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AFL FINALS SERIES 2010, 2ND QUALIFYING
FINAL: GEELONG V ST KILDA, MCG By Ben Jensen (Istanbul, Turkey) GEELONG face a crucial test against St Kilda this Friday night, the winner to advance to a Preliminary Final, the other probably having to face Collingwood in the other Prelim final, should they make it that far. Joel Selwood, Corey Enright and Josh Hunt have been rushed back into the side while a fourth Premiership player, Shannon Byrnes, remains out of the side as an emergency. As expected, three youngsters Dan Menzel, Taylor Hunt and Simon Hogan made way for the Premiership trio. Top shelf inclusions for the Saints also, Steven Baker, Stephen Milne and Adam Schneider all returning, Baker the most talked about after his much-publicised clash with Geelong's Steve Johnson last time these two sides played. Out for the Saints are Dempster, Armitage and Miles.
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS
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AFL FINALS 2010, 2ND QUALIFYING FINAL GEELONG V ST KILDA FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2010, 19:45 AEST MCG
AFL 2010, ROUND 22 GEELONG V WEST COAST SATURDAY 28 AUGUST 2010, 13:10 AEST SKILLED STADIUM MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS
THE CATTERY IS HEADING HOME - ARE YOU ON OUR ROUTE? (Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Turkey, Dubai, Malaysia) GET IN TOUCH!- blog.benjensen.com
THE CATTERY ON LOCATION NEAR ST CLAUDE (ROUCHFORT), FRANCE - STAGE 7 OF TOUR DE FRANCE. THE RIDERS ARE SET TO BEGIN THEIR FINAL CLIMB HERE AROUND 00:26 AEST AFL 2010, ROUND 15 GEELONG V HAWTHORN SUNDAY 4 JULY 2010, 14:10 AEST MCG GREAT FOOTY WEBSITE - FOOTYALMANAC.COM.AU 2009 FOOTY ALMANAC OUT NOW! FEATURING JOHN HARMS, PAUL DAFFY, THE CATTERY'S BEN JENSEN AND MANY MORE
ALEX POPESCU IN 2007
2009 VICTORY PACK DVD BOX SET 2009 GEELONG HIGHLIGHTS DVD - THE ROAD TO VICTORY
GEELONG SKIPPER TOM HARLEY RETIRES HINKLEY QUITS CATS FOR GOLD COAST CHAPMAN WINS NORM SMITH - VIDEO GRAND FINAL DVD
PAUL CHAPMAN NORM SMITH MEDALLIST GRAND FINAL PARADE INCLUDING PHOTOS GREAT NEW WEBSITE - FOOTYALMANAC.COM.AU
BROWNLOW MEDALLIST GARY ABLETT GETS ACQUAINTED WITH HIS PRIZE
1963 PREMIERSHIP COACH AND GEELONG LEGEND BOB DAVIS ENJOYS THE 150th YEAR ANNIVERSARY BALL ON SATURDAY NIGHT
DARREN 'DASHER' MILBURN NOTCHES UP 250 GAMES THIS WEEK
GEELONG'S 150 YEAR ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE JUMPER TWITTER FEED http://twitter.com/thecattery NEW GEELONG BLOG - http://the-cattery.blogspot.com
GEELONG COACH MARK THOMPSON HAS WORDS WITH SHANNON BYRNES AT HALF-TIME BREAKING NEWS - AFL GIVES GO AHEAD FOR LIVE WEBCAST FOR UK / IRELAND FANS AFFECTED BY SETANTA COLLAPSE
TRAVIS VARCOE CELEBRATES WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE WINNING GOAL AGAINST THE BULLDOGS
THE FOOTY ALMANAC GEELONG NAB CUP GRAND FINAL WIN DVD
THE FOOTY ALMANAC GREAT NEW WEBSITE - FOOTYALMANAC.COM.AU
AFL PREMIERS VICTORY PACK - FOUR DVD'S - THREE FINALS PLUS SEASON HIGHLIGHTS NOW ONLY $49.95 + P&H DVD $49.95, PLUS P+H [WAS 99.95] NOT SURE WHY YOU'D WANT IT, BUT IT IS THE PERFECT PRESENT FOR A HAWKS SUPPORTER / BANDWAGONER DVD - $34.95 + P&H - NOW AVAILABLE! TOM LONERGAN (CLICK IMAGE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE OF ZAIDEE'S RAINBOW FOUNDATION)
'BROWNLOW MAN' - SONG BY ANDREW BIGNELL, TO TUNE OF 'WORKING CLASS MAN'
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WEEK ONE AFL FINALS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED;
CATS PLAY SAINTS FRIDAY NIGHT By Ben Jensen (Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey) GEELONG will play St Kilda this Friday night at the MCG at 19:45, in the 'second qualifying final' for a place in the second preliminary final. Although the Cats lost to the Saints last time, Bomber Thompson's boys will be (very) quietly confident of their chances. The Saints were defeated by Adelaide yesterday while the Cats are in a mini-spell of good form, having accounted for West Coast, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs in the past three weeks after the defeat by Collingwood.
2ND QUALIFYING FINAL GEELONG V ST KILDA FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2010, MCG, 19:45
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CATS MAKE THREE LATE CHANGES; ABLETT
GOES BANANAS; CATS WIN EASILY IN COSTA'S LAST HOME GAME AS PRESIDENT By Ben Jensen (Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey) GEELONG made three late changes to the side but still pounded West Coast at Skilled Stadium today. Outgoing President Frank Costa, OAM, made a lap of honour and was very well received, while Gary Ablet Junior, who may also be having his last home game at Kardinia Park, destroyed West Coast in the third term, booting all five goals for the Cats. Geelong didn't have it their own way, wooden spooners West Coast neck and neck with the Cats up until half time, partially thanks to wayward kicking in the first term by Geelong earning them a one point lead. Rested today were Shannon Byrnes, Corey Enright and Joel Selwood, adequately replaced by Dan Menzels, Simon Hogan and Taylor Hunt. GEELONG:
1.7 5.8 10.14 16.16 (112) DEFEATED GOALS BEST REPORTS INJURIES UMPIRES: Farmer, Stewart, Pannell CROWD: 24,099 at Skilled Stadium, Kardinia Park, Geelong |
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AFL ROUND 22 2010: GEELONG V WEST
COAST, SKILLED STADIUM By Ben Jensen (Olympos, Turkey) GEELONG will look to round off the season in style against West Coast at their home ground Skilled Stadium on Saturday. James Podsiadly is a big loss, with a two week suspension, likewise defender Josh Hunt is out with a week with his suspension but will be back for the first week of the finals series. Coming back though are experienced trio Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens and Andrew Mackie, with Tom Lonergan also returning to shore up the backline. Dan Menzel and fellow youngster Taylor Hunt were the two omissions.
