Sounds like an unforgettable day
Universal Love 2007 - Ten Years on, A look back at incredible; Part 3 the GF V Port, 119 reasons to celebrate
- Thread starter Willo_
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1. A school in central NSW
2. The second was more a class get together and didn't directly interfere - the function itself wasn't on until hours after the siren. In fact I was lucky enough to watch it in a cinema with beers.
winty
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I remember being jittery all during the first half. I'm guessing the capitulation against West Coast the previous year was still in the back of my mind. It wasn't until Moons slotted the first goal of the 2nd half that I started relaxing and enjoying the rest of the game. I had also recorded the game and watched it back twice more that night.
I also remember rocking up to the ground the following day and sitting in the bottom tier of the Hickey Stand, and was astounded by the sheer amount of humanity at the ground. Looking around, there wasn't a spare seat or blade of grass to be seen - just 30 or 35,000 absolutely ecstatic Geelong fans celebrating. Even walking out of the ground afterwards, there were still cars driving around 24 hours with scarves hanging out the windows and tooting horns, and people just singing the song at the drop of the hat. Was such an amazing feeling.
I also remember rocking up to the ground the following day and sitting in the bottom tier of the Hickey Stand, and was astounded by the sheer amount of humanity at the ground. Looking around, there wasn't a spare seat or blade of grass to be seen - just 30 or 35,000 absolutely ecstatic Geelong fans celebrating. Even walking out of the ground afterwards, there were still cars driving around 24 hours with scarves hanging out the windows and tooting horns, and people just singing the song at the drop of the hat. Was such an amazing feeling.
Willo_
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I know a couple of blokes who then were in their early 50s from back home... and when i say back home I mean 20k adelaide direction from Ballarat, the moment the siren went the story goes they said goodbye to their wives and that they would see them tomorrow or Monday. Ordered a cab and took it to Geelong.. 300 buck fair, and they said they haven't regretted doing it for one moment!
Wasn't it just an extraordinary football display.
Great memories shared, well done to all.
I had a couple of pricks of years in '06 and '07, but winning the flag was a lifetime highlight, that is still reaping dividends personally 10 years later.
Thank you Geelong
We are Geelong
I had a couple of pricks of years in '06 and '07, but winning the flag was a lifetime highlight, that is still reaping dividends personally 10 years later.
Thank you Geelong
We are Geelong
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24 goals 19 behinds I can't believe the team escaped more scrutiny for missing so many shots.
Like most cats fans who lived through the lost grand finals I never believed we'd won until very late. I remember some of my family calling me at half time with champagne popping in the background. I was still way too nervous to believe we'd win.
In the last quarter when there was no coming back. The emotions suddenly engulfed my whole body. It had been a busy and difficult couple of years. And footy had taken a bit of a back seat. But the memories and emotions of a lifetime of supporting Geelong were suddenly all there.
I regret not going to Geelong the next day but I rode the high of the win for a long time after. Each of the grand final wins were special but this one was extra special. The relief that team team could actually win one was the major emotion. Without that win the things that followed wouldn't have been possible.
Like most cats fans who lived through the lost grand finals I never believed we'd won until very late. I remember some of my family calling me at half time with champagne popping in the background. I was still way too nervous to believe we'd win.
In the last quarter when there was no coming back. The emotions suddenly engulfed my whole body. It had been a busy and difficult couple of years. And footy had taken a bit of a back seat. But the memories and emotions of a lifetime of supporting Geelong were suddenly all there.
I regret not going to Geelong the next day but I rode the high of the win for a long time after. Each of the grand final wins were special but this one was extra special. The relief that team team could actually win one was the major emotion. Without that win the things that followed wouldn't have been possible.
Shell
Premium Platinum
Years later after 07, I/we managed to get a pic with the actual flag. Was hanging around at KP one afternoon after a game. Another fond memory. 
Wojcinski
Brownlow Medallist
I remember everything about that finals series.
I was only able to watch the first final until 1/4 time as I had a shift at work. I was notified an hour later we were up by 100 points.
I watched the first 3/4 of the Prelim at home before going to a sports bar to watch the last quarter, only to refuse to leave the car as the line to get into the bar was too long and I couldn't miss anything.
