In the closest bloody final yet, West Coast Eagles have taken out the 2018 AFL Grand Final against Collingwood Magpies 11.13 (79) to 11.8 (74) in front of more than 100,000 footy heads at the MCG.
Five points, FIVE. WHAT A GODDAMN BATTLE.
You gotta really bloody feel for the Pies though, they were in front from the get go after a spectacular start with Travis Varcoe claiming the opening goal.
In a single minute, 19-year-old Jaidyn Stephenson kicked two goals.
JAIDYN STEPHENSON KICKS TWO IN A MINUTE! #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/Ch6G13kTu7
— AFL (@AFL) September 29, 2018
By the end of the first quarter the Pies were up by 17 points – 2.2 (14) to 5.1 (31).
The Eagles fought hard in Q2 and a couple of goals late in the quarter from Mark Hutchings and vice-cap Luke Shuey closed the gap.
The Pies led by 12 points – 4.3 (27) to 6.3 (39).
HT: @CollingwoodFC 6.3 (39) lead @WestCoastEagles 4.3 (27).
Luke Shuey has had 17 disposals and a cracking goal. #AFLGF pic.twitter.com/nyAt5J4sVy
— AFL (@AFL) September 29, 2018
It was goal for goal in Q3 spurred by Mason ‘USA, USA, USA’ Cox landing his first goal early on followed by Jamie Cripps for the Eagles, followed by another from Taylor Adams for the black and white army.
But, with just a few minutes left in the third quarter the Eagles found themselves ahead for the first time in the final thanks to Elliot Yeo but it was close, real close with the Eagles just ahead by 2 points – 52-54.
At 3QT the score was completely leveled with the Pies at 8.7 (55) and the Eagles at 8.7 (55).
Less than a goddamn minute into the final quarter and it was all happening.
Three goals in the first 90 seconds of this quarter.
WHAT IS GOING ON#AFLGF
— AFL (@AFL) September 29, 2018
Honestly the tweets say it all, you can just feel how STRESSED the social media person for the Pies was feeling.
Kennedy marks + goals out of the middle. It’s 73-68 after eight minutes. For goodness sake, this is just… #FOREVER
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 29, 2018
Ryan kicks. It hits the post. JUST. Oh my… #FOREVER It’s 73-69.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 29, 2018
Masten hooks the kick. He misses. It’s 73-72. Farrrrr outtttt #FOREVER
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 29, 2018
It’s a one point game in the Grand Final. One point #FOREVER
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 29, 2018
Mood. #FOREVER pic.twitter.com/p1UjC5PmXH
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 29, 2018
At this point there were six fucking minutes left and then it happened.
The Eagles CAME BACK and you could literally see the light leave the eyes of every Pies supporter in the ‘G.
DOM SHEED PUT THE EAGLES IN FRONT!#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/uhTTxmV6eT
— AFL (@AFL) September 29, 2018
Christ, I’m sweating hard.
A mighty congratulations to both teams for one hell of an epic AFL Grand Final.
