CATS TAKEN BY SURPRISE BY GIANTS
Ben Jensen 8 June 2013

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY stunned Geelong in this afternoon's match at Škoda Stadium, kicking the first five goals of the match before the Cats eventually shook them off with an eight goal to one final quarter, not dissimilar from the match with Gold Coast the week before. The 59 point win puts the Cats top of the ladder, one win ahead of Hawthorn who have the week off with the bye. Earlier in the day it was announced Harry Taylor had agreed terms with the Cats and will sign up soon for a deal set to take him to the end of his career.

The Giants took three minutes to kick the first goal of the match and just kept on going, they had four by the time the Cats scored a behind at the ten minute mark. The tiny crowd was stunned, most of them wearing blue and white. Steve Johnson and Matthew Stokes kicked Geelong's only goals for the quarter.

GWS weren't going to leave it there by any means, after the Cats kicked the first two of the second quarter going more or less goal for goal with the Cats who held a slender lead at half and three quarter time. In the final quarter the Cats finally swatted away the Giants. It also saw a sickening head clash between Allen Christensen and Steve Johnson. Fortunately both walked off the ground assisted by trainers but if it weren't for the bye next round would be unlikely to play next week.

James Podsiadly enjoyed his return from a knee complaint with five goals, and Jordan Murdoch having his best return in front of goal yet with three. In total the Cats had fifteen goal kickers, the Giants nine, Jeremy Cameron top scoring with four. Mitch Duncan started as sub after having a hot few weeks, coming on late in the third quarter in place of Nathan Vardy who didn't trouble the goal scorers in his second game back from a long term layoff.

Cats coach Chris Scott was fuming pretty much the entire match and afterwards, pointing out that although they're ten wins for just the one loss, it was more good luck than good management having played so poorly at times during most games.

GEELONG 2.3, 10.7, 16.8, 24.13 (157) DEFEATED
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.3, 9.5, 14.8, 15.8 (98)

GOALS
GEELONG: Podsiadly 5, Murdoch 3, Selwood 2, Hawkins 2, Hunt 2, Johnson, Mackie, Bartel, Stokes, Christensen, Corey, West, Duncan, Stringer, Kelly
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY : Cameron 4, Palmer 3, Scully 2, Ward, Reid, Plowman, Treloar, Shiel, Tomlinson

BEST
GEELONG: Podsiadly, Selwood, Johnson
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Treloar, Cameron, Ward

INJURIES
GEELONG: Steve Johnson (concussion), Allen Christensen (concussion)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Matera (left ankle)

SUBS
GEELONG: Mitch Duncan, for Nathan Vardy - late in 3rd quarter
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Lachie Whitfield, for Stephen Coniglio - Three quarter time

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Justin Schmitt (17) Troy Pannell (28) Andrew Mitchell (31) EM: Brendan Hosking (16)
BOUNDARY: Michael Saunders Luke Roberts Robert Taylor Scott Gordon
GOAL: James Savage Dale Puren EM: Sergio Villagra

CROWD: 7,809 at Škoda Stadium

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 81 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 11; GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 6 June 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GWS GIANTS V GEELONG CATS FIVE CHANGES to the Geelong side to face the Kevin Sheedy-led GWS Giants at Škoda Stadium this Saturday afternoon in the first of the 'bye' rounds for this season. Just six games are on this weekend with the Lions, Blues, Hawks, Tigers, Power and the Bulldogs having the week off. Harry Taylor and Mark Blicavs have been rested or 'managed' while Steven Motlop and George Burbury miss with injury. Jordan Schroder has been omitted. Returning are Billie Smedts, Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Murdoch (fresh from the News Corp AGM in Sydney), James Podsiadly from injury while Jesse Stringer returns after nearly a year-long absence.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

NIGHT FOOTBALL COMES TO SIMONDS STADIUM; GEELONG V GOLD COAST
Mark Heenan 3 June 2013

THE ELECTRIC BUZZ of night football came to Geelong for the first time at Simonds Stadium on Saturday June 1 in a historic match for the region. Two years after the Gold Coast and Geelong christened the opening of Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast in what was described as a great advertisement for the AFL in Queensland, the round 10 fixture in 2013 under the bright lights at Simonds Stadium was the hottest ticket in town.

As a spectator and a Gold Coast resident in 2011, the match at Metricon Stadium between both sides will be etched in my memory for some time for pure excitement and compelling football. There are plenty similarities between Geelong and the Gold Coast Suns; The AFL’s two only regional teams in the competition, both teams are based on the confines of the coast, both teams play their home games at their own stand alone venue. FULL STORY

CATS PUSHED BY SUNS IN FIRST MATCH UNDER LIGHTS
Ben Jensen 2 June 2013

GEELONG fans were given an almighty fright last night as the Gary Ablett-led Gold Coast side pushed the Cats for three quarters before the Cats pulled away with a nine goals to one final quarter to win by 52 points. The Cats led by just under three goals early in the second half but five unanswered goals from the Suns including two from Campbell Brown gave them a two goal lead.

Geelong snatched back a one point lead before the Gold Coast leveled the scores just before the three quarter time siren. Jimmy Bartel set the scene for the final term with a crafty snap one minute in, his side booting four in a row. The run was only stopped by one of the better goals seen at this ground yet, Ablett gathering the ball just in front of our vantage point right on the boundary facing the ground, and off literally no steps booted the ball to his left with perfect accuracy, the crowd mostly applauding the efforts.

Nathan Vardy's comeback game was great to watch his first goal a highlight as the near-2m tall forward picked the ball up from his bootlaces, evaded one or two tacklers before slamming the goal home confidently from about 30m out with a damp ball. Mitch Duncan was the pick of the best on ground for the Cats by many punters on Twitter, for ours slightly eclipsed by Bartel who unlike most of the season down back spent most of the game up forward. Ablett was certainly the pick of the Suns' players and probably best afield but he was by no means alone, the Suns showing plenty of class and would leave most walking away expecting them to play finals footy within a season or two.

30,082 people packed into the expanded stadium, the largest crowd at the ground and first over 30,000 since the bumper 32,808 against Essendon in 1993. The Cats face the other 'expansion' team Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium next Saturday afternoon in the first of the split rounds for the season with only six matches taking place. Earlier in the day the VFL side had a win over Essendon at Windy Hill, taking their record to six and two giving them second spot on the ladder behind Casey Scorpions.

