTS

Rich 7.10 (52) v Frem 7.10 (52) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, July 23

NM 11.9 (75) v Haw 19.7 (121) (BA)

Syd 17.16 (118) v Adel 12.13 (85) (SCG)

PA 14.10 (94) v Geel 16.10 (106) (AO) (T)

BL 16.14 (110) v GCS 14.9 (93) (G) (N)

WB 17.8 (110) v Melb 15.10 (100) (MRVL) (N)

Sunday, July 24

Carl 13.12 (90) v GWS 8.6 (54) (MRVL)

Coll 12.8 (80) v Ess 11.10 (76) (MCG) WCE 10.2 (62) v St K 14.6 (90) (OS)

FLYING HIGH: Richmond and Fremantle played out the only draw of the season at Marvel Stadium. The flight from Perth saw Docker David Mundy become the first player to clock up 900,000 kilometres of travel for AFL/VFL games.

u In another drama-filled round, Richmond pulled off a stunning upset, coming from 42 points behind in the second quarter to down the Brisbane Lions at the MCG. After the Lions kicked the first six goals, the Tigers steadied in Shane Edwards’ 300th game, with big forward Tom Lynch booting the sealer in the final minute. Tiger rookie Noah Cumberland kicked five goals. In the other major milestone game, Geelong also rallied after a poor start to defeat the Western Bulldogs by 28 points at GMHBA Stadium. Patrick Dangerfield (26 disposals and seven clearances) starred in Joel Selwood ’s 350th game. Melbourne put a serious dent in Fremantle’s top-four hopes with an emphatic 46-point win at Optus Stadium. Midfielder Jack Viney (16 contested possessions and four clearances) led the way for the Demons. Collingwood made it 10 wins in a row in another close scrap, downing Port Adelaide by six points.

Adelaide upset Carlton at home, casting some doubt over the Blues’ finals hopes. In the other games, St Kilda, Sydney, Gold Coast and Essendon all won as expected.

TEAM PTS

1 Geelong 60 Melbourne 56 Collingwood 56 Sydney 52 Brisbane 52 Fremantle 50 Carlton 48 St Kilda 44 Richmond 42 Western Bulldogs 40 Gold Coast Suns 36 Port Adelaide 32 Hawthorn 28 Essendon 28 Adelaide 24 GWS Giants 20 West Coast North Melbourne

u RESULTS

Friday, July 29

Frem 5.9 (39) v Melb 12.13 (85) (OS) (N)

Saturday, July 30

Coll 13.10 (88) v PA 12.10 (82) (MCG)

Syd 17.10 (112) v GWS 5.9 (39) (SCG)

St K 10.15 (75) v Haw 9.9 (63) (MRVL) (T)

Geel 14.10 (94) v WB 9.12 (66) (GMHBA) (N)

Adel 12.12 (84) v Carl 8.7 (55) (AO) (N)

Sunday, July 31

ROUND ROUND THAT

GCS 16.11 (107) v WCE 16.8 (104) (MS)

Rich 15.14 (104) v BL 14.13 (97) (MCG)

Ess 17.12 (114) v NM 9.12 (66) (MRVL) (T)

MILESTONE MAN: Joel Selwood became the quickest to play 350 games – 15 years and 120 days. He also played his 300th game alongside Tom Hawkins and broke the record for most wins as a captain, surpassing Bomber Dick Reynolds’ tally of 159.

COMING OF AGE: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked a career-high five goals as the Bulldogs stormed home against the Demons.

WINNING WAVE: The Tigers celebrated Shane Edwards’ 300th game with a stunning come-from-behind victory.

ROUND 21 ROUND 22

TEAM PTS Geelong 64 Collingwood 60 Melbourne 56 Sydney 56 Brisbane 56 Fremantle 54 Carlton 48 Richmond 46 St Kilda 44 Western Bulldogs 40 Gold Coast Suns 36 Port Adelaide 32 Hawthorn 32 Essendon 28 Adelaide 28 GWS Giants 24 West Coast 8 North Melbourne 8

HIGHLIGHTS

u C ollingwood made it 11 wins on the trot in another nail-biting finish, this time a seven-point victory over reigning premier Melbourne. Fremantle secured a finals berth with a 17-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. Defender Luke Ryan (32 disposals and 15 marks) and Rory Lobb (four goals) starred for the Dockers. Geelong also made it 11 successive wins, downing St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium. Richmond moved into eighth spot with a 38-point win against Port Adelaide. Shai Bolton (four goals) continued his excellent season. Nick Larkey booted seven of North Melbourne’s 13 goals as the Roos went down to Sydney by 38 points at Marvel Stadium. The Brisbane Lions bounced back from their narrow loss to Richmond the week before with a 33-point win over Carlton at the Gabba. Blues skipper Patrick Cripps was suspended for two games for a high hit on Callum Ah Chee. Star West Coast full-forward Josh Kennedy kicked eight goals in his farewell game, but the Eagles went down to the Adelaide Crows by 16 points at Optus Stadium.

u RESULTS

Friday, August 5

Melb 13.11 (89) v Coll 15.6 (96) (MCG) (N)

Saturday, August 6

Haw 10.10 (70) v GCS 8.15 (63) (UTAS)

GWS 14.12 (96) v Ess 10.9 (69) (GS)

WB 11.12 (78) v Frem14.11 (95) (MRVL) (T)

Geel 17.8 (110) v St K 10.5 (65) (GMHBA) (N)

PA 10.11 (71) v Rich 16.13 (109) (AO) (N)

Sunday, August 7

NM 13.10 (88) v Syd 18.18 (126) (MRVL)

BL 17.12 (114) v Carl 12.9 (81) (G) WCE 13.8 (86) v Adel 16.6 (102) (OS)

HIGHLIGHTS

u RESULTS

Friday, August 12

TEAM PTS Geelong 68 Sydney 60 Melbourne 60 Brisbane 60 Collingwood 60 Fremantle 58 Richmond 50 Carlton 48 Western Bulldogs 44 St Kilda 44 Port Adelaide 36 Gold Coast Suns 36 Hawthorn 32 Adelaide 32 Essendon 28 GWS Giants West Coast North Melbourne

u STATS THAT MATTER

FLYING THE NEST: West Coast’s Josh Kennedy signed off in style, his eight goals the second most in a final League appearance, behind only Demon Fred Fanning, who kicked 18 in his last game in 1947.

u Sydney ended Collingwood’s 11-game winning streak with a 27-point win in front of 44,659 fans at the SCG – the biggest home and away crowd at the venue since 1997. Melbourne climbed off the canvas in a thrilling final quarter after Charlie Curnow looked set to send Carlton into its first finals appearance since 2013 with three minutes remaining. But Jake Melksham’s fourth goal closed the gap to one point before Kysaiah Pickett ’s stunning snap in the final 14 seconds consigned the Blues to a heart-breaking five-point defeat. The Brisbane Lions held off a third-quarter surge from St Kilda to move into fourth spot, with Max King ’s goalkicking woes (0.5) helping the visitors. The Western Bulldogs remained in finals contention with a narrow five-point win over GWS while Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch booted eight goals against Hawthorn to guarantee the Tigers their finals spot. There was a big fallout in the wake of Essendon’s 84-point loss to Port Adelaide. Bombers president Paul Brasher resigned the following day and coach Ben Rutten’s future was uncertain.

St K 9.12 (66) v BL 12.9 (81) (MRVL) (N)

Saturday, August 13

WB 9.8 (62) v GWS 8.9 (57) (MRVL)

Adel 15.13 (103) v NM 10.14 (74) (AO)

GCS 9.5 (59) v Geel 18.11 (119) (MS) (T)

Melb 11.13 (79) v Carl 10.14 (74) (MCG) (N)

Frem 9.17 (71) v WCE 7.5 (47) (OS) (N)

Sunday, August 14

Rich 20.8 (128) v Haw 9.13 (67) (MCG)

Syd 11.11 (77) v Coll 7.8 (50) (SCG)

Ess 9.8 (62) v PA 23.8 (146) (MRVL) (T)

u STATS THAT MATTER

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: Tom Lynch became the first player to kick eight goals at the MCG since then-Hawk ‘Buddy’ Franklin against Port Adelaide in 2011.

LONE HAND: Despite a seven-goal haul by Nick Larkey, the Roos were well beaten by the Swans.

HEARTBREAKER: Demon Kysaiah Pickett’s goal with just seconds remaining left the Blues shattered.

ROUND 23

TEAM

1 Geelong Melbourne Sydney Collingwood Fremantle Brisbane Richmond Western Bulldogs Carlton St Kilda Port Adelaide Gold Coast Suns Hawthorn Adelaide Essendon GWS Giants West Coast North Melbourne

HIGHLIGHTS

u C arlton was denied its first finals appearance in nine years after a heart-breaking one-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG. In front of 88,287 fans – the biggest home and away crowd of the season – the Blues squandered a 24-point lead early in the final term to tumble out of the eight for the first time in 2022. Melbourne secured second spot, thumping the Brisbane Lions, while Sydney finished third and the Magpies fourth. The loss relegated the Lions to sixth. Fremantle had to settle for fifth and Richmond and the Western Bulldogs finished seventh and eighth respectively. A day after signing former Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson for five years, North Melbourne slumped to another big loss to take the wooden spoon for the second successive year. Essendon sacked coach Ben Rutten the day after the Bombers’ heavy defeat to Richmond. Several stars played their final games including Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Ben McEvoy (Hawthorn), Dan Hannebery (St Kilda) and Michael Hurley (Essendon). Injured Saint Paddy Ryder also announced his retirement.

u RESULTS

Friday, August 19

BL 8.9 (57) v Melb 18.7 (115) (G) (N)

Saturday, August 20

GWS 10.9 (69) v Frem 13.11 (89) (MO)

NM 6.11 (47) v GCS 16.11 (114) (MRVL)

Geel 19.17 (131) v WCE 7.4 (46) (GMHBA) (T)

Ess 11.9 (75) v Rich 21.15 (141) (MCG) (N)

PA 16.15 (111) v Adel 7.13 (55) (AO) (N)

Sunday, August 21

Haw 10.4 (64) v WB 12.15 (87) (UTAS)

Carl 10.14 (74) v Coll 11.9 (75) (MCG)

St K 11.8 (74) v Syd 13.10 (88) (MRVL) (T)

FINALS WEEK 1

u STATS THAT MATTER

HIGHLIGHTS

u T he opening week of finals was one for the ages. It kicked off with an elimination final thriller between the Brisbane Lions and Richmond at the Gabba, which saw 17 lead changes before the Lions prevailed by two points. The Tigers were fuming after a late goal to key forward Tom Lynch was overruled upon video review, which allowed Brisbane to sweep the ball down the other end where Joe Daniher booted the winning goal. The following night, Sydney caused an upset, coming from behind to down Melbourne by 22 points in the qualifying final at the MCG. In the other qualifying final, Geelong and Collingwood produced one of the great finals of all time, with the Cats winning by six points in front of 91,525 fans at the MCG. Gary Rohan exorcised his finals demons to star with three goals for the Cats. Led by young midfield stars Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, Fremantle hauled in a 41-point deficit to knock the Western Bulldogs out of the finals race at Optus Stadium. It was the second biggest finals comeback of the AFL era.

u RESULTS

Thursday, September 1

2nd EF – BL 16.10 (106) v Rich 16.8 (104) (G) (N)

Friday, September 2

2nd QF – Melb 10.9 (69) v Syd 14.7 (91) (MCG) (N)

Saturday, September 3

1st QF – Geel 11.12 (78) v Coll 10.12 (72) (MCG) (T)

1st EF – Frem 11.7 (73) v WB 8.12 (60) (OS) (N)

u STATS THAT MATTER

‘G, IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK: The Friday night qualifying final between Melbourne and Sydney saw finals football return to the MCG for the first time in 1070 days – since the 2019 Grand Final. It was just the third time in League history there had been more than 1000 days between finals at the famous venue.

THAT MAN AGAIN: Magpie Jamie Elliott stepped up to kick the match-winner and send Carlton out of the finals.

STANDING UP: Caleb Serong (left) led the Dockers’ amazing fightback against the Bulldogs, while Cat Gary Rohan’s massive mark turned the game against the Magpies.

BACK-TO-BACK BLUES: Carlton was the first club in 120 years to claim the League goalkicking award in successive seasons with different players (Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow) –behind Magpies Ted Rowell and Teddy Lockwood in 1902-03.

FINALS WEEK 2

u RESULTS

HIGHLIGHTS

u T he Brisbane Lions and Collingwood advanced to the preliminary finals after knocking out Melbourne and Fremantle respectively from the 2022 premiership race. The Lions, who were 0-11 at the MCG since 2015 and had lost their previous four encounters to the Demons, recorded a stirring victory. Without key forward Joe Daniher, who remained in Brisbane for the birth of his daughter, the Lions recovered from a 22-point half-time deficit to win by 13 points. Led by Eric Hipwood (four

u STATS THAT MATTER

BEGINNER’S LUCK: The first two games of Brisbane youngster Darcy Wilmot’s career have been in winning finals. He is the first player since Melbourne’s Don Cordner in 1941 to achieve that feat. A week earlier, Wilmot became the first Lions player to make his debut in a final, lining up in the elimination final against Richmond.

goals) and prolific midfielders Lachie Neale (27 disposals), Jarrod Berry (26) and Hugh McCluggage (25), Brisbane kicked 11.4 to 5.5 in the second half. In good news for the Lions, Berry’s one-match suspension for an alleged eye-gouge was overturned on appeal. More than 90,000 fans saw the Magpies continue their fairytale rise with a solid 20-point win over the Dockers. Jordan De Goey (24 disposals) starred again for Collingwood as Fremantle farewelled 376-game veteran David Mundy. A minute’s silence was held before both games to honour the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

MATCH-WINNERS:

Crows flying in the right direction

u It was a season of marginal growth for Adelaide. In Matthew Nicks’ third year at the helm, the Crows took small steps forward.

