Geelong Cats 2007 Premiership: A Championship Season Checklist

The 2007 AFL season stands as a watershed moment in Geelong Cats history—a campaign that transformed a talented but underachieving roster into one of the most dominant premiership-winning sides the Australian Football League has ever witnessed. For supporters, analysts, and historians alike, understanding how the Cats captured their first flag in 44 years requires more than simply watching the Grand Final replay. This checklist provides a structured approach to examining the 2007 championship, from the foundational moves that set the stage to the defining moments that sealed the premiership.

By following this guide, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how Geelong built, executed, and celebrated its historic 2007 AFL Premiership. Whether you are researching for content, preparing a retrospective analysis, or simply reliving the glory, this checklist ensures you cover every critical element.

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Prerequisites / What You Need

Before diving into the 2007 premiership season, ensure you have access to the following resources:

• Match archives: Access to the 2007 AFL Finals Series matches, particularly the Qualifying Final, Preliminary Final, and Grand Final.
• Season statistics: The final ladder, player statistics, and team rankings for the 2007 AFL season.
• Brownlow Medal results: The 2007 Brownlow Medal count, which saw Geelong’s Jimmy Bartel claim the league MVP award.
• Historical context: Familiarity with Geelong’s performance in the 2004–2006 seasons, including the 2004 Preliminary Final loss and the 2005 elimination.
• Club records: The 2007 annual report, premiership commemorative materials, and the official history of the Geelong Football Club.

With these materials ready, you can systematically work through the steps below.

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Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Examine the Pre-Season Foundations

The 2007 premiership was not built overnight. Begin by reviewing the key decisions and developments that occurred before the season started.

• Assess the coaching appointment: Mark Thompson was entering his seventh season as Geelong coach. Review his tenure from 2000–2006, focusing on the 2004 Preliminary Final loss to Brisbane and the 2005 elimination final defeat.
• Evaluate the playing list: The Cats had drafted and developed a core group through the AFL Draft between 1999 and 2005. Identify the key acquisitions: Joel Selwood (selected with pick 7 in the 2006 draft), Tom Hawkins (father-son selection, 2006), and the continued development of players like Gary Ablett Jr., Jimmy Bartel, and Matthew Scarlett.
• Analyze the off-season changes: Note any significant retirements, trades, or list changes. The 2006 off-season saw minimal turnover, indicating the club believed in its existing group.
• Review pre-season form: The Cats won the 2007 NAB Cup (pre-season competition). While pre-season success does not guarantee a premiership, it provided early momentum and confidence.

Key insight: Geelong’s list had been carefully constructed through the draft, with a focus on midfield depth and defensive structure. The 2006 draft addition of Joel Selwood proved critical, as he became an immediate contributor.

Step 2: Map the Home-and-Away Season Trajectory

The 2007 home-and-away season was one of the most dominant in AFL history. Break it down into phases.

• First half (Rounds 1–11): Geelong started with 10 wins from the first 11 matches. Note the defining victories, including a 76-point win over Collingwood in Round 2 and a 93-point demolition of Richmond in Round 8.
• Mid-season consolidation (Rounds 12–16): The Cats suffered their only two losses of the season—to Collingwood in Round 12 and Port Adelaide in Round 16. Examine how the team responded; they won the next four matches by an average margin of 63 points.
• Final stretch (Rounds 17–22): Geelong closed the season with six consecutive wins, securing the minor premiership with a 18-4 record. Highlight the Round 21 clash against West Coast, a 49-point victory that confirmed their premiership credentials.
• Key statistical markers: The Cats finished the season with the highest percentage (144.9) and the best defense (conceding just 1,463 points across 22 matches). Review team rankings in key categories: contested possessions, clearances, and tackles.

Key insight: Geelong’s dominance was not limited to winning—they overwhelmed opponents with a relentless, four-quarter pressure game that suffocated opposition ball movement.

Step 3: Analyze the Finals Series Campaign

The 2007 AFL Finals Series required Geelong to navigate three matches. Each presented a unique challenge.

• Qualifying Final vs. North Melbourne: Played at the MCG, the Cats won by 106 points. Analyze how Geelong’s midfield dominance—led by Gary Ablett Jr. (33 disposals) and Jimmy Bartel (31 disposals)—set the tone. This victory earned a week off and a direct path to the Preliminary Final.
• Preliminary Final vs. Collingwood: A tense, low-scoring affair at the MCG. Geelong trailed at halftime before kicking six goals to one in the third quarter to win by 5 points. Focus on the defensive effort, particularly Matthew Scarlett’s role in limiting Collingwood’s forward entries.
• Grand Final preparation: The Cats had a two-week break between the Preliminary Final and the Grand Final. Review how the coaching staff managed player fitness and mental preparation during this period.

Key insight: The Preliminary Final against Collingwood was the season’s true test. Geelong’s ability to win a close, pressure-filled match demonstrated their maturity and resilience—qualities that had been questioned in previous finals failures.

Step 4: Break Down the Grand Final Performance

The 2007 AFL Grand Final against Port Adelaide at the MCG is considered one of the most one-sided deciders in history. Dissect the match methodically.