GEELONG 3.2, 6.6, 9.10, 18.15 (123) DEFEATED
GOLD COAST 3.2, 4.8, 9.10, 10.11 (71)

GOALS
GEELONG: Vardy 4, Bartel 3, Motlop 2, Hawkins 2, Guthrie 2, Blicavs, Burbury, Duncan, J Hunt, West
GOLD COAST: Brown 3, Ablett 2, Lynch, Rischitelli, Harbrow, O'Meara, Russell

BEST
GEELONG: Bartel, Vardy, Duncan, Stokes, Kelly, Taylor, Lonergan
GOLD COAST: Ablett, Thompson, Brown, Prestia, Stanley, O'Meara

INJURIES
GEELONG: No reports
GOLD COAST: Matera (left ankle)

SUBS
GEELONG: Allen Christensen, replaced Mitch Brown in the third quarter
GOLD COAST: Kyal Horseley replaced injured Brandon Matera in the third quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Gary Fila (12) Heath Ryan (14) Shane McInerney (30) EM: Jason Armstrong (26)
BOUNDARY: Tim Morrison Shane Jones Drew Kowalski John Morris
GOAL: David Dixon Stephen Williams EM: Daniel Wilson

CROWD: 30,082 at Simonds Stadium

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 53 points"

VFL ROUND 8

GEELONG 5.7, 9.12, 11.15, 18.17 (125) DEFEATED
ESSENDON 2.4, 5.6, 9.9, 13.10 (88)

GOALS
GEELONG: J. Barham 3, J. Walker 3, R. Condy 2, J. Stringer 2, S. Kersten 2, M. Herbison , J. Bews , A. Banjanin , B. Raidme , B. Smedts , B. Hartman
ESSENDON: C. Dell''Olio 4, T. Colyer 2, J. Daniher 2, M. Bate 2, Z. O''Brien , H. Hunter , N. O''Brien

BEST
GEELONG: M. Corrigan, D. Simpson, B. Smedts, J. Barham, J. Stringer, C. Eardley
ESSENDON: B. Duscher, T. Pears, Z. O''Brien, C. Dell''Olio, K. Hardingham, D. Van Unen

GROUND: Windy Hill, Essendon

AFL 2013 ROUND 10; GEELONG V GOLD COAST; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 30 May 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG CATS V GOLD COAST SUNS THE CATS play their first home game at Geelong under lights this Saturday night. Returning for the occasion is triple-Premiership player James Kelly and promising ruckman/forward Nathan Vardy replacing the rested Jackson Thurlow and injured James Podsiadly. Gary Ablett finally returns home for his first match since turning his back on the Cats at the end of 2010. Gary will lead first gamers Tom Nicholls, Timmy Sumner into action, the 201cm tall Nichols set to start in the ruck with Sumner likely to start on the bench.

It is sure to be an absolutely freezing night so you'd better rug up if you're heading down, and get in early even if you've reserve seats. There remain tickets for sale however, a final release opening up at 9am on Friday via Ticketmaster. General admission tickets will go on sale at 5PM Saturday of he game. Finally Saturday also sees some nostalgia, with the VFL side playing Essendon at Windy Hill at 1PM.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

CATS CRUISE TO EASY VICTORY OVER POWER
Ben Jensen 25 May 2013

GEELONG easily accounted for Port Adelaide by 48 points at AAMI Stadium tonight. Big forwards Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly had a feast kicking six and four goals respectively while Steve Johnson was all but hospitalised with leather poisoning.

GEELONG 7.1, 10.4, 15.6, 18.8 (116) ) DEFEATED
PORT ADELAIDE 0.4, 3.6, 4.10, 9.14 (68)

GOALS
GEELONG: Hawkins 6, Podsiadly 4, Motlop 2, Schroder 2, Johnson, Bartel, Burbury, Thurlow
PORT ADELAIDE: Schulz 3, Thomas 2, Mitchell 2, Redden, Monfries

BEST
GEELONG: Johnson, Hawkins, Bartel, Motlop, Taylor, Stokes, Motlop, Christensen, Podsiadly, Blicavs
PORT ADELAIDE: Boak, Wingard, Schulz, Gray, Monfries

INJURIES
GEELONG: Joel Selwood (elbow), Allen Christensen (knock to head)
PORT ADELAIDE: Nil

SUBS
GEELONG: Josh Hunt, replaced injured Joel Selwood in the fourth quarter
PORT ADELAIDE: Matt Broadbent replaced Andrew Moore in the third quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Craig Fleer (2) Jeff Dalgleish (7) Jacob Mollison (32) EM: Leigh Haussen (42)
BOUNDARY: Mark Hill Matthew Konetschka Chris Bull Jonathan Creasey
GOAL: Steven Axon Daniel Hoskin EM: Mathew Wilson

CROWD: 21,309 at AAMI Stadium

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 43 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 9; PORT ADELAIDE V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 23 May 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery PORT ADELAIDE POWER V GEELONG CATS STEVE JOHNSON returns from a calf injury that kept him out of last Saturday night's match against Collingwood. The Cats have replaced one George with another, Burbury in for Horlin-Smith who misses with general soreness. Also out is Jordan Schroder who goes back to the VFL side. The Power have made four changes after their third loss on the trot last weekend.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

CATS SUFFER FIRST LOSS OF SEASON AT HANDS OF MAGPIES
Ben Jensen 18 May 2013

GEELONG lost to Collingwood at the MCG tonight. That is all.

COLLINGWOOD 5.7, 9.9, 11.10, 15.12 (102) DEFEATED
GEELONG 3.1, 5.7, 13.11, 14.12 (96)

GOALS
COLLINGWOOD: Dwyer 3, Elliott 3, Krakouer 3, Pendlebury 2, Sidebottom, Lynch, Cloke, Seedsman
GEELONG: Hawkins 4, Bartel 2, Christensen 2, Motlop 2, Podsiadly 2, West, Mackie

BEST
COLLINGWOOD: Pendlebury, O'Brien, Cloke, Sidebottom, Elliott, Dwyer
GEELONG: Stokes, Hawkins, Mackie, Motlop, Bartel,Corey, Enright

CHANGES
COLLINGWOOD: Nil
GEELONG: Steve Johnson (calf injury) replaced in selected side by Josh Caddy

INJURIES
COLLINGWOOD: Taylor Hunt (collarbone)
GEELONG: Billie Smedts (ankle)

SUBS
COLLINGWOOD: Ben Kennedy replaced Jarrod Witts at three quarter time
GEELONG: Josh Hunt replaced injured Billie Smedts in the second quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Ray Chamberlain (18) Shane McInerney (30) Jacob Mollison (32) EM:Jordan Bannister (5)
BOUNDARY: Mark Foster Shane Jones John Morris Matthew Tomkins
GOAL: Adam Wojcik Chris Appleton EM: Chelsea Roffey

CROWD: 66,768 at MCG

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 13 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 8; COLLINGWOOD V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 16 May 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES V GEELONG CATS JOSH HUNT is back for Geelong in his first AFL game of the season Saturday night at the MCG, taking the place of injured Taylor Hunt who has a fractured shoulder. Also in for the Cats is veteran Joel Corey, who steps in for the suspended James Kelly. Four changes for the Magpies, Luke Ball returning for his first match in a season from a knee reconstruction. Missing for the Pies are suspended Heath Shaw, injured duo Dale Thomas and Martin Clarke while Caolan Mooney was dropped. In the VFL the two sides face off earlier in the day at Victoria Park.

