2005 AFL finals series
From The UCSC Wikipedia Trust Project
The Australian Football League's 2005 Finals Series began on the weekend of September 2, 2005 and ended with the 109th AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 September 2005, won by the Sydney Swans.
Eight teams qualified for the finals by finishing in the top eight of the premiership ladder. After a home-and-away season that saw a myriad of triumphs and collapses (plus a number of near misses by the likes of Fremantle, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane, all of which were a mere stone's throw from making the finals), the matchups for the first round were only set after all matches of the final round had been played.
Contents |
Final ladder
The final home-and-away ladder is below, with all teams in bold qualifying for the finals series.
| # | Team | State | W | D | L | Pts | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide Crows | SA | 17 | 0 | 5 | 68 | 136.45 |
| 2 | West Coast Eagles | WA | 17 | 0 | 5 | 68 | 123.96 |
| 3 | Sydney Swans | NSW | 15 | 0 | 7 | 60 | 116.39 |
| 4 | St Kilda Saints | VIC | 14 | 0 | 8 | 56 | 133.28 |
| 5 | Kangaroos | VIC | 13 | 0 | 9 | 52 | 99.23 |
| 6 | Geelong Cats | VIC | 12 | 0 | 10 | 48 | 111.96 |
| 7 | Melbourne Demons | VIC | 12 | 0 | 10 | 48 | 95.81 |
| 8 | Port Adelaide Power | SA | 11 | 1 | 10 | 46 | 98.16 |
| 9 | Western Bulldogs | VIC | 11 | 0 | 11 | 44 | 101.45 |
| 10 | Fremantle Dockers | WA | 11 | 0 | 11 | 44 | 100.15 |
| 11 | Brisbane Lions | QLD | 10 | 0 | 12 | 40 | 98.84 |
| 12 | Richmond Tigers | VIC | 10 | 0 | 12 | 40 | 92.33 |
| 13 | Essendon Bombers | VIC | 8 | 0 | 14 | 32 | 92.01 |
| 14 | Hawthorn Hawks | VIC | 5 | 0 | 17 | 20 | 82.18 |
| 15 | Collingwood Magpies | VIC | 5 | 0 | 17 | 20 | 77.69 |
| 16 | Carlton Blues | VIC | 4 | 1 | 17 | 18 | 75.51 |
Summary of Results
{{AFL finals system
|QF1-details=Sep 3, AAMI Stadium|QF1-team1=Template:AFL Ade|QF1-score1=8.9 (57) |QF1-team2=Template:AFL StK|QF1-score2=10.5 (65)
|EF1-details=Sep 4, Telstra Dome|EF1-team1=Template:AFL Kan|EF1-score1=11.11 (77) |EF1-team2=Template:AFL PA|EF1-score2=26.8 (164)
|QF2-details=Sep 2, Subiaco Oval|QF2-team1=Template:AFL WC|QF2-score1=10.9 (69) |QF2-team2=Template:AFL Syd|QF2-score2=10.5 (65)
|EF2-details=Sep 3, MCG|EF2-team1=Template:AFL Gee|EF2-score1=18.6 (116) |EF2-team2=Template:AFL Mel|EF2-score2=9.7 (61)
|SF1-details=Sep 10, AAMI Stadium|SF1-team1=Template:AFL Ade|SF1-score1=18.15 (123) |SF1-team2=Template:AFL PA|SF1-score2=5.10 (40)
|SF2-details=Sep 9, SCG|SF2-team1=Template:AFL Syd|SF2-score1=7.14 (56) |SF2-team2=Template:AFL Gee|SF2-score2=7.11 (53)
|PF1-details=Sep 16, MCG|PF1-team1=Template:AFL Syd|PF1-score1=15.6 (96) |PF1-team2=Template:AFL StK|PF1-score2=9.11 (65)
|PF2-details=Sep 17, Subiaco Oval|PF2-team1=Template:AFL WC|PF2-score1=14.9 (93) |PF2-team2=Template:AFL Ade|PF2-score2=11.11 (77)
|GF-details=Sep 24, MCG|GF-team1=Template:AFL WC|GF-score1=7.12 (54) |GF-team2=Template:AFL Syd|GF-score2=8.10 (58)
}}
The finals system
The system is a final eight system. This system is different to the McIntyre Final Eight System, which was previously used by the AFL, and is currently used by the National Rugby League.
