Pandemonium in the sheds with loved ones and a fitting tribute for a 250-game veteran... but agony for the Swans after a humiliating defeat: Inside Geelong's celebrations after their 2022 AFL Grand Final triumph
After a marathon six-month slog, Geelong could finally let their hair down after clinching a famous grand final victory at the MCG, with celebrations beginning in the sheds on Saturday.
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The Cats made a blistering start to the showpiece event and did not look back, dominating the Sydney Swans to secure an 81-point victory and cap off a remarkable season in which they also won the minor premiership.
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Their victory also silenced countless pundits and fans who cast their premiership hopes aside before a ball was bounced in March, with Chris Scott's side viewed as too old to challenge the all-conquering former premiers Melbourne.
The Geelong squad and coach Chris Scott sing the team song in the team room after their mammoth victory at the MCG
And Geelong seized the opportunity to bask in their victory after the final siren, as the players were flanked by family and friends on the field before making their way to the sheds to continue their celebrations.
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The squad were linked, arm in arm, in the middle of the room alongside coach Scott and belted out the club's famous song as the premiership cup was passed around for photo opportunities.
Captain Joel Selwood posed alongside Jeremy Cameron and Jed Bews. Young defender Sam De Koning - who has enjoyed a breakout season with the Cats - jokingly poked his tongue out as he was joined by loved ones for a snap with the trophy.
Goalkicking machine Jeremy Cameron had a relatively quiet afternoon at the MCG but was fully deserving of Saturday's triumph, and was pictured holding the trophy with Brad Close and Selwood.
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There was also further celebrations for the Cats, who toasted Zach Tuohy as the Irishman marked his 250th AFL game with a memorable victory. He was held aloft as the team left the patch and he paid tribute to his old Gaelic Football club by waving a flag as he picked up his medal.
They then moved away from the MCG and to a different venue where a legion of fans were waiting for their beloved heroes. Taking to the stage, the players posed with the trophy in a group photo before Joel Selwood and Norm Smith medallist Isaac Smith took to the microphone to speak to their supporters.
Will Hayward was spotted being given a hug by a family member while Tom Hickey gave his young daughter a tight squeeze on a day John Longmire's side will be eager to quickly banish from their memories.
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'I always had belief in this team, our coaches, we all did, ' Dangerfield said. 'We get written off every year and we joke about it internally.
'It's nice to shut a few of the haters up, but we don't do it for that reason, we do it for each other.'
Dangerfield arrived at Geelong ahead of the 2016 season after an already brilliant career with Adelaide and has delivered on what he set out to achieve.
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The grand final was Dangerfield's 303rd AFL appearance, just two behind Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford for most games played before winning an AFL premiership.
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'For me, it's never been looking too far ahead, it's embracing the moment and enjoying each year, and that's collectively what we've done, ' Dangerfield said.
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'We want to give ourselves a chance to compete, and that's what is so special about this place - that we give ourselves a chance, our staff give us a chance to compete and contend on the last day in September.
'I'm not going to reflect too much on the last 15 years, I'm just going to enjoy the next couple of days.'
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