James Kelly was suspended for two matches for rough conduct against Bomber Brendan Goddard. Youngsters Jordan Schroder and Jackson Thurlow retain their spots in the side. The Pies would have hoped to have Alex Fasolo back this week but his suspension from a VFL match put paid to that. While the Cats are missing Paul Chapman, Travis Varcoe and Taylor Hunt from their best 22 the Pies are faring much worse injury wise with no less than ten players unavailable due to injury.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

GEELONG and Collingwood games are always a cracker, even if one side wins by nearly 100 points. Last season the Wobblers got the better of the Cats. I remember the night well as that week I was getting the only bathroom renovated. Wife and month old baby relocated to Geelong for the week while I toughed it out without a shower - had to use the gym instead. Rocked up (read full match details) just before the bounce to watch with the younger brother who got the train from Geelong, in the knowledge the bloke doing the reno for me, who equally only just made it in time, was there in the Members supporting the unwashed. He wasn't too gleeful about it though, like John Harms on the night, reckons the Pies were just lucky the Cats started off so poorly or they'd have probably gotten done at the death.

2011 was a much better season for the Cats of course, beating the Magpies not twice but THREE times. First up winning by three points in round 8, before absolutely belting the Wobblers by a lazy 96 points on a Saturday night. And who could forget the biggest win of all, the Cats winning their third premiership in three seasons by 38 points in the grand final.

CATS MARCH ON AFTER DEFEATING BOMBERS
Ben Jensen 10 May 2013

GEELONG defeated Essendon by 28 points at Etihad Stadium tonight to remain the only undefeated team in the league after seven rounds. An absolute bumper crowd of 53,014 packed out Etihad Stadium for the occasion, the top of the table clash easily overshadowing the grand final replay between Sydney and Hawthorn.

Steve Johnson was Geelong's best, audaciously using the ball at times in his 36 possessions, among them not one scoring shot. Matthew Stokes was just behind if not arguably ahead of him in one of his best seasons yet, booting three goals. Steve Motlop could or should have kicked about five goals but finished with one, plus 28 odd touches. The Bombers had plenty of contributers and finished with more scoring shots than the Cats, David Zaharakis their best.

Key backmen Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor must be front runners for the All Aussie side by now with another strong display, aided by consummate professionals Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel. Skipper Joel Selwood had under 20 touches but was highly clinical in his use of the pill, and kicked one goal. Mark Blicavs kicked the opening goal of the match, finishing with two, and is really starting to stamp his authority on the game. Certainly he has held his position in the side and may just be ahead of Trent West in the scheme of things who hasn't exactly had a bad season himself.

Jackson Thurlow acquainted himself well as did Jordan Schroder in his second game, booting his first goal. A bad week if your name was Josh, all three emergencies for the Cats in Hunt, Caddy and Walker being named Josh. Another huge match for Geelong next weekend, Collingwood on Saturday night at the MCG in an away fixture.

GEELONG 2.2, 7.7, 13.9, 17.11 (113) DEFEATED
ESSENDON 2.5, 6.9, 7.18, 11.19 (85)

GOALS
GEELONG: Stokes 3, Blicavs 2, Hawkins 2, Lonergan 2, Smedts 2, Motlop, Schroder, Bartel, Christensen, Duncan, Selwood
ESSENDON: Myers 2, Gumbleton 2, Davey, Hocking, Bellchambers, Crameri, Goddard, Hibberd, Hurley

BEST
GEELONG: Stokes, Motlop, Johnson, Duncan, Taylor, Lonergan, Kelly, Enright
ESSENDON: Zaharakis, Watson, Hibberd, Goddard

INJURIES
GEELONG: Taylor Hunt (collarbone)
ESSENDON: Nil

SUBS
GEELONG: Jordan Schroder, replaced injured Taylor Hunt in the first quarter
ESSENDON: Nathan Lovett-Murray replaced Alwyn Davey in the third quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Brett Rosebury (8) Matt Stevic (9) Heath Ryan (14) EM: Tristan Burgess (13)
BOUNDARY: Robert Haala Mark Foster Ian Burrows Gerard Large
GOAL: Adam Wojcik Chris Appleton EM: Michael Hammond

CROWD: 53,014 at Etihad Stadium

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 3 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 7; GEELONG V ESSENDON; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 9 May 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG CATS V ESSENDON BOMBERS ONLY ONE side will remain undefeated, barring a draw anyway, after tomorrow night's top of the table clash between the Cats and the Bombers. The match is all but sold out, even club members such as ourselves having to shell extra just to come in and stand. BIG changes for the Cats, Joel Corey out with a knee injury and Jordan Murdoch omitted, with Jackson Thurlow to make his AFL debut and Jordan Schroder named for his second career game. Incredibly the Bombers have made six changes, four of them unforced. Last season the Cats belted the Bombers by 67 points, little chance of that this time. No confirmation yet from either club if an informal 'Dean Robinson Cup' will be presented after the match.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

CATS TESTED EARLY BUT RUN OUT EASY WINNERS OVER TIGERS
Ben Jensen 4 May 2013

GEELONG started tonight's match off fairly well but found themselves behind at quarter time and trailing by over 20 points in the second quarter before finishing off the quarter strongly to lead the Tigers at half time by five points. The third term saw the Cats kick six goals to three to lead by 30 points at the final break. The final winning margin was 44 points, fitting with Corey Enright playing his 250th game tonight.

Steve Johnson is our pick for BOG in his 200th game, but he was by no means alone with Allen Christensen, Matthew Stokes, Jimmy Bartel not far behind. Enright deserves a special mention, amazingly played his 250th game tonight and didn't let his fans down with a great game down back and late in the final quarter booted an amazing goal from the boundary line 40m out to huge cheers.

GEELONG 3.3, 9.3, 15.7, 20.11 (131) DEFEATED
RICHMOND 4.1, 8.4, 11.7, 13.9 (87)

GOALS
GEELONG: Christensen 3, Bartel 2, Duncan 2, Hawkins 2, Smedts 2, Stokes 2, Blicavs, Enright, Johnson, Murdoch, Selwood, West
RICHMOND: King 4, Riewoldt 3, Martin 2, Ellis, Knights, Grigg, McGuane

BEST
GEELONG: Johnson, Christensen, Stokes, Corey, Duncan, Bartel
RICHMOND: We can't comment

INJURIES
GEELONG: Nil reported
RICHMOND: Ty Vickery (concussion)

SUBS
GEELONG: George Horlin-Smith, replaced Jordan Murdoch in the third quarter
RICHMOND: Matt White replaced injured Ty Vickery in the second quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Chris Donlon (1), Mathew Nicholls (15), Chris Kamolins (19) EM: Heath Ryan (14)
BOUNDARY: Mark Foster, Matthew Tomkins, Gerard Large, Drew Kowalski
GOAL: Chris Appleton, Jason Venkataya EM: Adam Wojcik

CROWD: 55,625 at Melbourne Cricket Ground

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 39 points"

CATS UNDER PRESSURE BUT IN FRONT AT HALF TIME
Ben Jensen 4 May 2013

GEELONG started tonight's match off fairly well but found themselves behind at quarter time and trailing by over 20 points in the second quarter before finishing off the quarter strongly to lead the Tigers at half time by five points. Steve Johnson is our best so far, with Allen Christensen, Matthew Stokes, Jimmy Bartel not far behind.