The top four teams in the eight receive what is popularly known as the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals; this means that if a top-four team loses in the first week, it still has a chance to redeem itself by getting a chance to play in a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight are forced to play what are called elimination finals, in which only the winners survive and move on to week two to play the losers of the qualifying finals.
In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week, while the losers of those qualifying finals must play the winners of the elimination finals for a chance to play the qualifying finals winners. Home-ground advantage goes to the team with the higher seed.
In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week, with the latter receiving home-ground advantage. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, where the new premier will be crowned.
Favourites for the 2005 Grand Final were: Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney and West Coast.
AFL Finals System Explained (AFL.com.au)
Week One
First Qualifying Final (1 vs 4)
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Adelaide | 3.3 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 8.9 | 8.9 (57) |
| (4) St Kilda | 1.0 | 6.3 | 9.3 | 10.5 | 10.5 (65) |
| St Kilda won by 8 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | Ade | StK |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 186 | 214 |
| Marks | 73 | 102 |
| Handballs | 113 | 129 |
| Tackles | 61 | 61 |
| Hitouts | 47 | 22 |
| Frees | 14 | 17 |
| Date | Saturday, September 3, 2005 7PM ACST |
|---|---|
| Goals (Ade) | 4: K McGregor 1: R Shirley, G Johncock, S Welsh, S Goodwin |
| Goals (StK) | 3: R Harvey 2: N Riewolt, J Gwilt 1: L Ball, J Blake, S Milne |
| Best | Ade: Rutten, Bassett, Goodwin, McGregor, Edwards, McLeod, Johncock StK: Harvey, Dal Santo, Hayes, Jones Fisher, Ball, Peckett |
| Injuries | None |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, SA |
| Attendance | 48,768 |
| Umpires | Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan |
Second Qualifying Final (2 vs 3)
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) West Coast | 4.1 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 10.9 | 10.9 (69) |
| (3) Sydney | 3.1 | 5.2 | 8.3 | 10.5 | 10.5 (65) |
| West Coast won by 4 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | WCE | Syd |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 181 | 180 |
| Marks | 62 | 63 |
| Handballs | 110 | 101 |
| Tackles | 46 | 52 |
| Hitouts | 45 | 42 |
| Free Kicks | 21 | 14 |
| Date | Friday, September 2, 2005 6:30PM AWST |
|---|---|
| Goals (WCE) | 2: M Gardiner, A Hunter, A Sampi 1: A Hansen, D Kerr, T Stenglein, M Seaby |
| Goals (Syd) | 3: N Davis, M O'Loughlin 2: B Hall 1: R O'Keefe, A Schneider |
| Best | WCE: Kerr, Judd, Cousins, Hunter, Nicoski, Wirrpanda Syd: Kirk, Davis, C Bolton, Buchanan, Goodes, O'Loughlin, Kennelly, Williams |
| Injuries | WCE: P Matera (hip) Syd: Williams (ankle) |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | Subiaco Oval, Perth, WA |
| Attendance | 43,302 |
| Umpires | McLaren, Woodcock, McInerney |
Sydney entered the game as the in form team of the competition. West Coast topped the ladder most of the season, and were only denied the minor premiership on percentage. The Eagles led the game most of the first half, but the Swans appeared to be marching onward to victory by taking control of the third quarter. In a foreshadowing of things to come, West Coast responded by taking control of the fourth quarter. Two controversial fourth quarter umpiring decisions against Sydney hurt their cause. Even more damaging were two late marks in defense by Eagle Dean Cox snubbing Swan attempts to kick a game winner.
