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“Abysmal”: Why Sheahan wasn’t a fan of the 2025 Grand Final
SEN • October 8th, 2025 9:24 pm
Legendary footy journalist Mike Sheahan wasn’t a fan of the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
Sheahan, who attended the game, described the first half of the clash as ‘abysmal’ despite scores being level 5.6 (36) to 5.6 (36) at the main break.
While some loved how tight the opening two quarters were before the Lions kicked away, Sheahan saw things differently as he didn’t enjoy the arm wrestle out on the MCG.
A fan of exciting footy, Sheahan did enjoy the highlights of the second half more, but by late in the game, Brisbane had blown Geelong out to win by 47 points.
He discussed why he wasn’t thrilled with this year’s decider with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast.
Lyon: “How did you go with the Grand Final, did you love it?”
Sheahan: “No.”
Lyon: “Why not?”
Sheahan: “I thought the first half was abysmal. You asked me a question about the Grand Final.”
Lyon: “What was abysmal about it? The fact that it was low scoring and it was an arm wrestle?”
Sheahan: “We don't go to the football to watch tackles and ball ups.
Lyon: “Well, you do if it sets you up for what they did in the second half.”
Sheahan: “There's no guarantee about that. People at half-time came up and said, ‘How good’s the game, what a battle’.
“Not for me. I still go to the footy to watch high marks, goals and the highlights.”
Watson: “Did you enjoy it more in the second half when it broke open the way that it did?”
Sheahan: “Yeah, but then the contest element wasn't there.”
Watson: “So, you want high scoring, but you want it tight at the same time.”
Sheahan: “Look, I mean that's ideal. I'm a theatregoer.
Watson: “I get that. So, you weren't thoroughly entertained?”
Sheahan: “No, unless you have an emotional or a financial involvement with one of the teams, you want to be entertained.”
