2005 AFL finals series

2005 AFL premiership season
Teams 8
Premiers Sydney
(4th premiership)
Minor premiers Adelaide
(1st minor premiership)
Matches played 9
Attendance 480,064 (53,340 per match)

The Australian Football League's 2005 finals series began on the weekend of 2 September 2005 and ended with the 109th AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 September 2005. The Sydney Swans defeated West Coast, breaking their record 72-year drought between premierships. The top eight teams on the home and away rounds (regular season) ladder qualify for the Finals Series.

Final Ladder 2005

Separated only by percentage Adelaide (minor premier) and West Coast topped the ladder (W-L: 17–5), trailed by third placed Sydney (15–7). The matchups for the first round of finals were only set after all matches of the final home-and-away game had been completed.

Summary of results

  Qualifying / Elimination finals Semi-finals Preliminary finals Grand final
                                   
  QF1: 3 Sep, AAMI Stadium  
1  Adelaide 8.9 (57)  
4  St Kilda 10.5 (65)     SF1: 10 Sep, AAMI Stadium  
     Adelaide 18.15 (123)    
EF1: 4 Sep, Telstra Dome      Port Adelaide 5.10 (40)       PF1: 16 Sep, MCG
5  Kangaroos 11.11 (77)        St Kilda 9.11 (65)  
8  Port Adelaide 26.8 (164)          Sydney 15.6 (96)     GF: 24 Sep, MCG
         Sydney 8.10 (58)
  EF2: 3 Sep, MCG       PF2: 17 Sep, Subiaco Oval      West Coast 7.12 (54)
6  Geelong 18.8 (116)          West Coast 14.9 (93)  
7  Melbourne 9.7 (61)     SF2: 9 Sep, SCG        Adelaide 11.11 (77)  
     Sydney 7.14 (56)    
QF2: 2 Sep, Subiaco Oval      Geelong 7.11 (53)    
2  West Coast 10.9 (69)  
3  Sydney 10.5 (65)  

The finals system

The system is a final eight system. This system is different from the McIntyre Final Eight System, which was previously used by the AFL, and was used by the National Rugby League until 2012.

The top four teams in the eight receive what is popularly known as the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals; this means that if a top-four team loses in the first week, it still has a chance to redeem itself by getting a chance to play in a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight are forced to play what are called elimination finals, in which only the winners survive and move on to week two to play the losers of the qualifying finals.

In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week, while the losers of those qualifying finals must play the winners of the elimination finals for a chance to play the qualifying finals winners. Home-ground advantage goes to the team with the higher seed.

In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week, with the latter receiving home-ground advantage. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, where the new premier will be crowned.

Favourites for the 2005 Grand Final were: Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney and West Coast.

AFL Finals System Explained (AFL.com.au)

Week One

First Qualifying Final (1 vs 4)

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(1) Adelaide 3.3 3.5 5.7 8.9 8.9 (57)
(4) St Kilda 1.0 6.3 9.3 10.5 10.5 (65)
St Kilda won by 8 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats Ade StK
Kicks 186 214
Marks 73 102
Handballs 113 129
Tackles 61 61
Hitouts 47 22
Frees 14 17
Date Saturday, 3 September 2005 7PM ACST
Goals (Ade) 4: K McGregor
1: R Shirley, G Johncock, S Welsh, S Goodwin
Goals (StK) 3: R Harvey
2: N Riewoldt, J Gwilt
1: L Ball, J Blake, S Milne
Best Ade: Rutten, Bassett, Goodwin, McGregor,
Edwards, McLeod, Johncock
StK: Harvey, Dal Santo, Hayes, Jones
Fisher, Ball, Peckett
Injuries None
Reports None
Venue AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, SA
Attendance 48,768
Umpires Michael Vozzo, Stephen McBurney, Shaun Ryan

Second Qualifying Final (2 vs 3)

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(2) West Coast 4.1 5.4 5.7 10.9 10.9 (69)
(3) Sydney 3.1 5.2 8.3 10.5 10.5 (65)
West Coast won by 4 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats WCE Syd
Kicks 181 180
Marks 62 63
Handballs 110 101
Tackles 46 52
Hitouts 45 42
Free Kicks 21 14
Date Friday, 2 September 2005 6:30PM AWST
Goals (WCE) 2: M Gardiner, A Hunter, A Sampi
1: A Hansen, D Kerr, T Stenglein, M Seaby
Goals (Syd) 3: N Davis, M O'Loughlin
2: B Hall
1: R O'Keefe, A Schneider
Best WCE: Kerr, Judd, Cousins, Hunter,
Nicoski, Wirrpanda
Syd: Kirk, Davis, C Bolton, Buchanan,
Goodes, O'Loughlin, Kennelly, Williams
Injuries WCE: P Matera (hip)
Syd: Williams (ankle)
Reports None
Venue Subiaco Oval, Perth, WA
Attendance 43,302
Umpires Scott McLaren, Derek Woodcock, Shane McInerney

Sydney entered the game as the in form team of the competition. West Coast topped the ladder most of the season, and were only denied the minor premiership on percentage. The Eagles led the game most of the first half, but the Swans appeared to be marching onward to victory by taking control of the third quarter. In a foreshadowing of things to come, West Coast responded by taking control of the fourth quarter. Two controversial fourth quarter umpiring decisions against Sydney hurt their cause. Even more damaging were two late marks in defence by Eagle Dean Cox snubbing Swan attempts to kick a game winner.