First Elimination Final (5 vs 8)
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (5) Kangaroos | 6.6 | 7.7 | 10.9 | 11.11 | 11.11 (77) |
| (8) Port Adelaide | 6.1 | 12.3 | 20.6 | 26.8 | 26.8 (164) |
| Port Adelaide won by 87 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | Kan | PA |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 166 | 223 |
| Marks | 69 | 126 |
| Handballs | 87 | 128 |
| Tackles | 46 | 31 |
| Hitouts | 28 | 40 |
| Frees | 16 | 15 |
| Date | Sunday, September 4, 2005 2:30PM AEST |
|---|---|
| Goals (Kan) | 3: C Jones 2: N Thompson, S Rocca 1: L Picoane, B Rawlings, D Wells, L Harding |
| Goals (PA) | 4: B Lade, W Tredrea, J Mahoney 3: M Pettigrew 2: A Kingsley, D Brogan 1: M Bishop, C Cornes, S Dew, B Montgomery, D Pearce, S Salopek, G Wanganeen |
| Best | Kan: Sinclair, Jones, Wells, Harris PA: Tredrea, Kingsley, Lade, Pettigrew, Mahoney, Montgomery, C. Cornes |
| Injuries | None |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | Telstra Dome, Melbourne, VIC |
| Attendance | 55,195 |
| Umpires | Kennedy, Allen, Jeffery |
Second Elimination Final (6 vs 7)
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (6) Geelong | 5.4 | 12.5 | 16.8 | 18.8 | 18.8 (116) |
| (7) Melbourne | 2.3 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 9.7 | 9.7 (61) |
| Geelong won by 55 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | Geel | Melb |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 242 | 162 |
| Marks | 136 | 79 |
| Handballs | 111 | 106 |
| Tackles | 41 | 54 |
| Hitouts | 31 | 27 |
| Frees | 19 | 21 |
| Date | Saturday, September 3, 2005 2:30PM AEST |
|---|---|
| Goals (Geel) | 3: G Ablett, J Kelly 2: C Ling, A Mackie, C Mooney, H Playfair 1: N Ablett, S Johnson, K Kingsley, K Tenace |
| Goals (Melb) | 4: R Robertson 2: P Wheatley 1: A Davey, B Holland, A Yze |
| Best | Geel: Mooney, Milburn, Corey, Bartel, Ling, Rooke, G. Ablett Melb: Carroll, Brown, Moloney, Robertson |
| Injuries | Geel: None Melb: White (face), Rigoni (concussion), Johnstone (ankle), Wheatley (adductor), McDonald (calf) |
| Reports | Geel: Johnson for rough conduct against Holland |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, VIC |
| Attendance | 65,018 |
| Umpires | Schmitt, Wenn, Goldspink |
Week Two
First Semi Final
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Adelaide | 3.4 | 4.7 | 12.9 | 18.15 | 18.15 (123) |
| (8) Port Adelaide | 2.1 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.10 | 5.10 (40) |
| Adelaide won by 83 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | Ade | PA |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 188 | 161 |
| Marks | 105 | 80 |
| Handballs | 118 | 117 |
| Tackles | 48 | 43 |
| Hitouts | 32 | 30 |
| Frees | 17 | 20 |
| Date | Saturday, September 10, 2005 7PM ACST |
|---|---|
| Goals (Ade) | 4: S Welsh 3: S Goodwin, I Perrie 2: K McGregor 1: T Edwards, T Hentschel, A McLoed, M Ricciuto, B Rutten, R Shirley |
| Goals (PA) | 1: S Burgoyne, J Mahoney, D Pearce, M Pettigrew, G Wanganeen |
| Best | Ade: Edwards, Goodwin, Ricciuto, Clarke, Rutten, Bassett, Burton, McLeod PA: C. Cornes, K. Cornes, Montgomery, Wakelin |
