22.23 (155) 22.23 (155) 2.3 (15)


Anzac Day
Saturday, 25 April 2:20pm Essendon def. Collingwood MCG (crowd: 84,829) Report
1.5 (11)
6.6 (42)
9.13 (67)
13.15 (93)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
4.2 (26)
6.6 (42)
8.10 (58)
12.16 (88)
Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Ryan
Anzac Medal: Patrick Ryder (Essendon)
Dyson 2, Lovett 2, Davey, Jetta, Lonergan, McPhee, Monfries, Ryder, Stanton, Winderlich, Zaharakis Goals Anthony 4, Davis 2, L. Brown, Cloke, Macaffer, Medhurst, Pendlebury, Rocca
Ryder, Stanton, McPhee, Watson, Fletcher,Dyson, Winderlich Best Swan, Anthony, Prestigiacomo, Davis, Pendlebury, O'Bree
David Hille (knee), Mark McVeigh (ankle) replaced in selected side by Ricky Dyson Injuries Shane O'Bree (shoulder), Alan Didak (calf) replaced in selected side by Brent Macaffer
Nil Reports Nil

First round

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First round
Saturday, 7 February 6:45 PM West Coast 3.3.9 (54) def. by Collingwood 1.15.17 (116) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 22,819) Report
Friday, 13 February 8:40 PM Western Bulldogs 1.8.12 (69) def. by Essendon 1.8.13 (70) Telstra Dome (crowd: 35,123) Report
Saturday, 14 February 7:40 PM Brisbane Lions 1.8.8 (65) def. St Kilda 0.8.8 (56) Gold Coast Stadium (crowd: 6,013) Report
Sunday, 15 February 6:40 PM Fremantle 5.5.11 (86) def. by Richmond 1.12.8 (89) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 14,517) Report
Friday, 20 February 7:40 PM Carlton 1.17.12 (123) def. North Melbourne 0.11.4 (70) Telstra Dome (crowd: 24,711) Report
Saturday, 21 February 4:10 PM Hawthorn 0.11.3 (69) def. Melbourne 1.8.9 (66) Aurora Stadium (crowd: 8,122) Report
Saturday, 21 February 7:10 PM Geelong 1.17.8 (119) def. Adelaide 2.9.12 (84) Telstra Dome (crowd: 10,320) Report
Sunday, 22 February 3:40 PM Sydney 1.10.9 (78) def. by Port Adelaide 4.16.11 (143) Manuka Oval (crowd: 5,391) Report

Quarter-finals

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Quarter finals
Thursday, 26 February 7:10 PM Collingwood 1.13.10 (97) def. Richmond 2.3.15 (51) Telstra Dome (crowd: 37,121) Report
Friday, 27 February 7:40 PM Essendon 0.9.13 (67) def. Brisbane Lions 1.7.14 (65) Telstra Dome (crowd: 12,260) Report
Saturday, 28 February 3:10 PM Port Adelaide 1.6.9 (54) def. by Geelong 0.11.6 (72) AAMI Stadium (crowd: 8,341) Report
Sunday, 1 March 4:40 PM Carlton 2.13.16 (112) def. Hawthorn 2.10.10 (88) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 19,111) Report
  • The quarter final between Collingwood and Richmond which was originally scheduled for 28 February, was moved to due to a ground clash with A-League Grand Final.
  • On 1 March 2009, Telstra Dome changed its name to Etihad Stadium. The venue will be listed here under its official name on the date of each match. Note that due to sponsorship conflicts, as the AFL recognizes Qantas as its official airline, the league is refusing to refer to the arena as Etihad Stadium, instead calling it Docklands Stadium on its official website.

Semi-finals

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Semi finals
Friday, 6 March 7:40 PM Collingwood 1.17.5 (116) def. Essendon 3.6.10 (73) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 26,154) Report
Saturday, 7 March 7:10 PM Geelong 2.9.12 (84) def. Carlton 0.9.13 (67) Etihad Stadium (crowd: 15,305) Report


NAB Cup Final
Friday 13 March, 7:40pm Collingwood def. by Geelong Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,277) Report
1.2.2 (23)
1.2.3 (24)
1.4.5 (38)
1.6.6 (51)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.3.5 (23)
0.9.10 (64)
0.13.15 (93)
0.18.19 (127)
Umpires: McLaren, Jeffery, Donlon, M. Nicholls
Michael Tuck Medal: Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Bryan Super Goals
Thomas 2, Clarke, O'Bree, Beams, Cloke Goals Ablett 3, S. Johnson 3, Selwood 2, Chapman 2, Lonergan 2, Stokes 2, Gamble, Varcoe
Cox, Thomas, Lockyer, Pendlebury Best Selwood, Ablett, Chapman, Taylor, S. Johnson, Bartel
Injuries Josh Hunt (knee)
Nil Reports Nil