First Elimination Final (5 vs 8)

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(5) Kangaroos 6.6 7.7 10.9 11.11 11.11 (77)
(8) Port Adelaide 6.1 12.3 20.6 26.8 26.8 (164)
Port Adelaide won by 87 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats Kan PA
Kicks 166 223
Marks 69 126
Handballs 87 128
Tackles 46 31
Hitouts 28 40
Frees 16 15
Date Sunday, 4 September 2005 2:30PM AEST
Goals (Kan) 3: C Jones
2: N Thompson, S Rocca
1: L Picoane, B Rawlings, D Wells, L Harding
Goals (PA) 4: B Lade, W Tredrea, J Mahoney
3: M Pettigrew
2: A Kingsley, D Brogan
1: M Bishop, C Cornes, S Dew,
B Montgomery, D Pearce, S Salopek,
G Wanganeen
Best Kan: Sinclair, Jones, Wells, Harris
PA: Tredrea, Kingsley, Lade, Pettigrew,
Mahoney, Montgomery, C. Cornes
Injuries None
Reports None
Venue Telstra Dome, Melbourne, VIC
Attendance 25,195
Umpires Hayden Kennedy, Brett Allen, Scott Jeffery

Second Elimination Final (6 vs 7)

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(6) Geelong 5.4 12.5 16.8 18.8 18.8 (116)
(7) Melbourne 2.3 6.4 6.6 9.7 9.7 (61)
Geelong won by 55 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats Geel Melb
Kicks 242 162
Marks 136 79
Handballs 111 106
Tackles 41 54
Hitouts 31 27
Frees 19 21
Date Saturday, 3 September 2005 2:30PM AEST
Goals (Geel) 3: G Ablett, J Kelly
2: C Ling, A Mackie, C Mooney, H Playfair
1: N Ablett, S Johnson, K Kingsley, K Tenace
Goals (Melb) 4: R Robertson
2: P Wheatley
1: A Davey, B Holland, A Yze
Best Geel: Mooney, Milburn, Corey,
Bartel, Ling, Rooke, G. Ablett
Melb: Carroll, Brown, Moloney, Robertson
Injuries Geel: None
Melb: White (face), Rigoni (concussion), Johnstone (ankle),
Wheatley (adductor), McDonald (calf)
Reports Geel: Johnson for rough conduct against Holland
Venue Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, VIC
Attendance 65,018
Umpires Justin Schmitt, Stuart Wenn, Darren Goldspink

Week Two

First Semi Final

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(1) Adelaide 3.4 4.7 12.9 18.15 18.15 (123)
(8) Port Adelaide 2.1 3.6 4.6 5.10 5.10 (40)
Adelaide won by 83 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats Ade PA
Kicks 188 161
Marks 105 80
Handballs 118 117
Tackles 48 43
Hitouts 32 30
Frees 17 20
Date Saturday, 10 September 2005 7PM ACST
Goals (Ade) 4: S Welsh
3: S Goodwin, I Perrie
2: K McGregor
1: T Edwards, T Hentschel, A McLoed, M Ricciuto,
B Rutten, R Shirley
Goals (PA) 1: S Burgoyne, J Mahoney, D Pearce,
M Pettigrew, G Wanganeen
Best Ade: Edwards, Goodwin, Ricciuto, Clarke, Rutten,
Bassett, Burton, McLeod
PA: C. Cornes, K. Cornes, Montgomery, Wakelin
Injuries Ade: Johncock (calf), Biglands, Shirley (head knock)
PA: Wilson (hamstring)
Reports None
Venue AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, SA
Attendance 50,521
Umpires Michael Vozzo, Brett Allen, Scott McLaren

Second Semi Final

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(3) Sydney 2.2 2.6 3.12 7.14 7.14 (56)
(6) Geelong 2.6 5.8 6.11 7.11 7.11 (53)
Sydney won by 3 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats Syd Geel
Kicks 155 177
Marks 50 79
Handballs 111 93
Tackles 66 83
Hitouts 66 22
Frees 16 17
Date Friday, 9 September 2005 8PM AEST
Goals (Syd) 4: N Davis
2: M O'Loughlin
1: R O'Keefe
Goals (Geel) 2: S Johnson
1: C Gardiner, J Kelly, H Playfair,
J Rooke, D Johnson
Best Syd: Davis, Crouch, Kirk, Buchanan, Bolton
Geel: Kelly, Scarlett, Johnson, Ling, Corey, Sanderson
Injuries Syd: Williams (thigh)
Geel: King (hamstring)
Reports None
Venue Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, NSW
Attendance 39,079
Umpires Stuart Wenn, Shaun Ryan, Darren Goldspink