Last season they won seven games with a percentage of 82.0. This year, they went one better, notching eight wins accompanied by a slightly healthier percentage of 86.7.

They weren’t far off winning a trio of other games as well, going down to Fremantle by one point (round one), Essendon by four points (round four) and Collingwood by five points (round 18).

Helping that slight uptick in results was Rory Laird, who was a standout in the midfield along with Ben Keays, who fought valiantly beside him in the engine room.

Off-season recruit Jordan Dawson proved to be a superb addition, veteran Taylor Walker was again the club’s best forward, Darcy Fogarty took giant strides and Nick Murray and Jordon Butts held down the defence.

Last year’s draft crop of Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo gained invaluable experience, 2021 mid-season addition Patrick Parnell played 11 games, and 2020 draftees Riley Thilthorpe, Sam Berry and James Rowe were all given senior opportunities.

On face value, it appears things are on the right track, but 2023 will tell us a whole lot more about the Crows.

BERRY Sam 2 1 182 8 6 2 /12/02 2021 18 3 5 3 5 3

B ORLASE James * 3 5 192 100 18/7/02 * *** 0 0 0 0

BROWN Luke 16 181 8 1 2 2/9/92 2012 11 189 189 0 13

BUTTS Jordon # 41 198 9 7 3 1/12/99 2 020 19 4 3 4 3 0 0

C OOK Brayden 15 190 8 7 18/7/02 2021 8 11 11 3 3

C ROUCH Matt 5 182 8 0 2 1/4/95 2014 11 136 136 0 28

DAVIS Ben # 4 0 188 9 0 19/5/97 2019 5 11 11 0 1

DAWSON Jordan 12 192 8 6 4 /9/97 2 017 2 2 86 22 10 4 4

DOEDEE Tom 3 9 187 9 0 3/1/97 2 018 20 7 1 7 1 0 3

FOGARTY Darcy 3 2 194 9 9 2 5/9/99 2018 17 5 8 5 8 3 3 8 3

FRAMPTON Billy 2 2 2 01 9 9 2 0/11/96 2018 6 24 2 1 1 12

GOLLANT Lachlan 4 4 192 8 5 9/12/01 2021 7 8 8 7 8

H AMILL Will 17 185 8 1 17/11/00 2020 13 3 8 3 8 1 1

H ATELY Jackson 6 191 8 5 2 1/10/00 2019 11 2 7 14 2 4

HIMMELBERG Elliott 3 4 2 00 9 9 6 /4/98 2018 11 3 8 3 8 14 4 0

HINGE Mitchell 2 0 189 9 1 2 6/6/98 2019 17 2 1 18 3 4

JONES Chayce 1 180 8 2 14/1/00 2 019 2 0 5 8 5 8 0 10

KEAYS Ben 2 186 8 9 2 3/2/97 2016 2 2 9 0 6 0 10 3 6

LAIRD Rory 2 9 178 78 2 9/12/93 2013 2 0 2 02 2 02 7 2 5

McADAM Shane 2 3 183 8 2 28/5/95 2020 15 4 3 4 3 2 3 6 0

McASEY Fischer 3 198 9 8 3/8/01 2020 0 10 10 0 0

McHENRY Ned 2 5 178 74 13/7/00 2020 2 0 4 9 4 9 13 24

McPHERSON Andrew 3 6 187 8 6 2 0/6/99 2020 1 28 28 0 0

MILERA Wayne 3 0 184 8 6 14/9/97 2 016 12 74 74 5 2 6

MURPHY Lachlan 4 175 8 1 12/4/98 2018 17 76 76 9 5 6

MURRAY Nick # 28 194 9 8 18/12/00 2021 16 2 9 2 9 0 1

N ANKERVIS Luke 2 7 191 7 7 2 5/5/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

NEWCHURCH Tariek * 42 182 7 9 2 1/7/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

O ’BRIEN Reilly 4 3 2 03 105 2 0/8/95 2016 2 0 7 7 7 7 3 8

PARNELL Patrick # 37 177 7 1 3/4/02 2 022 11 11 11 0 0

P EDLAR Luke 10 184 8 4 17/5/02 2021 3 5 5 1 1

R ACHELE Josh 8 180 8 0 4 /11/03 2 022 13 13 13 17 17

ROWE James 3 1 173 7 5 17/9/99 2021 17 3 6 3 6 12 2 7

SCHOENBERG Harry 2 6 183 8 3 2 1/2/01 2020 16 4 6 4 6 4 17

SEEDSMAN Paul 11 190 8 4 2 2/1/92 2012 0 132 8 3 0 6 6

SHOLL Lachlan 3 8 186 8 2 3/7/00 2020 11 3 8 3 8 4 9

SLOANE Rory 9 183 8 2 17/3/90 2009 4 2 33 2

SMITH 189

S TRACHAN

TAYLOR

T HILTHORPE

TURNER

WALKER

WORRELL

A NDREW

BALL MAGNET: Laird was again standout in the Crows’ midfield.

Inspired Lions regain their finals roar

u T he Brisbane Lions again proved they were one of the competition’s best sides in 2022, winning 15 home and away games in Chris Fagan’s sixth season in charge.

While they missed out on a top-four spot by one game – the first time they have missed the double chance since 2018 – the Lions were immense in September, upsetting flag hopefuls Richmond and reigning premier Melbourne in consecutive weeks.

Brisbane’s standout performer was Lachie Neale, who returned to his best form with a prolific All-Australian season where he averaged more than 30 disposals and seven clearances a game.

Along with Neale, Hugh McCluggage was huge for the Lions through the midfield as he built on his budding career, while Keidean Coleman announced himself as an exciting rebounding defender.

As always, the Lions’ forward line proved hard to stop and they had the AFL’s second-most potent attack during the home and away season.

Charlie Cameron again played a big part in that, while Zac Bailey helped him form one of the competition’s most dangerous small forward pairings at the feet of tall options Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Daniel McStay.

With a list that’s built for immediate success, the Lions will focus on continuing to compete for a top-four spot in 2023.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

ADAMS Marcus 24 192 9 8 3 0/6/93 2016 18 7 3 4 6 1 5

A H CHEE Callum 4 183 8 1 10/9/97 2 016 2 0 104 5 9 7 41

ANDREWS Harris 3 1 2 02 100 12/11/96 2015 2 3 159 159 0 10

ANSWERTH Noah 4 3 183 8 5 8/6/99 2019 2 2 5 0 5 0 0 2

B AILEY Zac 3 3 182 8 4 2 3/9/99 2018 2 3 9 3 9 3 3 6 9 1

BERRY Jarrod 7 192 9 0 2 /5/98 2017 2 2 107 107 8 47

BERRY Thomas 13 185 8 1 5/1/00 2020 3 2 0 2 0 1 3

C AMERON Charlie 2 3 180 76 7/5/94 2014 24 175 102 5 3 3 00

COCKATOO Nakia 12 185 9 0 2 3/10/96 2015 8 4 9 15 2 3 2

COLEMAN Blake 3 4 182 8 2 8/6/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

C OLEMAN Keidean 18 182 8 1 3 1/3/00 2020 17 4 0 4 0 4 12

COX Mitch # 42 190 8 1 24/3/97 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

DA NIHER Joe 3 2 01 9 7 3/4/94 2013 18 150 42 3 9 2 76

FORT Darcy 3 2 2 04 9 8 8/6/93 2 019 18 26 18 9 15

FULLARTON Tom 2 1 2 00 9 8 2 3/2/99 2020 5 19 19 2 6

G ARDINER Darcy 2 7 192 9 1 2 2/9/95 2014 2 0 153 153 0 5

HIPWOOD Eric 3 0 2 03 9 2 13/9/97 2016 16 126 126 2 3 186

LANE Kalin # 4 5 2 05 102 12/5/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

L ESTER Ryan 3 5 192 8 4 2 6/8/92 2011 3 161 161 0 4 6

LOHMANN Kai 1 185 7 7 5/6/03 2 022 2 2 2 0 0

LYONS Jarryd 17 184 8 8 2 2/7/92 2012 2 2 181 8 9 7 8 4

MADDEN James * 14 188 8 8 15/11/99 2021 2 11 11 0 1

M ATHIESON Rhys # 3 6 186 8 6 1/10/97 2 016 9 7 1 7 1 3 2 9

McCARTHY Lincoln 11 178 8 2 2 2/10/93 2012 24 118 8 9 3 4 130

McCLUGGAGE Hugh 6 185 8 6 3/3/98 2017 2 3 129 129 2 0 8 4

McFADYEN Connor 2 6 190 95 12/4/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

McINERNEY Oscar 4 6 2 04 110 7/10/94 2018 2 1 100 100 9 4 5

McSTAY Daniel 2 5 195 9 8 24/6/95 2014 2 1 160 160 2 5 138

MICHAEL Carter # 3 9 188 8 3 2 2/5/02 2 022 1 1 1 1 1

NEALE Lachie 9 178 8 4 24/5/93 2012 24 2 19 8 4 11 112

PAYNE Jack 4 0 197 105 15/10/99 2020 11 2 6 2 6 2 2

PRIOR Jaxon 2 0 189 8 5 6 /4/01 2021 12 3 0 3 0 4 10

RAYNER Cam 16 186 9 4 2 1/10/99 2018 2 3 8 6 8 6 24 8 1

RICH Daniel 10 183 9 5 6 /7/90 2009 2 1 2 67 2 67 1 114

ROBERTSON Deven 2 185 8 5 3 0/6/01 2020 7 24 24 3 7

R

SUPERSTAR: Lachie Neale returned to his Brownlow best.

Blue skies despite finals heartbreak

u C arlton’s 2022 season ended disastrously, missing the finals after spending 22 successive weeks inside the top eight.

Four straight losses to close the season saw the Blues squander their 8-2 start, devastating their fanbase.

But holistically, Carlton is a changed club. The Blues have transformed from a struggling outfit under previous regimes to a team with a clear game style and identity and steady leadership behind the scenes.

Yes, they squandered a finals tilt, but they fought hard across the season despite an injury list in double digits.

The low point was the loss to Adelaide in round 20. A win they were expected to bank and the one that would have secured their top-eight spot. The Blues didn’t show up, putting in their worst effort of the year, and were beaten badly.

From there, they were unable to overcome finalists Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood to bank the four points they desperately needed.

However, Charlie Curnow ’s resurgence should have Blues fans’ excitement levels through the roof. After more than two years on the sidelines, the key forward had a dominant season, winning the Coleman Medal, and there is still more improvement to come.

In the end, Carlton set out to play finals, but didn’t get there. Expectations and motivation will be high in 2023 to overcome such a stinging end to the season.

NIC NEGREPONTIS

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

AKUEI Domanic * 41 192 78 5/12/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

B OYD Jordan # 37 182 8 0 2 2/9/98 2 022 7 7 7 0 0

C ARROLL Jack 16 188 8 2 2 0/12/02 2 022 5 5 5 1 1

C ERRA Adam 5 187 8 6 10/7/99 2 018 18 9 4 18 5 2 1

COTTRELL Matthew # 4 6 185 80 2 9/2/00 2 020 18 37 37 9 14

CRIPPS Patrick 9 195 9 3 18/3/95 2014 2 1 159 159 2 0 8 7

CUNINGHAM David 28 186 8 5 3 0/3/97 2016 0 41 41 0 2 3

CURNOW Charlie 3 0 192 9 2 2 /3/97 2016 2 2 8 4 8 4 6 4 143

CURNOW Ed 3 5 179 8 6 11/7/89 2 011 0 2 04 204 0 5 0

DE KONING Tom 12 2 03 101 16/7/99 2 018 19 41 41 4 12

DOCHERTY Sam 15 185 8 6 17/10/93 2013 2 2 144 131 3 17

DOW Paddy 2 187 8 5 16/10/99 2018 4 6 3 6 3 0 19

DURDIN Corey 19 173 76 14/4/02 2 021 2 1 2 3 2 3 15 16

DURDIN Sam # 3 8 198 9 5 6 /6/96 2 017 1 23 1 0 1

F ISHER Zac 2 5 179 76 15/6/98 2017 2 2 9 5 9 5 18 4 9

FOGARTY Lachie 8 180 76 4 /1/99 2018 3 4 3 2 0 0 12

HAYES Will # 4 0 181 78 6 /5/95 2 019 2 13 2 0 4

HEWETT George 2 9 187 8 5 2 9/12/95 2 016 15 135 15 4 3 6

HONEY Josh 3 6 186 8 5 17/10/01 2020 5 11 11 1 7

K EMP Brodie 17 193 8 8 5/1/01 2021 4 6 6 0 0

K ENNEDY Matthew 7 190 9 0 4 /6/97 2016 17 78 5 9 7 3 6

MARCHBANK Caleb 2 2 193 9 2 12/7/96 2015 4 52 4 5 0 0

M ARTIN Jack 2 1 186 8 2 2 9/1/95 2014 12 135 3 8 12 113

McDONALD Oscar # 3 9 196 9 8 18/3/96 2 015 2 8 6 5 0 3

McGOVERN Mitch 11 191 8 9 10/11/94 2016 7 8 8 4 0 0 104

McKAY Harry 10 2 04 104 24/12/97 2017 19 8 6 8 6 4 5 174

MIRKOV Alex # 4 5 2 10 104 17/11/99 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MOTLOP Jesse 3 176 76 2 3/11/03 2 022 12 12 12 12 12

NEWMAN Nic 24 187 8 0 15/1/93 2017 19 8 6 5 5 0 14

NEWNES Jack 3 2 185 8 4 24/2/93 2012 16 2 07 52 4 76

O’BRIEN Lochie * 4 185 8 4 18/9/99 2018 19 6 0 6 0 5 16

OWIES Matthew # 4 4 180 8 1 19/3/97 2020 17 3 1 3 1 14 2 9

PARKS Luke # 2 6 192 8 6 18/4/01 2021 2 8 8 0 0

P HILP Sam 3 4 186 8 3 8/4/01 2020 0 2 2 0 1

P ITTONET Marc 2 7 2 02 104 6 /3/96 2 016 8 41 3 4

P LOWMAN Lachie 0 193 8 7 9/11/94

S AAD 3/7/94 /5/98

SILVAGNI

BLUE HORIZON: Charlie Curnow returned to his brilliant best to claim the Coleman Medal.

