Who Would Win: Geelong of 1989 vs Sydney of 2006
If the 1989 and 2006 AFL Grand Finals had gone an extra minute or two there might have been different results. Both the Cats and the Swans played in exciting Grand Finals but just fell short, but if they could play against each other who would win? Who in the late 80's could play on Adam Goodes, how many goals would the elder Ablett kick in today's game, and who would Blight select for Yeates to run into?
A lot of the credit for the Cats' comeback in the 1989 game goes to Ablett, and he obviously deserves it, but Darren Flanigan was also an important player that day. Maybe ahead of his time, Flanigan was a very mobile ruckman, and for this imaginary game he could have the first go at Goodes. Lindner and Steven Hocking might be some shorter options to play on Goodes.
While the Swans of today have an Ablett, Luke, he would not be able to stop Gary of 1989. Nobody could stop him but Leo Barry would be someone to try. The Swans also have some tall defenders to use on Brownless and Stoneham. With Roberts-Thomson, Richards and Craig Bolton all options.
The Cats of those times never had a great defense, they were just playing to outscore people. That was a strategy that was often successful, fun to watch, and suited the players that Geelong had then. Darcy and Lindner were both forwards who were sent back to defense, Darcy become a solid fullback, Lindner played in several positions for Geelong and would later go to the Crows. Hall might be too tall for them so Michael Schultze could be the player for Hall.
Bourke was a huge player and fed the Geelong midfield. The Cats might have the advantage over the Swans here. Couch versus Kirk might be an even matchup, but Hocking, Bairstow and Bews might be able to win the ball more than their opponents.
It might have come down to offensive firepower, Geelong had a lot more than the Swans. But the Swans also have a better backline, with versatile players who know how to help each other and fill spaces in their defensive 50. Geelong of that time were one of the highest scoring teams of all time, Sydney is the leader of flooding, often the great defense beats the great offense in Grand Finals.
The Swans would need a huge game from Goodes, and he might do it with Geelong not having an ideal player to go against him. Geelong might just get over the line, by a couple of goals. As for who Yeates would have taken out, that is a harder thing to decide.
Cats 89 FF: R. Scott, G. Ablett, B. Brownless
Swans 06 FB: L. Ablett, L. Barry, L. Roberts-Thomson
Cats 89 HF: D. Cameron, B. Stoneham, N. Bruns
Swans 06 HB: C. Bolton, T. Richards, T. Kennelly
Cats 89 C: M.Yeates, P. Couch, D. Flanigan
Swans 06 C: A. Buchanan, B. Kirk, A. Goodes
Cats 89 HB: G. Hocking, T. Darcy, B. Lindner
Swans 06 HF: N. Fosdike, M. O'Loughlin, R. O'Keefe
Cats 89 FB: S. Hocking, M. Schultze, M. Bos
Swans 06 FF: N. Davis, B. Hall, A. Schneider
Cats 89 Foll: D. Bourke, M. Bairstow, A. Bews
Swans 06 Foll: D. Jolly, J. Bolton, J. McVeigh
Cats 89 bench: S. Hamilton, S. Malakelis, (A Fletcher, Austin McCrabb - only 2 on bench in 89)
Swans 06 bench: S. Doyle, S. Dempster, B. Mathews, N. Malceski
A lot of the credit for the Cats' comeback in the 1989 game goes to Ablett, and he obviously deserves it, but Darren Flanigan was also an important player that day. Maybe ahead of his time, Flanigan was a very mobile ruckman, and for this imaginary game he could have the first go at Goodes. Lindner and Steven Hocking might be some shorter options to play on Goodes.
While the Swans of today have an Ablett, Luke, he would not be able to stop Gary of 1989. Nobody could stop him but Leo Barry would be someone to try. The Swans also have some tall defenders to use on Brownless and Stoneham. With Roberts-Thomson, Richards and Craig Bolton all options.
The Cats of those times never had a great defense, they were just playing to outscore people. That was a strategy that was often successful, fun to watch, and suited the players that Geelong had then. Darcy and Lindner were both forwards who were sent back to defense, Darcy become a solid fullback, Lindner played in several positions for Geelong and would later go to the Crows. Hall might be too tall for them so Michael Schultze could be the player for Hall.
Bourke was a huge player and fed the Geelong midfield. The Cats might have the advantage over the Swans here. Couch versus Kirk might be an even matchup, but Hocking, Bairstow and Bews might be able to win the ball more than their opponents.
It might have come down to offensive firepower, Geelong had a lot more than the Swans. But the Swans also have a better backline, with versatile players who know how to help each other and fill spaces in their defensive 50. Geelong of that time were one of the highest scoring teams of all time, Sydney is the leader of flooding, often the great defense beats the great offense in Grand Finals.
The Swans would need a huge game from Goodes, and he might do it with Geelong not having an ideal player to go against him. Geelong might just get over the line, by a couple of goals. As for who Yeates would have taken out, that is a harder thing to decide.
Cats 89 FF: R. Scott, G. Ablett, B. Brownless
Swans 06 FB: L. Ablett, L. Barry, L. Roberts-Thomson
Cats 89 HF: D. Cameron, B. Stoneham, N. Bruns
Swans 06 HB: C. Bolton, T. Richards, T. Kennelly
Cats 89 C: M.Yeates, P. Couch, D. Flanigan
Swans 06 C: A. Buchanan, B. Kirk, A. Goodes
Cats 89 HB: G. Hocking, T. Darcy, B. Lindner
Swans 06 HF: N. Fosdike, M. O'Loughlin, R. O'Keefe
Cats 89 FB: S. Hocking, M. Schultze, M. Bos
Swans 06 FF: N. Davis, B. Hall, A. Schneider
Cats 89 Foll: D. Bourke, M. Bairstow, A. Bews
Swans 06 Foll: D. Jolly, J. Bolton, J. McVeigh
Cats 89 bench: S. Hamilton, S. Malakelis, (A Fletcher, Austin McCrabb - only 2 on bench in 89)
Swans 06 bench: S. Doyle, S. Dempster, B. Mathews, N. Malceski
