The 2022 AFL Grand Final is finally here!
Geelong and Sydney will do battle in the first Grand Final matchup between the historic clubs at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Who will win and why? See our predictions below:
GEELONG v SYDNEY
Saturday afternoon - MCG
ANDREW SLEVISON
The two best teams over the course of 2022, particularly across the second half of the season, have fittingly made it through to the Grand Final.
Geelong are rightly hot favourites but Sydney should not be discounted.
You can’t read into the last time they met, as it happened six months ago and at the SCG, so we’ll leave that form out.
But the Swans certainly are equipped to repeat the dose.
John Longmire is great at taking the opposition’s strengths away from them and they have an evenness on all lines that can outwork the Cats.
Tipping the ‘Bloods Culture’ to get the job done in a classic.
Tip: Sydney by 13 points
Most goals: Tom Papley (4)
Norm Smith Medal: Callum Mills
NIC NEGREPONTIS
Every year we do these predictions and hype up the contest and hope for a tight game.
In reality, the average winning margin in Grand Finals since 2014 has been 47.25 points. Even when the games appear tight, they tend to blow out as the losing team either rolls the dice or drops their head.
Geelong has been the best team all season. As David King has repeatedly said, it would take a freak event to stop them.
Sydney has clearly been the second best team in the latter half of 2022, but the Cats on the MCG will prove too strong and the Swans will struggle to score on a Geelong defensive system firing on all cylinders.
It may be the wet blanket take, but the Cats will ascend to the top and do so emphatically.
Tip: Geelong by 50 points
Most goals: Jeremy Cameron (4)
Norm Smith Medal: Jeremy Cameron
LACHLAN GELEIT
The Swans won the earlier battle between the two sides, but much has changed since Round 2.
With 15 consecutive wins under their belt, it’s a tough ask to pick against Geelong, especially given how impressive they looked in the Preliminary Final against Brisbane.
Having gotten so close across the last decade, surely this is Geelong’s year to taste success with this group.
While the likes of Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan have already won flags in the hoops, Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart among other stars are yet to taste the ultimate glory on the biggest stage and will be desperate to do so.
They’ve been the best team all year, and while Sydney is well and truly in this one, this feels like Geelong’s year.
Tip: Geelong by 19 points
Most goals: Tom Hawkins (3)
Norm Smith Medal: Tom Stewart
LAURENCE ROSEN
It’s hard to escape the feeling that we’re in for an absolute classic as Geelong and Sydney prepare to meet in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The beauty of this match-up is that they have only met once this year and that came way back in Round 2, where Lance Franklin’s 1000th goal stole all the headlines.
Geelong could have hardly been more impressive in their big win over Brisbane last week, while Sydney fell over the line against a fast-finishing Collingwood in the other Preliminary Final.
The Cats will role out the oldest team in AFL/VFL history and due to their impressive form this year and experience, they have to be favourites.
But Sydney’s pressure in the contest and John Longmire’s ability to take away the strengths of oppositions – which have been on display all season – positions them well to pull off the upset on the late Saturday in September.
Tipping Lance Franklin to have a big game and Sydney to win, but only just.
Tip: Sydney by 4 points.
Most goals: Lance Franklin (4)
Norm Smith Medal: Luke Parker
HUGH FITZPATRICK
You just know this game is going to be epic.
Geelong - the best team for the whole year - do battle against the second best side for the year in Sydney.
The experienced and well-oiled Geelong will be met front on by the youthful and exuberant Swans, making this contest so intriguing.
Geelong had a training run of a preliminary final against the Lions last week, meaning their older stars in Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan will be fresh for Saturday.
If Geelong are to win, Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron will need to dominate, if they can manage 7-8 goals between them, look out Sydney.
As for the Swans, their pressure and skill by foot has been off its head this year and is the perfect brand of footy that could upset Chris Scott's men.
Expecting Tom Hickey to get a hold of Rhys Stanley in the ruck, giving first access to Luke Parker, Callum Mills, Chad Warner and James Rowebottom and with that first access to Sydney's forward line.
Can't wait for the Lance Franklin and Sam De Koning match-up, if 'Bud' gets on top of the young star, alarm bells will be going off in Scott's head.
Tipping the Swans in what should be an all-time GF.
Tip: Sydney by 16 points
Most goals: Isaac Heeney
Norm Smith Medal: Callum Mills
SEB MOTTRAM
This will be a battle between two of the best tactical coaches in the game.
Geelong’s system was allowed to dominate against the Lions last week as Chris Scott squeezed the ground and kept an extra behind the ball. If John Longmire allows a similar occurrence, Sydney will be in trouble, but the veteran coach will come with a plan.
The Swans are one of the better sides in the competition at lowering their eyes and that’ll be key to dismantling the Cats. That should see a better game than Geelong’s one last week, but it’s too hard to tip against the minor premiers given they have stars on every line.
Jeremy Cameron is built for finals, Tom Hawkins and Tom Stewart are among the most reliable in the competition, but it’s the bottom six players that have surged Geelong up in 2022.
A win would see Joel Selwood become one of the greatest ever with his first premiership as captain, while Patrick Dangerfield’s CV would be all but complete.
Tip: Geelong by 14 points
Most goals: Jeremy Cameron (4)
Norm Smith Medal: Jeremy Cameron
JACK MAKEHAM
The Grand Final never feels bigger than when it’s truly the two best teams of the season facing off at the end of the year.
After a 15-game win streak, it’s no wonder Geelong is the clear favourite, looking simply dominant throughout the year.
Yet Sydney have shown that their blend of elite pressure and ball movement is some of the best that we’ve ever seen and will certainly be up to the task of felling this Cats juggernaut.
The midfield clash looks to be where the matchup is decided, however a forward-line spark from Papley could lift the Swans and get them over the line.
After one of the most gripping seasons that we have ever witnessed, a thrilling close contest would be the perfect way to cap it off.
Tip: Sydney by 5 points
Most goals: Tom Papley (4)
Norm Smith Medal: Tom Papley