McRae takes Pies on a rollicking ride

u What a year it was for Collingwood, rising from 17th to fourth in the home and away season in Craig McRae’s first year at the helm.

Armed with a new game style, the Magpies turned into one of the AFL’s most exciting teams as they rebounded with vigour off half-back and defended with ferocity.

While much of the senior core remained from Collingwood’s successful 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons, young improvers Josh Daicos, Isaac Quaynor, Nathan Murphy, Darcy Cameron, John Noble and Ash Johnson helped catapult the side up the ladder.

First-year father-son sensation Nick Daicos was the biggest revelation, with the highly-rated teenager eclipsing all expectations with one of the best rookie seasons in AFL history.

Another aspect that added to the excitement around Collingwood was its ability to win close contests, with 11 of its 16 home and away wins coming by less than two goals.

While they were on the other side of a close loss in their first final against the Cats, the Magpies proved the way they play stands up in the heat of finals.

Together with the Daicos brothers, Collingwood’s standout performers were Brayden Maynard – who received a maiden All-Australian blazer – Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore.

The Magpies will hope that 2022 is only the start of a successful run with McRae in charge.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

ADAMS Taylor 13 181 8 4 2 0/9/93 2012 18 183 152 2 6 3

BEGG Aiden # 3 9 197 9 0 10/8/02 2 022 3 3 3 0 0

BIANCO Trent 8 178 7 5 2 0/1/01 2021 9 2 1 2 1 0 7

BROWN Callum 17 179 8 1 2 7/4/98 2017 6 70 70 1 2 3

BROWN Tyler 6 192 8 4 12/9/99 2020 11 2 7 2 7 2 4

C AMERON Darcy 14 2 04 101 18/7/95 2018 2 3 52 51 19 4 5

CARMICHAEL Josh # 4 5 190 8 9 2 3/9/99 2 022 7 7 7 4 4

C HUGG Isaac # 3 4 181 8 4 2 6/2/02 2 022 2 2 2 0 0

C OX Mason 4 6 2 11 108 14/3/91 2016 17 9 3 9 3 7 100

CRISP Jack 2 5 190 9 2 10/2/93 2012 24 199 181 11 6 2

DAICOS Josh 7 178 78 2 6/11/98 2017 24 76 76 14 4 0

DAICOS Nick 3 5 184 7 3 1/3/03 2 022 24 24 24 6 6

DE GOEY Jordan 2 188 9 3 15/3/96 2015 18 136 136 18 173

DEAN Charlie # 4 3 195 8 9 19/6/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

DRAPER Arlo 19 186 78 3 0/1/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

E LLIOTT Jamie 5 178 8 0 2 1/8/92 2012 18 154 154 2 6 2 25

GINNIVAN Jack # 3 3 185 8 0 12/9/02 2021 2 2 2 7 2 7 3 9 4 5

GRUNDY Brodie 4 2 03 104 15/4/94 2 013 6 177 177 2 6 0

HARRISON Harvey 3 6 181 76 11/10/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

HENRY Oliver 16 189 8 0 2 9/7/02 2021 15 2 5 2 5 2 1 28

HOSKIN-ELLIOTT Will 3 2 186 8 3 9/2/93 2012 2 3 180 128 12 157

HOWE Jeremy 3 8 190 8 5 2 9/6/90 2011 2 3 2 18 118 1 9 1

JOHNSON Ash # 4 0 193 8 7 10/6/97 2 022 8 8 8 15 15

KELLY Will 2 0 194 9 2 16/8/00 2020 0 3 3 0 1

K REUGER Nathan 15 196 9 3 2 5/6/99 2 021 4 6 4 4 4

LIPINSKI Patrick 1 190 8 6 17/7/98 2 017 24 80 24 9 3 9

MACRAE Finlay 18 188 8 3 13/3/02 2021 2 11 11 0 1

M ADGEN Jack 4 4 192 9 4 2 5/4/93 2018 9 4 9 4 9 1 2

MAYNARD Brayden 37 189 9 3 2 0/9/96 2015 2 2 160 160 1 17

McCREERY Beau 3 1 186 8 4 19/4/01 2021 2 1 3 4 3 4 12 2 3

McINNES Reef 2 6 194 8 7 12/12/02 2 022 6 6 6 3 3

McMAHON Liam 2 9 198 8 9 5/2/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MIHOCEK Brody 41 192 9 7 2 /4/93 2018 2 2 101 101 4 0 164

MOORE Darcy 3 0 2 03 100 2 5/1/96 2015 2 3 125 125 2 6 7

MURLEY Cooper 2 7 178 6 7 2 0/6/03

LACHLAN GELEIT

RISING STAR: Nick Daicos was a revelation in his debut season.

THE WRIGHT STUFF: Peter Wright was impressive with 53 goals for the season.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

BALDWIN Kaine # 2 6 193 9 5 3 0/5/02 2 022 4 4 4 2 2

BRAND Cody 3 8 195 9 2 2 3/5/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

BRYAN Nick 24 2 03 101 2 2/10/01 2021 5 6 6 1 1

C ALDWELL Jye 6 183 8 3 28/9/00 2019 2 0 3 4 2 3 6 7

C OX Nik 13 2 00 9 4 15/1/02 2021 5 2 7 2 7 1 10

CUTLER Tom 12 192 8 9 2 0/2/95 2014 9 9 6 3 0 5 4 0

D’AMBROSIO Massimo # 42 178 8 0 6 /5/03 2 022 8 8 8 4 4

DRAPER Sam 2 205 105 28/9/98 2 020 2 2 43 4 3 12 15

DURHAM Sam # 2 2 185 8 4 7/9/01 2 021 2 0 2 7 2 7 5 6

E YRE Josh 3 2 198 9 3 24/10/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

F RANCIS Aaron 10 193 9 2 8/10/97 2016 4 5 4 5 4 4 12

GUELFI Matt 3 5 184 8 4 14/8/97 2018 2 0 8 3 8 3 17 3 1

HAM Brayden 3 3 182 7 9 2 5/4/99 2019 11 4 5 4 5 0 9

HEPPELL Dyson 2 1 189 8 7 14/5/92 2011 2 2 2 13 2 13 4 6 6

HIND Nick 19 180 76 19/8/94 2019 2 1 6 4 4 3 2 2 3

HIRD Tom * 4 9 182 76 28/3/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

HOBBS Ben 8 183 7 9 16/9/03 2 022 17 17 17 8 8

HURLEY Michael 18 193 9 4 6 /1/90 2009 1 194 194 1 109

JONES Harrison 2 3 196 8 8 2 5/2/01 2021 10 2 6 2 6 13 3 3

Sweeping changes after season of woe

u Essendon entered 2022 on the back of a surprise finals performance last year in Ben Rutten’s second full season as coach.

But what transpired on and off the field was nothing short of a disaster, with the Bombers looking for a new coach after parting ways with Rutten following a seven-win and 15th-placed finish.

Essendon was smashed by 66 points in the season-opener against Geelong and lost by the same margin against Richmond to finish the year and, in truth, not much changed in between.

The Bombers lost 10 of their first 12 games, but recovered mildly to beat Sydney, Brisbane and St Kilda. But it was the 84-point smashing at the hands of Port Adelaide late in the season which seemingly sealed Rutten’s fate.

From the moment new president David Barham launched a last-ditch bid for now North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, Rutten knew he was gone.

The one bright spot came from Peter Wright, who announced himself as one of the best forwards in the competition with 53 goals. Dashing defender Mason Redman was impressive and should go close to winning the club’s best and fairest award next month.

It remains to be seen how the events of this season will affect the club’s fortunes heading into 2023 under a new coach and president. A new CEO will also be brought in after Xavier Campbell’s late-season resignation.

KELLY Jake 2 9 190 9 1 2 1/1/95 2 015 2 1 131 21 1 2

L ANGFORD Kyle 4 192 8 8 12/1/96 2015 9 107 107 10 7 7

LAVERDE Jayden 15 193 9 1 4 /12/96 2015 2 2 9 1 9 1 0 37

LORD Alastair 28 181 7 5 2 6/11/03 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

M ARTIN Nic # 37 192 8 2 4 /3/01 2 022 2 1 21 21 19 19

McBRIDE Cian # 41 197 9 0 19/4/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

McDONAGH Garrett 3 6 184 8 2 19/6/96 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

McDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI Anthony 4 3 171 78 2 2/4/93 2016 0 126 126 0 153

McGRATH Andrew 1 180 8 3 6 /2/98 2017 18 111 111 2 19

MENZIE Jye # 47 180 8 1 28/10/02 2 022 2 2 2 1 1

MERRETT Zach 7 179 8 5 10/3/95 2014 19 184 184 6 5 6

PARISH Darcy 3 180 8 2 2 5/7/97 2016 16 132 132 3 5 0

PERKINS Archie 16 188 8 0 2 6/3/02 2021 18 3 9 3 9 16 2 5

PHILLIPS Andrew 3 4 2 01 101 7/3/91 2 012 10 6 2 2 1 4 2 3

REDMAN Mason 2 7 187 8 6 2 6/8/97 2016 2 0 8 0 8 0 3 11

REID Zach 3 1 2 02 9 0 3/2/02 2021 7 8 8 0 0

R IDLEY Jordan 14 195 9 3 2 0/10/98 2018 2 0 6 8 6 8 0 0

SHIEL Dylan 9 182 8 4 3/9/93 2 012 19 199 6 4 3 8 3

SMITH Devon 5 176 78 2 0/5/93 2012 8 182 7 3 3 146

SNELLING Will 11 175 7 9 8/6/97 2016 8 5 0 4 9 0 2 3

STEWART James 17 199 9 9 3/4/94 2013 6 78 6 0 4 7

STRINGER Jake 2 5 192 9

LAURENCE ROSEN

Young talent drives a season of growth

u Fremantle is coming off a season of genuine growth, winning a final and showing an extra level of attacking dare which complemented its defensive structure under Justin Longmuir

The Dockers finished in fifth spot after the home and away season, winning 15 games and impressing across the board, even if they went through a three-game stretch between rounds 18 and 20 where they failed to win a game.

What was most pleasing about Longmuir’s side this season was the growth was almost exclusively led by their talented next generation, with captain Nat Fyfe missing most of the season with a hamstring injury.

Andrew Brayshaw led from the front all season and was named the AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player and made the All-Australian team, while fellow midfielder Caleb Serong became one of his side’s most important players.

The defensive trio of Luke Ryan, Griffin Logue and Brennan Cox were all rock solid, with the emergence of Jye Amiss – even though he played only three games –and Nathan O’Driscoll sure to delight Fremantle fans in the next few years.

While there is expected to be a fair bit of movement on the trade front at Fremantle this off-season, there is no reason why the Dockers shouldn’t be challenging for a top-four spot next season.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

ACRES Blake 9 189 9 2 10/7/95 2014 2 0 120 4 5 6 37

AISH James 11 183 83 11/8/95 2 014 2 3 143 6 1 5 2 9

AMISS Jye 24 196 8 3 3 1/7/03 2 022 3 3 3 4 4

B ANFIELD Bailey # 41 190 8 8 2 6/2/98 2018 2 3 6 1 6 1 18 3 1

BENNING Eric 3 8 195 8 3 14/6/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

BLAKELY Connor # 19 189 8 9 3/2/96 2015 0 78 78 0 3

BRAYSHAW Andrew 8 185 8 6 11/8/99 2018 24 100 100 12 3 2

BRODIE Will 17 190 8 8 2 3/8/98 2 017 24 49 24 6 9

C HAPMAN Heath 2 7 193 8 5 3 1/1/02 2021 17 2 3 2 3 0 1

C LARK Jordan 6 185 8 4 16/10/00 2 019 24 56 24 3 18

COLYER Travis 3 3 173 74 24/8/91 2010 18 146 5 9 9 8 6

COX Brennan 3 6 195 100 13/8/98 2017 2 3 8 2 8 2 1 28

CROWDEN Mitch # 12 175 8 3 28/4/99 2018 2 42 42 0 15

DARCY Sean 4 2 03 110 6 /12/98 2017 2 1 8 3 8 3 10 3 4

ERASMUS Neil 28 190 8 3 12/2/03 2 022 5 5 5 1 1

F REDERICK Michael 3 2 183 79 17/5/00 2 020 2 2 3 9 3 9 28 37

FYFE Nat 7 191 9 4 18/9/91 2 010 7 2 09 209 6 170

HAMLING Joel 2 1 194 9 2 4 /9/93 2015 1 8 7 6 4 0 0

HENRY Liam 2 3 180 7 5 28/8/01 2 020 7 2 7 2 7 1 12

HUGHES Ethan 15 188 8 8 12/7/94 2015 6 8 1 8 1 0 4

JOHNSON Matthew 4 4 192 78 16/3/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

K UEK Sebit # 4 3 199 8 3 11/11/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

LOBB Rory 37 207 107 2 /9/93 2 014 2 1 140 66 3 6 143

LOGUE Griffin 2 194 9 8 13/4/98 2017 2 0 6 4 6 4 8 9

MEEK Lloyd 2 2 2 03 110 2 2/4/98 2021 6 15 15 2 3

MUNDY David 16 192 9 3 2 0/7/85 2005 2 2 376 376 5 161

O’DRISCOLL Nathan 3 0 188 8 2 17/5/02 2 022 12 12 12 10 10

PEARCE Alex 2 5 2 01 9 9 6 /9/95 2 015 2 1 8 4 8 4 1 4

RYAN Luke 13 186 9 2 2 /6/96 2 017 24 109 109 0 3

S CHULTZ Lachie # 5 178 8 4 3 0/11/97 2019 2 3 6 7 6 7 3 0 6 8

SERONG Caleb 3 179 8 3 2 /9/01 2020 2 2 5 8 5 8 5 15

STURT Sam 1 190 8 1 5/12/00 2020 0 4 4 0 5

SWITKOWSKI Sam 3 9 179 74 2 0/11/96 2018 14 4 6 4 6 11

TABERNER Matt 2 0 198 9

TREACY Josh #

TUCKER Darcy

WALKER Brandon

WALTERS Michael

LAURENCE ROSEN

ELITE: Andrew Brayshaw elevated his game to the next level.

