World Footy News

The Geelong Football Club has secured its second flag in three years with a thrilling come from behind victory over the devastated St Kilda Football Club, which was gallant all day after being the dominant team of 2009. The final margin of 12 points didn't reflect the pulsating final minutes when there was nothing between the sides.

In the first quarter Geelong settled better and kicked the first couple of goals, but St Kilda then put their usual clamp on the game. Surprisingly the Cats, despite playing in their third Grand Final in a row, made a lot of errors under the pressure of the situation, as opposed to any real physical pressure. Experienced players seemed to be cracking under the weight of the day. Dashing fullback Scarlett on more than one occasion simply bombed the ball out of defence rather than use clear options. The greasy conditions were affecting the game as the forecast rain began to set in.

St Kilda began scoring more freely late in the term and at quarter time it was St Kilda 3.2 (20) to Geelong 3.0 (18).

The trend continued in the second quarter but neither team was putting much on the scoreboard. It was St Kilda's small forwards who got busy, with Milne and Schneider getting multiple shots on goal but not converting very many of them. The game was being played on the Saints' terms and the match was an ugly contest of packs and stop start footy.

It wasn't until halfway through the second term that the normally influential Steve Johnson got clear control of the ball - only to be tackled and penalised for holding it. The key big men for both sides were struggling in the damp, mauling conditions, often winning position but unable to hold the mark. It was true for Cam Mooney, Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. The rain got heavier (always hard to see on television) and Gary Ablett went forward for immediate results, goaling from a free kick for hanging on, but Max Rooke was the Cats' only consistent forward.

Resurrected St Kilda defender Zac Dawson made perhaps the mistake of the day. He delayed his clearing kick as he ran through his defensive goalsquare, allowing Hawkins to smother it and goal, though replays suggested it had skimmed the inside of the post. Another goal quickly followed and it looked like Geelong may run away, but in the last 90 seconds a scrambled major to Jones was followed by a soccered goal to Koschitzke and then a remarkable umpiring decision in which Geelong's Milburn was penalised for disputing the decision with the goal umpire. It resulted in a free to St Kilda in the goalsquare without going back to the centre and an easy goal resulted. The siren sounded and totally against the trend of the previous 5 minutes, St Kilda had kicked 3 goals in less than 90 seconds of actual game time, to take a 6 point lead into the half, St Kilda 7.7 (49) to Geelong 7.1 (43).

Although fans of either side would have been enthralled, the reality of the sport's big day was that it was a wet, grinding, dour affair lacking in exciting play. Sometimes such matches can be classics of intensity but even that seemed to be lacking. Only the closeness of the scores and the significance of the game kept the interest high.

It was more of the same in the third quarter although St Kilda captain Riewoldt started to take some marks closer to goal. Key player Johnson started to get a few touches but not in dangerous positions. But come the siren the margin was only one point larger, St Kilda 9.11 (65) to Geelong 9.4 (58). The quarter margins were 2, 6 and 7 points. Both teams had recent records that deserved to be crowned with premierships, but only one could win.

In the last quarter the margin closed up and there was a growing realisation - this game would go down to the wire. The excitement built, the players began throwing themselves in fiercely and the contest rose to the levels hoped for. Gary Ablett Jr began to get hard balls out of the packs and was once again showing how hard he is to tackle. The Cats drew level with a wobbly shot from Selwood that was lucky to score, and a mad scramble was underway. Joining Ablett in lifting was Paul Chapman who loomed up to kick the goal that put Geelong clear.

Rooke made the margin 7 points but a rushed behind brought it back to 6 points and with the crowd at feverpitch the Saints needed a lucky break. But it didn't come and a well weighted kick found Rooke, the siren went, and as the celebrations began he dribbled the goal through for a 12 point win. Geelong 12.8 (80) to St Kilda 9.14 (68).

In the final analysis the Saints' ability to shut down a team was again the key, but likewise with that came their inability to score heavily against the best quality opposition. The runners-up kicked just two goals in the second half and will forever regret some wasteful shots earlier in the game. A brilliant regular season of 20 wins 2 losses finishes at 22 wins and 3 losses, but no premiership flag. For Geelong, winners of an incredible 62 of their past 69 matches leading into the game, they rightfully claimed their second flag in three years. A crowd of 99,251 witnessed the thrilling climax to 2009.