Week one

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First qualifying final (St Kilda v Collingwood)

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First qualifying final
6 September, 2:40pm St Kilda def. Collingwood MCG (crowd: 84,213)
1.2 (8)
6.4 (40)
9.7 (61)
12.8 (80)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.4 (16)
4.6 (30)
6.8 (44)
7.10 (52)
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Ray Chamberlain, Shane McInerney
Riewoldt 5, Koschitzke 2, McQualter 2, Goddard, Schneider, Milne Goals Rocca 2, Thomas 2, Anthony, Davis, Medhurst
Riewoldt, McQualter, Fisher, Hayes, Goddard, Montagna, Jones, Gram Best Cloke, Thomas, Shaw, Maxwell, O'Brien, Swan
Nil Injuries Scott Pendlebury (suspected broken leg), Anthony Rocca (ankle)
Nil Reports Nil

Collingwood started impressively, and the Saints appeared to struggle with the MCG dimensions (this being only their second match at the venue in 2009). However when St Kilda lifted in the second half Collingwood could not maintain their momentum. Six goals to 3 in the second half sealed the game for the Saints, who at times looked a class above the Magpies. Nick Riewoldt played a starring role at centre half forward with 5 goals. At the other end of the ground, Anthony Rocca kicked two, but otherwise had little impact. He rolled an ankle with less than 3 minutes to go. St Kilda earned a week off, to face the Western Bulldogs in the First Preliminary Final. Despite the loss Collingwood had advantage of the "second chance", contesting the semi-final with Adelaide.

Second qualifying final (Geelong v Western Bulldogs)

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Second qualifying final
5 September, 2:30pm Geelong def. Western Bulldogs MCG (crowd: 74,007)
6.5 (41)
7.5 (47)
13.9 (87)
14.12 (96)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.1 (13)
4.3 (27)
8.4 (52)
12.10 (82)
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Simon Meredith, Hayden Kennedy
Bartel 3, Chapman 2, Mooney 2, Stokes 2, [Corey Enright Goals Akermanis 3, Higgins 2, Johnson 2, Gilbee, Griffen, Hill, Hudson, Welsh
Scarlett, Enright, Milburn, Ablett, Bartel, Mackie Best Gilbee, Lake, Cross, Higgins, Boyd, Akermanis
Max Rooke (thigh) replaced in selected side by Simon Hogan Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

This match was the third between these two teams in 2009; the second in 3 weeks, having played in Round 21 at Etihad Stadium, where the Bulldogs avenged their loss earlier in the season. Geelong came out of the blocks firing, dominating the first quarter. After quarter time the match was a little more even, but with Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright and Gary Ablett winning a lot of the ball, the Dogs found the going tough. Despite seemingly having the match in their control, the Cats allowed the Dogs back into the game during the second half. The Bulldogs had plenty of chances in the fourth quarter, but missed many shots on goal, and were left ruing their output of 4 goals 6 behinds. In the end, it was the Cats who, for the third year running, earned the right to have a week off, and will now play Collingwood in the Preliminary Final.

First elimination final (Adelaide v Essendon)

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First elimination final
4 September, 7:45pm Adelaide def. Essendon AAMI Stadium (crowd: 50,393)
4.3 (27)
12.4 (76)
18.9 (117)
26.10 (166)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.3 (21)
5.7 (37)
8.8 (56)
10.10 (70)
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Matt Stevic, Shaun Ryan
Porplyzia 5, Tippett 4, Knights 3, Burton 3, Dangerfield 2, Douglas 2, Vince, Edwards, Maric, Hentschel, Thompson, Mackay, Sellar Goals McPhee 4, Skipworth 2, Monfries, Quinn, Stanton, Lovett
Vince, McLeod, Doughty, Porplyzia, Tippett, Goodwin, Maric, Stevens Best McPhee, Welsh, Stanton, Lovett-Murray, Dyson
James Sellar (knock to head) Injuries Nil
Bernie Vince for wrestling Reports Nil

Essendon was playing in its first final since 2004, whilst Adelaide was hoping to end a shocking run in finals, having been eliminated in the first week in both 2007 and 2008. Essendon kept up with Adelaide in the first quarter, and trailed by a solitary goal at quarter time. From then on, though, it was a ruthless Adelaide that completely dominated the match. Their forward line functioned superbly for the second week running, kicking 26 goals with relative ease. Essendon's youthful team was simply no match for the stronger, harder, more skillful Crows, who earned the right to play Collingwood in the second week of the finals.

