‘Breathtaking’ Geelong annihilates Lions as ‘class divide’ shocks AFL great

A composed Geelong left the MCG with their sixth grand final appearance booked in just 16 years, after “annihilating” Brisbane on Friday night.

The Cats led from start to finish, and had the match wrapped up before three-quarter time before registering the 71-point victory.

But Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said it was obvious to see Geelong weren’t taking their celebrations too far with one more match to come.

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“They’ve got bigger fish to fry. Their eye is on the prize,” he said.

“They did to Brisbane what they expected to do to them.

“There’s expectation about this – they are thrilled and over the moon, but 2022 is not about winning a prelim final by 70 points – that’s not going to define this group.

“What will define them is about 5 o’clock on Saturday afternoon at the MCG next week.

“This well-rested Geelong team are purring.”

After the disappointment of last year’s preliminary final belting at the hands of eventual premiers Melbourne, the Cats were the ones to inflict the pain this time around.

“This is a whole different Geelong – whoever is to stare them down, is going to have to be a very good footy side,” Lyon said.

“They have had a sensational home and away season, played two really strong finals – they’re as cherry ripe as any team’s been going into a granny,” Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley added.

“Coming in winning one of their last six prelims, they have debunked a few myths and challenges of their own this team.”

Nick Riewoldt said Geelong just gave a “great snapshot” of the style of game they believe can lead them to the ultimate success.

“Their ability to take the footy from one end of the ground to the other was breathtaking at times,” he said.

“The class divide was enormous tonight. They are just so far and away a better team.

“Offensively they were so threatening and dangerous.

“When you win a prelim, it’s not relief – it’s excitement now.

“It’s just been an ultra impressive night.”

Cats skipper Joel Selwood, who will make AFL history when he plays his 40th final next week, was selfless in his approach after starting off the bench in the prelim.

“It’s fine mate, I just do what I need to do,” he said.

“Gee (the younger players are) playing so well, I’m so happy for so many of them.”

Veteran Cat Patrick Dangerfield said the whole season had led up to this point, as he looks to claim his one missing piece of silverware.

“We feel like right throughout the season it’s been a really big build. We know what’s been ahead of us and we’ve taken it a month at a time,” he said.

“We feel like we’ve been building – it’s not just one player for us and that’s been such a strength for us all year.

“It’s a privilege to play this time of year let alone a grand final – we’re up for the challenge.”