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS
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CATS RUN ON TO
VICTORY OVER BLUES BY 42 POINTS GEELONG defeated CARLTON by fourty-two points at Etihad Stadium tonight. At three-quarter time the match remaineds delicately poised, the Cats remaining in front by twenty-five points. Geelong led Carlton by twenty-two points at half-time, though they led by over thirty mid-way through the second quarter. It was just one point in favour of the Cats at quarter time, they got going early to establish a decent lead before the Blues pegged a couple back. Carlton were out of the gates after half time but could only kick one goal at a time; they scored first but the Cats answered back, twice, before scoring consecutive goals to extend their half-time lead. Similarly in the final term, Carlton opened up the goal-scoring but the Cats answered back, this time immediately. Gary Ablett, goalless at half-time, had kicked three crucial goals by the twelve-minute mark to give his side a buffer when it counted. Dan Menzel kicked his third with twenty-four minutes gone, staking his claim to a spot come September. Ablett added his fourth not long after, thanks to a Menzel pass, his fortieth for the season. The Cats deservingly winners by seven goals. GEELONG:
5.3 11.7 14.8 18.13 (121) DEFEATED GOALS BEST |
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AFL ROUND 21 2010: GEELONG V CARLTON,
ETIHAD STADIUM By Ben Jensen (On a bus somewhere in the Western Mediterranean, Turkey) GEELONG have a good test just a fortnight away from the finals with a clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium tonight. Brad Ottens is out with a virus, possibly picked up from the Western Bulldogs last weekend, with the spurned ruckman Mark Blake getting another run in his place. Joel Corey and Harry Taylor both return from injury, with Taylor Hunt and Jeremy Laidler making way respectively. Dan Menzel holds his position in the side after a solid debut.
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CATS COMPREHENSIVELY
THRASH FOURTH PLACED BULLDOGS GEELONG bounced back from last week's defeat to Collingwood, taking their anger out on the poor old Western Bulldogs (fourth on the ladder) by a lazy 101 points. Tom Lonergan was a late withdrawal, and was replaced by Jeremy Laidler who played his first game of the season and second overall, while Dan Menzel made his AFL debut,both aquainting themselves very well. Channel Ten's Tim Lane may have written us off in the first quarter but the Cats came back, absosultely belting the Bulldogs about the park. (To his credit, Lane did not hide away from his remarks, retracting them around half-time). GEELONG:
4.1 14.4 17.6 25.11 (161)) DEFEATED GOALS BEST REPORTS INJURIES UMPIRES: Stevic, Chamberlain, Margetts CROWD: 42,199 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Docklands |
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AFL ROUND 20 2010: WESTERN BULLDOGS
V GEELONG, ETIHAD STADIUM; COREY OUT, MENZEL TO DEBUT By Ben Jensen (Istanbul, Turkey) WESTERN BULLDOGS V GEELONG CATS Dan Menzel will make his AFL debut on Saturday against the Bulldogs after Joel Corey had to pull out injured from the initially selected lineup. Menzel has been named as an emergency for much of the past month and will be jumping out of his skin to play on the big stage after impressing in the VFL so far this season. For his part Corey has a calf injury; he has played just nine games this season and this will be the 2nd or 3rd time he's had to withdraw before the game.
Field Umpires: TBA |
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DAMN IT; COLLINGWOOD
DEFEAT GEELONG, ALL BUT SECURE TOP SPOT Ben Jensen, in Heiligenblut, Austria COLLINGWOOD won the second of what will surely not be the last battle in the war for the AFL Premiership 2010 last night at the MCG. The Cats led narrowly at half time, 9.4 to 8.9, but could manage just three more goals and nine behinds as the Magpies booted six goals three to defeat their only realistic Premiership rivals by twenty-two points. James Podsiadly was a late inclusion, and kicked just the one goal while Travis Cloke went someway towards exorcising his goalkicking demons with two crucial goals. Geelong have another Saturday night game next round, an away fixture against the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
COLLINGWOOD
4.5 8.9 12.15 14.12(107) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES UMPIRES: McInerney, Rosebury, Stevic CROWD: 84,401 at MCG, Melbourne |
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AFL ROUND 19 2010; GEELONG V COLLINGWOOD;
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV DETAILS By Ben Jensen from Ljubljana, Slovenia GEELONG CATS v COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES GEELONG host Collingwood at the MCG this Saturday night in the most anticipated clash since Geelong and St Kilda earlier this season. Jimmy Bartel returns from injury, with Trent West making way. This will leave just the one recognised ruckman in the team, Brad Ottens with Mark Blake still in the VFL. Win, and the Cats will leapfrog the Magpies into top spot just three weeks out from finals. Lose, and not only will Geelong supporters and the rest of the AFL public hear about it for weeks, the Wobblers will all but be assured of top spot and the Dr McClelland Trophy Mark Williams used to bang on about before Port Adelaide gave him the boot.
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CATS DEFEAT SWANS
ON THEIR HOME TURF GEELONG: 5.1 10.1 18.3 20.5 (125) DEFEATED SYDNEY: 3.7 4.12 5.16 9.18 (72) GOALS GEELONG: Johnson 6, Ablett 3, Mooney 3, Ottens, Varcoe, Hunt, Kelly, Byrnes, West, Ling, Mackie SYDNEY: Goodes 3, Bolton 2, Jack, Kennedy, White,
Kirk BEST SYDNEY: Goodes, Mattner, Jack, Mumford, Richards, Kennelly INJURIES: SYDNEY: Nil REPORTS: SYDNEY: Nil |
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AFL ROUND 18 2010: SYDNEY V GEELONG,
ANZ STADIUM By Ben Jensen (Hvar, Crotaia) SYDNEY SWANS V GEELONG CATS
Field Umpires: Vozzo, Kennedy, Findlay |
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CATS SHOW THEIR
CLAWS AGAINST LIONS GEELONG shrugged off last week's disappointment to inflict a ten goal defeat on Brisbane at Skilled Stadium yesterday. Gary Ablett kicked five goals against what may turn out to be his derby rival for next season, while Steve Johnson, back from a broken hand, booted four along with Travis Varcoe. The only other multiple goalkicker on the day was Jonathan Brown for the Lions, with Brendan Fevola kicking just one.
GEELONG:
5.2 10.4 16.8 19.13 (127) DEFEATED GOALS BEST REPORTS INJURIES UMPIRES: Jeff 'Kenny' Dalgleish, Hayden Kennedy, Shane Stewart CROWD: 24,508 at Skilled Stadium, Geelong |
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AFL ROUND 17 2010: GEELONG V BRISBANE
LIONS, SKILLED STADIUM By Ben Jensen (Bovec, Slovenija) GEELONG CATS v BRISBANE LIONS GEELONG welcome back seasoned Premiership duo Darren Milburn and Steve Johnson for their home game against Brisbane this Saturday afternoon at Skilled Stadium after their surprise loss to Adelaide last Friday night. Out of the side are Shannon Byrnes, rested, and Simon Hogan who makes way for Milburn.
Field Umpires: TBA |
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CATS GO DOWN
TO CROWS; CLUB DOCTOR GEOFF ALLEN IN FIGHT FOR LIFE GEELONG were defeated by 11 points at AAMI Stadium last night but it was the off-field dramas during the warmup that took precedence for many back in Geelong. Doctor Geoff Allen suffered a heart attack and after being worked on for a reported fifteen minutes on the ground he was rushed to hospital. The latest word is he should pull through but it was quite a shock for the team, who as you'd expect were quite anxious and upset. The Cats led at the first two changes but trailed by 11 points at three-quarter time, which was the final winning margin for the Crows. Next Saturday afternoon Geelong host Brisbane in a game to be telecast live on Fox Sports.
ADELAIDE 2.3
4.3 8.8 11.8 (74) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES UMPIRES: Wenn, Pannell, McInerney CROWD: 41,195 at AAMI Stadium, Adelaide |
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AFL ROUND 16 2010: ADELAIDE V GEELONG,
AAMI STADIUM By Ben Jensen (Lucerne, Switzerland) ADELAIDE CROWS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG play Adelaide at AAMI Stadium tonight, welcoming back Joel Corey and Cameron Mooney from injury and suspension. Corey has missed most of the season and made his comeback against North Melbourne but missed last week's win over Hawthorn with knee soreness. Cameron Mooney of course was suspended. For the Crows Andrew McLeod, who we assumed was retired, returns along with David Mackay.
