- Apr 18, 2009
- 4,721
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- AFL Club
- West Coast
The year's 9 best games
By Mic Cullen 11:30 PM Fri 25 December, 2009
9 - Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d West Coast 15.11 (101), round eight, ANZ Stadium
It would hardly seem right to have a best games list without a match-up between these two latter-day titans. And this one lived up to the teams' extraordinary recent history with the Swans snatching the result at the death. But they had to do it in heart-stopping fashion after Eagles youngster Scott Selwood put his club in front for the first time deep into the final quarter. A 35m snap from Kieren Jack restored the home side's advantage with just seconds remaining.
Full match replay
8 - North Melbourne 20.5 (125) d Port Adelaide 18.12 (120), round seven, Etihad Stadium
A crowd of just 14,342 saw the Kangaroos hold off an incredibly fast-finishing Port Adelaide. The Roos had won just two games in six rounds, but led by five goals in the third term before the Power switched on. The visitors booted nine of the last 12 goals - including the last four - to fall just short as the home side put all 18 players in the backline for the final two goalless minutes.
Full match replay
7 - Geelong 17.14 (116) d Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114), round nine, Etihad Stadium
The Dogs went within a whisker of inflicting the Cats' first loss of the year after a super last-term push got them back from 37 points down in the third. Brad Johnson had the chance to win it for his team, but his after-the-siren shot was off target resulting in a nasty case of déjà vu for the skipper who missed in similar circumstances against North Melbourne in the previous season.
Full match replay
6 - West Coast 16.6 (102) d Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97), round 19, Etihad Stadium
It was one of the most amazing games of the year. The Dogs were huge favourites for the clash between third and 13th, with the Eagles carrying an away game losing streak of 19 into the match. But the visitors shocked everyone, kicking the first 10 goals of the game. It took 52 minutes for the Dogs to score off their own boot but that got them going. The lead changed four times in a pulsating last term before Mark LeCras took it back for the Eagles with the last goal of the game.
Full match replay
5 - Geelong 15.9 (99) d Hawthorn 14.14 (98), round 17, MCG
Rivalry round lived up to its hype for this match, with the Cats scrambling home courtesy of an after-the-siren Jimmy Bartel point. The teams' earlier clash, in round one, also produced a thriller with the Hawks flying home to almost steal it. But this one topped it. Joel Selwood gathered 42 touches as the Cats battled to cover the second-quarter loss of key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor. Hawk Lance Franklin booted five but it wasn't enough for the 2008 premiers.
Full match replay
4- Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Adelaide 11.12 (78), first semi-final, MCG
The Magpies were one of the surprise packets of the season, battling through an extensive injury list early on to make a preliminary final. They got there with a classic win over Adelaide, which looked to have the game won twice; first with a six-goal-to-one first term, then when young star Kurt Tippett boomed one home from outside 50 with only a couple of minutes remaining. But Pies forward Jack Anthony was paid a free kick just inside the arc soon after, and he slotted home his shot to send the crowd of 62,184 into raptures.
Full match replay
3 - Essendon 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 12.16 (88), round five, MCG
This early-season classic told us the year was going to be a ripper, with Essendon roaring home to win on Anzac Day before a crowd of 84,829. The Bombers lost ruckman David Hille to an ACL injury in the second minute, forcing Paddy Ryder into the ruck where he did a magnificent job to win the Anzac Medal. The Bombers still trailed by 14 points at the 25-minute mark of the final term but they booted three in quick succession - the final one to first-year player David Zaharakis with just seconds remaining.
Full match replay
2 - Geelong 12.8 (80) d St. Kilda 9.14 (68), grand final, MCG
The Cats beat the Saints to win their second flag in three years, in a contest that was a fitting end to a tremendous season. The margin never exceeded two goals throughout the match, and was just six points when the final siren blew. The Cats kept the Saints goalless in the last term, and only reclaimed the lead in time-on. It was a ripping grand final that kept you on the edge of your seat for the entire game.
Full match replay
1 - St Kilda 14.7 (91) d Geelong 13.7 (85), round 14, Etihad Stadium
Possibly the most hyped regular season match in the history of the game delivered in spades, with the undefeated St Kilda and Geelong serving up a ripper under the roof. The Saints kicked the first five goals of the game, but the Cats kept grinding away, and it took a towering Michael Gardiner mark and goal to seal the win. A privilege to be at and watch.
Full match replay
My top 9
I had the same games but in a slightly different order.
9. North Melbourne 20.5 (125) d Port Adelaide 18.12 (120), round seven, Etihad Stadium
8. Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d West Coast 15.11 (101), round eight, ANZ Stadium
7. Geelong 17.14 (116) d Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114), round nine, Etihad Stadium
6. Geelong 15.9 (99) d Hawthorn 14.14 (98), round 17, MCG
5.Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Adelaide 11.12 (78), first semi-final, MCG
4. West Coast 16.6 (102) d Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97), round 19, Etihad Stadium
3. Geelong 12.8 (80) d St. Kilda 9.14 (68), grand final, MCG
2. Essendon 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 12.16 (88), round five, MCG
1. St Kilda 14.7 (91) d Geelong 13.7 (85), round 14, Etihad Stadium
By Mic Cullen 11:30 PM Fri 25 December, 2009
9 - Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d West Coast 15.11 (101), round eight, ANZ Stadium
It would hardly seem right to have a best games list without a match-up between these two latter-day titans. And this one lived up to the teams' extraordinary recent history with the Swans snatching the result at the death. But they had to do it in heart-stopping fashion after Eagles youngster Scott Selwood put his club in front for the first time deep into the final quarter. A 35m snap from Kieren Jack restored the home side's advantage with just seconds remaining.