Potent Cats defy the critics yet again

u Geelong showed no signs of slowing down in 2022 despite some outside noise that the Cats were too old and too slow.

Coach Chris Scott tinkered with his coaching staff, bringing in ex-Cats Matthew Egan and James Kelly as assistants, and Eddie Betts as a part-time development coach.

The game-plan had a makeover too with quicker ball movement, particularly through the corridor.

It allowed the Cats to take full advantage of a forward line laden with marking power and buzzing with small forwards.

Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins each kicked 59 goals during the home and away season, while Tyson Stengle chipped in with 46 goals and the much-improved Brad Close was good for a goal a game.

Stengle’s story was a remarkable one after he was thrown a lifeline by Geelong. He’d been a talent at both Richmond and the Adelaide Crows, but found himself in strife off the field, particularly in Adelaide where he finished up playing at SANFL level.

But with Betts as his mentor, Stengle grabbed his chance to the point where he was a walk-up selection for the All-Australian team.

He was one of five Cats in the team of the year, with Hawkins named captain, Tom Stewart in his customary position in the back pocket, Cameron at centre half-forward and debutant Mark Blicavs on the bench.

MICHAEL LOVETT

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022

ATKINS Tom # 3 0 180 8 2 18/9/95 2019 2 3 8 0 8 0 4 13

BEWS Jed 24 186 9 2 14/12/93 2014 2 1 149 149 1 16

BLICAVS Mark 4 6 198 101 28/3/91 2013 2 2 2 25 2 25 7 51

CAMERON Jeremy 5 196 9 4 4 /1/93 2012 2 2 2 08 37 6 2 528

CEGLAR Jonathon 15 2 04 9 9 14/2/91 2 013 3 104 3 0 4 3

CLOSE Brad # 4 5 181 7 1 3 0/7/98 2020 2 3 5 3 5 3 2 3 4 0

CONWAY Toby 6 2 05 100 24/4/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

DAHLHAUS Luke 4 0 179 8 2 2 1/8/92 2011 10 2 25 7 1 3 141

DANGERFIELD Patrick 3 5 189 9 7 4 /5/90 2008 16 3 01 147 6 3 14

DE KONING Sam 16 2 04 101 2 6/2/01 2021 2 1 2 2 2 2 0 0

DEMPSEY Oliver # 28 185 70 1/7/03 2 022 2 2 2 1 1

DUNCAN Mitch 2 2 188 8 5 6 /10/91 2010 2 0 2 56 2 56 8 175

EVANS Francis 3 1 182 8 3 2 3/8/01 2021 5 7 7 1 3

GUTHRIE Cameron 2 9 187 8 8 19/8/92 2 011 2 3 228 2 28 11 74

GUTHRIE Zach 3 9 187 8 4 3 0/6/98 2017 19 52 52 4 6

H AWKINS Tom 2 6 198 104 2 1/7/88 2007 2 3 3 25 3 25 6 0 7 25

HENRY Jack 3 8 192 9 6 2 9/8/98 2018 15 105 105 4 2 0

HIGGINS Shaun 4 184 8 9 3/4/88 2006 5 2 60 2 3 1 2 29

HOLMES Max 9 189 8 3 2 9/8/02 2021 17 2 9 2 9 12 13

KNEVITT Mitch 10 193 8 4 1/8/03 2 022 2 2 2 0 0

KOLODJASHNIJ Jake 8 193 9 6 8/9/95 2015 2 1 153 153 2 3

K ROEGER Flynn 2 5 185 8 5 2 3/7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MENEGOLA Sam 2 7 189 8 9 3/7/92 2016 7 116 116 5 8 1

MIERS Gryan 3 2 179 8 1 3 0/3/99 2019 2 0 8 1 8 1 11 70

NARKLE Quinton 19 182 8 8 12/3/97 2018 8 41 41 4 18

NEALE Shannon 3 3 2 03 100 2 5/7/02 2 022 2 2 2 0 0

O ’CONNOR Mark 42 191 8 9 17/1/97 2017 2 0 8 5 8 5 0 4

PARFITT Brandan 3 180 8 3 2 7/4/98 2017 16 111 111 4 4 5

RATUGOLEA Esava 17 198 108 24/7/98 2018 4 5 9 5 9 0 3 8

ROHAN Gary 2 3 189 9 3 6 /7/91 2010 10 175 6 9 12 187

SELWOOD Joel 14 183 8 4 2 6/5/88 2007 19 3 53 3 53 5

SIMPSON Sam 37 183 7 5 14/6/98 2017 0 19 19 0

SMITH Isaac 7 188 8 3 3 0/12/88 2011 2 2 2 56 4 6

STANLEY Rhys 1 2 00 102 12/1/90 2010 18 181 123

STENGLE Tyson 18 175 7 3 19/10/98 2 017 2 3 39 23 6

SUNS STANDOUT:

Touk Miller took his game to even greater heights in 2022.

Finals beckon as Suns warming to the task

u G old Coast equalled its best finish in 2022, and the groundwork has been laid for a strong assault on the 2023 season.

Stuart Dew – who earned himself a two-year contract extension – and his men were right in the hunt for finals for much of the season.

Noah Anderson’s goal after the siren to win the round 17 clash with Richmond and the emotion that followed showed how much the possibility of September meant to the club, but Gold Coast won just two more games.

Touk Miller was the standout player, taking another step as an elite midfielder to share the AFLCA Player of the Year award with Clayton Oliver, as well as making the All-Australian side for the second successive time.

His co-captain, Jarrod Witts, dominated in the ruck and young guns Matt Rowell and Anderson added to a tough midfield unit.

The Suns ranked in the top four for total clearances and contested possessions, proving Dew’s got full buy-in from his midfield.

But injuries took a toll late in the season. The Suns overcame Ben King’s ACL injury in the pre-season, but long-term setbacks to Charlie Ballard, Wil Powell, Lachie Weller and others were simply too much.

With those troops returning and another year of experience for the youngsters, a maiden finals berth is on the table for 2023.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

AINSWORTH Ben 9 179 7 7 2 /10/98 2017 2 2 9 6 9 6 2 5 7 7

ANDERSON Noah 15 192 8 8 17/2/01 2020 2 1 5 8 5 8 11 15

ANDREW Mac 3 1 2 01 74 12/4/03 2 022 4 4 4 0 0

ATKINS Rory 2 186 8 5 7/12/94 2015 9 118 17 0 4 9

BALLARD Charlie 10 196 9 5 2 3/7/99 2018 18 8 7 8 7 0 1

B OWES Jack 3 187 8 8 2 6/1/98 2017 5 8 3 8 3 0 14

BROCK Sandy # 4 5 198 8 6 14/12/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

BUDARICK Connor 3 5 175 7 5 4 /6/01 2020 9 2 6 2 6 0 1

BURGESS Chris 2 9 191 9 4 2 6/11/95 2019 2 3 5 3 5 0 14

CASBOULT Levi # 3 0 199 104 15/3/90 2 012 2 1 175 21 3 5 191

CHOL Mabior 1 2 00 9 6 2 9/1/97 2 016 2 2 53 22 4 4 6 8

COLLINS Sam 2 5 194 9 9 15/6/94 2 016 2 2 8 1 67 0 0

C ONROY Matt # 4 8 199 9 5 11/7/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

C ONSTABLE Charlie 3 3 192 8 6 18/5/99 2 019 2 14 2 0 6

C ORBETT Josh 19 190 9 0 2 3/4/96 2019 4 3 6 3 6 4 3 3

DAVIES Alex 5 191 8 6 18/3/02 2021 15 16 16 8 8

DAY Sam 12 197 9 9 9/6/92 2 011 4 147 147 6 106

ELLIS Brandon 4 181 8 2 8/3/93 2012 2 1 2 31 5 5 9 7 7

FARRAR Jy 5 0 191 7 7 12/7/96 2020 14 2 5 2 5 1 2 FAULKHEAD Oskar # 37 182 76 2 /11/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

F IORINI Brayden 8 186 8 4 2 2/8/97 2 016 14 76 76 3 2 3

FLANDERS Sam 2 6 183 8 2 24/7/01 2020 9 3 0 3 0 3 9

GRAHAM Caleb 4 6 195 9 6 9/12/00 2019 15 37 37 1 1

HOLLANDS Elijah 3 6 189 8 6 2 5/4/02 2 022 5 5 5 5 5

HOLMAN Nick 7 189 8 6 2 9/5/95 2014 2 0 9 1 8 2 16 4 9

JEFFREY Joel 4 0 192 8 2 3/12/02 2021 5 9 9 8 10

KING Ben 3 4 2 02 9 8 7/7/00 2019 0 5 3 5 3 0 8 9

LEMMENS Sean 2 3 184 8 1 11/2/94 2014 2 0 134 134 0 2 5

LUKOSIUS Jack 13 195 9 1 8/9/00 2019 13 7 3 7 3 8 17

MACPHERSON Darcy 4 4 174 7 9 2 9/10/97 2016 10 7 2 7 2 0 2 6

MARKOV Oleg 17 188 8 5 5/8/96 2016 11 51 28 1 5

McLENNAN Jez # 4 3 185 8 5 9/7/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MILLER Touk 11 178 8 4 2 2/2/96 2 015 2 2 160 160 8 47

MOYLE Ned # 4 9 2 05 9 6 15/2/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MURTAGH Patrick # 42 196 9 8 2 /11/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

NICHOLLS Rhys # 3 8 188 7 9 3 0/9/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

OEA Hewago Paul * 47 172 70 13/11/01 2 022 5 5 5 2 2

P OWELL Wil 2 7 185 8 1 2 6/8/99 2018 12 6 9 6 9 1 13

RANKINE Izak 2 2 181 8 1 23/4/00 2 020 18 4 8 4 8 2 9 5 7

ROSAS Malcolm 41 175 70 2 7/6/01 2021 15 19 19 14 14

ROWELL Matt 18 180 8 0 7/1/01 2 020 22 3 9 3 9 2 10

SEXTON Alex 6 186 8 2 12/3/93 2012 4 158 158 7 157

SHARP Jeremy 2 0 189 8 1 13/8/01 2020 12 2 3 2 3 5 7

SWALLOW David 24 185 8 7 19/11/92 2011 2 2 197 197 8 8 6

THOMPSON 00 3/12/91

T

WITTS

TOP SHELF: Young defender Sam Taylor won the best and fairest and earned All-Australian selection in a breakout season.

Fresh start as Giants look to bounce back

u After they played in two finals in 2021, many expected the GWS Giants to again feature at the pointy end of the 2022 season.

Plenty of predictions from pundits had the Giants, with more luck on the injury front, good enough to challenge again after they saw September action in five of the past six seasons.

Fast-forward to post the home and away campaign and things are markedly different for the men in orange and charcoal. The Giants finished in 16th position with a 6-16 win-loss record, their worst return since their third year in 2014.

They also said goodbye to their longest-serving coach, Leon Cameron, who parted ways after nine years at the helm. His interim replacement Mark McVeigh oversaw four wins from 13 games, before the club opted to appoint long-time Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Richmond assistant

Adam Kingsley.

Kingsley has taken the reins as the club’s third full-time coach, not including McVeigh’s caretaker stint.

From an individual playing viewpoint, Sam Taylor was the standout performer. The key defender won his maiden All-Australian blazer and capped off a stunning season by claiming his first Kevin Sheedy Medal.

The Giants now have the task ahead to bounce back in 2023 after dropping off their perch in what proved to be a difficult 2022 season.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

ALEER Leek 2 1 195 8 5 2 1/8/01 2 022 4 4 4 0 0

A NGWIN Ryan 9 185 8 0 12/12/02 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

A SH Lachie 7 187 8 5 2 1/6/01 2 020 2 1 5 6 5 6 2 4

BRANDER Jarrod 3 1 197 9 7 2 /11/99 2 018 5 2 7 5 4 9

BRIGGS Kieren 3 2 2 01 107 10/6/99 2021 4 9 9 1 3

BROWN Callum # 4 6 188 9 2 15/8/00 2 021 8 10 10 4 6

BRUHN Tanner 5 183 8 0 2 7/5/02 2021 17 3 0 3 0 7 11

BUCKLEY Jack 4 4 195 9 0 17/12/97 2020 0 17 17 0 0

C ALLAGHAN Finn 17 192 8 6 2 6/4/03 2 022 5 5 5 2 2

C ONIGLIO Stephen 3 182 8 4 15/12/93 2012 2 1 177 177 17 101

CUMMING Isaac 13 188 8 4 8/11/98 2 018 2 1 5 5 5 5 0 1

DANIELS Brent 16 174 76 3/9/99 2018 0 6 2 6 2 0 2 2

DAVIS Phil 1 197 9 4 3 0/8/90 2010 5 192 174 0 7

DE BOER Matt 24 189 8 8 3/10/90 2009 12 2 23 8 5 5 8 3

DERKSEN Wade # 4 5 196 9 2 6 /1/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

FAHEY Josh 3 4 187 76 11/11/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

F LEETON Cameron 2 9 192 8 6 17/6/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