GEELONG 3.3, 9.3 (57) LEAD
RICHMOND 4.1, 8.4 (52)

GOALS
GEELONG: Bartel 2, Stokes 2, Christensen, Duncan, Murdoch, Smedts, West
RICHMOND: King 2, Martin 2, Riewoldt 2, Ellis, Knights

BEST
GEELONG: Johnson, Christensen, Stokes, Corey, Duncan, Bartel
RICHMOND: We can't comment

GROUND: Melbourne Cricket Ground

VFL SIDE CONTINUES THEIR WINNING RUN
Ben Jensen 4 May 2013

THE VFL CATS continue to dominate, winning their fifth game out of five today against the Werribee Tigers at Simonds Stadium. An entertaining day for fans who got there for the game, starting at 11am, with both Nathan Vardy and George Burbury booting six goals, and Shane Kersten four. Josh Caddy was left out of the AFL side after suffering concussion but bobbed up for two goals.

GEELONG 3.5, 9.10, 13.12 21.14 (140) DEFEATED
WERRIBEE 4.3, 7.7, 10.10, 12.13 (85)

GOALS
GEELONG: N. Vardy 6, G. Burbury 6, S. Kersten 4, J. Caddy 2, D. McFarlane 2, J. Schroder
WERRIBEE: B. Warren 2, S. Clouston 2, R. Castello , T. McGenniss , S. Sherlock , A. Maric , M. Wood , L. Greenwood , J. Gysberts , B. Speight

BEST
GEELONG: G. Burbury, J. Schroder, J. Thurlow, N. Vardy, P. Flanagan, D. Gleeson
WERRIBEE: J. Moore, B. Ross, L. Greenwood, D. Fort, S. Sherlock, T. McGenniss

GROUND: Simonds Stadium, Geelong

AFL 2013 ROUND 6; RICHMOND V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 2 May 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery RICHMOND TIGERS V GEELONG CATS PAUL CHAPMAN AND TOM HAWKINS make welcome returns to the side to face Richmond at the MCG this Saturday night. Out are injured Jared Rivers and Josh Caddy who copped a knee injury and concussion respectively in last Saturday night's win over the Bulldogs. Handy inclusions for the Cats. The Tigers have made three changes, just the one of them forced in little known Brad Helbig. Robbie Nahas and Jake Batchelor were dropped. Returning is Jake 'Pushup' King, Troy Chaplin and Steven Morris.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

CATS TESTED BY BULLDOGS BUT HANG ON
Ben Jensen 27 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG defeated the Western Bulldogs by 21 points at Etihad Stadium after being held goalless in the final term while the Bulldogs kicked three goals. The Cats lead by 46 points at three quarter time and seemed to be cruising to a ten goal win. Harry Taylor added three more for the quarter for a total of five after starting up forward. Steven Motlop three goals while at the other end Liam Jones booted four goals and Jake Stringer three.

Recruits Josh Caddy and Jared Rivers took no further part in the match in the first half, Rivers incurring a knee injury and subbed of for Taylor Hunt, Caddy a more precautionary move after receiving a knock to the head. Skipper Joel Selwood briefly left the field during the third quarter after a whack to the guts by opposite number Matthew Boyd.

GEELONG: 5.5, 10.9, 15.12, 15.15 (107)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.1, 6.3, 10.6, 13.8 (86)

GOALS
GEELONG: Taylor 5, Motlop 3, Selwood 2, Johnson, Christensen, Kelly, Podsiadly, Smedts
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Jones 4, Stringer 3, Cooney 2, Smith 2, Dahlhaus, Roughead

BEST
GEELONG: Taylor, Motlop, Johnson, Selwood, Mackie, Enright, Bartel
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Jones, Morris, Stringer, Minson, Boyd, Cross, Liberatore

CHANGES
GEELONG: Tom Hawkins replaced in selected side by Cameron Guthrie
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Rivers (knee), Caddy (concussion)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Nil

SUBS
GEELONG: Taylor Hunt, replaced injured Jared Rivers at quarter time
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Jackson Macrae replaced Patrick Veszpremi in the third quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Sam Hay (20) Robert Findlay (23) Leigh Fisher (33) EM: Brett Rosebury (8)
BOUNDARY: Michael Marantelli Shane Thiele Chris Roberts Justin Bennison
GOAL: Jason Venkataya Michael Hammond EM: Adam Wojcik

CROWD: 26,153 at Ethiad Stadium, Melbourne Docklands

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 42 points"

BULLDOGS V CATS; THREE QUARTER TIME SCORE
GEELONG lead the Western Bulldogs by 46 at three quarter time. Harry Taylor added three more this quarter for a total of five after starting up forward. Steven Motlop has three goals as does Liam Jones at the other end for the Bulldogs. Recruits Josh Caddy and Jared Rivers have not taken any part in the game since the first half, Rivers incurring a knee injury and subbed of for Taylor Hunt, Caddy a more precautionary move after receiving a knock to the head. Skipper Joel Selwood briefly left the field during the third quarter after a whack to the guts by opposite number Matthew Boyd.

GEELONG: 5.5, 10.9, 15.12 (102)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.1, 6.3, 10.6 (66)

GOALS
GEELONG: Taylor 4, Motlop 3, Selwood 2, Johnson, Christensen, Kelly, Podsiadly, Smedts
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Jones 3, Smith 2, Stringer 2, Dahlhaus, Cooney

BULLDOGS V CATS; HALF TIME SCORE
GEELONG overcome a slow start to lead the Western Bulldogs by thirty points at half time in their clash at Etihad Stadium this evening. Harry Taylor, who started as a forward, leads the goal kicking effort with two, Liam Jones dominating at the other end with three.

GEELONG: 5.5, 10.9 (69)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.1, 6.3 (39)

GOALS
GEELONG: Taylor 2, Motlop 2, Selwood 2, Johnson, Kelly, Podsiadly, Smedts
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Jones 3, Stringer, Dahlhaus, Cooney

AFL 2013 ROUND 5; WESTERN BULLDOGS V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 26 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery WESTERN BULLDOGS V GEELONG CATS JAMES KELLY is set to return for the Cats in tomorrow night's match against the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. Paul Chapman makes way for Kelly with a shoulder injury. The Bulldogs have made three changes, two of them compulsary. In the VFL the Cats play Frankston on S

unday down at Frankston. Nathan Vardy is set to make his long awaited return from a chronic shoulder injury. In other news George Horlin-Smith is the AFL's Rising Star for Round 4, on the back of his performances against Carlton and the Sydney Swans.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

DANIEL MENZEL TO HAVE A FOURTH KNEE RECONSTRUCTION
Ben Jensen 23 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery Geelong has confirmed that Daniel Menzel's knee injury suffered on Saturday in the win over Box Hill in the VFL will require a knee reconstruction. Menzel, 21, has already had three reconstructions, the latest being the radical LARS technique on the left knee in 2012. On the day the club played down the immediate speculation he had suffered a major injury, but by Monday it was clear bad news was on the way.

