Geelong's 119-point demolition broke a 44-year premiership drought
In short: On 29 September 2007, the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed a historic blowout. Geelong didn't just win the AFL Grand Final; they rewrote the record books, securing a victory margin never before seen in the history of the league, ending decades of frustration for the club.
The 2007 AFL Grand Final was a transformative moment for the Geelong Football Club. After finishing 10th in 2006, the Cats underwent a remarkable turnaround to become the season's dominant force, finishing 12 points ahead of Port Adelaide. This resurgence culminated in a 119-point victory over the Power, marking the largest winning margin in the history of the VFL/AFL Grand Final. This feat surpassed the previous record of 96 points, which had been held by Hawthorn since their 1988 victory over Melbourne.
The match was characterized by Geelong's relentless offensive and defensive pressure. While Port Adelaide had risen from 12th place in the previous season to 2nd in 2007, they were unable to stem the tide of the Cats' attack. Geelong's performance was bolstered by a record-breaking 417 disposals and a defensive unit led by Matthew Scarlett, who recorded 29 disposals. Key contributors included Steve Johnson, who earned the Norm Smith Medal for his standout performance, and Cameron Mooney, who contributed five goals.
This victory was more than just a single trophy; it ended a 44-year premiership drought for Geelong, their last title having been won in 1963. It also signaled the beginning of a dynasty, as the club went on to win three premierships from four Grand Final appearances between 2007 and 2011. For Port Adelaide, the 2007 season proved to be a significant outlier; despite their high ladder finish, they would not qualify for another finals series until 2013.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2007 AFL Grand Final
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