Starved of success for so long, Shannon Byrnes was unaware just how determined the Geelong Football Club and its supporters were to break their premiership drought, when he arrived at the club in 2002. 

That drought extended to the 2007 AFL season, 44 years on from their last triumph in the 1963 VFL season with Bob Davis (Coach) and Fred Wooller (Captain) leading the charge. 

Byrnes was then part of that famous Geelong team that reached the Holy Grail of football in '07, trouncing Port Adelaide by 119 points on the last Saturday in September. 

It was a special and iconic moment that the club had been building towards for a long time, Byrnes noting how the 2006 NAB Cup win in particular showed how important the Cats were to the Geelong community. 

32:39

To The Final Bell Round 4 | Shannon Byrnes Chats Cats History With Ford

Shannon Byrnes joins the panel to chat through some historical moments and the influence Ford has had on the club as we look to celebrate 100 years of partnership. Proudly Presented by GMHBA.

"Coming to the club, you didn't realise how big that drought was and how big the want was for success in the town," Byrnes said. 

"It was really made clear to me how much this town wanted some silverware in 2006, when we won the NAB Cup which was a big deal back then. We beat Adelaide over in Adelaide, it was unexpected and I think the home crowd believed it was a foregone conclusion that they were going to win that one.

"When we came back, the town had gone mad.

"GMHBA Stadium was full of people, we celebrated accordingly but that made it clear to me how much this town wanted a premiership."

00:00

10 Years on: 2007 Grand Final

Watch the highlights from the 2007 Grand Final with the Cats taking on the Power

Byrnes left a lasting impression at the Geelong Football Club during his playing career, but his impact extended even further when he returned in an off-field role, currently the Cats player development manager and runner. 

Growing up, Byrnes admitted on the podcast that he was a Collingwood supporter, but developed a love for Geelong when he watched Gary Ablett Senior work his magic in the Cats forward line. 

In a full circle moment, the Cats premiership player would go on to play alongside his son, Gary Ablett Junior for a number of years during his career. 

Cam Guthrie, Shannon Byrnes, James Kelly and James Podsiadly.

"The Cats were a close second team because I have a lot of family that live in Geelong, but I was a Collingwood supporter," Byrnes admitted.

"Dad worked at the AFL and I used to get some tickets to the Finals as a kid, it didn't matter what team you supported, Gary Ablett Senior was one who always captured the hearts and imaginations.

"I used to go to those Finals, Dad and I would be in awe staring at [Ablett] Senior at full forward and waiting for him to do something magical.

"I had a really strong attachment to Geelong, based mainly off what he was able to do on a footy ground but it worked out well that I ended up getting drafted here and playing with his son."

The Geelong Football Club and Ford will celebrate their 100 year partnership this weekend, when the Cats take on Melbourne on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.  

As part of the celebrations, Geelong will have a number of exciting activations including a Ford premiership motorcade, a fan photo opportunity, while the VFL Cats will also be in action as a curtain raiser at GMHBA Stadium. 

Tickets are still available for Geelong's Friday night clash with Melbourne, secure your seat via Ticketmaster.