F LYNN Matt 3 0 2 01 102 13/9/97 2 021 12 24 24 4 9

GREEN Tom 12 192 9 2 2 3/1/01 2020 2 1 4 5 4 5 10 18

GREENE Toby 4 182 8 4 2 5/9/93 2 012 15 191 191 37 2 65

HAMILTON Cooper # 4 3 184 8 5 24/9/03 2 022 4 4 4 0 0

H AYNES Nick 19 193 9 0 18/5/92 2012 17 183 183 1 11

HILL Bobby 37 175 7 3 2 /9/00 2 019 11 41 41 9 3 4

HIMMELBERG Harry 2 7 195 9 4 5/8/96 2016 2 2 127 127 2 2 149

HOGAN Jesse 2 3 195 102 2 /12/95 2015 18 117 2 7 3 5 2 25

HOPPER Jacob 2 187 8 8 2 /6/97 2016 7 114 114 2 42

IDUN Connor 3 9 191 9 1 2 9/7/00 2019 16 42 42 0 0

K EEFFE Lachlan 2 5 2 04 101 14/4/90 2 011 18 9 7 5 7 2 17

KELLY Josh 2 2 182 8 3 2 /12/95 2014 2 1 176 176 9 107

KENNEDY Adam 4 0 184 8 0 7/12/92 2012 18 148 148 1 14

LLOYD Daniel # 3 8 187 8 3 18/2/92 2017 11 78 78 5 6 3

O’HALLORAN Xavier 3 3 186 8 7 7/11/00 2 020 14 3 3 3 3 1 6

P EATLING James # 2 0 185 78 2 1/8/00 2 021 12 16 16 9 9

P ERRYMAN Harry 3 6 186 8 4 19/12/98 2017 16 8 6 8 6 3 2 2

PREUSS Braydon 11 2 06 113 16/6/95 2 017 10 28 10 2 11

RICCARDI Jake 2 6 195 9 7 11/7/99 2020 15 2 9 2 9 15 2 6

SHAW Will * 3 5 181 7 1 14/6/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

SPROULE Zach # 28 198 9 4 5/12/98 2019 6 17 17 2 13

STEIN Jake # 42 195 9 6 17/1/94 2 019 9 2 0 2 0 1 1

S TONE Conor 18 188 8 8 2 2/4/02 2 021 1 6 6 0 3

TARANTO Tim 14

ANDREW

BACK TO HIS BEST:

James Sicily was the AFL’s leading rebound defender in his return from an ACL injury.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

BLANCK James # 3 6 196 9 3 2 0/11/00 2 022 9 9 9 0 0

BRAMBLE Lachlan # 16 181 8 0 19/4/98 2021 9 19 19 0 1

BREUST Luke 2 2 184 8 3 11/11/90 2 011 2 1 2 60 260 4 0 4 81

BROCKMAN Tyler 3 3 181 8 0 2 2/11/02 2021 0 11 11 0 10

BUTLER Sam 3 0 184 76 2 /10/03 2 022 9 9 9 6 6

C ALLOW Jackson # 4 5 194 9 5 6 /11/02 2 022 3 3 3 0 0

DAY Will 12 191 8 1 6 /5/01 2020 17 3 3 3 3 3 4

DOWNIE Connor 41 186 8 3 3 1/5/02 2021 0 2 2 0 0

F ROST Sam 8 194 9 4 28/8/93 2012 12 141 5 0 1 9

GRAINGER-BARRAS Denver 24 195 8 5 17/4/02 2021 16 2 1 2 1 0 0

GUNSTON Jack 19 193 8 6 16/10/91 2010 16 2 25 2 11 3 2 4 30

HARDWICK Blake 15 182 8 1 2 /5/97 2016 2 2 124 124 0 6

HAR TIGAN Kyle 28 194 101 11/7/91 2013 3 135 2 2 0 1

HOWE Daniel 17 193 8 8 12/4/95 2015 9 9 6 9 6 1 2 2

IMPEY Jarman 4 178 8 1 7/9/95 2014 16 150 7 5 3 5 8

JEKA Emerson 3 9 198 9 6 18/9/01 2021 3 7 7 0 2

JI ATH Changkuoth 9 185 8 0 13/6/99 2 019 14 37 37 1 1

KOSCHITZKE Jacob 2 3 196 9 6 7/11/00 2021 16 3 6 3 6 18 4 5

Developing Hawks exceed expectations

u When it comes to eight-win seasons, Hawthorn’s 2022 campaign might be as satisfying as they come.

The focus was on development, yet the Hawks beat Port Adelaide on the road, Geelong on Easter Monday and Brisbane in Tasmania, and in the process showed signs of a new attacking game-plan that their fans enjoyed.

They pushed Fremantle, Collingwood and Carlton to the wire and gave Melbourne an early-season fright.

But losses to Essendon and heavy thrashings from St Kilda (twice), Richmond and the Western Bulldogs were timely reminders that there is a long way to go.

Under Sam Mitchell, Jai Newcombe emerged as Hawthorn’s best midfielder, while Mitch Lewis, with 37 goals in 15 games, looks the long-term answer in attack.

James Sicily enjoyed a fantastic comeback season after his ACL injury and was the competition’s leading rebound defender. Blake Hardwick, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Dylan Moore and Jack Scrimshaw also enjoyed fine seasons, while Ned Reeves is an emerging ruck star.

In keeping with the development mantra, Mitchell played the kids. Draftees Connor Macdonald and Josh Ward were comfortably best-22 players by the end of the season, while Sam Butler and Jai Serong had their moments. James Blanck stepped straight from the Mid-Season Rookie Draft to a key-defensive post.

Another development season looms in 2023, but the finals window should open up thereafter.

ASHLEY BROWNE

LEWIS Mitch 2 199 101 14/10/98 2018 15 51 51 37 8 4

LONG Ned # 2 7 194 9 2 2 /5/03 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

LYNCH Max 18 2 00 101 9/12/98 2 020 7 10 7 4 4

M ACDONALD Connor 3 1 185 8 3 13/1/03 2 022 2 0 20 20 9 9

M AGINNESS Finn 3 2 189 8 4 2 3/2/01 2020 16 19 19 3 3

McEVOY Ben 7 2 00 101 7/11/89 2008 8 2 52 161 6 106

MITCHELL Seamus 4 0 181 7 9 7/3/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MITCHELL Tom 3 182 8 3 3 1/5/93 2013 2 1 171 106 5 76

MOORE Dylan 13 178 76 8/4/99 2019 2 2 52 52 2 6 5 7

MORRIS Josh 3 5 186 8 0 11/7/01 2020 6 15 15 0 1

MOR RISON Harry 1 183 8 1 11/12/98 2017 2 1 78 78 9 2 1

NASH Conor 11 197 9 4 28/7/98 2018 2 1 5 0 5 0 2 15

NEWCOMBE Jai # 4 4 186 8 9 8/2/01 2021 2 2 2 9 2 9 8 9

O ’HARA Fionn * 3 4 186 8 1 28/2/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

O ’MEARA Jaeger 10 184 8 3 2 3/2/94 2013 2 1 143 9 9 9 70

PHILLIPS Tom 2 1 187 8 0 5/7/96 2016 4 115 2 6 0 5 7

RAMSDEN Max # 3 8 2 03 8 6 19/4/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

R EEVES

Demons fail to deliver when it counts most

u M elbourne was a very good team in 2022, but judged in light of the club’s breakthrough premiership a year earlier, it fell short of expectations.

Many gave the Demons a chance of going back-to-back after they burst out of the blocks with 10 successive wins.

But Simon Goodwin’s men crashed back to earth after that.

Despite never spending a week outside the top four, Melbourne was never the dominant force of 2021.

Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca continued their remarkable careers and were among the best players in the AFL, Max Gawn was at his All-Australian best and Jack Viney was as tough as ever.

But the problems were up forward and down back.

The versatile Tom McDonald was injured for much of the year, Ben Brown struggled as the sole key forward and Bayley Fritsch had to punch above his height and weight.

At the other end, Steven May was brilliant, but the defence lowered its colours in the back half of the year, particularly in the second half of both finals.

A straight-sets exit was disappointing, but if his troops can stay healthy, there’s no reason Goodwin can’t get his side back to the pointy end again in 2023 given the talent at his disposal. MOTTRAM

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

BAKER Oskar 3 3 184 8 7 2 5/5/98 2 019 0 15 15 0 4

BEDFORD Toby 12 179 7 5 2 7/5/00 2020 16 18 18 9 9

B OWEY Jake 17 176 7 2 9/12/02 2021 17 24 24 2 2

BRAYSHAW Angus 10 187 9 2 1/9/96 2 015 24 143 143 2 47

BROWN Ben # 5 0 2 00 101 2 0/11/92 2014 19 162 3 2 3 0 3 42

BROWN Mitch 3 8 196 9 0 28/8/90 2011 3 7 9 9 2 74

CHANDLER Kade # 37 175 8 0 13/1/00 2019 4 10 10 0 0

DAW Majak # 28 195 101 3/11/91 2 013 0 54 0 0 4 3

DUNSTAN Luke 2 7 185 8 6 2 9/1/95 2 014 5 121 5 0 4 6

FRITSCH Bayley 3 1 188 8 4 12/6/96 2018 24 109 109 5 5 173

GAWN Max 11 2 09 111 3 0/12/91 2011 2 2 181 181 13 8 8

HARMES James 4 186 8 5 10/5/95 2015 2 1 143 143 12 7 7

HIBBERD Michael 14 186 9 4 1/3/90 2 011 12 185 101 0 14

HOWES Blake 2 2 191 7 9 4 /7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

HUNT Jayden 2 9 187 8 8 4/3/95 2 016 2 0 114 114 0 4 3

JACKSON Luke 6 199 100 2 9/9/01 2020 2 2 52 52 11 3 0

JORDON James 2 3 187 8 2 2 0/12/00 2021 2 2 47 47 7 13

LANGDON Ed 15 182 7 7 2 /1/96 2015 2 3 132 6 4 13 6 1

LAURIE Bailey 16 179 8 1 24/3/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

L EVER Jake 8 195 9 2 3/5/96 2 015 19 136 8 0 1 4

M AY Steven 1 193 101 1/10/92 2011 2 2 193 70 0 2 3

McDONALD Tom 2 5 195 101 18/9/92 2 011 9 2 02 202 15 157

McVEE Judd # 41 185 70 8/7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

MELKSHAM Jake 18 186 8 5 2 9/8/91 2 010 11 2 08 9 4 12 160

MONIZ-WAKEFIELD Andy * 4 5 182 7 1 2 6/10/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

NEAL-BULLEN Alex 3 0 183 8 1 1/9/96 2 015 2 3 128 128 9 8 8

OLIVER Clayton 13 189 8 7 2 2/7/97 2016 2 3 147 147 5 4 5

PETRACCA Christian 5 187 9 8 1/4/96 2016 24 151 151 19 142

PETTY Harrison 3 5 197 9 3 11/12/99 2018 18 4 8 4 8 1 7

P ICKETT Kysaiah 3 6 171 7 3 6 /2/01 2020 2 3 6 2 6 2 41 8 8

RIVERS Trent 24 188 9 1 3 0/7/01 2020 18 52 52 2 5

RO SMAN Fraser 19 194 8 4 3 0/5/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

S ALEM Christian 3 184 8 4 15/7/95 2014 13 143 143 1 2 5

SMITH Deakyn # 3 4 181 7 2 2 2/8/02 * *** 0

SMITH Joel 4 4 191 8 8 2 5/2/96

SPARGO Charlie 9 173 76 2 5/11/99

SPARROW 2 183

TOMLINSON Adam 0

TURNER Daniel #

VAN ROOYEN

RUNNING HOT: Clayton Oliver continued his remarkable form.

It’s Show Time!

New hope as master coach takes the reins

u Has a team that has collected its second successive wooden spoon ever finished a season more excited than North Melbourne?

Having won the Alastair Clarkson sweepstakes, Kangaroos fans go into 2023 with a sense of optimism, knowing they have the master coach at the helm.

Clarkson will have a lot to ponder over the off-season, given his side won just two games in 2022.

Things looked dark at times under coach David Noble, who was cast aside after round 17.

The Roos had an 11-week stretch in the middle of the season of successive losses by 40 points or more.

Their two wins came over the equally hapless West Coast and a Richmond team that kicked 22 behinds, hence the need for off-season change.

The high point was the return of Ben Cunnington late in the season after overcoming testicular cancer. Cunnington has been the heartbeat of the North Melbourne midfield for a decade and his absence greatly contributed to its struggles.

Luke Davies-Uniacke’s breakout year will also excite Roos fans. They have key pillars at both ends of the ground in Ben McKay and Nick Larkey and a lot of young talent in between for Clarkson to work with –and another top draft pick coming.

A disappointing season on the field for the Roos, but massive gains off it.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022

ANDERSON Jed 3 179 8 1 2 /2/94 2013 14 9 9 8 9 3 3 2

ARCHER Jackson 3 4 185 7 5 1/9/03 2 022 3 3 3 0 0

BERGMAN Miller 2 7 188 70 2 5/1/03 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

B ONAR Aiden 16 188 8 7 3/8/99 2018 10 3 2 2 6 0 5

B OSENAVULAGI Atu 15 180 8 3 17/9/00 2020 9 2 0 17 0 1

C OLEMAN-JONES Callum 2 1 2 00 105 13/6/99 2 019 10 19 10 5 16

COMBEN Charlie 3 0 199 8 4 2 0/7/01 2021 1 2 2 0 1

C ORR Aidan 4 195 9 7 17/5/94 2013 2 0 120 2 2 0 2

C UNNINGTON Ben 10 185 8 8 3 0/6/91 2010 2 2 29 2 29 0 9 5

CURTIS Paul 2 5 185 7 5 3/4/03 2 022 15 15 15 12 12

DAVIES-UNIACKE Luke 9 188 8 7 6 /8/99 2018 2 1 7 1 7 1 9 2 2

DAWSON Kallan # 42 196 8 9 2 2/7/98 2 022 4 4 4 0 0

E DWARDS Jacob # 3 2 2 02 8 5 2 2/11/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

FORD Eddie 4 0 189 8 3 2 1/6/02 2021 3 8 8 1 4

GOATER Josh 3 1 190 8 0 6 /2/03 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

GOLDSTEIN Todd 2 2 2 01 103 7/1/88 2 008 2 2 2 95 295 16 153

GREENWOOD Hugh 18 191 9 4 3/6/92 2 017 2 1 104 21 3 4 8

HALL Aaron 4 3 185 8 5 11/9/90 2012 11 155 52 2 9 4

HAYDEN Kyron # 37 186 8 7 6 /7/99 2019 5 17 17 0 0

HORNE-FRANCIS Jason 6 185 8 1 2 1/6/03 2 022 17 17 17 4 4

L ARKEY Nick 2 0 198 9 5 6 /6/98 2017 2 0 7 1 7 1 3 8 120

LAZZARO Charlie 3 5 179 7 3 2 5/3/02 2 021 12 24 24 0 3

LYNCH Tom # N /A 193 8 8 15/9/90 2 010 0 164 0 0 2 03

MAHONY Jack 1 178 7 2 11/12/01 2020 13 42 42 6 18

McDONALD Luke 11 189 8 6 2 /9/95 2014 2 2 159 159 1 17

McGUINNESS Matt * 41 192 7 7 13/7/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

McKAY Ben 2 3 2 01 9 9 24/12/97 2017 15 52 52 1 1

P EREZ Flynn 3 9 188 8 5 2 5/8/01 2020 16 19 19 0 0

P HILLIPS Will 2 9 181 8 0 2 2/5/02 2021 0 16 16 0 3

P OLEC Jared # 13 187 8 6 10/12/92 2011 2 148 42 1 7 5

POWELL Tom 24 184 7 5 3/2/02 2021 18 3 1 3 1 5 9

S COTT Bailey 8 186 7 7 7/9/00 2019 2 1 5 5 5 5 3 2 2

SIMPKIN Jy 12 182 7 7 3/5/98 2 017 2 1 116 116 7 42

SPICER Phoenix 3 6 173 6 4 3 0/1/02 2 021 5 6 6 1 1

S TEPHENSON Jaidyn 2 188 7 5 15/1/99 2

NIC

RAGING ROO: Luke Davies-Uniacke enjoyed a breakout season.

