2022 AFL Grand Final — Geelong Cats Thrash Sydney Swans

The 2022 AFL Grand Final saw Geelong demolish Sydney Swans 20.13 (133) to 8.4 (52) — an 81-point thrashing at the MCG that remains one of the most one-sided Grand Finals of the modern era. Played on 24 September 2022 in front of 100,024 fans, the Cats’ premiership crowned Chris Scott’s coaching tenure with a second flag (his first having come in 2011) and gave Joel Selwood a fairytale finish — Selwood retired post-Grand Final, holding the cup he’d helped Geelong win.

The Build-Up: A Geelong Powerhouse

Geelong entered the 2022 finals as the McClelland Trophy winners — top of the home-and-away ladder. The Cats’ veteran-laden squad (Selwood, Hawkins, Dangerfield, Stewart, Smith) combined with the youth integration of Tyson Stengle and Sam De Koning produced one of the most-balanced lists in modern AFL.

Joel Selwood, Geelong’s captain, was finishing what he had announced would be his retirement season. The 2022 Grand Final was framed as Selwood’s farewell — a chance for the captain to lead the Cats to a flag in his final game.

Sydney Swans, under John Longmire, had emerged as the second-best team. The Swans’ finals run included impressive wins; the Grand Final was their reward.

The Match: A Geelong Coronation

The 2022 AFL Grand Final was played at the MCG on 24 September 2022 in front of 100,024 fans. The pre-game ceremony was standard Grand Final fare; the match itself unfolded as a Geelong masterclass.

Geelong started fast. Tyson Stengle kicked an early goal that signalled the Cats’ intent. Patrick Dangerfield’s midfield masterclass set the tempo. Tom Hawkins’s forward-line dominance was unstoppable. By half-time, the Cats led by 30+ points.

The third quarter — the “premiership quarter” — saw Geelong extend the lead to 50+ points. Joel Selwood’s final quarter as a Cats captain was emotional; the captain played out his career on a premiership-winning team.

The final score: Geelong 20.13 (133) defeated Sydney Swans 8.4 (52) — an 81-point margin that ranked as one of the largest Grand Final winning margins of the modern era.

The Norm Smith Medal: Patrick Dangerfield (or Isaac Smith)

The 2022 Norm Smith Medal voting produced a tight contest. Patrick Dangerfield’s midfield masterclass (35+ disposals, multiple clearances, key marks) was matched by Isaac Smith’s contested marking and goal-of-day moments. The medal went to Isaac Smith (Geelong) — making him a multi-time Norm Smith Medallist (he had won 2013 with Hawthorn).

Smith thus became the first player to win Norm Smith Medals at two different clubs.

The Premiership Coach: Chris Scott

Chris Scott won his second Jock McHale Medal in 2022 (his first having come in 2011, his rookie season). The 11-year gap between his premierships was the longest of any modern AFL premiership coach.

Famous Moments

• Joel Selwood’s premiership farewell — captain holding the cup high in his final game.
• Tyson Stengle’s first-quarter goal — set the Cats’ tone.
• Patrick Dangerfield’s midfield masterclass — 35+ disposals.
• Tom Hawkins’s forward-line dominance — multiple goals and contested marks.
• Isaac Smith’s Norm Smith-winning performance — multi-time recipient.
• The 81-point winning margin — one of the largest of the modern era.
• The post-match Cats celebration — Chris Scott and Joel Selwood embracing.
• The Selwood retirement announcement — confirmed post-match.
• The Sydney Swans’ gracious acknowledgement.
• Sam De Koning’s defensive efforts — youth integration on a championship team.

Trivia for the Pub

• The 2022 Grand Final was played on 24 September 2022 at the MCG.
• Final score: Geelong 20.13 (133) defeated Sydney Swans 8.4 (52).
• Margin: 81 points — one of the largest of the modern era.
• Crowd: 100,024.
• Norm Smith Medal: Isaac Smith (multi-time recipient).
• Jock McHale Medal: Chris Scott (second; his first was 2011).
• Geelong’s 10th AFL premiership.
• Joel Selwood’s retirement in the same Grand Final.
• Cats’ top-of-ladder McClelland Trophy converted to a premiership.
• Smith’s two-club Norm Smith record (2013 Hawthorn, 2022 Geelong).

The Rumours and Aftermath

The post-2022 narrative: Geelong’s continuing premiership era. The Cats’ 2007/2009/2011 era had been followed by 2022; the question was whether a third sustained premiership era was possible.

The other rumour: Joel Selwood’s coaching pathway. Selwood was widely tipped for an AFL coaching role within years; his post-playing career was monitored.

The wildcard: Chris Scott’s tenure. With his second premiership won, would Scott extend or step away? Scott signed for further seasons.

The Verdict

The 2022 AFL Grand Final was Geelong’s coronation. Joel Selwood’s farewell, Patrick Dangerfield’s midfield masterclass, and the 81-point winning margin all combined to make this one of the most-celebrated modern Grand Finals. Long live the 2022 Cats.