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The Geelong Cats have stormed to victory in the 2007 AFL Grand Final, running out winners over Port Adelaide Power by a record breaking 119 points.

Nervous First Moments

As one would expect with the entire season coming down to one game, both teams started a little nervously, and play was fairly scrappy for four or five minutes as the Cats and the Power looked to get the upper-hand early on.

The first quarter was taken by Geelong as they began to get some of their flowing football – which had been their trademark all season – going. Early indications of what was to come were seen when the Cats’ full back, Matthew Scarlett ran the full length of the pitch to take a hand ball and have a kick at goal. His kick was in truth awful – a true defenders effort – but this set the tone for what was to follow, as his effort signaled an intent and desire within the Geelong team.

Port missed an easy opportunity well within the 50, which did not even leave the pitch, and their fans must have been worried as Geelong began to take control of the Grand Final.

Geelong Extend

Geelong scored without any reply from Port Adelaide between the first and second quarter, racking up twenty-five minutes worth of unanswered points.

Half Time

In truth, the game was over at half time, as Geelong led by 53 points – 79-27, and Port Adelaide did not look like making a comeback. The Power had fewer chances than Geelong, and spurned those that they got. This pattern continued for the rest of the game.

Third Quarter

Geelong really took control of the 2007 Grand Final in the 3rd quarter and killed off any lingering hopes that Port might have had of a comeback, as they won the quarter 7.4 – 5.5. Chapman made the play of the day with a sensational “speckie” high mark over the much maligned (and seriously boo’ed) Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea.

That, as they say, is “one for the pool room.”

Fourth Quarter

A now confident Cats side continued to pour more goals through the despondent Power’s posts, and the ever hard-working Cameron Ling was a fitting man to take the lead over the 100 point mark.

For Port Adelaide, the two Cornes brothers, and Cassisi were there only real players of note, who had the bulk of their possessions, though Geelong were too much of a dominant force on the rest of the pitch for this effort to amount to anything.

Final Score

The final siren sounded with the score at 163-44 to Geelong – just shy of Carlton’s Grand Final points record, but a new record winning margin (119 points) for a Grand Final match.

The Norm Smith Medal

It is perhaps a mark of just how good a team performance this was by the Cats that it was difficult to pick a Best on Ground stand-out player – there were so many!

The Brownlow Medal winner, Jimmy Bartel had another solid game, making some crunching turnover winning tackles, and kicking a couple of good long range efforts.

Steve Johnson, who last year had been given an ultimatum by Geelong to straighten his act up or lose his place in the team, continued his startlingly good form and kicked four great goals.

Steve King, who came up into the team just this week, took some excellent contended marks, and disposed of the ball really well.

Ottens made some tremendous big hits, and even ran down a Port Adelaide flyer in the early part of the game (not bad for a big man) to make a possession winning tackle. He also took some great marks.

Matthew Scarlett was faultless in defense, and his occasional forays forward were always well timed and perfectly executed – providing a couple of assists, linking up well under pressure, as well as having a couple of wayward shots at goal. It was a shame he did not get his Grand Final goal, as he surely deserved one today.

The Norm Smith medal was handed to Steve Johnson, and none who saw the game could have any complaint with that decision – it is just a shame the others who stepped up and performed so well had to miss out!

Final Thoughts

The best team of the season won the 2007 Grand Final in great style, landing the result many expected with an unanticipated domination from start to finish. More deserving premiers are unlikely to be seen for many years to come.

Port Adelaide have every right to be disappointed with today’s performance, though the season as a whole has been hugely successful – few would have put them in the Grand Final at the start of the season.

The best team won on the day, with a confident display of brilliant Aussie Rules football.