Field Umpires: Wenn, Pannell, McInerney (only one change from last week) |
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CATS COME FROM
BEHIND AND HOLD ON AGAINST HAWKS GEELONG just held on against auld enemy Hawthorn at the MCG today, delighting this author and caravan who are awaiting to arrival of Cadel Evans and friends just outside St Claude, on Stage 7 of the Tour de France. From the reports we had texted in, the Cats struggled but just kept pace, and in the final quarter snatched the lead and led by 9 points with minutes to go. Hawthorn's dependable Brad Sewell gave us a scare as he reduced the margin to just three points but the Hawks' final shot of the game by Clinton Young only produced a behind, and the Cats hung on. Watch out for a Geelong jumper and Aussie/Scottish flags around 00:26 (Victorian time) tonight, and let us know if you see us. thecattery @ keldar.net (remove the spaces).
GEELONG:
3.3, 5.6, 8.8, 12.13 (85) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES UMPIRES: Chamberlain, 'Billy' Pannell, McInerney CROWD: 69,220 at MCG, Melbourne |
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AFL ROUND 15 2010: GEELONG V HAWTHORN By Ben Jensen (From a tent in Germany near the border with Switzerland) GEELONG CATS V HAWTHORN HAWKS GEELONG has made three changes for their clash with Hawthorn at the MCG this Saturday afternoon, while the Hawks have made two changes. The Cats' changes are all to bring back first choice players, while the Hawks lost Sam Mitchell to a broken hand and dropped Beau Muston. Skipper Cameron Ling leads the returnees for Geelong, with Harry Taylor and Brad Ottens also making very welcomed returns. Geelong of course beat Hawthorn by 9 points on Easter Monday, on a day for big forwards with Cameron Mooney and Jarryd Roughead each kicking four goals. Link: LAST MATCH REVIEW
Field Umpires:Chamberlain, Pannell, McInerney |
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CATS DO BUSINESS
AGAINST KANGAROOS, HOLD TOP SPOT GEELONG CATS V NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS GEELONG shrugged off last week's disappointment against St Kilda to defeat North Melbourne by 35 points in front of more than twenty-five thousand at Skilled Stadium today. For the Roos the match was marred by a broken leg to young Kangaroo Todd Ziebell. The man known variously as the J-Pod and Podfather continued his love affair with the ground, booting five goals in the absence of Cameron Mooney and Tom Hawkins. Mitch Duncan and Shannon Byrnes booted two goals apiece while the the Kangaroos Lauchlan Hansen kicked four.
GEELONG:
5.3 8.4 12.9 14.14 (98) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES UMPIRES: Donlon, Sully, Wenn CROWD: 25,159 at Skilled Stadium, Geelong REPORTS: Nil |
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AFL ROUND 14 2010: GEELONG V NORTH
MELBOURNE; CATS RING IN THE CHANGES By Ben Jensen GEELONG CATS V NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS GEELONG have made four changes for Sunday afternoon's clash with North Melbourne at Skilled Stadium. The Cats were forced to make three changes due to the suspended Steve Johnson and Cameron Mooney, and injured Harry Taylor, all key players. Ryan Gamble was dropped. Coming back are three dual-premiership players Paul Chapman, Joel Corey, James Kelly, and new boy Mitch Duncan. Corey's return from long-term injury will be much welcomed, but the Kangas will be tough opponents on Sunday, and although not rated by many would be a chance to cause a serious upset.
Field Umpires:Donlon, Sully, Wenn |
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CATS SHUT DOWN
IN SECOND HALF BY SAINTS; MATCH REVIEW PANEL WORKS OVERTIME TO CHARGE
STEVEN BAKER FOUR TIMES, STEVE JOHNSON TWICE, MOONEY ONCE ST KILDA SAINTS V GEELONG CATS ST KILDA held Geelong goalless in the second half at the MCG on Friday night, kicking just ten goals but winning by four. The Cats led at half time by sixteen points but incredibly could not score at all in the third term and in the final quarter only managed three behinds, as the Saints booted six unanswered goals. It was feared Jimmy Bartel broke his left arm, but he now feels 'OK' and knowing Bartel, will likely play next week. However, Steve Johnson may have a broken hand and Harry Taylor suffered a lacerated foot, and both remain in doubt. ST KILDA:
2.1, 4.3, 9.6, 10.10 (70) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES UMPIRES: Rosebury, Ryan, Stevic CROWD: 58,208 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne REPORTS: NIL during game; following Match Review Panel: Charges Laid |
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AFL ROUND 13 2010; ST KILDA V GEELONG;
TEAM LISTS By Ben Jensen ST KILDA SAINTS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG have been boosted by the return of full back Matthew Scarlett and key forward Cameron Mooney for Friday night's blockbuster (for St Kilda at least) with the Saints. Channel Seven will show the match live in Melbourne, the game pushed back to 7:50PM to accomodate pre-match rituals from Bruce, Dennis and the likes.
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CATS DOWN BOMBERS ESSENDON BOMBERS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG accounted for Essendon so easily in the end you wouldn't have thought it was fairly even in the first half. While usually a couple goals ahead, the Cats struggled to pull away completely until mid-way through the second term. From that point onwards the Cats weren't tested at all, instead treating their supporters to an avalanche of goals. Travis Varcoe announced himself as a player bordering on the elite, not only amassing 19 quality disposals but booted five goals. The 'J Pod' or 'Pod Father' James Podsiadly likewise booted five while Steve Johnson kicked four.
GEELONG:
6.3, 11.6, 16.11, 23.16 (154) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES:
Cameron Mooney (Geelong, ankle) UMPIRES: Vozzo, Hay, Wenn CROWD: 46,358 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne MATCH STATS: http://livescores.afl.com.au/livestats-10281203.html |
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AFL ROUND 12 2010; ESSENDON V GEELONG;
TEAM LISTS By Ben Jensen ESSENDON BOMBERS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG SKIPPER Cameron Ling returns from injury this week, while spearhead Cameron Mooney misses with an ankle injury. Youngster Dawson Simpson has been omitted, with Trent West making his first side of the year, named at full forward.
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CATS WELL TESTED
BY EAGLES WEST COAST EAGLES V GEELONG CATS GEELONG struggled to overcome West Coast at Subiaco Oval tonight, but after a tense opening five minutes pulled away to win by four goals. Taylor Hunt booted his first goal on debut while Shannon Byrnes kicked a goal in each quarter.
GEELONG:
4.2 8.3 15.8 18.14 (122) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES:
Cameron Mooney (Geelong, ankle) UMPIRES: Chris Donlon, Luke Farmer, Jeff Dalgleish CROWD: TBC at Subiaco Oval, Perth |
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AFL ROUND 11 2010; WEST COAST V GEELONG;
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV DETAILS By Ben Jensen WEST COAST EAGLES V GEELONG CATS TOM HAWKINS misses through injury this week, giving Dawson Simpson his chance. West Coast, third-bottom on the ladder, are on a two-match losing streak and will be hoping against the odds to pull off the second defeat of Geelong in the West this year. Taylor Hunt will make his AFL debut, after skipper Cameron Ling was confirmed as an absentee on Friday afternoon through a shoulder injury. According to Cats coach Mark Thompson Ling will miss just the one match. 'Bomber' might like to swap notes with Arsène Wenger of Arsenal, who like Thompson is fighting a seemingly hopeless battle to hold onto his marquee player Cesc Fabregas, similar to Gary Ablett's situation, but arguably a more hopeless cause.