Power sapped after disastrous start

u Port Adelaide had a rollercoaster year that ultimately ended in an 11th-place finish.

After slumping to 0-5 to start the season, the Power won four games in a row to get their year back on track.

They squared the win-loss ledger to 8-8 before four consecutive defeats ended their finals hopes.

One highlight was the fitting farewell of club legend Robbie Gray, who called time on his sparkling 271-game career ahead of the round 23 Showdown. And the Power beat rival Adelaide to send Gray off in style.

The slow start was a clear lowlight after entering the season with such optimism following consecutive preliminary final appearances.

One of those defeats came in heartbreaking circumstances against the Crows in the round three Showdown. Jordan Dawson’s goal after the siren broke Power hearts and set the tone for what was to come.

First-time All-Australian Connor Rozee was a shining light and took his game to a new level.

The 22-year-old graduated into a full-time midfielder and pieced together a career-best season after teasing Power fans throughout his first three years at Alberton.

Rozee’s stellar season was rewarded with selection on the bench in the All-Australian side and a nomination for the AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player award.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

ALIIR Aliir 2 1 194 9 6 9/5/94 2016 19 107 4 3 0 5

A MON Karl 15 181 7 7 19/8/95 2015 2 2 124 124 8 5 5

BERGMAN Miles 14 189 8 4 18/10/01 2021 10 3 3 3 3 6 13

BOAK Travis 10 183 8 5 8/1/88 2 007 2 1 3 27 327 10 197

BONNER Riley 2 6 190 8 5 3/7/97 2016 17 8 2 8 2 1 11

BURGOYNE Jase 3 6 186 6 5 15/7/03 2 022 8 8 8 2 2

BURTON Ryan 3 191 9 0 3 1/1/97 2016 2 2 117 70 4 13

BUTTERS Zak 18 181 78 9/8/00 2019 2 0 6 8 6 8 10 41

BYRNE-JONES Darcy 3 3 181 76 2 0/9/95 2016 2 1 150 150 1 7

C LUREY Tom 17 193 9 5 2 3/3/94 2014 13 123 123 0 0

DIXON Charlie 2 2 2 00 107 2 3/9/90 2011 12 189 124 16 3 10

DREW Willem 28 188 8 7 10/1/98 2019 2 2 5 6 5 6 4 10

DUMONT Trent # 4 3 186 8 6 3 0/6/95 2 015 8 121 8 2 28

DUURSMA Xavier 7 186 8 1 7/7/00 2019 11 5 7 5 7 6 2 7

FANTASIA Orazio 13 180 7 5 14/9/95 2014 1 9 6 16 0 139

FARRELL Kane 24 182 78 17/3/99 2018 16 4 9 4 9 11 3 8

FINLAYSON Jeremy 11 197 9 4 2 /9/96 2 017 2 0 86 20 2 1 111

FREDERICK Martin 4 5 179 8 3 17/5/00 2021 6 14 14 1 2

GEORGIADES Mitch 19 192 8 8 28/9/01 2 020 19 47 47 2 3 6 3

GRAY Robbie 9 183 8 4 3 0/3/88 2007 16 2 71 2 71 14 3 67

HAYES Sam 2 5 2 05 102 6 /9/99 2 022 7 7 7 0 0

HOUSTON Dan 5 186 8 8 5/12/97 2017 2 1 121 121 7 2 5

JACKSON Hugh 3 9 182 7 2 5/3/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

JONAS Tom 1 188 9 0 1/9/91 2 011 2 1 2 03 203 0 1

JONES Lachie 3 4 186 9 0 4 /9/02 2021 14 2 0 2 0 1 2

LORD Ollie 3 0 197 8 7 1/2/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

LYCETT Scott 2 9 2 03 102 2 6/9/92 2011 4 132 5 7 2 6 1

MARSHALL Todd 4 198 9 2 10/8/98 2017 2 1 76 76 4 5 102

MAYES Sam # 3 2 187 8 6 2 0/5/94 2013 3 121 2 0 2 3 4

McENTEE Jed # 41 176 78 15/2/01 2021 9 10 10 5 5

McKENZIE Trent 12 191 9 0 4 /3/92 2011 7 146 4 0 0 2 3

MEAD Jackson 4 4 184 8 5 3 0/9/01 2 022 11 11 11 1 1

MOTLOP Steven 6 183 8 2 3/12/91 2010 14 2 17 8 2 10 2 29

PASINI Jake # 4 8 192 8 6 2 /6/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

P OWELL-PEPPER Sam 2 187 9 6 1/8/98 2017 2 2 114

ALEX ZAIA

SHINING LIGHT: Connor Rozee took his game to the next level for the Power.

RICHMOND

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

AARTS Jake # 16 177 76 12/8/94 2020 7 42 42 2 3 4

BAKER Liam 7 173 7 2 2 7/1/98 2018 2 3 8 7 8 7 11 28

BALTA Noah 2 1 194 102 2 3/10/99 2019 18 6 2 6 2 13 2 2

BANKS Sam 41 187 7 1 4 /2/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

B AUER Jacob # 4 3 192 8 5 6 /4/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

B OLTON Shai 2 9 175 7 7 12/8/98 2017 2 3 9 0 9 0 4 3 100

BROAD Nathan 3 5 192 8 7 15/4/93 2 016 2 3 107 107 0 1

BROWN Tom 3 0 186 7 7 3 0/7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

C ADDY Josh 2 2 186 8 7 28/9/92 2011 0 174 7 9 0 164

CASTAGNA Jason 11 182 8 2 7/12/96 2016 16 134 134 12 127

CLARKE Judson 42 180 7 2 17/10/03 2 022 3 3 3 3 3

C OLINA Mate * 3 9 2 13 111 2 0/5/99 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

C OLLIER-DAWKINS Riley 2 6 191 9 3 2 /3/00 2021 2 11 11 0 3

C OTCHIN Trent 9 185 8 6 4 /7/90 2008 19 287 287 5 134

CUMBERLAND Noah 3 8 183 8 0 15/3/01 2 022 9 9 9 19 19

DOW Thomson 2 7 183 7 9 16/10/01 2020 6 13 13 1 1

E DWARDS Shane 10 182 78 2 5/10/88 2007 2 2 3 03 3 03 15 189

GIBCUS Josh 28 196 8 7 4 /4/03 2 022 18 18 18 3 3

Tigers rue a season of near misses

u It was a funny old season for Richmond.

After missing finals in 2021, the Tigers set their sights on recovering and returning to September action in 2022.

That they did, but it came after losing four home and away games by a goal or less, playing out a draw, then losing an elimination final in heartbreaking fashion.

They achieved what 10 other clubs couldn’t, but most Richmond fans would feel it was a missed opportunity considering it finished the home and away season as the highest-scoring team with the fourth-best percentage, only to settle for seventh.

It was a season of near misses and ‘what ifs’ which could have delivered so much more.

Individually, there were plenty of strong performances, highlighted by Daniel Rioli, who emerged as an elite half-back flanker.

Rioli was joined in the 44-man All-Australian squad by the electric Shai Bolton and key forward Tom Lynch, who topped the club’s goalkicking with 43 and 63 respectively.

The Tigers said goodbye to triple premiership pair Shane Edwards and Kane Lambert, dual flag winner Josh Caddy as well as Matt Parker, but former captain Trent Cotchin and veteran forward Jack Riewoldt have signed on for 2023.

Coach Damien Hardwick will take solace from the fact his side has the ability to contend, providing plenty of hope for next season.

GRAHAM Jack 3 4 181 8 3 2 5/2/98 2017 2 0 9 7 9 7 8 4 0

GRIMES Dylan 2 194 9 1 16/7/91 2 010 15 2 07 207 0 3

L AMBERT Kane 2 3 178 7 7 2 6/11/91 2 015 7 135 135 1 78

LYNCH Tom 19 199 9 9 3 1/10/92 2 011 19 2 12 8 1 6 3 4 47

MANSELL Rhyan 3 1 180 76 6 /4/00 2021 2 15 15 0 1

M ARTIN Dustin 4 187 9 2 2 6/6/91 2010 9 2 69 2 69 12 3 03

MARTYN Will 3 6 186 8 3 2 9/3/01 2 021 0 3 3 0 0

McINTOSH Kamdyn 3 3 191 9 2 4 /3/94 2015 2 1 146 146 9 42

MILLER Ben # 4 6 198 9 6 3 1/8/99 2 021 11 12 12 3 3

N ANKERVIS Toby 2 5 199 102 8/12/94 2 015 2 3 121 109 5 3 4

NYUON Bigoa # 47 197 9 3 18/5/01 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

PARKER Matthew # 37 188 8 0 2 5/1/96 2019 5 3 0 11 4 2 3

PICKETT Marlion # 5 0 184 8 1 1/6/92 2019 19 5 7 5 7 8 15

PRESTIA Dion 3 175 8 2 10/12/92 2011 19 192 9 7 6 6 2

RALPHSMITH Hugo 4 5 188 8 3 11/9/01 2021 13 19 19 5 8

R IEWOLDT Jack 8 193 9 2 3 1/10/88 2007 2 1 3 26 3 26 4 0 7 55

RIOLI Daniel 17 179 7 7 16/4/97

ANDREW SLEVISON

FINDING HIS NICHE: Daniel Rioli emerged as an elite defender.

Saints rue another missed opportunity

u S t Kilda was on track to play finals after a bright start to the season. The Saints got to 8-3 before things unravelled, losing five of six games after the mid-season break.

Brett Ratten’s side won just three games after the bye and were found wanting against top-eight opposition.

A bad loss to lowly Essendon in round 14 undid all the good early work and going down to the Western Bulldogs in round 18 in such meek fashion – and with their season on the line – was another poor performance.

The Saints also rued their inaccuracy against Port Adelaide in Cairns, kicking a wayward 4.18 in the one-point loss in round seven.

They also kicked themselves out of the finals race against Brisbane in the penultimate round.

Three consecutive losses to Geelong, the Lions and Sydney ended their finals hopes.

St Kilda finished in 10th place with an 11-11 win-loss record and a percentage of less than 100. It’s the second year in a row it has missed the eight.

Jack Sinclair ’s outstanding season was a major bright spot for the Saints. The rebound defender elevated his game to a new level and was duly awarded with a first All-Australian blazer.

The ever-reliable Callum Wilkie was also in the All-Australian mix. Max King kicked a career-high 52 goals and still has massive upside to his game.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

ADAMS Oscar 2 7 197 8 3 2 3/7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

A LLISON Matthew 3 0 195 8 7 2 9/1/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

B ATTLE Josh 2 6 193 9 2 9/1/98 2017 2 1 7 7 7 7 0 2 6

BILLINGS Jack 15 185 8 0 18/8/95 2014 8 152 152 5 107

BUTLER Dan 16 182 8 1 6 /3/96 2 017 19 105 6 0 19 119

BYRNES Ryan 13 181 8 2 5/3/01 2020 11 28 28 0 6

BYTEL Jack 2 3 189 8 2 14/3/00 2020 0 16 16 0 2

C AMPBELL Tom 3 8 2 01 105 11/2/91 2 012 2 56 2 0 3 0

CLARK Hunter 11 186 8 0 2 6/3/99 2018 8 6 8 6 8 0 8

C OFFIELD Nick 1 191 8 8 2 3/10/99 2 018 0 52 52 0 2

C ONNOLLY Leo 37 181 7 7 8/7/01 2 021 0 7 7 0 1

C ROUCH Brad 5 186 8 6 14/1/94 2013 2 1 136 41 7 4 8

GEARY Jarryn 14 183 7 9 2 3/6/88 2008 0 2 07 2 07 0 3 4

GRESHAM Jade 4 177 8 1 24/8/97 2016 18 113 113 16 115

HANNEBERY Dan 10 181 7 9 24/2/91 2009 3 2 26 18 1 100

HAYES Jack # 47 194 9 2 3/6/96 2 022 5 5 5 6 6

HEATH Max # 42 2 04 9 3 24/10/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

HIGGINS Jack 2 2 178 8 0 19/3/99 2018 18 8 0 37 3 0 8 6

HIGHMORE Tom 3 4 193 8 6 24/2/98 2021 3 16 16 0 0

HILL Bradley 8 182 8 1 7/9/93 2012 2 1 2 11 6 2 6 9 0

HOWARD Dougal 2 0 199 94 2 5/3/96 2 016 17 102 5 7 0 15

JONES Zak 3 182 7 9 15/3/95 2014 13 132 42 2 3 4

JOYCE Darragh # 3 9 194 9 5 2 3/4/97 2018 3 13 13 0 0

K ENT Dean 2 5 181 8 3 24/2/94 2013 2 100 37 1 9 1

KING Max 12 2 02 9 4 7/7/00 2020 2 2 6 0 6 0 52 112

KYLE Josiah * 4 6 185 7 2 3 1/7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

LIENERT Jarrod # 3 1 195 8 9 8/5/94 2 018 11 34 11 0 1

LONG Ben 2 1 183 8 1 2 1/8/97 2017 19 7 9 7 9 8 3 1

MARSHALL Rowan 19 2 01 105 24/11/95 2017 2 1 8 6 8 6 9 4 5

McKENZIE Daniel 3 6 184 8 1 17/5/96 2015 12 7 3 7 3 3 11

MEMBREY Tim 28 188 9 0 2 6/5/94 2014 2 2 153 152 3 4 2 57

OWENS Mitch 24 191 8 5 24/9/03 2 022 7 7 7 3 3

PATON Ben 3 3 186 8 1 19/10/98 2018 2 0 5 5 5 5 0 4

P ERIS Jack * 4 5 178 6 9 17/12/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

ROSS Sebastian 6 187 8 5 5/7/93 2012 2 1 181 181 3 3 2

RYDER Paddy 18 197 9 6 14/3/88 2006 12 281 3 8

SHARMAN Cooper # 4 3 193 8 6 2 5/7/00 2021 10 15 15

SINCLAIR Jack 3 5 181 8 2 2 /12/95 2 2 141 141

STEELE Jack 9 187 8 8 13/12/95 18 137

WANGANEEN-MILERA Nasiah 7 187 7 9 2 2/2/03 022 17 17

W EBSTER Jimmy 2 9 188 8 0 28/6/93 2 0

W ILKIE Callum 4 4

ALEX ZAIA

SIZZLING SAINT: Jack Sinclair’s outstanding season was rewarded with selection in the All-Australian team.

