The 2009 AFL Grand Final for 2009 is only a matter of hours away, and what a match it promises to be. The two top-ranked sides throughout the whole year, St.Kilda and Geelong, will face each other for the first time in the ultimate decider.

History awaits St Kilda. They have the opportunity to claim only their second premiership and their first since 1966. The Saints have only lost two games throughout the entire season and have already accounted for Collinbgwood and the Western Bulldogs in the finals.

Geelong, on the other hand, is in their third year of a dominant era that streches back to 2007. In that year, they won the Grand Final by a record margin against Port Adelaide in one of the most amazing displays ever seen on the grand final stage. Last year though, they were brought back to reality, going down to Hawthorn after only losing one game for the entire season.

Journalists, football experts and ordinary footy supporters can argue all they want about where the game will be won, who will play on who, and who or what will be the difference between the two sides. However, in any game of football, particularly a grand final, it is won by kicking goals and putting scoreboard pressure on the opposition. The side that is able to win it out of the middle, bring their own forwards into the match and, as a result, kick goals, will be crowned 2009 Premiers.

It’s easier said than done, of course, especially if you factor in the predicted wet weather. But ever since that remarkable game in Round 14, where St.Kilda defeated Geelong by six points, I have always liked the Saints and how they have gone about their football. They caught Geelong off guard and started with a bang, kicking the first five goals of the game. They need to go out on Saturday and do exactly the same thing, because Geelong are fast starters themselves.

Conversely, Geelong will be desperate to make amends for last years disappointment. They lost to the best side in the finals series. But the positive for them is that there hasn’t been much difference between them and St.Kilda so far in this finals series. Geelong didn’t have mercurial forward Steve Johnson and influential ruckman Brad Ottens when they lost to the saints in Round 14. They will play on Saturday and could have a major say in the game. 

Ultimately, its the  toss of the coin, but I’m going with the Saints. Their forwards, Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and Stephen Milne, should be able to apply more scoreboard pressure and kick a winning score. It hurts me to say it being a Geelong supporter, but the Saints time is now, and for what it’s worth believe  Nick Riewoldt will be wearing the Norm Smith Medal after the game.

Ben Waterworth is a first-year Bachelor of Journalism student at La Trobe University.

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