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GEELONG MAINTAINS
SUPREMECY OVER MELBOURNE GEELONG CATS V MELBOURNE DEMONS GEELONG didn't really impress but did more than enough to see off any threat from Melbourne and to their hold onto top spot, with a fifty-four point victory. James Podsiadly maintained his love affair with the ground still usually known as Kardinia Park, booting five goals with fellow spearhead Tom Hawkins kicking four straight. The Big Hairy Cat, Cameron Mooney, barely troubled the scorers, registering just the one behind while Joel Selwood took care of things in the middle. The win made it twenty consecutive wins at Skilled Stadium for Geelong and eight for the season. After Sunday's games, the Cats are tied on points with the Dockers, but well ahead on percentage (156% to Freo's 128%). Next are Collingwood and St Kilda, each on seven wins, the Bulldogs and Carlton (six wins), while Sydney and Essendon round out the top eight with five wins out of ten games, ahead of Brisbane and Port Adelaide on percentage. Next Saturday night Geelong play West Coast at Subiaco, a game to be screened live on Channel Ten. GEELONG:
5.5, 9.6, 14.8, 18.13 (121) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES:
UMPIRES: Farmer, Jennings, McLaren CROWD: 24,525 at Skilled Stadium, Geelong |
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AFL ROUND 10 2010; GEELONG V MELBOURNE;
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG CATS V MELBOURNE DEMONS MATTHEW SCARLETT is out of Geelong's side to face Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at Skilled Stadium. Not listed in the official Injury List, Scarlett is to miss with a hamstring injury and according to the Cats is unlikely to play again until after the split round (round 13, 25 June). Simon Hogan takes Scarlett's place in the side for his fifth game of the season and fifteenth overall. Meanwhile the Demons have made three changes, Cameron 'the' Bruce the notable inclusion.
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CATS TESTED IN
THIRD TERM, BUT PUT MAGPIES FIRMLY BACK IN THEIR PLACE, REGAIN TOP SPOT COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES V GEELONG CATS GEELONG have smashed any designs Collingwood had of challenging them for immediate supremecy in the AFL, winning by six goals and snatching back top spot on the ladder, to celebrate Cameron Mooney's 200th game. He certainly performed on the big stage, booting three goals. A huge crowd of 88,115 packed into the MCG on a Friday night blockbuster, after pubs surrounding the ground emptied and the masses flocked to the cauldron decked out in their respective colours. At least that’s how I imagine it was, as I sat in my Edinburgh office with the window open on a fine Friday morning, where it was a balmy 20 degrees, which here feels more like a Melbourne 35. Decided to listen to the game via the 3G phone today rather than the work computer, whose bandwidth was limited and to keep off the IT police’s radar.
FINAL SCORE GOALS BEST INJURIES:
UMPIRES: McBurney, Ryan, Pannell CROWD: 88,115 at MCG, Melbourne
Geelong fans felt
aggrieved when Travis Varcoe was denied a mark inside the first minute,
the umpire instead giving a ballup. The Magpies rebounded within seconds,
Dane Swan booting their opener to really bring the house down. Replays
suggested the umpire had it correct. 1/4 TIME GEELONG 1.3 (9) COLLINGWOOD 1.2 (8) Collingwood briefly regained the lead just 46 seconds into the second term through Dayne Beams. It was a long six minutes before Steve Johnson answered back with his first goal. In keeping with the theme of the game it was again a while between drinks, but happily for Cats fans like myself it was Cameron Mooney who broke the deadlock, Shannon Byrnes feeding him 20 metres out, Geelong now leading by eight points after scoring the first consecutive goals for the game. It was about this time one of my colleagues who were captive to the game by now as I had to unplug my headphones and plug the phone into the power, mentioned that this morning on Sky Sports News there was something about Aussie Rules, a bloke with bleached blonde hair and a wee black beard. Oh Aye I said, that’d be Jason Akermanis, who said something about a hypothetical gay footballer. Yes he said, and they had one of the few remaining English FA officials who was asked his opinion. Twenty minutes in, Mooney put in a solid effort to keep the ball in play inches from the boundary line, culminating in a mark to Tom Hawkins 20 metres out directly in front. Hawkins only just snuck the ball home for a goal, but it counts for six points and Geelong now led by 15 points. Byrnes scored his second behind to improve the lead to 16 points. The Cats regretted that when Beams kicked his second, less than a minute from half time, a costly turnover by the Cats, to cut the lead to 10 points. They were really cursing too soon, Beams’ third shattering the Cats’ grip on the game and igniting the wobbler crowd, the kick making its way off his boot a second or so before the half time siren sounded, Geelong’s lead just 5 points now at the main break. 1/2 TIME GEELONG 1.3, 4.7 (31) COLLINGWOOD 1.2, 4.2 (26) Dayne Beams carried right on where he left off just before half time with his FOURTH goal two or so minutes into the third term, snatching back the lead from the Cats by 3 points. By this stage we had the radio commentary off after speaking on the phone to the power & gas company, but after this weren’t in a huge hurry to turn it back on. When the Magpies scored three behinds and then finally a goal to Shane O’Bree in the following four minutes we were definitely not in the mood for it, the Wobblers now up by 10 points. Gary Junior and Cameron Ling did peg the lead back slightly with behinds, but for the next five or so minutes the Cats really battled. The Magpies fortunately could also only manage behinds, three of them, while the Cats’ first real chance all quarter was a slim one, Steve Johnson managing only a behind from an acute angle almost fifty metres from goal, the Magpies’ lead now ten points. Varcoe was the man who stood up for the Cats, breaking the Cats’ goal drought with his first for the day almost 20 minutes in, setup beautifully (apparently) by Paul Chapman who broke a tackle to get off his kick, straight down Varcoe’s throat. The prodigal son, Matthew Stokes, sensationally kicked his first goal off the very next play, a brilliant ‘team goal’ by the Cats, to snatch back the lead (2 points) and bring the Geelong fans back to life in the 21st minute. It wasn’t raining, it was pouring for the Cats. Byrnes surprised everyone, none better than himself, using his right boot to setup Mooney. The crowd chanted ‘MOOONS’ as the Big Hairy Cat booted his second just a minute after Stokes’, the Cats now back in control by 8 points. You wouldn’t believe how the Cats got back in touch so easily; the J-Pod had his first next, 25 minutes in he found himself directly in front but right on the fifty metre line; but it was no worries, the ball ending up well over the fence, the Cats in front by 14 points now. Cameron Ling nearly made it 20 points a minute later but swung it the wrong way. MOONS had his third, and Geelong’s fifth on the trot, just under 30 minutes into the quarter, we could imagine severely PO’ing the hoards of Magpie fans and anyone else who tipped the Wobblers. The Cats led by 21 now, and were desperate to hold onto this lead into three quarter time. They would do just that, and went very close to extending the lead by another goal, alas the J-Pod's shot after the siren was only a behind, the Cats 9.12 66 leading the Magpies 6.8 44. 3/4 TIME GEELONG 1.3, 4.7, 9.12 (66) COLLINGWOOD 1.2, 4.2, 6.8 (32) Collingwood booted three behinds in the opening few minutes, Dayne Beams losing some of his midas touch with one of them. Geelong were lucky Collingwood wobbled when up foward; FIVE behinds to the Maggies while Stokes made them really get teary, his second goal, 11 minutes in, putting the Cats in front by 29 points, surely too much for the Maggies to make up? Geelong rarely added to their score for the remainder of the match but the Magpies also struggled; a behind from Darren Jolly in the 22nd minute was their first score in well over ten minutes and meant they had not scored a goal since the 6th minute mark of the third quarter. The Cats took it easy, not in a hurry to improve on their seven consecutive goals. The leftover lunch, a home-made Mee Gorang with 'prawns' (the British have no idea), tasted all the more sweet with Stokes' third goal, deep into 'junk time', to put the Cats 29 points in front. Just when Colliwobble fans the world over thought it was safe to peek from between the fingers at the TV, David Wojcinski, until this point not mentioned often on the 3AW call, popped up with an opportunistic but nevertheless skillfull goal with just 12 seconds left on the clock. When the siren did sound, the Cats had defeated the Magpies by six goals, or 36 points. Well deserved win. FINAL SCORE GEELONG 1.3, 4.7, 9.12, 12.14 (86) COLLINGWOOD 1.2, 4.2, 6.8, 6.14 (50)
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AFL ROUND 9 2010; COLLINGWOOD V GEELONG;
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV DETAILS By Ben Jensen COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES V GEELONG CATS THE J-POD is back for Geelong's clash with ladder-leaders Collingwood (yes that's right) this Friday at the MCG. The two James', Podsiadly and Kelly, return from injury to add strength to a Cats side pumped for the title challenger Magpies. The Wobblers brought back midfielder Sharrod Wellington in place of forward Jack Anthony, who doesn't have a good record against the Cats. Geelong coach Mark Thompson dismissed talk his side has less motivation than Collingwood; "I think our guys love playing against good teams and Collingwood are a good team and we have had some great contests. So we will do everything we possibly can and I know our boys will be motivated on Friday night to play near to their best football they can." Joel Corey remains absent through injury, while young Mitch Brown likewise remains on the sidelines.