Menzel first required a knee reconstruction in 2011, suffering an ACL injury on the right knee in the qualifying final win over the Hawks. He then tore the ACL in his left knee in a VFL match last June. Following this second reconstruction the left knee gave away again in training last December, Menzel under advice from club medicos choosing the LARS option.

The club and wider AFL community have rallied around Menzel, the Twittosphere lighting up with messages of support. Menzel himself spoke briefly with waiting media before walking into the clinic and receiving the bad news. "Shattered that I've possibly done the same thing again. When you put in so much work and so much effort, it's hard to believe it could happen again. We'll have the scans to see how we go, but there's not a lot of hope there, so we'll wait and see."

CATS SIMPLY TOO GOOD FOR SWANS AT SCG
Ben Jensen 20 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG put paid to any suggestions they're no good at the SCG last night, which started out as a shoot out with a fifteen goal opening quarter, an arm wrestle in the second, while after half time the Cats blew the Swans away with a seven goal to one third term. The lead blew out to just under 40 points in the final quarter before the Swans pegged a few back when it was all over, the final winning margin 21 points.

If you've nothing else to do, get down to Simonds Stadium to watch Dan Menzel and Josh Hunt continue their comebacks, Menzel from his second knee reconstruction. The Bendigo Bank Cats play the Box Hill Hawks. Hawthorn recruit Brian Lake is set to play for the Box Hill side, overlooked for their match against Fremantle in Launceston today. Alternatively you can watch it on ABC TV today. As reported in the match preview, Geelong's ruckman stocks are that low the hierarchy has recruited Sandy Robinson from down Port Fairy way, the big man formerly playing footy at Newtown & Chilwell. FULL MATCH REPORT

GEELONG: 7.2, 9.4, 16.7, 19.10 (124) DEFEATED
SYDNEY: 8.1, 10.3, 11.3, 16.7 (103)

GOALS
GEELONG: Motlop 3, Hawkins 3, Taylor 2, Chapman 2, Stokes 2, Horlin-Smith, Podsiadly, Smedts, Johnson, Selwood, T Hunt, Christensen
SYDNEY: McVeigh 3, Goodes 2, Bolton 2, Hannebery 2, Malceski 2, Reid, Roberts-Thomson, Pyke, McGlynn, Kennedy

BEST
GEELONG: Selwood, Taylor, Hawkins, Motlop, Corey, T Hunt
SYDNEY: Hannebery, Bolton, Pyke, O'Keefe, Malceski, Goodes

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil SYDNEY: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Nil reports
SYDNEY: Lewis Roberts-Thomson (right knee, likely to miss a few weeks at least)

SUBS
GEELONG: Josh Caddy; replaced Billie Smedts at three quarter time
SYDNEY: Mitch Morton; replaced injured Lewis Roberts-Thomson in second quarter

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Chris Donlon (1) Matt Stevic (9) Shane Stewart (10) EM: Andrew Mitchell (31)
BOUNDARY: Robert Taylor Luke Roberts Michael Saunders Chris Simms
GOAL: Sergio Villagra James Savage EM: Dale Puren

CROWD: 31,060 at SCG, Sydney

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 2 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 4; SYDNEY V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 18 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery SYDNEY SWANS V GEELONG CATS TWO CHANGES for the Cats' side to play the Swans at the SCG tomorrow evening. Jared Rivers and George Horlin-Smith return, Rivers from injury and the Hyphen after a spell in the Twos. The Swans also made two changes, Mitch Morton and Dane Rampe inclusions for omitted pair Craig Bird and Andrejs Everitt. While Jordan Murdoch was dropped for the Cats, Travis Varcoe is out with a shoulder injury likely to see him miss up to three months of footy.

Sydney has had as good a start to a season for a reigning premier as you'd hope for. Opening matches against newbies GWS and Gold Coast then a tester against the Kangaroos in Hobart. An injury list you can count on one hand minus a thumb, and a recruit adding muscle to muscle, Kurt Tippett, to return mid season. Geelong has more trouble injury wise.

It isn't all bad news however, last week the injury list had some fourteen listed; it's dropped to seven this week and two of those should play. Dan Menzel's comeback in the VFL last week met expectations, he may play a full game this week. Unfortunately Josh Walker has suffered another setback, first missing the second ruck spot to Mark Blicavs now he's out with a shoulder injury, though fortunately not as bad as Varcoe's. Josh Hunt continues in the VFL, not yet able to force his way back into the side.

Meanwhile in the VFL the ruckman stocks are that low the hierarchy has recruited Sandy Robinson from down Port Fairy way, the big man formerly playing footy at Newtown & Chilwell. The Bendigo Bank Cats play Box Hill at home on Saturday, to be televised on ABC.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

CATS BEAT BLUES IN YET ANOTHER HEART STOPPER
Ben Jensen 13 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG defeated Carlton by 16 points in front of a bumper 43,241 crowd at Etihad Stadium tonight to go three and nil for the season, with the win and luckless Blues the opposite. In fact new coach Michael Malthouse now has four losses from his past six games as coach - THREE of those coming courtesy of the Cats. The win came at a cost however with Travis Varcoe likely to be out for anyone up to 12 weeks if he has to have surgery on an injured shoulder, suffered in the first quarter. The Blues also lost a key player early, Matthew Kreuzer incurring a suspected broken thumb. The match was interrupted in the final quarter due to a streaker who appeared to be naked, holding up play for a minute or so. He wore a blue and white garment that from our perch couldn't distinguish as a Carlton or Geelong scarf. SCORES

Geelong led at every change but with four minutes to play in the opening quarter trailed four goals to one. Four goals later they led by eight points at quarter time. Carlton again started better in the second quarter but could not sustain it for long, the Cats soon jumping to an 18 point lead. But the Blues weren't giving up, nudging in front after three in a row only for Geelong to go on another four goal streak to lead by 19 at half time.

The buffer hovered around the 20 point mark during the third term before the Cats finished the quarter strongly with three unanswered goals to take the biggest lead of the match, 33 points, into the final break. One more goal would have sealed it, but the Blues were having none of it, booting four unanswered goals, one about every five minutes to cut the lead back to just 11 points. Finally the Cats got back into gear, the steadier and sealer coming from Steven Motlop, coolly receiving the ball just outside fifty before threading it through to pretty much put it beyond doubt.

