GEELONG has ended a 44-year-old drought to clinch its first premiership since 1963, annihilating Port Adelaide by 119 points in the Toyota AFL Grand Final at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats were simply devastating as they destroyed the Power by a record Grand Final margin ever, eclipsing the former record of 96 points held by Hawthorn for their defeat of Melbourne in 1988.

Geelong showed why it was crowned minor premiers with three rounds to go, why it was able to amass a 15-game winning streak mid-season, and why both the Brownlow medallist and the NAB AFL Rising Star came from its stable.

With the team orientated, flowing style that made them the all-conquering side they've been this year, the Cats outplayed the Power and kept the interstate visitors to a mere six goals for the game – only two of which were scored after half time.

To top off the afternoon – and to add to the number of accolades the Cats have already snared this year – forward Steve Johnson was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground.

Johnson becomes the club's second-ever Norm Smith medallist, with Gary Ablett Sr picking up the only other one back in 1989.

The year started in troubled fashion for the talented forward with a six-match intra-club suspension, but a change in attitude and lifestyle has seen Johnson become the hugely impressive player he was on Saturday.

He kicked four goals, had a hand in many others, and was the Cats' most exciting attacking option with his uncanny ability to find the goals – whatever the situation.

It was a match that was won in the first half, with the Cats shrugging off the physical pressure the Power applied to answer strongly on the scoreboard. With 11 goals to four on the board at the first change, the Cats cruised to their final winning margin of 24.19 (163) to 6.8 (44).

The Power may have done all the talking during the week, but the Cats let their football speak on the biggest stage of all.

Paul Chapman was electric in the first quarter and was involved in three of the Cats’ goals without kicking one himself. He ended the day with four goals, 21 possessions, and took a spectacular mark over Warren Tredrea in the third term.

Matthew Scarlett was terrific on Tredrea, and provided the Cats with run from defence – even sneaking forward on occasion for a shot on goal. The All-Australian defender ended with 29 disposals to equal Corey Enright as the side's highest possession getter.

Gary Ablett showed glimpses of his brilliance during his rematch with Dominic Cassisi, while Cameron Ling (25 touches) did well against Shaun Burgoyne. Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel had a good battle with Kane Cornes, and they both enjoyed plenty of the ball although Bartel's afternoon was undoubtedly sweeter.

Mathew Stokes was brave to return to the field at the end of the first term after going off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, and the little forward who thrives on the big stage continued to contribute despite his jarred joint.

The ruck selection was a hot topic during the week, but Mark Thompson's decision to play Brad Ottens in tandem with Steven King paid off.

While Brendon Lade spent long periods on the bench and Dean Brogan appeared hampered by an ankle injury, the Cats pair was on top and winning the hit-outs from the word go.

Ottens had 15 possessions and booted one goal while King had 14 touches, but their combined tally of 33 hit-outs to Port Adelaide's 31 was what made them stand out as the right pairing for the task.

The sting of the match was gone after half time and it turned into a complete procession for the Cats. They lined up to kick goals and the responsibility was shared around, with 11 individual goal-kickers dominating Port's defence.

Geelong supporters began to chant as the match wore down, and players were seen celebrating when the ball was in the rival half. The coaches gathered on the boundary as the realisation sunk in, and the post-siren jubilation was clear as the MCG became a sea of blue and white.

Put simply, the Cats were the best team for the year – and played like it when it mattered most. And it's fair to say now, the lid is right off.

GEELONG: 5.7, 11.13, 18.17, 24.19 (163)

PORT ADELAIDE: 2.2, 4.3, 5.5, 6.8 (44)

Goals: Geelong: Mooney 5, Chapman 4, S. Johnson 4, N. Ablett 3, Bartel 2, G. Ablett, Rooke, Byrnes, Ottens, Ling, Mackie. Port Adelaide: Tredrea 2, S. Burgoyne 2, C. Cornes, Logan.

Best: Geelong: S. Johnson, Chapman, Scarlett, Enright, Bartel, Ling, G. Ablett, Ottens, Milburn, Mooney. Port Adelaide: P. Burgoyne, C. Cornes, Thurstans, K. Cornes, Chaplin.

Umpires: McBurney, McLaren, McInerney

Official crowd: 97,302 at the MCG