TEAM SHEETS INCLUDING TV/RADIO DETAILS
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ANOTHER BIG WIN
FOR THE CATS, THIS TIME THE LIONS FEEL THE PAIN BRISBANE LIONS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG EASILY accounted for the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday evening, the final winning margin an embarrassing eighty-one points. Steve Johnson kicked six goals, Tom Hawkins four and Cam Mooney and Shannon Byrnes three each as Paul Chapman, Joel Selwood and Jimmy Bartel enjoyed a night out while Gary Ablett had a quite one. The Cats jumped the Lions in the opening term with six goals to one and didn't take the foot off the accelerator pedal, outscoring the Lions in the final three quarters. Jonathan Brown and Justin Sherman booted three apiece for the Lions but it wasn't nearly enough for their side, with Brendan Fevola kicking just one goal, continuing his barren run against the Cats. Geelong face Collingwood next week in what will certainly be a hyped-up match, but hopefully one which leaves the 'wobbler' fans doing just that and contemplating how far off the pace they remain. For our part we couldn't watch the game live, but as of Sunday night Edinburgh time we are enjoying the replay. GEELONG:
6.2, 11.4, 18.6, 24.11 (155) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES REPORTS: Nil CHANGES GEELONG: James Kelly (calf) replaced by Mitch Duncan CROWD: 33,629 at Gabba UMPIRES:
UMPIRES: Hayden Kennedy (7) Heath Ryan (14) Michael Avon (27) EM: Matthew
McKenzie Geelong came at Brisbane like the proverbial bull in the opening quarter, and had three goals to no score on the board with a full fifteen minutes to go. Hawkins goaled first, followed a couple minutes later by Chapman who converted a set shot that while a fair way out, he made look easy. Travis Varcoe kicked a classy goal seconds after the restart, the Geelong midfield working its wonders to get the ball to Varcoe well inside the centre square, from where he casually snuck his way forward to kick from right on the fifty metre line. Lion stalwart Jonathan Brown did bring up his side's first goal not long after but his hopes of a revival were dashed, though if they have of converted at least one of their next six behinds before quarter time, maybe the Cats would have felt under more pressure. Steve Johnson went on to boot three before quarter time, the third owing much to Paul Chapman's effort to shepherd the ball through and would certainly have earned a free kick from point blank range had the goal not have gone through. The second half opened with Fevola's only goal - which happened to be his career 600th. Following this were three fairly soft goals, to Shannon Byrnes, Jonathan Brown (his 3rd) and then to Cameron Mooney.
VFL
ROUND 6 GOLD
COAST 2.1 3.3 7.4 10.8 (68) DEFEATED GOALS BEST
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AFL ROUND 8 2010; BRISBANE V GEELONG;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO
BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen BRISBANE LIONS V GEELONG CATS JAMES PODSIADLY is out of the Geelong side to face Brisbane at the Gabba this Saturday night, replaced by Matthew Stokes who returns from club suspension after his off field issues. Podsiadly is out with a groin injury, so won't be making the trip up north to the tall forward-friendly GABBA. Meanwhile the Lions have made four changes, two of them compulsory with Josh Drummond and Jared Brennan out with injury. Fading star Travis Johnstone was dropped along with Pearce Hanley.
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GEELONG COMPREHENSIVELY
DEFEAT LADDER LEADER SYDNEY GEELONG CATS V SYDNEY SWANS GEELONG put paid to any suggestions they're on the way out, clinically disposing of the Sydney threat in front of a big crowd of 25,970. James Podsiadly kicked his third consecutive bag of five goals at Skilled Stadium, the Cats burying the Swans in the second half with twelve goals to four after leading by just 14 points at half time. GEELONG:
4.0, 7.4, 12.8, 19.12 (126) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES REPORTS CHANGES SYDNEY: Lewis Roberts-Thomson (hamstring) replaced by Ed Barlow CROWD: 25,970 at Skilled Stadium UMPIRES:
FIELD: Shane Stewart (10) Ray Chamberlain (18) Shaun Ryan (25) EM: Michael
Jennings (24)
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AFL ROUND 7 2010; GEELONG V SYDNEY;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO
BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG CATS V SYDNEY SWANS GEELONG has recalled big guns Gary Ablett and Matthew Scarlett for their crucial clash with top of ladder Sydney at Skilled Stadium this Sunday. In a major blow however Brad Ottens is out, and will miss at least six weeks. The Cats brains trust has decided just to bring in Ablett and Scarlett, leaving Dawson Simpson as an emergency. In Ottens' place will be the likes of Cameron Mooney or Tom Hawkins in pinch-hitting roles. The 'real deal' Swans are also missing their first-choice ruckman Mark Seaby, so former Cat Shane Mumford will take the number one mantle against his former teammate Mark Blake.
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CATS EDGE OUT
TIGERS GEELONG had no problem at all accounting for Richmond this afternoon, a seven goal to nil opening quarter setting the tone as they went on to win by 108 points. James Podsiadly, Steve Johnson and Cameron Mooney tormented the Tigers backline with five goals apiece, similar to their effort against Port Adelaide here a fortnight ago. Joel Selwood made sure nobody noticed Gary Ablett was missing, a lazy 36 touches in midfield. Everyone keeps mentioning that three years ago, with the Cats off to a shaky start with two wins three losses, the Tigers helped launch them onto a Premiership, the Cats winning that day by 157 points. Much has changed since then and the circumstances totally different, with Geelong the recognised premier side in the game now, but the impact may be similar. Much better opposition in the Sydney Swans travel down to Skilled Stadium next Sunday in another Fox Sports televised game; sure to be a sellout as former 'South' fans make their way down the highway.
