Geelong defeat Brisbane, into AFL grand final; Cats fans await ticket ballot outcome
Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions, AFL 2022 first preliminary final Ben Jensen GEELONG are through to the 2022 AFL grand final after thrashing the Brisbane Lions last night. The Cats stared strongly but due to some inaccurate goal (and behind) kicking only led by 30 points at half time; a seven goal to two third quarter saw that lead blow out to an unassailable 63 points at half time. The final margin was 71 points and could have been more had the Cats not benched a few key players such as Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron. The Cats will play the winner of today’s twilight clash at the SCG between Sydney and Collingwood; the Swans having the home ground advantage but the Magpies have been in good form.
Despite a text messaging triggering at least two media outlets (3AW and Channel 7) announcing yet another classic Geelong late change with ruckman Rhys Stanley dropped for Sam Menegola, it was proven to be a hoax; neither side made any changes to the sides announced on Thursday.
Patrick Dangerfield was in sublime form from the word go, kicking the opening goal of the match and a second deep into time on prior to quarter time; the medical team at the Cats drawing particular praise from Geelong coach Chris Scott. Fellow 300 gamer Tom Hawkins was also in top form despite having the yips in the first half missing a few shots he might otherwise have kicked. But as since about round 8 it was the ‘second’ or perhaps even third tier who made a huge difference, Gryan Miers and Bradley Close putting in some of their best performances; the gap between the Cats’ top six and bottom six players having narrowed markedly the last year.
Hawkins finished with four goals alongside his three behinds, fellow All-Australian forward Tyson Stengle kicked three while Gary Rohan and Miers had two each. Jeremy Cameron ‘only’ kicked one goal but played his role. For the Lions new dad Joe Daniher managed just one behind, with Eric Hipwood the only multiple goal-kicker. Smaller forwards Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy kicked one goal each.
STENGLE, HOW GOOD! #AFLCatsLions @GeelongCats pic.twitter.com/fb4rCDEDeZ
— Katherine (@katherinekvant) September 16, 2022
The win may yet come at a cost however with young gun Max Holmes having to leave the field with a hamstring injury in the third quarter; up until that point he was a key contributor. Coach Chris Scott said he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ Holmes will get up for the grand final but he is certainly at risk. The medical substitute once more was Mark O’Connor, while other emergencies for the match were Sam Menegola, Brandan Parfitt and Jonathan Ceglar; and experienced premiership players such as Luke Dahlhaus and Shaun Higgins also in reserve.
THE DANGER ZONE IS OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED⚠️
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) September 16, 2022
📺 Watch #AFLCatsLions of the #AFLFinals LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/2qrdJQg5ge
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/fHKmd2q3HV
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/Mvqy3qd0LF pic.twitter.com/0Sa08uXfCc
Grand final ticket allocations will be made today or tomorrow; we suspect they’ll wait to see whether the Swans or Magpies win before pressing the button on the ‘super computer’; self-evidently a Swans outcome tonight would mean more tickets for Geelong members, and a Magpies win considerably less. Details on the AFL grand final ticket allocation ballot are available here: www.geelongcats.com.au/verylongURL
AFL 2022 FIRST PRELIMINARY FINAL
GEELONG CATS V BRISBANE LIONS
FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022, 19:50 AEST
MCG
GEELONG CATS: 4.2, 7.7, 14.11, 18.12 (120) DEFEATED
BRISBANE LIONS: 2.0, 3.1, 5.2, 7.7 (49)
GOALS
GEELONG CATS: Hawkins 4, Stengle 3, Dangerfield 2, Miers 2, Rohan 2, Cameron, Close, Guthrie, Holmes, Selwood
BRISBANE LIONS: Hipwood 2, Ah Chee, Bailey, Berry, Cameron, McCarthy
BEST
GEELONG CATS: Dangerfield, Miers, Hawkins, Stengle, Kolodjashnij, Close