| Injuries | Ade: Johncock (calf), Biglands, Shirley (head knock) PA: Wilson (hamstring) |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, SA |
| Attendance | 50,521 |
| Umpires | Vozzo, Allen, McLaren |
Second Semi Final
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (3) Sydney | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.12 | 7.14 | 7.14 (56) |
| (6) Geelong | 2.6 | 5.8 | 6.11 | 7.11 | 7.11 (53) |
| Sydney won by 3 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | Syd | Geel |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 155 | 177 |
| Marks | 50 | 79 |
| Handballs | 111 | 93 |
| Tackles | 66 | 83 |
| Hitouts | 66 | 22 |
| Frees | 16 | 17 |
| Date | Friday, September 9, 2005 8PM AEST |
|---|---|
| Goals (Syd) | 4: N Davis 2: M O'Loughlin 1: R O'Keefe |
| Goals (Geel) | 2: S Johnson 1: C Gardiner, J Kelly, H Playfair, J Rooke, D Johnson |
| Best | Syd: Davis, Crouch, Kirk, Buchanan, Bolton Geel: Scarlett, Johnson, Ling, Corey, Sanderson |
| Injuries | Syd: Williams (thigh) Geel: King (hamstring) |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, NSW |
| Attendance | 39,079 |
| Umpires | Wenn, Ryan, Goldspink |
A thrilling victory for Sydney, and a heartbreaking loss for Geelong. The game seemed decided, with Geelong clearly in the driver's seat. In the final quarter Nick Davis kicked all four Sydney goals, including the game winner with only a few seconds left on the clock. Cats supporters were left to spend a summer wondering what might have been, while Swans fans were thinking the "Miracle Kick of St. Nick" had branded them a team of destiny. The commentator's reaction to the Nick Davis kick are now infamous in their own rite: "Nick Davis, NICK DAVIS! I see it; but I don't believe it!"
Week Three
First Preliminary Final
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (4) St Kilda | 3.1 | 5.5 | 9.7 | 9.11 | 9.11 (65) |
| (3) Sydney | 5.1 | 6.3 | 8.6 | 15.6 | 15.6 (96) |
| Sydney won by 31 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | StK | Syd |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 157 | 196 |
| Marks | 65 | 91 |
| Handballs | 98 | 76 |
| Tackles | 64 | 73 |
| Hitouts | 42 | 37 |
| Frees | 19 | 11 |
| Date | Friday, September 16, 2005 8PM AEST |
|---|---|
| Goals (StK) | 4: F Gehrig 2: N Riewoldt 1: L Montagna, N Dal Santo, L Hayes |
| Goals (Syd) | 4: B Hall 3: A Schneider 2: M O'Loughlin, P Williams, R O'Keefe 1: N Davis, A Buchanan |
| Best | StK: Dal Santo, Harvey, Hudghton, Jones Gehrig, Baker, Montagna Syd: O'Keefe, Hall, C. Bolton, J. Bolton, Schneider, Kennelly, Ablett, Crouch, |
| Injuries | None |
| Reports | Syd: Hall for striking Maguire |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, VIC |
| Attendance | 73,344 |
| Umpires | Vozzo, McLaren, Goldspink |
Sydney opened the game strongly, but once St. Kilda righted their effort they took the lead and steadily built upon it. With the Saints on the verge of putting the game out of reach they were unable to match Sydney's endurance. In the final quarter the Swans blew the game out of reach by kicking seven un-answered goals.