SYDNEY SWANS

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

AMARTEY Joel 3 6 197 100 9/2/99 2020 6 13 13 5 10

BELL James 3 2 183 8 7 2 /10/99 2019 6 28 28 4 10

BLAKEY Nick 2 2 195 8 4 2 7/2/00 2019 2 2 76 76 2 3 2

CAMPBELL Braeden 16 181 7 9 2/4/02 2 021 15 2 3 2 3 2 3

C LARKE Ryan 4 186 8 3 17/6/97 2 016 12 7 9 3 9 4 15

CUNNINGHAM Harry 7 181 8 0 12/6/93 2 012 10 161 161 0 4 8

FLORENT Oliver 13 184 8 1 2 2/7/98 2017 2 3 116 116 5 37

FOX Robbie # 42 185 8 4 16/4/93 2017 12 6 5 6 5 0 8

F RANKLIN Lance 2 3 199 106 3 0/1/87 2 005 2 1 3 39 157 5 0 1045

GOULD Will 17 191 9 7 14/1/01 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

GULDEN Errol 2 1 176 78 18/7/02 2021 2 3 41 41 18 3 2

HALL-KAHAN Hugo # 4 5 188 78 2 2/9/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

H AYWARD Will 9 186 8 4 2 6/10/98 2017 2 3 112 112 3 3 133

HEENEY Isaac 5 185 8 7 5/5/96 2015 2 3 152 152 47 195

HICKEY Tom 3 1 2 02 97 3/6/91 2 011 14 137 3 5 3 4 5

KENNEDY Josh 12 188 9 5 2 0/6/88 2008 11 2 90 2 77 2 157

LADHAMS Peter 19 2 02 101 14/1/98 2 019 11 43 11 2 2 3

Exciting times as Swans’ rise continues

u Sydney secured its first top-four finish since 2016 – a Grand Final year – with a more than satisfactory 16-6 win-loss record across the home and away season.

It was some consolation after the Swans were eliminated in the opening week of the 2021 finals series, and continued their upward spiral after disappointing seasons in 2019 (15th) and 2020 (16th).

The key to Sydney’s improvement has been its ideal blend of youth and experience and its willingness to take the game on at all costs.

The obvious highlight was the round two win over Geelong at the SCG which saw Lance Franklin become just the sixth player in history to kick 1000 career goals.

It was a chaotic 36-minute celebration, but the superstar forward deserved his time in the spotlight given it is a milestone we are unlikely to see again any time soon.

As the year progressed, there was less reliance on Franklin to be the main man in attack, with Isaac Heeney, Will Hayward, Tom Papley and Errol Gulden kicking 121 goals between them during the home and away season.

The midfield pushed through on the back of Luke Parker, Callum Mills, James Rowbottom and the much-improved Chad Warner and there was less reliance on the injured, and now retired, Josh Kennedy.

The McCartin brothers, Tom and Paddy, were outstanding down back.

A big year for the Swans and they will only get better.

M ICHAEL LOVETT

LLOYD Jake 4 4 180 8 0 2 0/9/93 2014 2 2 198 198 2 3 3 McANDREW Lachlan # 4 6 2 09 101 2 6/5/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

McCARTIN Paddy # 3 9 195 9 5 19/4/96 2 015 2 2 5 7 2 2 0 3 4

McCARTIN Tom 3 0 193 9 7 3 0/12/99 2018 2 3 9 3 9 3 0 28

McDONALD Logan 6 196 9 2 4 /4/02 2021 16 2 3 2 3 14 2 3

McINERNEY Justin 2 7 188 8 4 18/8/00 2019 2 0 51 51 5 17

McLEAN Hayden # 2 197 9 8 2 0/1/99 2 019 8 3 0 3 0 10 2 6

MELICAN Lewis 4 3 194 100 11/4/96 2 017 0 52 52 0 1

MILLS Callum 14 187 8 7 4 /2/97 2 016 2 3 133 133 9 18

NAISMITH Sam 10 2 05 110 16/7/92 2 014 0 3 0 3 0 0 3

O ’CONNOR Barry * 3 5 193 9 3 2 6/6/98 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

O ’RIORDAN Colin 3 8 186 8 7 10/12/95 2018 5 3 4 3 4 0 1

PAPLEY Tom 11 177 8 0 13/7/96 2016 17 139 139 28 2 17

PARKER Luke 2 6 183 8 8 2 5/10/92 2011 2 3 2 58 2 58 13 189

RAMPE Dane 24 188 9 1 6 /2/90 2013 2 3 2 13 2 13 1 7

R ANKIN Lachlan 41 184 7 3 2 /5/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

R EID Sam 2 0 196 9 8 2 7/12/91 2010 16 179 179 17 182

ROBERTS Matt 3 4 184 8 4 3 1/7/03 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

RONKE Ben 2 5 183 8 0 18/12/97 2018 8 4 4 4 4 6 3 9

ROWBOTTOM James 8 186 8 2 19/9/00 2019 2 2 6 7 6 7 7 2 1

SHEATHER Marc * 3 3 185 8 7 6 /11/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

SHELDRICK Angus 2 9 179 8 8 11/7/03 2 022 2 2 2 0 0

SINCLAIR Callum 18 199 9 8 2 3/9/89

CLASS ACT: Isaac Heeney earned his first All-Australian selection.

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A season to forget for winged Eagles

u West Coast’s 2022 season started at rock bottom and didn’t get better, and there’s plenty of work to do for 2023.

With more than a dozen players injured during the pre-season and heading into the first few games, the situation failed to improve when the worst of Western Australia’s COVID crisis hit the club.

The situation was dire when the Eagles lost to Gold Coast, North Melbourne (using several top-up players) and Fremantle to start the season, but a shock win over Collingwood in round four suggested it wasn’t all doom and gloom for 2022.

But those initial thoughts were misguided and West Coast went more than 10 weeks without another win.

In the end, Adam Simpson’s side finished with just two victories and the worst win-loss record in the club’s history. However, there were some promising signs from players coming through the WAFL, including Harry Edwards, Brady Hough and Luke Foley.

Several senior players stood up, such as All-Australian nominee Tom Barrass who performed admirably in defence while Andrew Gaff and Jack Redden carried a big workload through the midfield.

The Eagles will be rebuilding without their greatest goalkicker Josh Kennedy, who retired after round 21, but not before slotting eight goals against Adelaide.

With a fit Nic Naitanui, who played just eight games, expect the Eagles to show more resolve in 2023.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022

AINSWORTH Brayden 4 6 184 80 2 1/11/98 2 018 1 15 15 0 4

A LLEN Oscar 12 196 9 5 19/3/99 2018 0 5 9 5 9 0 6 6

BARRASS Tom 37 197 9 6 10/8/95 2015 19 118 118 1 1

B AZZO Rhett 3 3 195 8 6 17/10/03 2 022 9 9 9 0 0

BLACK Aaron 47 181 8 1 2 5/12/92 2 022 1 1 1 1 1

C HESSER Campbell 18 186 8 3 2 7/4/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

C LARK Greg 3 9 195 9 4 24/5/97 2 022 9 9 9 1 1

C OLE Tom 28 188 8 3 28/5/97 2016 0 78 78 0 3

C RIPPS Jamie 15 183 8 3 2 3/4/92 2011 17 2 16 2 00 2 2 2 68

CULLEY Jai # 4 9 193 8 7 24/2/03 2 022 4 4 4 1 1

DARLING Jack 2 7 191 9 5 13/6/92 2011 2 1 2 57 2 57 3 4 4 84

DEWAR Angus N /A 190 8 8 10/12/92 2 014 1 2 6 1 0 1

DIXON Hugh # 41 197 101 2 6/2/99 2 019 10 11 10 4 5

DUGGAN Liam 14 186 8 4 12/11/96 2015 2 0 136 136 3 12

EDWARDS Harry 42 2 00 9 8 10/1/00 2020 17 28 28 0 0

E DWARDS Luke 16 189 8 4 1/12/02 2021 3 11 11 1 1

F LORENCA Jake 4 6 184 8 6 15/5/97 2 022 1 1 1 0 0

FOLEY Luke 2 9 189 8 1 10/8/99 2020 16 2 3 2 3 1 2

G AFF Andrew 3 183 8 5 16/6/92 2011 16 2 52 2 52 2 8 0

GIRO Stefan 4 8 175 7 1 3/10/99 2 018 1 15 1 0 4

HOUGH Brady 19 190 7 7 3/5/03 2 022 15 15 15 0 0

HURN Shannon 2 5 187 9 5 9/4/87 2 006 19 3 20 320 0 5 0

JAMIESON Callum 4 0 2 00 9 4 3 1/7/00 2 022 9 9 9 0 0

JONES Jamaine # 3 1 179 8 1 2 9/9/98 2018 18 42 3 5 3 18

JOYCE Tom # 3 8 181 8 8 3/7/00 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

K ELLY Tim 11 183 8 5 2 6/7/94 2018 17 102 5 4 6 6 5

KENNEDY Josh 17 196 102 2 5/8/87 2006 15 2 93 2 71 37 7 23

LANGDON Zac 7 178 8 0 13/11/95 2018 8 5 6 2 5 3 3 2

McGOVERN Jeremy 2 0 197 9 9 15/4/92 2014 10 163 163 1 37

MOUNTFORD Declan 47 183 78 13/2/97 2 017 2 14 2 1 4

N AISH Patrick # 4 3 183 7 7 15/1/99 2 019 11 20 11 1 4

N AITANUI Nic 9 2 02 112 5/4/90 2009 8 2 13 2 13 2 112

NELSON Jackson 3 0 189 8 6 15/3/96 2015 13 102 102 1 2

O ’NEILL Xavier 24 186 8 4 8/3/00 2020 11 24 24 2 4

P ETREVSKI-SETON Sam 10 182 8 1 19/2/98 2 017 14 108 14 1 2 1

PETRUCCELLE Jack 2 1 187 8 2 4 /12/99 2018 8 5 4 5 4 8 4 9

REDDEN Jack 8 190 8 3 12/9/90 2009 2 1 2 63 134 5 8 0

RIOLI Junior 4 4 175 78 6 /4/95 2018 13 51 51 14 6 0

ROTHAM Josh 3 5 193 8 9 2 5/2/98 2019 13 4 6 4 6 2 2

RYAN Liam 1 180 76 10/2/96 2018 17 8 6 8 6 19 119

SHEED Dom 4 187 8

SEB MOTTRAM

GALLANT: Tom Barrass battled gamely in defence, earning selection in the All-Australian squad.

DYNAMIC DOG: Marcus Bontempelli again led from the front in 2022.

NAME NO. HGT.WGT. DOB DEBUT 2022 TOTAL THIS CLUB 2022 TOTAL

BEDENDO Dominic 2 6 191 8 3 7/9/02 2 022 2 2 2 1 1

BONTEMPELLI Marcus 4 193 9 3 24/11/95 2014 2 2 193 193 24 181

BRUCE Josh 17 198 9 7 6 /8/92 2012 5 155 42 1 2 34

BUTLER Louis 18 185 7 9 2 6/8/01 2 020 1 4 4 0 0

C LEARY Luke 3 6 190 78 3/5/02 2 022 4 4 4 0 0

C ORDY Zaine 12 195 9 2 2 7/10/96 2015 14 118 118 2 12

CROZIER Hayden 9 187 8 1 24/12/93 2012 5 138 6 9 1 4 8

DALE Bailey 3 1 187 8 3 2 2/7/96 2015 2 3 108 108 7 76

DANIEL Caleb 3 5 170 7 1 7/7/96 2 015 19 153 153 0 37

DARCY Sam 10 2 05 9 4 19/7/03 2 022 4 4 4 3 3

DUNK LEY Josh 5 191 9 1 1/9/97 2 016 23 116 116 18 6 5

DURYEA Taylor 15 181 7 9 24/4/91 2013 12 172 5 4 1 2 5

ENGLISH Tim 4 4 2 07 103 8/10/97 2017 16 8 5 8 5 11 47

GARCIA Riley 3 8 177 7 7 3 0/1/01 2021 7 16 16 3 7

G ARDNER Ryan 4 3 197 9 5 6 /1/97 2019 2 2 4 3 4 3 0 2

HANNAN Mitch 2 9 190 8 8 3/9/94 2017 7 74 24 4 7 3

HUNTER Lachie 7 182 8 1 13/12/94 2013 10 173 173 2 7 3

JOHANNISEN Jason 3 9 181 8 1 11/8/92 2012 8 176 176 8 70

Flag hopes dogged by inconsistency

u It was a season of inconsistency for the Western Bulldogs. At their best they could compete with anyone, but their worst continually let them down.