Second elimination final (Brisbane Lions v Carlton)

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Second elimination final
5 September, 7:30pm Brisbane Lions def. Carlton The Gabba (crowd: 32,702)
4.4 (28)
8.7 (55)
10.10 (70)
16.15 (111)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
5.4 (34)
8.6 (54)
14.10 (94)
15.14 (104)
Umpires: Scott McLaren, Stuart Wenn, Scott Jeffery
Bradshaw 5, Brown 4, Johnstone 2, Sherman 2, Redden, Hooper, Rich Goals Fevola 3, Stevens 2, Cloke 2, Betts, Carrazzo, Garlett, Houlihan, Judd, Kreuzer, Murphy, Russell
Black, Bradshaw, Brown, Clark, Sherman, McGrath Best Judd, Fevola, Murphy, Kreuzer, Stevens, Carrazzo
Josh Drummond (quad), Joel Macdonald (TBA) Injuries Aaron Joseph (ankle)
Nil Reports Nil

Brisbane kept its unbeaten home finals record intact, but only just. They came back from 30 points early in the final quarter to win by 7. A Daniel Bradshaw snap around the corner from the boundary line at the left forward pocket sealed the result. Brisbane also snapped a three-match losing streak against Carlton. While Carlton were the better team in the first three quarters, Brisbane gained advantage with six unanswered goals in a row. Brisbane midfielder Daniel Rich, who had been quiet for most of the match, kicked a crucial goal with six minutes to spare to put the Lions in front for the first time in the match. The Lions hung on for a seven-point win, eliminating Carlton from the finals and gaining the right to play the Western Bulldogs in the semi-finals.

Week two

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First semi-final (Collingwood v Adelaide)

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First semi-final
12 September, 7:30pm Collingwood def. Adelaide MCG (crowd: 62,184)
1.4 (10)
3.5 (23)
9.7 (61)
12.11 (83)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
6.3 (39)
7.7 (49)
7.9 (51)
11.12 (78)
Umpires: Brett Rosebury, Ray Chamberlain, Shane McInerney
Johnson 2, Dick 2, Lockyer, O'Brien, Wellingham, Swan, Cloke, Macaffer, Brown, Anthony Goals Tippett 4, Dangerfield 2, Thompson 2, Hentschel, Knights, Burton
Maxwell, Sidebottom, Shaw, Swan, Lockyer, Johnson, Wellingham, Macaffer Best Vince, Goodwin, Johncock, Edwards, Shirley, Tippett, Porplyzia
Nil Injuries Knights (left hamstring)
Nil Reports Nil.

Prior to the match, tipping favoured Adelaide, who had kicked 53 goals in the previous 2 weeks. Collingwood made 5 changes (4 because of injuries) to the team that lost to St Kilda the previous Sunday. In the first quarter Adelaide dominated the Magpies, kicking 6 goals with a free-flowing, play-on-at-all-costs gameplan that left the majority of the Collingwood team shellshocked. Midway into the second quarter, the Adelaide lead reached 32 points. However Collingwood won the second quarter 2 goals to one and then surged back powerfully in the third with six unanswered goals, to lead by 10 at the final break. The Crows appeared panicked and disorganised and flooded the defence. The fourth quarter was one for the ages. 3 goals to Adelaide, their first since the second quarter, saw them regain the lead. It was a see-sawing affair, neither team dominating, but neither team giving up. With 5 minutes remaining, Leigh Brown, hardly sighted all night, put Collingwood back in front. However, with less than 2 minutes left, Kurt Tippett was awarded a free kick after been held, and kicked a miraculous 50 metre bomb from near the boundary line to put Adelaide in front by 1 point. But the game was not over, with a couple of scrimmages in the middle eating away at the time remaining. With less than 45 seconds to go, a kick by Nick Maxwell spiralled into Collingwood's forward-50, where Andy Otten seemingly saved the day for Adelaide with a strong mark. However Adelaide full-back Ben Rutten had held onto John Anthony's arm in the marking contest, giving away a free kick. Anthony converted the shot from in front with 15 seconds left on the clock to finish off the game, leaving Collingwood the victors by five points. Collingwood will now face Geelong in a re-match of their memorable 2007 Preliminary Final.

Second semi-final
11 September, 7:45pm Western Bulldogs def. Brisbane Lions MCG (crowd: 47,030)
4.2 (26)
6.6 (42)
11.8 (74)
16.11 (107)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.6 (6)
3.7 (25)
5.7 (37)
8.8 (56)
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Shaun Ryan, Simon Meredith
Hahn 4, Eagleton 3, Ward 2, Higgins 2, Cooney, Akermanis, Gilbee, Griffen, Minson Goals Brown 3, Bradshaw 3, McGrath, Redden
Boyd, Cooney, Eagleton, Cross, Hargrave, Giansiracusa, Akermanis Best Power, Brown, Merrett, Brennan, Clark, Hawksley
Ryan Griffen (corked calf) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

The Western Bulldogs went into this match with the knowledge that they had beaten the Lions only 4 weeks earlier, in Brisbane, in Round 20. Strong winds played havoc early, with Brisbane crucially missing early shots on goal (coach Michael Voss would later say that these early misses contributed significantly to the outcome of the match). The Bulldogs struggled to get their game going early, but still managed to kick goals when going forward. As the game wore on, many sore Brisbane players began to feel the effects of a tough match. Star midfielder Simon Black, who was brilliant 6 days earlier against Carlton, was nowhere to be seen, tagged out of the game by Daniel Cross. Whilst Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw looked strong up forward, a lack of supply and a resilient Bulldogs defence helped the Dogs to a convincing, if at times error-riddled, victory. It sets up a Preliminary Final clash with St Kilda: two teams who have won just one premiership each, and for whom success has been a long time coming.