A thrilling victory for Sydney, and a heartbreaking loss for Geelong. The game seemed decided, with Geelong ahead by 23 points early in the final quarter - Sydney needed four goals to win, and had kicked only three for the night. But the Swans did come back, with Nick Davis kicking all four of the final quarter goals, including the game-winner with less than ten seconds remaining.

Week Three

First Preliminary Final

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(4) St Kilda 3.1 5.5 9.7 9.11 9.11 (65)
(3) Sydney 5.1 6.3 8.6 15.6 15.6 (96)
Sydney won by 31 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats StK Syd
Kicks 157 196
Marks 65 91
Handballs 98 76
Tackles 64 73
Hitouts 42 37
Frees 19 11
Date Friday, 16 September 2005 8PM AEST
Goals (StK) 4: F Gehrig
2: N Riewoldt
1: L Montagna, N Dal Santo, L Hayes
Goals (Syd) 4: B Hall
3: A Schneider
2: M O'Loughlin, P Williams, R O'Keefe
1: N Davis, A Buchanan
Best StK: Dal Santo, Harvey, Hudghton, Jones
Gehrig, Baker, Montagna
Syd: O'Keefe, Hall, C. Bolton, J. Bolton,
Schneider, Kennelly, Ablett, Crouch,
Injuries None
Reports Syd: Hall for striking Maguire
Venue Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, VIC
Attendance 73,344
Metropolitan Free To Air TV audience 1.811 million
Umpires Michael Vozzo, Scott McLaren, Darren Goldspink

Sydney opened the game strongly, but once St. Kilda righted their effort they took the lead and steadily built upon it. With the Saints on the verge of putting the game out of reach they were unable to match Sydney's endurance. In the final quarter the Swans blew the game out of reach by kicking seven un-answered goals.

Second Preliminary Final

Scorecard

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(2) West Coast 2.2 6.5 11.8 14.9 14.9 (93)
(1) Adelaide 2.2 5.4 6.6 11.11 11.11 (77)
West Coast won by 16 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Team Stats WCE Ade
Kicks 204 184
Marks 91 82
Handballs 142 127
Tackles 52 50
Hitouts 36 31
Frees 15 8
Date Saturday, 17 September 2005 1PM AWST
Goals (WCE) 3: A Hansen, D Chick
2: A Embley
1: M Gardiner, A Sampi, B Cousins,
A Selwood, A Hunter, M Seaby
Goals (Ade) 3: K McGregor
2: T Hentschel, S Welsh
1: T Edwards, B Burton, I Perrie, S Goodwin
Best WCE: Kerr, Hunter, Wirrpunda, Embley,
Judd, Chick, Selwood, Stenglein
Ade: Edwards, Goodwin, Clarke, Burton,
McGregor, Perrie
Injuries WCE: Braun (leg)
Ade: Johncock (calf)
Reports None
Venue Subiaco Oval, Perth, WA
Attendance 43,009
Metropolitan Free To Air TV audience 1.490 million
Umpires Stephen McBurney, Brett Allen, Shaun Ryan

Grand final

Main article: 2005 AFL Grand Final
Team 1 2 3 4 Total
(3) Sydney 3.0 6.3 6.5 8.10 8.10 (58)
(2) West Coast 2.4 2.7 5.9 7.12 7.12 (54)
Sydney won by 4 G.B G.B G.B G.B Final
Wikinews has related news: Sydney Swans win AFL premiership after 72 years in classic match
Date Saturday, 24 September 2005, 2:35pm AEST
Coin Toss Winner Sydney
Goals (Syd) 2: B Hall
1: D Jolly, A Schneider, M O'Loughlin,
T Kennelly, A Goodes, A Buchanan
Goals (WCE) 2: A Hunter
1: M Nicoski, D Cox, A Embley,
A Hansen, B Cousins
Best Syd: Roberts-Thomson, Goodes, Buchanan,
Kennelly, Fosdike, Kirk
WCE: Judd, Wirrpunda, Cousins,
Cox, Fletcher
Norm Smith Medal C Judd (WCE)
Injuries Syd: Ball (cut head), C Bolton (nose), Crouch (ankle)
WCE: Kerr (ankle), Gardiner (cut head)
Reports None
Venue Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, VIC
Attendance 91,898
Umpires Scott McLaren, Brett Allen, Darren Goldspink
Metropolitan Free To Air TV audience 3.386 million

External links

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