Watched the GF at a mates place, knew it was over about 10 minutes into the second and proceded to celebrate with many, many beers. Can't remember a whole lot from the second half and don't remember what I did that night but it was a great month that I'll never forget.
We're pretty lucky we got to experience 2007. Clubs win flags every year and it is always special, but to watch our club break so many records as well as win practically every single award on offer was just remarkable and will probably never be seen again.
Geelong in 2007 was undoubtedly the best team in the history of the game.
I was only able to watch the first final until 1/4 time as I had a shift at work. I was notified an hour later we were up by 100 points.
I watched the first 3/4 of the Prelim at home before going to a sports bar to watch the last quarter, only to refuse to leave the car as the line to get into the bar was too long and I couldn't miss anything.
Watched the GF at a mates place, knew it was over about 10 minutes into the second and proceded to celebrate with many, many beers. Can't remember a whole lot from the second half and don't remember what I did that night but it was a great month that I'll never forget.
We're pretty lucky we got to experience 2007. Clubs win flags every year and it is always special, but to watch our club break so many records as well as win practically every single award on offer was just remarkable and will probably never be seen again.
Geelong in 2007 was undoubtedly the best team in the history of the game.
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It's funny, after the nerve-wracking week of the PF, the GF almost seemed like a NAB Cup game. I can remember waking up on the day, and having to remind myself we were playing in the GF. Goes to show that the PF was the true GF that year. To me anyway.
The day was surreal. I always dreamed that if we won a flag, it would be a gruelling slog, as things never came easy to Geelong fans. Of course, the 09 flag turned out to be that gruelling slog and 07 couldn't have been further from it.
Can remember enjoying the whole day. Spending a lot of time pre-game in the city soaking up the atmosphere, before walking to the ground. The calmness that came over me that whole week in hindsight was a sign of destiny, that finally, we were going to do it.
But even at half time, as we're 56pts up, that nagging thought of, "They could still come back" entered my mind. After experiencing so many of those moments over the years, it was hard to accept that things had changed. When Moons slotted the first goal after half time, I can remember texting a work colleague with the message, "It's going to be a big night!", the shackles had been released, we were going to be the premiers at long last!
The night was long. First a visit to Fed Square for presentation of the team. Then the trip back home down the highway. I can remember vividly an SEN caller from Frankston, who didn't barrack for Geelong I'll add, driving all the way with some mates just to experience the night. Traffic was Monash peak hour like. A trip from just outside the CBD to the eastern fringe would usually take 5-10 minutes, was taking over an hour this night. The cacophony of horns rang endlessly, and all week too! The atmosphere was just one of joy. The police were content to let almost anything go. As the video I'm posting below shows, you normally wouldn't get away with riding on the back of a tray truck on any day. Yet, this night, it was overlooked.
Pubs were full, queues were long, but no one cared. The drought was finally over. I can remember getting to bed around 5, only to surface early to watch the review shows, then head in to the family day, where 30,000 crammed into KP to party some more. If this is what it felt like to win a flag, then I wanted more!
This vid is just a short sample of what went on back in G-Town that night.
The day was surreal. I always dreamed that if we won a flag, it would be a gruelling slog, as things never came easy to Geelong fans. Of course, the 09 flag turned out to be that gruelling slog and 07 couldn't have been further from it.
Can remember enjoying the whole day. Spending a lot of time pre-game in the city soaking up the atmosphere, before walking to the ground. The calmness that came over me that whole week in hindsight was a sign of destiny, that finally, we were going to do it.
But even at half time, as we're 56pts up, that nagging thought of, "They could still come back" entered my mind. After experiencing so many of those moments over the years, it was hard to accept that things had changed. When Moons slotted the first goal after half time, I can remember texting a work colleague with the message, "It's going to be a big night!", the shackles had been released, we were going to be the premiers at long last!
The night was long. First a visit to Fed Square for presentation of the team. Then the trip back home down the highway. I can remember vividly an SEN caller from Frankston, who didn't barrack for Geelong I'll add, driving all the way with some mates just to experience the night. Traffic was Monash peak hour like. A trip from just outside the CBD to the eastern fringe would usually take 5-10 minutes, was taking over an hour this night. The cacophony of horns rang endlessly, and all week too! The atmosphere was just one of joy. The police were content to let almost anything go. As the video I'm posting below shows, you normally wouldn't get away with riding on the back of a tray truck on any day. Yet, this night, it was overlooked.
