VFL Grand Final Report
Reported by Michael Robinson

Geelong have won their 1st VFL Premiership for 4 years after thrashing Coburg Tigers by 74 points at MC Labour Park today.

In a game played in perfect conditions, The Cats dominated from the start it was only their conversion that let them down but they still took into quarter with 15 point lead.

Coburg came out agressively and that led to a all in brawl at the quarter time break.

In the 2nd quarter as the players continued to have apush and shove with at one stage Geelong's Nathan Djerrkura having 2 shots at goal without the ball being bounced. As the play settled down Geelong's midfield got right on top but once again poor conversion by the Cats led to an even 2nd quarter as the Cats remained 14 points up at the break.

The 3rd quarter was the killer for the Tigers as Geelong ran riot adding 7.6 to 0.1 to have the contest wrapped up by 3 Quarter Time to lead by 61 points. Tom Longeran after stopping Jack Riewoldt in the 1st half kicked 5 goals in the 3rd quarter onslaught.

Geelong, a hot flag favourite for several weeks, has selected 14 AFL-listed players and five AFL rookies in a powerful unit which also contains 2007 Liston Trophy winner James Byrne.

Coburg has improved through the finals and strengthened its side after its 31-point loss to the Cats in the qualifying final.

But Geelong could also be better with the inclusion of Kane Tenace and Sam Hunt after hamstring injuries.

The Burgers are young, willing and spirited and will be competitive but it's hard to see them controlling the Cats for the whole game.

Coburg coach Andrew Collins said coaching staff had been devising a new plan to try and overcome the challenge.

Calder Cannons and Murray Bushrangers have won their Preliminary Finals at MC Labour Park today to win through to the TAC Cup Grand Final to be played at the MCG next Saturday Morning.

In the 1st game today Calder dominated in general play in the 1st quarter but couldn't put on the scoreboard and when a couple of late goals by the Knights gave them a 2 point quarter time lead.

The Knights then dominated the 2nd quarter through their expierenced players Matt Kreuzer and Trent Cotchins as well as Patrick Veszpremi helped the Knights to a 6 goal to 4 quarter and a 17 point half time lead.

In the 3rd quarter the Cannons got back into the game with a 6 goals to 3 quarter with a late goal giving them the lead by 4 points at the last change. German, Trengove and Polkinghorne were dominated helping to shut down the Knights big guns.

With everything on the line it was the Cannons that got away kicking the 1st 2 goals to get a break but the Knights continued to fight even as they were running at of legs. When Trent Cotchin went off injured late in the final quarter it looked like the Knights were gone but they managed to get the margin within 7 points with a few minutes remaining but late goals to the Cannons sealed the Knights fate as Calder went on to win the game by 14 points to advance to the Grand Final.