After being a half of football away from winning the premiership last season, Luke Beveridge’s side looked set to redeem itself and make another charge at a flag. Unfortunately, it was clear early on that the Bulldogs would need another magical run to achieve that goal, with the club seemingly bouncing between brilliant wins and brutal losses.

Despite spending a total of only four rounds within the top eight, the Bulldogs snuck into the finals with a 12-10 record, securing a trip interstate to take on Fremantle in an elimination final, which ultimately ended in heartbreak after throwing away an early 41-point lead.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli and his midfield offsider Jack Macrae were the club’s most consistent performers again. The pair were rewarded with selection in the All-Australian squad of 44.

The club got vital games into highly-touted draft picks Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy, while Buku Khamis showed good signs both as a crafty forward and intercept defender.

There could be some change from a personnel point of view this off-season as the Dogs look to restructure and rebuild on the run to return as legitimate contenders in 2023.

JONES Arthur 3 2 179 6 5 18/7/03 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

K EATH Alex 42 197 9 9 2 0/1/92 2017 15 8 6 5 6 3 5

K HAMIS Buku * 24 190 8 5 24/3/00 2 021 8 9 9 6 6

LIBERATORE Tom 2 1 184 8 5 16/5/92 2011 2 2 195 195 9 7 3

MACRAE Jack 11 192 8 8 8/3/94 2 013 2 3 2 08 208 4 47

MARTIN Stefan 8 198 9 9 17/11/86 2008 4 2 03 13 0 47

McCOMB Robbie # 2 7 181 8 2 19/12/95 2 022 15 15 15 6 6

McLEAN Toby 16 181 8 3 3 1/1/96 2 015 2 9 6 9 6 0 6 2

McNEIL Lachlan # 3 0 184 8 2 9/2/01 2021 16 2 9 2 9 10 17

NAUGHTON Aaron 3 3 195 9 3 3 0/11/99 2018 2 2 100 100 51 147

O’BRIEN Tim 2 2 193 9 2 28/3/94 2 014 11 108 11 1 74

PARKER Charlie # 2 5 193 8 8 13/10/97 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

R AAK Cody # 4 0 193 8 3 10/8/02 * *** 0 0 0 0 0

R ICHARDS Ed 2 0 188 8 6 7/3/99 2 018 2 2 8 5 8 5 0 24

SCHACHE Josh 13 2 01 9 4 2 1/8/97 2016 7 7 2 4 5 5 78

SCOTT Anthony # 28 180 7 7 28/2/95 2021 14 3 5 3 5 7 17

SMITH Bailey 6 185 8 6 12/7/00 2019 17 8

JACK MAKEHAM

FOOTY TRIVIAGRAND FINAL

1N ame the player who wore guernsey No. 52 in the 1997 and 1998 Grand Finals.

2Who is the most recent coach of a premiership team not to have participated in a Grand Final as a player?

3T he opposing coaches in the 2015 Grand Final had both been North Melbourne-listed players 20 years earlier. Name them.

4W ho coached the 1961, 1971 and 1976 winning Grand Final teams?

Clue: One of his sons has four premiership medallions and a grandson has one as well.

with COL HUTCHINSON & LACHLAN ESSING

Q1: Which premiership Crow wore No. 52?

E ight current AFL players have been members of premiership teams under the age of 20. One of them played in the 2007 Grand Final and two others in last year’s decider. Name them.

Name the Hawthorn left-footed half-forward who kicked two goals eight behinds for the winning team in the 1976 Grand Final. Clue: He also won a premiership medallion in 1978.

W hich member of Melbourne’s 2021 Grand Final team has a grandfather who had represented the Bulldogs against the Hawks in the premiership-decider exactly 60 years earlier?

8

W ho is the most recent captain of a premiership team to have also played for Carlton?

9T he 1946 premiership team conceded 51 points in the opening quarter before kicking 11 goals in the third term to set up a 63-point victory. Name the winning club and its triple Brownlow medallist captain-coach.

10W ho is the most recent player to play in a premiership for two different clubs? Clue: He wore red and white, then blue and gold in his career.

Q6: Which Hawk kicked 2.8 in the 1976 Grand Final?

Q3: Which former Roos coached the opposing 2015 Grand Final teams.

True or false? Ray Chamberlain has not umpired a Grand Final.

H ow many premierships did Noel McMahen play in for Melbourne?

W ho kicked the GWS Giants’ first goal in a Grand Final, in 2019?

L ance Franklin has played in five Grand Finals. How many goals has he kicked in those games?

Q12: How many flags did former Melbourne skipper Noel McMahen play in?

15Lion Oscar McInerney is yet to play in a premiership. When was the last time a player named Oscar played in a Grand Final?

16Which teams in the 1970s were the youngest and oldest to play in a Grand Final?

Name the three players on Richmond’s list in all three of the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premiership seasons, but did not play in a Grand Final? Clue: They were all named an emergency once.

Olivia Newton-John performed at the Grand Final twice and The Seekers performed once. Name the years.

W ho kicked the opening goal of the 2021 Grand Final?

True or false? The following four players all played in premierships – Tom J. Hawkins, Tom E. Hawkins, Josh J. Kennedy and Josh P. Kennedy. ShaunRehn;Bulldogs,JoelSelwood(Geelong)andMelbournepair JakeBoweyandLukeJackson;6.JohnHendrie;7.CharlieSpargo,whosegrandfatherBobSpargoplayedinthe1961GrandFinal;ChrisJudd,whocaptainedWestCoastinthe2006GrandFinal;Essendon,ledbyDick 10.LewisJetta(Sydney2012andWestCoasthehasumpiredthreeGrandFinalsreplay,JeremyCameron;(HawthornSydney 1901–OscarHyman(Collingwood);Collingwood1970(averageage23years,days),NorthMelbourne(averageageRyanGarthwaite(emergencyMabiorChol(emergency 2020),OlegMarkov(emergency2020);OliviaNewton-Johnin1986andTheSeekersin1994;ChristianPetracca(Melbourne);False–TomE.Hawkins(Sydney)didnotplayinapremiership.

Q19: Who kicked the first goal in the 2021 Grand Final?

Q14: How many goals has Lance Franklin kicked in Grand Finals?

Q18: What years did Olivia Newton-John perform at Grand Finals?

ANSWER MAN

I notice that Jack Silvagni has played 99 games. Next year, will that make Sergio, Stephen and Jack the first grandfather/father/son to each play 100 games?

TAS KAKKOS, VIA EMAIL

CH: Hopefully, Jack will play in round one, 2023, and his family will join two others in producing three generations of players to reach triple figures. When former Blue Marc Murphy played his 100th, his family became the first to achieve this distinction. Marc’s father John represented three clubs during a long and outstanding career and his grandfather Leo was a fine performer for Hawthorn in a career which began more than 90

DIRECT FAMILY LINEAGES: NOTABLE CASES

PLAYER CLUB SPAN GMS

Leo Murphy Haw 1930-40

John Murphy Fitz/SM/NM 1967-80

Marc Murphy Carl 1946-50; 1952-54

Scott Howell Carl 1980-85

Others: E. Herb Matthews (SM/Rich/Melb) Herbie (SM) Herbie (Melb/SM) Ted Ted P. David Cordner Leo Dwyer Laurie Dwyer David Dwyer Anthony Dwyer

years ago. John Kennedy snr played 164 games for Hawthorn before becoming a legendary coach. Along with his son John jnr and grandson, former Hawk and Swan Josh, they were the second family to achieve the honour. Just a handful of other families had three generations of players with briefer careers.

The Dwyers at North Melbourne have four members listed, with the third generation including a pair of brothers. Jack Howell snr and jnr and Scott Howell hold a unique record.

CAN YOU ASSIST?

u The AFL is keen to get information on the following four players, all born before 1930. Andy Larkins played for Geelong in 1950 after being recruited from Colac. Pat Harrington joined South Melbourne in 1954 from Coragulac, in the same country region. Sunshine’s Kevin Webb

Each played in a premiership team – South Melbourne (1918) and Carlton (1947 and 1981). Demon Charlie Spargo has provided a fourth link of his family. His great grandfather, grandfather and father all finished their careers with at least 67 appearances.

u A quick glance at the final margin would suggest the 2021 Grand Final was a snooze-fest. Melbourne by 74 points over the Western Bulldogs. But it was far from the case. For the second successive year the COVID-19 pandemic caused the game to be moved away from its traditional home, the MCG. This was a Grand Final replete with major shifts in momentum and moments of individual brilliance. And it ended with tears of joy and widespread jubilation as the Demons put to bed 57 years of heartbreak and humiliation with their 13th premiership. Melbourne led by 21 points at quarter-time but with superstar midfielder Marcus Bontempelli at his best, the Bulldogs took control of the next 45 minutes and by the 11-minute mark of the third term they held a 19-point lead. But in the blink of an eye, fortunes swung dramatically as the Demons kicked 16 of the last 17 goals.

Christian Petracca capped off a brilliant season with a clear beston-ground performance, while Bayley Fritsch’s six-goal haul was the best in a Grand Final since Darren Jarman for Adelaide in 1997.

lined up for Richmond in 1949 and Melbourne in 1951, while Frankston’s Jack Barrett played for Footscray from 1950-53 before transferring to Fitzroy in 1954.

If you can assist, contact Col Hutchinson at col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

FAMILY AFFAIR:

Carlton’s Jack Silvagni is set to join his father Stephen and grandfather Sergio (pictured inset with Sergio’s wife Rita) as 100-game players.

HIT THE THIS CHRISTMAS!

What I’m thinking

with Ashley Browne Bring a six-shooter to town

out the inevitable firestorm and get on with making it the greatest event it can be.

If the preference is to remain at 2.30pm, then say so and lock it in for the next 10 years.

Just make up your mind.

TIGHTEN UP THE GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY

Gillon McLachlan does not have many days left in the big chair at AFL House, although he won’t be finishing up before a decision is made on a Tasmanian team and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players has been agreed to.

It means a soft launch for whoever is his replacement.

With the big-ticket items taken care of, the next chief executive can ease him or herself into the job.

But the ‘to do’ list for any AFL boss is long and meaty.

And to help the newbie get started, here are some items that can be sorted out almost immediately.

DECIDE THE GRAND FINAL START TIME ONCE AND FOR ALL

u What do the Boxing Day Test, the singles finals at the Australian Open, the NRL Grand Final and the Melbourne Cup all have in common? Their starting times are locked and loaded.

They have been for years and are programmed well into the future.

But not the AFL, which procrastinates every year about what time to bounce the ball for the start of the biggest game of the season.

The starting time this year is back to 2.30pm and, as we have written, it was the correct move for this season.

But the annual speculation is tedious for a body that, by any measurement, is the most powerful sporting body in the country.

If the plan is to start the Grand Final later, then make the call, ride

u So whether it’s the MCG with 50 games or Cazalys Stadium, which stages just one match each year, make sure the camera angles and the ‘snicko’ microphones are identical at every venue.

No longer should the AFL rely on where Seven places its cameras, which might be different to Fox Footy.

You have the money, especially now. Pay for the cameras yourself.

EXTEND THE TRADE PERIOD

u Fair play to the AFL for being the only sporting league in the world whose main player exchange period has a naming rights sponsor.

But the mechanisms for clubs to manage their lists are quite restrictive.

How about going back to the way it was back in the old VFL days?

Open the transfer window a week after the Grand Final and leave it open until the end of June.

Trust clubs to make key list management decisions in season and out of it. Sure, it might spell the end of AFL Trade Radio (sorry, ‘Hutchy’),but the player exchange mechanism needs to be shaped around what works best for players and clubs, not a media partner.

MORE UMPIRES

u The move to four umpires a game next year is great. Only one of them needs to be able to bounce the ball and only at the start of each quarter is fine.

But why stop there?

How about giving boundary umpires the power to make decisions when the field umpire doesn’t have

The ‘to do’ list for any AFL boss is long and meaty

clear line of sight, which happens several times a game.

And why not empower the closest boundary umpires to stand equidistant to the goal umpires when players are taking set shots for goal? Goal umpires sometimes clould do with a second opinion.

FIX HEAD-HIGH CONTACT

u It’s a mess. McLachlan has flagged his people are looking at it, but the end game must be – if the AFL is fair dinkum about protecting the head – that a bunch of lawyers can’t just waltz in and overturn a sanction that most football people believed to be fair and reasonable.

TONE DOWN THE FAN ENGAGEMENT

u There’s sensory overload when you go to the footy.

If there’s nothing happening on the field, then we’re bombarded with noise off it, from goalkicking competitions, faux races and all sorts of ‘cams’ – kiss, dance, mullett and the new one, oblivious cam. With that last one, heaven help anyone who chooses to go to the football alone.

How about just a bit of peace and quiet between quarters, like we used to have for the first 150 years of going to the footy?

Not asking for much here, just two minutes between quarters and perhaps five minutes at the half, just so we don’t have to scream and shout just to be heard by the person sitting next to us.

There is plenty more for the new AFL CEO to get to work on as they start to leave their mark on the game, but getting these fixed will be the ideal way to get started.

See you next year.

@hashbrowne

Here are six must-fix items the new AFL CEO must address when he or she settles into the position.

FIRST ITEMS OF BUSINESS: A permanent starting time for the Grand Final and head-high contact are among the many issues the new AFL CEO will need to attend to.

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Photographs Elyse Adam