Second Preliminary Final
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) West Coast | 2.2 | 6.5 | 11.8 | 14.9 | 14.9 (93) |
| (1) Adelaide | 2.2 | 5.4 | 6.6 | 11.11 | 11.11 (77) |
| West Coast won by 16 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | WCE | Ade |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 204 | 184 |
| Marks | 91 | 82 |
| Handballs | 142 | 127 |
| Tackles | 52 | 50 |
| Hitouts | 36 | 31 |
| Frees | 15 | 8 |
| Date | Saturday, September 17, 2005 1PM AWST |
|---|---|
| Goals (WCE) | 3: A Hansen, D Chick 2: A Embley 1: M Gardiner, A Sampi, B Cousins, A Selwood, A Hunter, M Seaby |
| Goals (Ade) | 3: K McGregor 2: T Hentschel, S Welsh 1: T Edwards, B Burton, I Perrie, S Goodwin |
| Best | WCE: Kerr, Hunter, Wirrpunda, Embley, Judd, Chick, Selwood, Stenglein Ade: Edwards, Goodwin, Clarke, Burton, McGregor, Perrie |
| Injuries | WCE: Braun (leg) Ade: Johncock (calf) |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | Subiaco Oval, Perth, WA |
| Attendance | 43,009 |
| Umpires | McBurney, Allen, Ryan |
Grand Final
Scorecard
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (3) Sydney | 3.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 8.10 | 8.10 (58) |
| (2) West Coast | 2.4 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 7.12 | 7.12 (54) |
| Sydney won by 4 | G.B | G.B | G.B | G.B | Final |
| Team Stats | (Syd) | (WCE) |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 188 | 182 |
| Marks | 84 | 68 |
| Handballs | 105 | 104 |
| Tackles | 62 | 59 |
| Hitouts | 29 | 43 |
| Frees | 12 | 13 |
| Date | Saturday, September 24, 2005, 2:35pm AEST |
|---|---|
| Coin Toss Winner | Sydney |
| Goals (Syd) | 2: B Hall 1: D Jolly, A Schneider, M O'Loughlin, T Kennelly, A Goodes, A Buchanan |
| Goals (WCE) | 2: A Hunter 1: M Nicoski, D Cox, A Embley, A Hansen, B Cousins |
| Best | Syd: Roberts-Thomson, Goodes, Buchanan, Kennelly, Fosdike, Kirk WCE: Judd, Wirrpunda, Cousins, Cox, Fletcher |
| Norm Smith Medal | C Judd (WCE) |
| Injuries | Syd: Ball (cut head), C Bolton (nose), Crouch (ankle) WCE: Kerr (ankle), Gardiner (cut head) |
| Reports | None |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, VIC |
| Attendance | 91,898 |
| Umpires | McLaren, Allen, Goldspink |
| National Anthem | Silvie Paladino |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | Delta Goodrem (I Am Australian) Australian Idol finalists (Waltzing Matilda) Silvie Paladino (There You'll Be) Michael Buble Dame Edna Everage Melbourne Gospel Choir Australian Girls’ Choir |
| Television broadcaster | Network Ten |
| Television announcers | Stephen Quartermain, Tim Lane - play-by play Robert Walls, Stephen Silvagni - analysts Christi Malthouse - sideline reporter Anthony Hudson - studio host Leigh Matthews, Malcolm Blight - studio analysts |
A thrilling match that went down to the final siren, this was the first time since 1989 that a Grand Final was decided a goal or less. West Coast opened the game aggressively, Sydney struggled to get the ball to their end of the field, and only better Swan accuracy put them ahead by two at the first quarter. In the second quarter Sydney appeard to be asserting control of the game, kicking three goals while the Eagles got none. After the long break, West Coast put their stamp on the third quarter, kicking three goals while the Swans got none. At the end of the day, both teams would remember seemingly easy goals that were missed, but the Eagles most clearly would remember theirs from the fourth quarter. With the Swans holding a five point lead in the closing moments, Tadhg Kennelly rushed a behind to blunt a ferocious Eagles attack. After the ensuing kick in, West Coast again regained control of the ball and sent a long kick back to the goal square. Leo Barry responded by taking a mark in the midst of the pack, denying the Eagles an opportunity to kick a game winner on the final siren.