Full match replay
8 - North Melbourne 20.5 (125) d Port Adelaide 18.12 (120), round seven, Etihad Stadium
A crowd of just 14,342 saw the Kangaroos hold off an incredibly fast-finishing Port Adelaide. The Roos had won just two games in six rounds, but led by five goals in the third term before the Power switched on. The visitors booted nine of the last 12 goals - including the last four - to fall just short as the home side put all 18 players in the backline for the final two goalless minutes.
Full match replay
7 - Geelong 17.14 (116) d Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114), round nine, Etihad Stadium
The Dogs went within a whisker of inflicting the Cats' first loss of the year after a super last-term push got them back from 37 points down in the third. Brad Johnson had the chance to win it for his team, but his after-the-siren shot was off target resulting in a nasty case of déjà vu for the skipper who missed in similar circumstances against North Melbourne in the previous season.
Full match replay
6 - West Coast 16.6 (102) d Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97), round 19, Etihad Stadium
It was one of the most amazing games of the year. The Dogs were huge favourites for the clash between third and 13th, with the Eagles carrying an away game losing streak of 19 into the match. But the visitors shocked everyone, kicking the first 10 goals of the game. It took 52 minutes for the Dogs to score off their own boot but that got them going. The lead changed four times in a pulsating last term before Mark LeCras took it back for the Eagles with the last goal of the game.
Full match replay
5 - Geelong 15.9 (99) d Hawthorn 14.14 (98), round 17, MCG
Rivalry round lived up to its hype for this match, with the Cats scrambling home courtesy of an after-the-siren Jimmy Bartel point. The teams' earlier clash, in round one, also produced a thriller with the Hawks flying home to almost steal it. But this one topped it. Joel Selwood gathered 42 touches as the Cats battled to cover the second-quarter loss of key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor. Hawk Lance Franklin booted five but it wasn't enough for the 2008 premiers.
Full match replay
4- Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Adelaide 11.12 (78), first semi-final, MCG
The Magpies were one of the surprise packets of the season, battling through an extensive injury list early on to make a preliminary final. They got there with a classic win over Adelaide, which looked to have the game won twice; first with a six-goal-to-one first term, then when young star Kurt Tippett boomed one home from outside 50 with only a couple of minutes remaining. But Pies forward Jack Anthony was paid a free kick just inside the arc soon after, and he slotted home his shot to send the crowd of 62,184 into raptures.
Full match replay
3 - Essendon 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 12.16 (88), round five, MCG
This early-season classic told us the year was going to be a ripper, with Essendon roaring home to win on Anzac Day before a crowd of 84,829. The Bombers lost ruckman David Hille to an ACL injury in the second minute, forcing Paddy Ryder into the ruck where he did a magnificent job to win the Anzac Medal. The Bombers still trailed by 14 points at the 25-minute mark of the final term but they booted three in quick succession - the final one to first-year player David Zaharakis with just seconds remaining.
Full match replay
2 - Geelong 12.8 (80) d St. Kilda 9.14 (68), grand final, MCG
The Cats beat the Saints to win their second flag in three years, in a contest that was a fitting end to a tremendous season. The margin never exceeded two goals throughout the match, and was just six points when the final siren blew. The Cats kept the Saints goalless in the last term, and only reclaimed the lead in time-on. It was a ripping grand final that kept you on the edge of your seat for the entire game.
Full match replay
1 - St Kilda 14.7 (91) d Geelong 13.7 (85), round 14, Etihad Stadium
Possibly the most hyped regular season match in the history of the game delivered in spades, with the undefeated St Kilda and Geelong serving up a ripper under the roof. The Saints kicked the first five goals of the game, but the Cats kept grinding away, and it took a towering Michael Gardiner mark and goal to seal the win. A privilege to be at and watch.
Full match replay
My top 9
I had the same games but in a slightly different order.
8. Sydney Swans 16.10 (106) d West Coast 15.11 (101), round eight, ANZ Stadium
7. Geelong 17.14 (116) d Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114), round nine, Etihad Stadium
6. Geelong 15.9 (99) d Hawthorn 14.14 (98), round 17, MCG
5.Collingwood 12.11 (83) d Adelaide 11.12 (78), first semi-final, MCG
4. West Coast 16.6 (102) d Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97), round 19, Etihad Stadium
3. Geelong 12.8 (80) d St. Kilda 9.14 (68), grand final, MCG
2. Essendon 13.15 (93) d Collingwood 12.16 (88), round five, MCG
1. St Kilda 14.7 (91) d Geelong 13.7 (85), round 14, Etihad Stadium