GEELONG:
7.2 13.7 19.10 24.17 (161) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 24,106 at Skilled Stadium UMPIRES:
FIELD: Stefan Grun (13) Michael Jennings (24) Scott Jeffery (29) EM:
Damien Sully (12) |
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AFL ROUND 6 2010; GEELONG V RICHMOND;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO
BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG V RICHMOND GARY ABLETT will miss Sunday's home clash with Richmond with a hamstring injury. Originally named in the side, the Cats confirmed Ablett will miss this afternoon and have added Nathan Djerrkura to the 25-man squad. When the final teams were announced, Travis Varcoe and Mitch Duncan were confirmed as the replacements in place of Ablett and star utility Max Rooke who shouldn't have played last week. Geelong had also named Ryan Gamble and new boy Allen Christensen on an expanded interchange. A wee bit more complicated for the Tigers; they named pretty much their entire list in their team sheet, with 25 in the provisional squad and settled for just than four omissions, all of them forced.
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RUDE AWAKENING
FOR CATS FANS ALL OVER AS BLUES TROUNCE CATS By Ben Jensen GEELONG FANS including myself the world over received quite a shock upon waking up Monday morning, after Carlton easily accounted for Geelong on the ANZAC Day holiday. We made the decision not to watch the game on replay but from all reports it was an off day for the Cats and a good one for the Blues. Geelong now sit 7th on the ladder, just behind Carlton, each having three wins. Also on three wins, in order of ladder position, are the Bulldogs, Melbourne and Port Adelaide. CARLTON:
4.3, 10.8, 12.13, 15.14
(104) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 71,399 at MCG UMPIRES: Chris Donlon, Stephen McBurney, Dean Margetts |
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AFL ROUND 5 2010; CARLTON V GEELONG;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO
BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen CARLTON V GEELONG FINAL TEAMS GEELONG return to the MCG this ANZAC 'day off' Monday for the clash with Carlton. Mitch Duncan is out with general soreness, while Max Rooke again misses out, with Simon Hogan coming into the side. Carlton likewise made just the one change, bringing back Brock McLean for Mitch Robinson, Jarad Waite having to wait for his return.
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JAMES 'J-POD'
PODSIADLY COMES OF AGE AS CATS BURY PORT BY 95 POINTS By Anthony Jensen GEELONG treated a packed new-look Skilled Stadium to a scintillating display of football to comfortably defeat Port Adelaide by 95 points on a warm Sunday afternoon which included a third quarter that boasted 11 Geelong goals to Port's solitary major. The victory is Geelong's 24th in a row at home which is the most ever for an AFL/VFL side. Ironically, Geelong's last home defeat was against Port Adelaide in round 21, 2007 thanks to a last minute Dominic Cassisi goal.
GEELONG:
5.3 8.7 19.14 23.21 (159) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 25,579 at Skilled Stadium UMPIRES: Donlon, Chamberlain, Armstrong
VFL ROUND 2 BOX
HILL 5.4 8.5 13.11 15.15 (105) DEFEATED GOALS BEST
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AFL ROUND 4 2010; GEELONG V PORT ADELAIDE;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO
BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG V PORT ADELAIDE GEELONG has named Premiership stars Cameron Mooney, Brad Ottens and Darren Milburn, who return from injury or in Mooney's case suspension. Youngsters Dawson Simpson, Ryan Gamble and Nathan Djerrkura all made way while Port Adelaide made four changes. The Power brought back ruckman Dean Brogan and David Rodan and omitted Cameron Cloke and lost Jay Shulz to injury. James Podsiadly maintains his place in the side, named at centre-half forward, while fellow newbie Mitch Duncan also keeps his spot.
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CATS FALL TO
DOCKERS By Ben Jensen (back in Edinburgh - back in Geelong by September) FREMANTLE DOCKERS stunned the Geelong Cats at Subiaco Oval this afternoon, winning by seven points in a tightly contested final quarter. Geelong struggled early in the game, behind at half time but taking control early in the third term. The Dockers wouldn't be downed however, going 20 points behind the Cats but never giving up. A six goal to three final quarter was enough to snuff out the Cats, who despite snatching the lead back through debutante James Podsiadly with just over three minutes to go, couldn't hold on. Undefeated (yes you read it correctly) Dockers sit second on the ladder behind St Kilda, while the Cats are down to 6th. FREMANTLE:
3.6 9.8 12.12 18.17 (125) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 38,762 at Subiaco UMPIRES: Avon, McInerney, Margetts |
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AFL ROUND 3 2010; FREMANTLE V GEELONG;
MOONEY SUSPENDED, OTTENS SCARLETT, MOTLOP OUT INJURED By Ben Jensen FREMANTLE V GEELONG GEELONG will make at least FOUR changes for their clash with unbeaten Fremantle at Subiaco this Sunday lunchtime. Brad Ottens is the latest casualty, along with the previously announced changes: Cameron Mooney suspended and Matthew Scarlett (back) and Steven Motlop (shoulder) out injured. Max Rooke and Simon Hogan are reportedly no longer in the frame while James Podsiadly and Dawson Simpson are set to make their AFL debut. Ryan Gamble, Simon Hogan, Nathan Djerrkura and would-be debutante Taylor Hunt are the others named on a seven man bench, with final teams to be announced shortly. In the VFL the Bendigo Bank Cats open their season in an away fixture at Casey Fields against the Scorpions.
GEELONG B: Josh Hunt
- Tom Lonergan - Corey Enright FREMANTLE B: Jay van
Berlo, Chris Tarrant, Ryan Crowley
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GEELONG TRIUMPH
OVER HAWTHORN AGAIN IN ANOTHER MCG CLASSIC By Ben Jensen (from Dublin) GEELONG'S MIGHTY CATS overcame a shaky start and rejuvenated Hawthorn side in front of 68,628 punters at the MCG on Monday. Cameron Mooney and Shannon Byrnes again headed the goalkicking for the Cats with four and three goals while Jarryd Roughead bagged four for the Hawks. Steven Motlop made his debut but unfortunately did pick up a shoulder injury while All Australian full back Matthew Scarlett suffered from back seizures in the last quarter and may miss next week. The Hawks led by four goals early in the match but that deficit had been trimmed to just four points by three quarter time thanks to a five goal to two effort by the Cats. A four goal to one final term did the job for Geelong, Brad Ottens taking a screamer of a mark to give his side the lead for the first time. Buddy Franklin wowed his fans with his second from outside fifty but it was all Geelong thereafter, booting the last three goals.
GEELONG:
4.2 5.9 10.12 14.16 (100) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 68,628 at MCG |
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AFL ROUND 2 2010; HAWTHORN V GEELONG;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG V HAWTHORN TWO OF MODERN FOOTBALL's greatest rivals the Cats and Hawks go at it this Easter Monday at the MCG. 2008 verses 2007/2009 Premier, the game is sure to be a popular one, though the bookies don't see it as a close one at all, favouring the Cats at around $1.50 while the Hawks should pay out around $2.50 on the nose. The last three times these sides have met have been absolute classics, the Cats winning both home & away games last season but of course messed up the one that really counted, the 2008 Grand Final. Hawthorn of course missed the finals last season with Geelong winning but they are tipped to bounce right back this season. Geelong initially named four inclusions, all of whom on an expanded interchange in place of Darren Milburn who is out with a hamstring injury suffered in the win over Essendon in round one. On Friday Steven Motlop was named to debut, in place of Milburn. Hawthorn initially had no outs with Lance Franklin headlining the inclusions along with fellow premiership players Cyril Rioli and Chance Bateman. Rioli has been out with a groin injury while Franklin and Bateman were out with suspension. The Hawks ended up dropping Kayler-Thomson, Suckling and Moss.