Pubs were full, queues were long, but no one cared. The drought was finally over. I can remember getting to bed around 5, only to surface early to watch the review shows, then head in to the family day, where 30,000 crammed into KP to party some more. If this is what it felt like to win a flag, then I wanted more!
This vid is just a short sample of what went on back in G-Town that night.
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As someone mentioned on the Port board; far out were they unlucky to match up on one of the GOAT teams... especially after the 2001-2004 Lions period.
Flew down to Melbourne with my Dad for the game and being the first and only grand final I have been to, it's a day I'll never forget.
PRE-GAME
Arrived in Melbourne early morning where we dropped our stuff off at the motel we were staying at and taxied our way to the MCG. Walked around for a bit, watched the Triple M live broadcast outside the ground and then made our way to our seats near the Port logo on the 50m arc. Think this was around 10:30am. We watched the TAC Cup final where I think the Calder Cannons footy factory won (i can't really remember tbh), the pre-game entertainment build up such as the balloon and stage being made up and Mark Ricciuto flying in from the top of the G with the premiership cup.
I remember Jet were playing as the pre-game band but couldn't hear them because of the swirling breeze.
GAME
The roar before the first bounce was unbelievably loud and like all Geelong supporters I was very nervous until Mooney kicked the first goal as I had Chapman for the first goal ( ). Had the perfect view of Ottens chasing down Pettigrew where the crowd were basically silent in anticipation of the tackle and then everyone got out of their seats to yell "BALL" all at once. It was the biggest moment of the game in my opinion.
At half time I knew we had won, but was told to keep a lid on it by others around me. The second half confirmed my thoughts at half time that Port were done and dusted, where the only highlights were Paul Chapman's screamer and someone yelling "take a bow Tredrea" any time he got near the ball.
POST-GAME
Siren went and it was a sense of relief from everyone around the ground. We stayed until the players did their lap and then left the ground. Some guy was walking around asking people "why aren't you smiling? Geelong are premiers!" which I thought was odd. We didn't stick around for the Fed square event, but we did return to the city the following day to spend what seemed like ages to get a WEG poster signed by the great man himself.
PRE-GAME
Arrived in Melbourne early morning where we dropped our stuff off at the motel we were staying at and taxied our way to the MCG. Walked around for a bit, watched the Triple M live broadcast outside the ground and then made our way to our seats near the Port logo on the 50m arc. Think this was around 10:30am. We watched the TAC Cup final where I think the Calder Cannons footy factory won (i can't really remember tbh), the pre-game entertainment build up such as the balloon and stage being made up and Mark Ricciuto flying in from the top of the G with the premiership cup.
I remember Jet were playing as the pre-game band but couldn't hear them because of the swirling breeze.
GAME
The roar before the first bounce was unbelievably loud and like all Geelong supporters I was very nervous until Mooney kicked the first goal as I had Chapman for the first goal (
). Had the perfect view of Ottens chasing down Pettigrew where the crowd were basically silent in anticipation of the tackle and then everyone got out of their seats to yell "BALL" all at once. It was the biggest moment of the game in my opinion.At half time I knew we had won, but was told to keep a lid on it by others around me
. The second half confirmed my thoughts at half time that Port were done and dusted, where the only highlights were Paul Chapman's screamer and someone yelling "take a bow Tredrea" any time he got near the ball.POST-GAME
Siren went and it was a sense of relief from everyone around the ground. We stayed until the players did their lap and then left the ground. Some guy was walking around asking people "why aren't you smiling? Geelong are premiers!" which I thought was odd. We didn't stick around for the Fed square event, but we did return to the city the following day to spend what seemed like ages to get a WEG poster signed by the great man himself.
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What a time... and sometimes, you still feel like you're stuck in 2007-2008 and expect the same team to be fronting up this week to play. Oh, seeing those link ups from a Matty Scarlett on to Ablett and in to the forward line, dominating the corridor with ease.
I was 22 that year. Had always followed Geelong with my Dad but never solidly though I'd started working with a bunch of blokes in 2006 that really were in to footy so it just became a big part of life.
I was drinking with my Dad, my brother and a couple of others at Crown for the day. My brother had MCC member friends who were at the game, all neutrals. With the margin the way it was at half time, they rang my brother and said "You guys have this, man, come to the ground and we will give you our pass outs".