Not the result Blues fans are looking for but there were some positive signs for those following the bearded team, Dylan Buckley, son of club legend Jim kicking a goal with his first kick in the opening seconds of the second quarter, coming on as sub for Kreuzer. Second gamer Sam Rowe kicked two first half goals, and Brock McLean who copped a lot from Blues fans in 2012 really stood tall.

Taylor Hunt delivered the best game we've seen from him yet, bagging three goals including two in the opener quarter. Geelong's other Taylor, Harry, equally delivered, surprisingly finding himself down forward quite often with two goals himself. Allen Christensen, Matthew Stokes and Steven Motlop were outstanding, the Cats wouldn't have won without their efforts. Tom Hawkins who equal top scored with Hunt on three goals had a decent match, he was double teamed for most of the match but still managed to hold the ball up and more often than not get it out to a teammate.

Andrew Mackie and Steve Johnson pulled up sore after some knocks but according to coach Chris Scott should be all right for next week's match against Sydney at the SCG. Jimmy Bartel, playing down back again with Corey Enright, got a fair bit of the ball and was Mr Clutch when he needed to be. He did find himself mismatched at times on the likes of Shaun Hampson and gave away a few free kicks resulting in shots at goal. For the Blues in addition to our pick McLean it was usual suspects Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd, Andrew Walker and to a lesser extent Marc Murphy who kept them in the match.

GEELONG: 5.5, 12.6, 17.7, 18.11 (119) DEFEATED
CARLTON: 4.3, 9.5, 11.10, 15.13 (103)

GOALS
GEELONG: Hunt 3, Hawkins 3, Christensen 2, Taylor 2, Smedts 2, Motlop 2, Podsiadly, West, Stokes, Selwood
CARLTON: Rowe 2, Yarran 2, Lucas 2, Scotland, McLean, Buckley, Garlett, McLean, Judd, Murphy, Hampson, Armfield

BEST
GEELONG: Taylor, Hunt, Stokes, Motlop, Christensen, Bartel, Hawkins
CARLTON: Walker, Gibbs, Judd, Robinson, Jamison, Rowe, McLean

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil CARLTON: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Travis Varcoe (shoulder)
CARLTON: Matthew Kreuzer (thumb)

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Kenny Dalgleish, Matthew Nicholls, Shane McInerney
BOUNDARY: Mitchell Lefevre, Tim Morrison, Justin Bennison, Matthew Tomkins
GOAL: David Dixon, Luke Walker EM: Matthew Wilson

CROWD: 43,241 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Docklands

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 23 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 3; GEELONG V CARLTON; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 11 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG CATS V CARLTON BLUES STEVE JOHNSON is an inclusion for the Cats this week along with Jordan Murdoch, while James Kelly and Mitchell Brown miss due to injury and omission. Kelly, who only returned last week, will miss with a calf injury. Johnson returns from a suspension and minor surgery while Murdoch has recovered from a hand complaint suffered in the round one win over the Hawks.

Josh Hunt and Dan Menzel have been named in the VFL side to play Williamstown at home on Sunday. Last season the Cats beat the Blues by 12 points on a Friday night at Etihad. They will be hoping to do the same and go to a three-nil opening for the season. The Blues on the other hand have had just that, losing both opening matches, to Richmond in round one and Collingwood last weekend.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

CATS JUST GET OVER KANGAROOS IN ANOTHER NAIL BITER
Ben Jensen 7 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG beat North Melbourne by just four points today with the last kick of the day, after looking as though they had lost it. Down by seven goals at one stage, the Cats fought back hard in the third and fourth quarters, hitting the lead some ten minutes into the final term before the Kangaroos snatched it back 18 minutes in thanks to a controversial 50m penalty. But it was a free kick and 50m penalty for the Cats that gave them the win, Jimmy Bartel earning a free with just 25 seconds left on the clock, the 50m penalty making a certainty of it. Allen Christensen and Tom Hawkins shared goal kicking honours for the Cats with three apiece, while for the Roos Lindsay Thomas was a dead-eye-dick with five, Drew Petrie with four.

FULL MATCH REPORT

GEELONG: 4.0, 6.4, 13.8, 16.16 (112) DEFEATED
NORTH MELBOURNE: 7.1, 12.3, 15.5, 17.6 (108)

GOALS
GEELONG: Christensen 3, Hawkins 3, Chapman 2, Motlop 2, Selwood, Podsiadly, Lonergan, Duncan, Caddy, Bartel
NORTH MELBOURNE: Thomas 5, Petrie 4, Tarrant 2, Bastinac, Mullett, Atley, Anthony, Adams, Wells

BEST
GEELONG: Selwood, Christensen, Enright, Chapman, Kelly
NORTH MELBOURNE: Swallow, Bastinac, Grima, Thomas, Petrie, Ziebell

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil NORTH MELBOURNE: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Nil
NORTH MELBOURNE: Andrew Swallow (left quadricep)

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Matt Stevic, Robert Findlay, Matthew Nichols EM: Jacob Mollison
BOUNDARY: Mitchell Lefevre, Drew 'Killer' Kowalski, Justin Bennison, Christopher Gordon
GOAL: Michael Hammond, Jason Venkataya EM: Chelsea Roffey

CROWD: 34,152 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Docklands

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 27 points"

AFL 2013 ROUND 2; GEELONG V NORTH MELBOURNE; MATCH PREVIEW, FINAL TEAMS
Ben Jensen 5 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG CATS V NORTH MELBOURNE GEELONG PREMIERSHIP DUO James Kelly and Joel Corey return to the side to face North Melbourne on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, along with Mitch Brown. Making way are injured pair Jordan Murdoch and Jared Rivers while George Horlin-Smith has been omitted. MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

The Kangaroos made just one change to last week's side that lost to Collingwood, Scott McMahon a welcome inclusion from injury in the back line, taking the spot of Sam Wright who is out with a knee injury suffered in the loss against Collingwood on Sunday. Majak Daw again misses out on an AFL match, confirmed as an emergency.

Last season the Kangas had the better of the Cats by 17 points in a game the Cats never looked like winning. Geelong outscored North seven goals to four in the final term but it was too late, even with nine goals between James Podsiadly and Tom Hawkins.

Matt Stevic and Matthew Nichols are field umpires again this week after officiating in Monday's win over Hawthorn, Robert Findlay the change from last week. The popular Chelsea Roffey finds herself named as emergency goal umpire this week, but fans should note she is umpiring the Saints-Tigers game tonight.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

ROUND 1 HIGHLIGHTS
4 April 2013

FORMER GEELONG star now Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett features in much of this six minute clip from the Youtube account of 'thewalkindude00'.

GEELONG DEFEATS HAWTHORN AS HAWKIWOBBLES CONTINUE
Ben Jensen 1 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG notched up a tenth win in a row over Hawthorn in front of 76,300 at the MCG, coming from five goals down in the second quarter to win by seven points, coincidentally the exact winning margin we tipped.