FULL MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS
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VALE ALEX POPESCU By Ben Jensen THE CATTERY is saddened by the news that our greatest benefactor in recent history has passed away, aged 93. The successful owner of Belmont Timber was highly spoken of not only by those connected with the Geelong Football Club but by those who worked with and for him. His funeral will be held on Thursday April 1 at St Marys. Past stories |
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CATS TESTED BY
BOMBERS, WIN BY 31 POINTS By Ben Jensen GEELONG pumped ESSENDON in the final term to win by 31 points in front of a medium sized crowd at the MCG tonight. In the third quarter it was Essendon who held the trumps, running out to a four goal lead. But Geelong's superiority was finally asserted, the Cats going on a nine-goal spree to snuff out any hopes the Bomber faithful and anyone else who took the very generous $4+ odds may have had. The Bombers kicked two consolation goals in time on but it was all too late by then. GEELONG:
2.5 (17) 8.7 (55) 11.8 (74) 19.11 (125) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 57,772 at MCG |
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AFL ROUND ONE 2010; GEELONG V ESSENDON;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG V ESSENDON REIGNING AFL Premiers Geelong face Essendon at the MCG tonight. The Cats have included star midfielder Joel Corey while the Bombers have named two recruits, rookie Ben Howlett and former Hawk forward Mark Williams. Geelong are unbackable favourites with the bookies, paying tops of $1.24 with the Bombers paying upwards of $4. The Cats are pretty much at full strength, missing only Max Rooke, Travis Varcoe and retired Tom Harley from the Premiership side. Josh Hunt is welcomed back after missing last season, having done his knee in the winning NAB Cup final. Tom Lonergan takes over from his retired namesake, Harley, in the key defensive position, a duty he will share with Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor. Mitch Duncan, the 18 year old from Joel Corey's club East Perth, takes advantage of Varcoe's absence to make his AFL debut while Steve Motlop and Nathan Djerrkura are the two emergencies eyeing off a place should Corey succumb to injury. FULL MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS
NEW: Mitch Duncan (East Perth) B: Josh Hunt, Matthew Scarlett, Harry Taylor
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CATS PRIMED FOR SEASON WITH WIN OVER
DOCKERS By Ben Jensen THE CATS are pumped and ready for Round One against the Bombers after thumping the Fremantle Dockers at Fremantle Oval by thirty-one points yesterday. Cameron Mooney, Steve Johnson and Jimmy Bartel each helped themselves to two goals, with eight others kicking singles. Ablett and Bartel look set to continue their dominance of the AFL while Mooney likewise dreams of bullying the Bomber backline in a fortnight's time. Geelong played a full strength side, Josh Hunt enjoying his comeback from knee injury while only Max Rooke and Joel Corey sat on the sidelines.
GEELONG:
1.1 4.2 12.7 14.12 (96) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 9,136 at Fremantle Oval
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YOUNG CATS COP A HIDING BY TIGERS By Ben Jensen RICHMOND handed an under-strength Geelong side a 51 point defeat at Yea today. For the Cats James Podsiadly, Jesse Stringer, Steven Motlop and Allen Christensen took their chances to impress in the absence of names like Ablett, Ling, Selwood, Johnson, Mooney, Mackie, Hawkins, Rooke and Corey. Bad news for the Cats however, with Tom Allwright proving anything but, and due to miss six weeks with a knee injury. Geelong Football boss Neil Balme confirmed Allwright suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury in the first half, but doesn't believe Jeremy Laidler, who rolled an ankle, is in serious trouble. The Cats play Brisbane Lions on the Gold Coast next week. It is not yet clear if Gary Ablett will make the trip.
RICHMOND:
3.1, 6.4, 11.8, 15.12 (102) DEFEATED GOALS CROWD: Approx 5,000 at Yea INJURIES: GEELONG Laidler (ankle); Allwright (knee - 6 weeks) |
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DON'T GO GARY! STICK WITH THE CATS By Ben Jensen IS GARY ABLETT GOING TO LEAVE THE CATS FOR NEW AFL CLUB GOLD COAST? We sure hope not, but Geelong fanatic 'gruntlesnoot' fears this may be the case, and has made this video in a plea for him to stay:
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CATS KNOCKED OUT
OF NAB CUP BY KANGAROOS By Ben Jensen NORTH MELBOURNE surprised the Cats with a fourteen point win at Etihad Stadium this evening. The reigning NAB Cup and AFL Premiers were trailing by as much as 46 points in the third term before a run of seven unanswered goals slashed the deficit to just one behind. History will show however the Roos slammed home another goal to take an eight point lead into the final change, before outscoring the Cats by two goals to one in the final quarter to give rookie coach Brad Scott his first win in charge. The Kangaroos will place the winner of Fremantle and Melbourne while the Cats face Richmond in a practice game at Yea. NORTH
MELBOURNE: 0.2.2, 1.6.8, 2.9.10, 2.11.11 (95) DEFEATED 'SUPER
GOALS' GOALS CROWD: 12,989 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Docklands UMPIRES: McBurney, Wenn, McKenzie, Ryan
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AFL NAB CUP ROUND ONE 2010; GEELONG
V NORTH MELBOURNE;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG V NORTH MELBOURNE REIGNING AFL and NAB Cup Premiers Geelong face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium this Sunday evening. Missing retired Tom Harley, and Brad Ottens, Matthew Scarlett, Paul Chapman and Max Rooke from the Premiership side, they will take as many as eight debutantes including James Podsiadly into the match. Meanwhile suspended forward Matthew Stokes is to train with GFL side Bell Park.
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STOKES OUT UNTIL AT LEAST ROUND 8 By Ben Jensen GEELONG'S 2007 PREMIERSHIP FORWARD MATTHEW STOKES has been suspended until at least round 8, along with other penalties similar to that dished out to fellow forward Steve Johnson in early 2007. Stokes, who will face drug-related charges in coming months, has been banned from official training with the club until round 1 of the AFL season, after which he will only be able to train with VFL listed players. From round 5 onwards Stokes can join in with the main group and subject to other undertakings will be eligible for club selection in round 8. Stokes was also fined $5000, the maximum allowed, and ordered to find full time employment between now and round 4. Not sure how he'll go finding a job for such a short time but there you go.
Club Statement:
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STOKES ON DRUG CHARGES By Ben Jensen GEELONG'S 2007 PREMIERSHIP FORWARD MATTHEW STOKES has been charged with drugs charges, including possession of and trafficking cocaine. The shock news came as the club quickly announced Stokes, who was granted bail, has been banned from all activities with the Geelong Football Club. Stokes, who sported a Movember-esque appearance, is due to reappear in the Geelong Magistrate's Court on 12 March. It is alleged Stokes purchased one gram of cocaine for $500 on January 19 in Grovedale. Police detected the activities as part of a wider investigation.
The evidence given by police in court and statements made outside make quite graphic reading. According to Senior Constable Matthew Plunkett Stokes and a co-accused, Matthew Randall of Grovedale, exchanged phone calls and text messages, with the transaction taking place later the same day with follow up texts in days after.