Straight in to cab, pretty well got there in time for the start of the 3rd quarter, about 10 rows off the ground without paying a dollar for the tickets.
Talk about a mad day. Plenty of bevs had from bar to bar in the city that night.
I found it funny that the review thread went for only 3 pages - everyone so pleased and partying not bothering to front on BF.
And for old mate who said he was done and passed out by 8pm - that was me in 2009. On the pints from about midday, best mate decides to shout people rounds of scotches after the final siren. Went to jump in a cab to the city for celebrations and stopped off at home to get changed on the way. Never made it. Passed out about 6pm, woke up at about 1am wondering who I was in life.. needless to say my old man was pretty disappointed at me. Got to make up for it by attending 2011 including the Cats breakfast at Etihad.
What a time to be a Cats supporter!
I was 22 that year. Had always followed Geelong with my Dad but never solidly though I'd started working with a bunch of blokes in 2006 that really were in to footy so it just became a big part of life.
I was drinking with my Dad, my brother and a couple of others at Crown for the day. My brother had MCC member friends who were at the game, all neutrals. With the margin the way it was at half time, they rang my brother and said "You guys have this, man, come to the ground and we will give you our pass outs".
Straight in to cab, pretty well got there in time for the start of the 3rd quarter, about 10 rows off the ground without paying a dollar for the tickets.
Talk about a mad day. Plenty of bevs had from bar to bar in the city that night.
I found it funny that the review thread went for only 3 pages - everyone so pleased and partying not bothering to front on BF.
And for old mate who said he was done and passed out by 8pm - that was me in 2009. On the pints from about midday, best mate decides to shout people rounds of scotches after the final siren. Went to jump in a cab to the city for celebrations and stopped off at home to get changed on the way. Never made it. Passed out about 6pm, woke up at about 1am wondering who I was in life.. needless to say my old man was pretty disappointed at me. Got to make up for it by attending 2011 including the Cats breakfast at Etihad.
What a time to be a Cats supporter!
I just watch the match again. Haven't seen it for a few years. Bloody hell they were good. Played beautiful football. It is quite astonishing looking back. At the time I was just so nervous. It was unbelievable.
Oh, and the forgotten Ablett. What could he have been?
Oh, and the forgotten Ablett. What could he have been?
It's actually true, but we missed some absolute sitters.
In the first quarter, Selwood, Scarlett, and Kelly (after the siren) missed very gettable set shots. Then in the second quarter Ottens and Rooke (after a great tackle and 50 metre penalty) missed absolute sitters.
The margin as bad as it was, could have been much worse.
It's not like it's cost us a grand final or anything...oh
Maybe 2007 was paper over the cracks? I remember SJ being quite selfish in that game. He ignored leads from Moons a few times in the first half
I remeber thinking exactly the same thing and feeling a mixture of frustration and nervous that that we hadnt put ourselves further in front.
Those feelings disappeared about 5 minutes into the last quarter when i finally let myself think that there was no way Port were coming back from here.
And then it was party time.....
God. If some of you were nervous at 3 quarter time in 2007 when you were 15 goals up, how the hell did you make it through 2009?
Says a lot about the footy IQ of the 2007 Premiership group that the overwhelming majority of them either currently hold, or have previously held, high-level coaching roles at AFL clubs since their retirements. And Johnson and Kelly have post-career coaching roles lined up that will no doubt see them add their names to the list once they call it a day too.
Worth adding too that Milburn (assistant coach at Adelaide 2012-2015), Ottens (Geelong specialist ruck coach), Mooney (Western Bulldogs specialist forwards coach) and Ling (North Melbourne leadership coach) have had coaching roles not mentioned in the article too.
Worth adding too that Milburn (assistant coach at Adelaide 2012-2015), Ottens (Geelong specialist ruck coach), Mooney (Western Bulldogs specialist forwards coach) and Ling (North Melbourne leadership coach) have had coaching roles not mentioned in the article too.
Boxhead_31
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Chappy talking about 2007
You thought the gf would be a cake walk despite playing the team that beat us at Geelong five weeks earlier, a team that had won their own prelim by 80 points and playing some awful football in the prelim ourselves? I find that hard to believe. I think hindsight has changed our memories of that day.
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