FULL MATCH REPORT

GEELONG: 1.5, 5.7, 10.12, 13.15 (93) DEFEATED
HAWTHORN: 4.3, 8.9, 10.10, 12.14 (86)

GOALS
GEELONG: Hawkins 2, Smedts 2, Podsiadly 2, Duncan 2, Chapman, Varcoe, Selwood, Mackie, Christensen
HAWTHORN: Franklin 2, Breust 2, Savage 2, Lewis, Guerra, Hale, Rioli, Smith, Roughead

BEST
GEELONG: Selwood, Chapman, Stokes, Lonergan, Mackie, Taylor, Motlop
HAWTHORN: Mitchell, Sewell, Birchall, Puopolo, Gibson, Schoenmakers

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil
HAWTHORN: Brian Lake replaced in selected side by Max Bailey

INJURIES
GEELONG: Christensen (cut eye), Rivers (right knee), Murdoch (right thumb)
HAWTHORN: Breust (hip), Hill (hamstring)

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Matt Stevic, Shane Stewart, Matthew Nichols EM: Ben Ryan
BOUNDARY: Christopher Gordon, Mitchell Lefevre, John Morris Shane Thiele
GOAL: Luke Walker, Adam Wojcik EM: Jason Venkataya

CROWD: 76,300 at MCG, Melbourne

AFL 2013 ROUND 1; HAWTHORN V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW; FINAL TEAMS
Ben Jensen 1 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS MARK BLICAVS will make his debut for Geelong in their Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn at the MCG. Joining him pulling on a Cats jumper for the first time are Josh Caddy and Jared Rivers from the Gold Coast and Melbourne. For the Hawks former Bulldog Brian Lake has been named as has debutant Jed Anderson. In the VFL yesterday the Cats unfurled the 2012 premiership flag at Torquay and had a win over Williamstown. Joel Corey, named an emergency for this game, played a full game while another emergency for this game, Josh Walker, picked up an injury. MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

Monday sees two great sides continue their rivalry at the MCG, the Cats seeking to win their tenth straight game over the Hawks, who hope to make the most of Lance 'Buddy' Franklin while still at the club. Of the last nine wins by the Cats seven have been less than ten points. The last such match in round 19 last season saw the Cats in front by some 51 points early in the second quarter, the Hawks going on the snatch the lead back, Geelong only winning the match thanks to a Tom Hawkins goal after the siren 52 metres from goal.

Missing for the Cats are suspended triple-premiership duo Steve Johnson and James Kelly, while Josh Hunt is out with injury. Trent West has been named on the bench and is now confirmed to play, Blicavs named as first ruck. Blicavs's is an incredible debut, after spending most of his adult life pursuing an international athletics career. Former Dee Jared Rivers is named in a back pocket, while Gold Coast recruit Josh Caddy is on the bench.

Hawks skipper Luke Hodge is missing as is Michael Osborne, the Hawks naming backman Josh Gibson, recruit Brian Lake and the excitement machine Cyril Rioli. Former Bulldog and former Harris Lake may yet have to wait another week to debut with his new club, being under a cloud with a calf injury, but our word is he'll play. Also new for the Hawks are Jed Anderson from WA club Peel Thunder while former Cat Jonathan Simpkin sits this one out as an emergency.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

VFL CATS OPEN SEASON WITH A WIN
Ben Jensen 1 April 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG V WILLIAMSTOWN VFL Geelong's VFL side unfurled their 2012 premiership flag and had the perfect start to their premiership defence at Torquay yesterday.

GEELONG 1.6.12 5.10.40 9.15.69 12.16 (88) DEFEATED
WILLIAMSTOWN 2.5.17 4.8.32 6.10.46 11.14 (80)

GOALS
GEELONG: J. Schroder 2, B. Raidme 2, J. Hamling 2, J. Hollmer 2, D. Gleeson , J. Thurlow , D. Measures , J. Corey
WILLIAMSTOWN: J. Redpath 2, J. Sherman 2, P. Veszpremi , B. Prismall , L. Williams , C. Nastasi , J. Stringer , M. Austin , W. Wheeler

BEST
GEELONG: M. Brown, J. Corey, A. Banjanin, B. Raidme, J. Schroder, J. Thurlow
WILLIAMSTOWN: W. Wheeler, M. Talia, L. Markovic, B. Jolley, J. MacRae, J. McNamara

CROWD: Unknown at Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay

AFL 2013 ROUND 1; HAWTHORN V GEELONG; MATCH PREVIEW
Ben Jensen 28 March 2013

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS EASTER MONDAY sees two great sides continue their rivalry at the MCG, the Cats seeking to win their tenth straight game over the Hawks, who hope to make the most of Lance 'Buddy' Franklin while still at the club. Of the last nine wins by the Cats seven have been less than ten points. The last such match in round 19 last season saw the Cats in front by some 51 points early in the second quarter, the Hawks going on the snatch the lead back, Geelong only winning the match thanks to a Tom Hawkins goal after the siren 52 metres from goal. MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

Missing for the Cats are suspended triple-premiership duo Steve Johnson and James Kelly, while Josh Hunt is out with injury. Trent West has been named on the bench but is unlikely to play, Josh Walker penciled in to take his place. Mark Blicavs, named as first ruck, is set to make his incredible debut, after spending most of his adult life pursuing an international athletics career. Former Dee Jared Rivers is named in a back pocket, while Gold Coast recruit Josh Caddy is on the bench.

Hawks skipper Luke Hodge is missing as is Michael Osborne, the Hawks naming backman Josh Gibson, recruit Brian Lake and the excitement machine Cyril Rioli. Former Bulldog and former Harris Lake may yet have to wait another week to debut with his new club, being under a cloud with a calf injury. Also new for the Hawks are Jed Anderson from WA club Peel Thunder and former Cat Jonathan Simpkin.

Joining West and Caddy on the seven man bench are Mathew Stokes, Allen Christensen, George Horlin-Smith, Josh Walker and Jesse Stringer.

MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS

2013 TEAM LIST FINALISED
Ben Jensen 13 March 2013

GEELONG'S LIST for 2013 has been finalised with the VFL listed players now being confirmed. Notable departures from last season are retiring premiership duo David Wojinski and Matthew Scarlett, Shannon Byrnes who has gone to Melbourne while Orren Stephenson, Tom Gillies and Simon Hogan also left the club. Seasoned recruits Hamish McIntosh and Jared Rivers will slot in nicely while two season player Josh Caddy joins from the Gold Coast.

Several players have upgraded their numbers including Nathan Vardy, Josh Walker, Ryan Bathie and Mark Biclavs - hopefully not too many fans will have to unpick numbers on guernseys following those moves.