• First quarter: Geelong kicked 6.3 to Port Adelaide’s 1.1. Identify the early goals—Steve Johnson kicked two, and Cameron Mooney and Paul Chapman contributed. Note the Cats’ forward pressure, which forced turnovers and created scoring opportunities.
• Second quarter: The Cats extended the lead to 40 points at halftime. Analyze the midfield battle: Geelong won the clearances 19-10 and the contested possessions 78-59. Joel Selwood, in his first Grand Final, had 12 disposals and 5 tackles by halftime.
• Third quarter: Geelong kicked 6.1 to Port Adelaide’s 0.2, effectively ending the contest. Focus on the defensive structure—Port Adelaide managed only three inside-50s for the quarter.
• Final quarter: The Cats cruised to a 119-point victory, the largest winning margin in a Grand Final since 1980. The final score: Geelong 24.19 (163) to Port Adelaide 6.8 (44).
• Individual performances: Steve Johnson won the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground with 32 disposals and 2 goals. Other notable contributors included Gary Ablett Jr. (28 disposals, 2 goals), Jimmy Bartel (26 disposals, 1 goal), and Joel Selwood (24 disposals, 5 tackles).

Key insight: The Grand Final was the culmination of a season built on system and structure. Geelong’s ability to execute their game plan under the highest pressure—and against a quality opponent—validated the entire season’s work.

Step 5: Review the Post-Season Recognition and Milestones

The 2007 premiership season generated significant individual and club honors.

• Brownlow Medal: Jimmy Bartel won the 2007 Brownlow Medal with 29 votes, becoming the first Geelong player to claim the league MVP award since 1985. Review his season statistics: 24 disposals per game, 6 tackles per game, and a career-best 19 goals.
• All-Australian selections: Geelong had six players named in the 2007 All-Australian team: Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn, Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett Jr., Steve Johnson, and Cameron Ling. This was the highest representation from any club.
• Club best and fairest: Jimmy Bartel also won the Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong’s best and fairest player, capping a remarkable individual season.
• Historical context: The 2007 premiership ended a 44-year drought, dating back to the 1963 flag. It marked the beginning of a golden era—Geelong would go on to win premierships in 2009 and 2011, and contend regularly through the 2010s.

Key insight: The 2007 season was not an anomaly but the start of a sustained period of excellence. The core group of players—Ablett, Bartel, Selwood, Hawkins, Scarlett, and Johnson—would form the backbone of multiple premiership campaigns.

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Pro Tips / Common Mistakes

Pro Tips

1. Contextualize the drought: When writing about the 2007 premiership, always emphasize the 44-year gap since the Cats’ last flag. This adds emotional weight and historical significance to the achievement.
2. Highlight the draft strategy: The 2006 AFL Draft, which delivered Joel Selwood, was pivotal. Compare this to the 2001 draft (Gary Ablett Jr., Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson) to show how patient list building paid off.
3. Use statistical comparisons: The 2007 Geelong team is often compared to dominant sides like the 2000 Essendon Bombers and the 2011 Collingwood Magpies. Use metrics like percentage, average winning margin, and finals dominance to support the argument.
4. Incorporate player profiles: Link to /player-profiles for key figures like Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, and Jimmy Bartel. This provides depth and encourages further reading.
5. Connect to future success: The 2007 premiership set the template for the 2009 and 2011 flags. Reference /2009-premiership and /2011-premiership to show the continuity of the dynasty.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring the Preliminary Final: Many analyses focus solely on the Grand Final, but the Preliminary Final against Collingwood was the season’s most critical match. Neglecting it undermines the narrative of resilience.
2. Overlooking the pre-season: While the NAB Cup is not a premiership, the 2007 pre-season victory indicated the team’s readiness. Mention it, but do not overstate its importance.
3. Misidentifying the venue: The 2007 Grand Final was played at the MCG, not Kardinia Park. Be precise about locations, especially when discussing home-ground advantage.
4. Confusing the coach: Mark Thompson was the Geelong coach in 2007, not Chris Scott. Chris Scott took over in 2011 and led the Cats to their third flag.
5. Forgetting the role of the VFL team: The Geelong VFL (reserves) team also won the 2007 VFL premiership, demonstrating the depth of the club’s talent pipeline. Mention this as a supporting detail.

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Checklist Summary

Use this bullet list to ensure you have covered every essential element of the 2007 premiership season:

• Reviewed pre-season foundations: coaching stability, draft history (especially 2001 and 2006), and list management.
• Mapped the home-and-away season trajectory: 18-4 record, 144.9 percentage, and defining victories.
• Analyzed the finals series: Qualifying Final win by 106 points, Preliminary Final win by 5 points, and Grand Final preparation.
• Dissected the Grand Final performance: 119-point margin, Norm Smith Medal (Steve Johnson), and team statistics.
• Reviewed post-season recognition: Brownlow Medal (Jimmy Bartel), All-Australian selections, and club best and fairest.
• Contextualized the premiership within club history: 44-year drought, start of a golden era, and connection to 2009 and 2011 flags.
• Incorporated key entities correctly: Geelong Cats, AFL, Kardinia Park (GMHBA Stadium), AFL Grand Final, and relevant player names.
• Included interlinking to related content: /championship-history, /2009-premiership, /2011-premiership, /brownlow-medal-winners, and /player-profiles.
• Avoided common mistakes: correct coach (Mark Thompson), venue (MCG), and emphasis on the Preliminary Final.

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The 2007 premiership remains a defining chapter in Geelong Cats history. By following this checklist, you have systematically examined the season’s foundations, execution, and legacy. Whether you are writing a retrospective, preparing a presentation, or simply deepening your understanding, this structured approach ensures no critical detail is overlooked. The Cats’ 2007 flag was not just a championship—it was the beginning of a dynasty that would reshape the Australian Football League for years to come.