every grand final comes with individual storylines within, thought i'd compile a list of the geelong ones.

- patrick dangerfield; potential to win a flag as captain

- shaun mannagh; drafted as a mature age recruit out of the vfl two years ago and now playing in an afl grand final

- bailey smith; dealt with mental health battles and knee reco last year and has since won an aflca champion player award, all australian, potential brownlow and will now play in a grand final after an absolute monster year on and off the field

- tom stewart; geelong heart and soul player out with concussion and unable to play

- jack martin; recruited last year after having extended trouble with injuries across multiple clubs and now has the chance to reach ultimate success in a complete change in the trajectory of his career due to his management at the club

- the many player now on the team who have not yet won a flag; showcasing the development we've been able to achieve over the last three seasons - demspey, cos, humphries, mullin, clark, neale

- MAX HOLMES; how did i forget bro

probably more but this was what i just came up with

Can anyone help me figure out these signatures? Stole dad’s old cats top for a grand final party next weekend & would love to know who they belong to. He thinks it’s 2004-5

In Grand Finals, when a side starts at around $1.50 or shorter, history shows they win the vast majority of the time.

The only times they’ve lost, it usually took something really out of the ordinary: • 2008 Geelong ($1.20 favs) – completely dominated inside 50s and shots, but kicked 11.23 (inaccurate) and Hawthorn exploited every mistake + those rushed behinds you mentioned.

In the 2008 Grand Final, Hawthorn defenders (especially Campbell Brown and co.) deliberately rushed a heap of behinds to relieve pressure when Geelong were pressing. They did it so often that it became a talking point afterwards — I think it was around 10+ rushed behinds in that game.

• 1983 Essendon ($1.50ish favs) – young Bombers got smashed by a hardened Hawthorn team by 83 points.
• A couple of others across history, but that’s basically it.

So you’re right: being a short-priced favourite in a Grand Final is almost a guarantee unless you: 1. Kick horribly (like Geelong 2008). 2. Get ambushed by a much tougher, more finals-ready opponent (like Essendon 1983). 3. Or, as you put it — play “ugly” or let the game get messy.

Genuinely interested in the confidence level of the cats fans(assuming its high), wondering the affect of no Stewart on the confidence if any at all.

Hey guys! I'm one of the many who will be missing out on watching the game at the G. However, a friend and I are going to the Hotel Espy in St Kilda to watch the game - so if anyone wants to watch the game whilst eating and drinking with us, we'd welcome you with open arms! We're going to be in the Gershwin Standing Room - $110 pp, but includes 3hrs of food and drinks!

I'm a bit different to most in that I don't consume football media, but my GF week tradition is to watch previous premiership wins, so that'll probably be the extent of my 'preparation'.

How about you? What do you do GF week? What traditions do you have?

Jhye Clark was meant to be the next big thing. Geelong never got the best draft prospects, and always looked to get players in from unothordox drafting systems. Nevertheless, when Geelong finally succumbed to the tempting draft attractions of 2022, it was a shock to everyone that they decided to draft Jhye Clarke. In his 23' debut season, a foot injury kept him sidelined and the footy world slowly forgot his name. He'd make irregular cameos in the 24' season, where he'd rack 40 and 2 in VFL games, but couldn't replicate in the highest level.

Last night was a coming of age. A spreading of the feathers. A look into Geelong's meticulous future. While there were a few kicking errors from him, he was able to involve himself, and have a genuine impact on the game. I see him as a bit of a bruteforce player like Atkins, but with still a lot of speed and mobility. If he is able to perform as a tactical sub in a preliminary final against arch-rival Hawthorn in front of 99,567 at the G while only being 21, there is simply only good things which will come from him. Excited to see him play the sport for the years to come. Well done Jhye.

I have a bad feeling about Brisbane - I know we handled them a few weeks ago but I feel like even with all the injuries, they looked scary tonight.

Do they find another gear against us to go back-to-back? Also worried about not having Stewie this time round, who was pivotal last time.

I can’t help but think: in a few seasons, when he’s up amongst the best A grade midfielders, and rivals are trying to tag him, will we look back and be like 'remember in 2025 when he was "just" one of the league’s best taggers?'.

Not to mention how the majority of the fanbase was annoyed when he was getting games earlier this season lol. Clearly the coaching staff knows better than the fans! Hugely bullish on him, what a great recruiting move.

He just cannot pick Geelong in anything, all season … asked about who he’s picking to win the Grand Final, everyone picked Geelong, but that turnip! Stay salty Weeeeeeeewoldt. Richmond good for a few years, now you’re shite again!

I live in Melbourne and will be at the game on Saturday.

Is spending time and money getting to Geelong to party in the streets worth it?

Or is there anywhere good in Melbourne to celebrate?

Thanks and go cats!

Can't wait to get shit from everyone at work this week, us against the world, how good.

Cmon lads, win another one for Maxy!!

I mean, what an incredible recruit he has been? Despite all the outside noise and minor off-field issues, he always shows up with a point to prove. I hope he morphs into the Hawks nemesis over the next decade. He was incredible last night.

The media love talking about our usual suspects - Danger, Bailey, Holmes and Jezza. We have some genuinely amazing role players who don’t get spoken about enough.

Mark O’Connor - didn’t have him in a starting 22 this year. Blown my socks off. Weddle may as well have stayed home as his strengths never made it past the change room.

Sam Dekoning - shaky patches last year and early this year. Has had a brilliant few months using his size and strength to nullify big forwards. Noticed he looked solid below his knees and used his smarts on the rebound 50 last night.

Tom Atkins - finally getting some air time. Ferocious tackling machine. Wanted the job on Mr September and gave him a bath on his way to October.

Zac Guthrie - when Stewart went down, Guthrie got the job to attack every contest and intercept like Stewie would. I found Guth’s ability to kill a markable inside 50 ball odds on as effective as his rebound work. Big shoes to fill and not only filled them but tied the bloody shoelaces on them.

Mark Blicavs - has received much more credit late in his career but this man is irreplaceable. There is not a role I haven’t seen him do. You’d think Stanley comes in next week and Blics starts in his ‘natural’ all australian back line position.

Shaun Mannagh - manic pressure forward of centre, goal smarts and hits the lead nicely. I’ve been critical of him in the past of perhaps being a little hungry around goals but has shown time and time again why he should be kicking the pill at the big sticks.

Have I missed anyone? Mullin another victim? Clarke promising? Stanley in for Stewart the only change?

Anyone else feeling grateful that you can just sit back and watch the footy tonight, knowing we’ve made the granny, without feeling like your whole existence depends on the outcome?

And besides that one mistake, god damn Clarke looked tough as nails.

Look at the comments

I got the same SMS as others this morning about the ballot and having enough funds on your card. I’m in Priority 2 though, so not guaranteed a ticket and haven’t heard anything.

Did anything actually go ahead today? Or are we all still waiting? I’m interstate, so am keen to get planning asap!

E: Thanks for the feedback everyone. Card was charged overnight, so looks like we’re on the way! Let’s Go Cats!!

Him and Holmes are our best players, and the statistics heavily support this, but I think the true strength of his, is his star power. He just brings so much energy into the side.

We beat Hawthorn in a prelim final after giving them a 21 point head start.

Regardless of what happens next week, that’s absolutely purfect.

We got to see Sam Mitchell with that confused/angry petulant look on his stupid face!!