Led by Troy Selwood and Dom Gleeson the Bendigo Bank Cats will be out to defend their VFL premiership with a mixture of old and new. Jonathan Simpkin is the only Rookie listed player from last season to go. VFL only players departing include Ben Johnson, Andrew McLean, Darcy Holden, Casey Tutungi, Jack Shannahan and Tom Williams. Sign-ons are Piers Flanagan, Jai Sheenan, Daniel Measures, Zak Sherman, Ryley Hall, Tom Gribble and Dane McFarlane. LINK - TEAM LIST

CATS BEAT ROOS IN FINAL NAB CUP GAME
Ben Jensen 11 March 2013

GEELONG denied North Melbourne a lucrative spot in the NAB Cup grand final, holding off the Kangaroos by two goals in terribly challenging conditions at Simonds Stadium with a largely unknown list. Playing in 37 degree heat the quarters were shortened and the AFL decided to scrap the trial 80 interchange cap for the match. Paul Chapman was the star for the Cats, dominating the final quarter with three good goals.

This Friday Geelong host Collingwood at home for the first time since the 1990s. Entry is free for all club and AFL members, with general admin setting you back $5.

GEELONG: 0.3.6, 0.8.6, 0.10.8, 0.14.12 (96) DEFEATED
NORTH MELBOURNE: 0.3.2, 0.6.2, 0.10.8, 0.12.12 (84)

GOALS
GEELONG: Hawkins 3, Chapman 3, Motlop 2, Murdoch 2, Walker 2, Selwood, Varcoee
NORTH MELBOURNE: Thomas 3, Petrie, Daw, Adams, Black, Swallow, Bastinac, Harper, Hansen, Ziebell

BEST
GEELONG: Chapman, Kelly, Selwood, Johnson, Hawkins, Murdoch
NORTH MELBOURNE: Swallow, Thomas, Jacobs, Wells, Currie

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Ryan, Harris (That's Ryan AND Harris, not Ryan Harris the ersttwhile Australian cricketer)

CROWD: Unknown at Simonds Stadium, Geelong

CATS THUMPS CROWS
Ben Jensen 2 March 2013

GEELONG made easy work of an Adelaide side today, defeating the Crows by 43 points at Simonds Stadium. Shane Kersten made the most of his time in the middle with three goals - all of the nine pointers, while Billie Smedts, 'Howling Mad' Murdoch, Mitch Duncan and Jimmy Bartel all kicked two.

GEELONG: 2.5.6, 2.9.8, 2.13.11, 2.16.12 (126) DEFEATED
ADELAIDE: 0.2.0, 0.5.4, 0.6.4, 1.8.6 (63)

GOALS
GEELONG: Supergoals: Kersten 3, Smedts 2, Goals: Murdoch 2, Duncan 2, Bartel 2, Mackie, Kelly, Blicavs, Horlin-Smith
ADELAIDE: Supergoals: Kerridge Goals: Dangerfield 3, van Berlo, Douglas, Porplyzia, Douglas, Martin

BEST
GEELONG: Bartel, Taylor, Kelly, Smedts, Podsiadly, Rivers
ADELAIDE: Dangerfield, Douglas, van Berlo

UMPIRES: Foot, McInerney, Bowen

CROWD: Unknown at Simonds Stadium, Geelong

SIMPSON ON LONG TERM INJURY LIST
Ben Jensen 24 February 2013

TOWERING RUCKMAN Dawson Simpson has had a back injury flare up again, the disc in his lower back to keep him out for at least the first eight rounds of the season. The Cats reacted accordingly, adding him to the long term injury list, allowing them up upgrade a Rookie-listed player if desired.

NAB CUP OPENER COSTLY FOR CATS
Ben Jensen 18 February 2013

UPDATED 20/2/13 GEELONG won one and lost another half-match in the opening week of the NAB Cup but it came at a cost with Steve Johnson to miss the season proper opener against Hawthorn after being pleading guilty for striking Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne. The Cats trailed for most of their first game against the Eagles, winning courtesy of a clever supergoal from skipper Joel Selwood, and lost to the Dockers in the second by three goals. West Coast then smashed Fremantle in the third game, with each side having one win for the day.

The Cats will also lose Mathew Stokes for a short while though he should be back by round one, the dual Premiership player limping off with an ankle injury in the first match. The confusing format of the NAB Cup sees Geelong remain in the comp, with full-length matches against the Adelaide Crows and North Melbourne coming up at Simonds Stadium on March 2 and 9.

GAME 1

GEELONG: 0.2.0, 1.6.4 (49) DEFEATED
WEST COAST: 0.3.0, 1.6.2 (47)

GOALS
GEELONG: Super: Selwood; 'Normal': Podsiadly 2, Caddy, Stokes, Walker, Varcoe
WEST COAST: Super: Dalziell; 'Normal': Darling 3, LeCras, Hams, McInnes

BEST
GEELONG: Horlin-Smith, Christensen, Selwood, Podsiadly
WEST COAST: Masten, Darling, Shuey, Sinclair

GAME 2

FREMANTLE: 0.4.2, 0.7.6 (48) DEFEATED
GEELONG: 0.2.4, 0.4.6 (30)

GOALS
FREMANTLE: Walters 2, C. Pearce, Crozier, Mayne, Silvagni, Mzungu
GEELONG: Selwood 2, Brown 2

BEST
FREMANTLE: Barlow, Walters, C. Pearce
GEELONG: Selwood, Brown, Duncan

UMPIRES: 'Kenny' Dalgleish, Stewart, Talbot

CROWD: 21,935 at Patersons Stadium (Subiaco, Perth)

BEST LATE CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER - THE FOOTY ALMANAC
Ben Jensen January 2013

The Footy Almanac is a game by game account of every AFL match of the season. Over 100 writers tell the story of their day at the footy. They are passionate fans. The result is a wonderful collection of footy writing: funny, insightful, one-eyed. We didn't get around to writing for the Almanac this year, but hopefully we will in 2013 as it's likely to be another Geelong Premiership being an odd year and all that.

CATS STAY OUT OF PRE SEASON AND ROOKIE DRAFTS; STEPHENSON HEADS FOR RICHMOND
Ben Jensen 11 December 2012

GEELONG stayed out of both the Pre Season and Rookie drafts today, with the only notable news being Orren Stephenson found himself another home at Richmond, again as a Rookie.

DECEMBER
Ben Jensen 2 December 2012

AS THE CATS have gone about rebuilding the club via some crafty free agent signings during the off season we've been having a well earned break, or more accurately focusing on the day job. With a bit of luck we'll have written up a few summaries of the comings and goings at the club before too long. Good news is Brian Cook will be at the club in 2013 after rejecting overtures from the Kangaroos, and that Gary Ablett apparently has left open the possibility of a return home should the Suns not make finals by 2015.

DECEMBER
Ben Jensen 2 December 2012

AS THE CATS have gone about rebuilding the club via some crafty free agent signings during the off season we've been having a well earned break, or more accurately focusing on the day job. With a bit of luck we'll have written up a few summaries of the comings and goings at the club before too long. Good news is Brian Cook will be at the club in 2013 after rejecting overtures from the Kangaroos, and that Gary Ablett apparently has left open the possibility of a return home should the Suns not make finals by 2015.