Week three

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First preliminary final (St Kilda v Western Bulldogs)

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First preliminary final
18 September, 7:40pm St Kilda def. Western Bulldogs MCG (crowd: 78,245)
0.2 (2)
3.6 (24)
7.6 (48)
9.6 (60)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.5 (17)
4.7 (31)
6.7 (43)
7.11 (53)
Umpires: Shane McInerney, Stephen McBurney, Ray Chamberlain
Riewoldt 4, Dal Santo, Fisher, Hayes, McQualter, Milne Goals Hahn 2, Johnson 2, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Picken
Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Hayes, Fisher, Jones, Goddard Best Griffen, Boyd, Johnson, Lake, Harbrow, Gilbee, Cooney
Nil Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil

This was a tough game from the word go. The Bulldogs started off well holding the saints to two behinds in the first quarter but could only manage two themselves due to it being a cold wet night. It was a much even second quarter but after the long break the saints came jumping out of the blocks and kicked four goals to two to take the lead for the first time at three quarter time by 5 points. The Bulldogs took back the lead early in the quarter and many were prediciting an upset and the Bulldogs playing off in their first grand final in 48 years, but late in the last, St. Kilda's skipper Nick Riewoldt marked and goaled to put the saints in front and he sealed their fate with a minute to go with a goal off the ground. The Saints won by seven points to play off in their first grand final in twelve years against Geelong

Second preliminary final (Geelong v Collingwood)

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Second preliminary final
19 September, 7:30pm Geelong def. Collingwood MCG (crowd: 87,258)
3.6 (24)
7.7 (49)
11.13 (79)
17.18 (120)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
2.2 (14)
5.8 (38)
6.9 (45)
6.11 (47)
Umpires: Shaun Ryan, Brett Rosebury, Scott McLaren
Chapman 5, Ablett 2, Byrnes 2, Hawkins 2, Varcoe 2, Corey, Johnson, Mooney, Ottens Goals Brown, Didak, Johnson, Lockyer, Macaffer, O'Brien
Ablett, Corey, Chapman, Ling, Scarlett, Bartel, Kelly, Varcoe Best O'Bree, Brown, Shaw, O'Brien
Nil Injuries Pendlebury (leg), replaced by Beams
Nil Reports Nil

For the second time in three years the Cats and Magpies would play off in the Preliminary Final. Some predicted that Collingwood could pull off an upset due to the fact that they had sometimes had the upper hand over Geelong in recent years, and the Pies started well, kicking 2.2 to nothing in the opening 7 minutes. However, from then on, it was all Geelong. Unlike the 2007 Preliminary Final this was one way traffic with the cats leading by 10 points at quarter time and 11 at half time, It would have been more if it wasn't for a late second quarter comeback by the Pies. Many thought that Collingwood could do the same to what they did the previous week against Adelaide, but they were wrong as Geelong showed their trademark desperation and refused to quit. Collingwood only scored one more goal for the rest of the match late in the third quarter as the cats led by Gary Ablett, who would win the Brownlow Medal this year, smashed the Pies and would make their third succesive grand final for the first time since 1953 by winning by 73 points to play St. Kilda the following week. This game also marked the third time that Geelong had scored over 100-points since Round 13 in June 2009.

Week four

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Grand Final

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Grand Final
26 September, 2:30pm St Kilda def. by Geelong MCG (crowd: 99,251)
3.2 (20)
7.7 (49)
9.11 (65)
9.14 (68)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.0 (18)
7.1 (43)
9.4 (58)
12.8 (80)
Umpires: Stephen McBurney, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan
Norm Smith Medal: Paul Chapman (Geelong)
Schneider 2, Goddard, Hayes, Dempster, Jones, Koschitzke, Riewoldt, Montagna Goals Chapman 3, Mooney 2, Hawkins 2, Rooke 2, Selwood, Byrnes, Ablett
Gram, Hayes, Ball, Jones, Montagna, Baker, Goddard Best Chapman, Rooke, Milburn, Taylor, Selwood, Ablett, Corey, Bartel, Ling, Scarlett
Goddard (broken nose) Injuries Nil
Nil Reports Nil.