Club Statement:
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CAMERON LING NAMED CAPTAIN By Ben Jensen CAMERON LING has been named as Tom Harley's successor as Captain of the AFL's reigning Premiers, edging out Joel Selwood for the position. In a slight departure in name but not in spirit of recent seasons, no formal vice or deputy-vice Captains will be named, with the eight other members of the 'Leadership Group' acting as deputies. The deputies are Selwood, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright who were in the 2009 group, and 2010 additions Harry Taylor and James Kelly.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS! By Ben Jensen AS WE PREPARE to depart for a Christmas in the homeland of some of our ancestors in Poland, we must reflect upon what was a perfect year for Cat fans with the Premiership win over St Kilda at the MCG. It was one of the more gripping Grand Finals in years, one the Cats weren't expected by many to win but backed to the hilt by loyal fans. We didn't get just one but two flags - don't forget we also won the NAB Cup Pre-season 'Grand Final', over the old enemy Collingwood. We said farewell to Tom Harley, who collected two flags, one runner-up, two minor Premierships and one pre-season trophy in his three years as skipper. Over the decade, with the two Premierships the Cats' record now looks fairly good; Mark Thompson took over in 2000 and made the finals in his first season, narrowly losing to Hawthorn in the first ever final played at the then-Colonial Stadium. We then spent a few years in the wilderness but won the VFL Premiership in 2002 with young guns such as Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Josh Hunt and Paul Chapman. In 2004 we were a couple goals off a Grand Final appearance and there was the 2005 heartache at the hands of the Sydney Swans. 2006 saw us miss out on the finals and Mark Thompson very nearly lose his job, before a change of leadership and arrival of GM of Footy, Neil Balme, heralded what is certainly one of the best eras the club has seen since its formation in 1859. Stumped for a Christmas gift? It's not too late to get your hands on the perfect Christmas present for any Geelong fan, or perhaps a Saints supporter who deserves a stir; The Footy Almanac. Having been involved during the past two seasons we may be a bit biased but can assure you the write-ups of the Grand Final are second to none, by Geelong fanatics John Harms and Peter Flynn, neutral Tony Roberts, and unfortunate Saints fans Stephanie Holt and Kelly Muldoon. Contact the editors at footyalmanac@bigpond.com or j.t.h@bigpond.net.au visit www.footyalmanac.com.au |
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CATS DRAFT NEW BLOOD By Ben Jensen GEELONG has drafted five new recruits in last week's 2009 AFL National Draft. The Cats also used their sixth pick to elevate Jeremy Laidler from the rookie list. First pick with number 17 overall was Daniel Menzel of SANFL side Central Districts. Second (28 overall) was Mitchell Duncan of East Perth (WAFL) where Joel Corey hails from, and third (40) Allen Christensen of Lara and nephew of Marty and Damien. Ruckman Nathan Vardy of Gippsland Power was next with overall pick number 42, a direct replacement for Shane Mumford who moved to Sydney, and Joshua Cowan (pick 56) of North Ballarat rounded out Geelong's draftees.
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AFL DRAW FOR 2009 RELEASED; SEVEN
GAMES AT GEELONG By Ben Jensen THE AFL has released the official draw for 2010, the last fixtures to feature sixteen teams. 2010 DRAW SPREADSHEET. Geelong opens their season by playing Essendon in a home fixture at the MCG, and play the first game at Skilled Stadium in round four against Port Adelaide. Overall the Cats play seven games at the MCG including three home games, but controversially only seven at Skilled Stadium. Cats CEO Brian Cook confirmed he was aware there would be only seven 'proper home' games, and would be offering cheaper membership packages for 2010. "We've had two or three discussions (since the draft draw was released) and none have been fruitful in relation to the changes we wanted. Our success has also come with some negatives and this is one of them because we'd like to have the eight games at Skilled Stadium, but the AFL couldn't accommodate that," Cook said. President Frank Costa though wasn't worried. "It (the draw) is great for our supporters, but also for our players as well". AFL DRAW FOR 2009 RELEASED; SEVEN GAMES AT GEELONG
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TOM HARLEY HANGS UP BOOTS By Ben Jensen GEELONG Skipper Geelong Tom Harley has officially called it quits from AFL football. Harley played 197 games for the club since joining from Port Adelaide in 1999, and skippered the club over their three most successful years in modern history, including the 2007 and 2009 Premierships. The key defender achieved All Australia selection in 2008 when he played all 25 games including the losing Grand Final. Harley, 31, made his AFL debut in 1998 with the Power, his only appearance with the club, ironically against the Cats. Harley was then traded by the Power to Geelong for pick 37 (who Port used to draft Adam Morgan, who managed 17 games in his career). He soon established himself as a regular in the Geelong backline, himself and Matthew Scarlett one of the best backline pairings in the past decade. They both played their 100th games together in 2003. However he and Scarlett's careers took different paths from this season onwards, Harley often experiencing injuries that saw him play just 14 games in 2003, 13 in each of 2005 and 2006. Despite this, after relieving Steven King of the captaincy in pre-season of 2007, the club too what turned out to be a visionary step of appointing Harley captain for 2007. His mettle was soon tested with the off-field troubles of Steve Johnson, which turned out to be a turning point for both Johnson and the club. Harley played the opening fixture, a loss against the Bulldogs, unfortunately suffering a finger injury that forced him to sit out the next eight games. He went on to play every game for the next two seasons, during which time he experienced just the three losses and won a Premiership. He experienced trouble with injury again in 2009, sitting out the first six games and missing another five. But along with Brad Ottens, Harley would return with success and help his side to a second flag in three seasons, the club's eight overall. Harley describes himself as Geelong through and through, and may take some time out of the game before rejoining the club in an off-field role. He married Felicity Percival two weeks after the Grand Final, and is believed to be relocating to Sydney for 2010. LINKS Tom Harley career stats |
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TRADE WEEK AND DELISTINGS SUMMARY;
DRUM ROLLS INTO GEELONG By Justin Kremmer & Ben Jensen GEELONG easily faired one of the better teams to come out of this years trade week. Despite some nervy whispers of a deal reportedly under wraps that would send favourites David Wojcinski and Matty Stokes west, Geelong prevailed in the end by holding onto its entire premiership list, unlike in 2007 where Steven King was pushed out. However it hasn't been all rosey down at Cat land, with at least seven players having to leave if the Cats are to take all picks available in this month's draft. 2003 draft number 7 pick Kane Tenace has been delisted by the Cats, along with Dan McKenna, Scott Simpson and Adam Donohue. Rookie Bryn Weadon has also been given his marching orders, leaving room for at least two rookies to be drafted. 2007 All Australian defender Matthew Egan has also been officially delisted, but will remain involved with the club. TRADE WEEK AND CLUB BY CLUB DELISTINGS SUMMARY; DRUM ROLLS INTO GEELONG |
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BOMBER
DECLARES 2011 WILL BE THE END By Justin Kremmer GEELONG premiership coach Mark Thompson has publicly spoken in an interview with the Herald Sun about his future with Geelong, saying his current two year contract is likely to see him out. Thompson seemed confident that his time at the Cats will finish at the end of 2011 admitting he was keen to pursue a few other business interests outside of football and to live a bit more. |
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MUMFORD MOVES TO SYDNEY, JIMMY'S JUMPER
STILL MISSING By Justin Kremmer SHANE MUMFORD AND GEELONG have parted ways after the ruckman has accepted an offer to join the Sydney Swans during AFL trade week. Mumfords progression as a player in a short space of time has been significant. After starting as a fill-in player for the Cats' VFL side Mumford worked his way onto the Geelong rookie list and managed three games last year. Mumford was called up again to fill in, this time for Brad Ottens who had succumbed to a serious knee injury, and played 18 games in 2009. Geelong coaching staff were so impressed with the development of Mumford that they tried to convince him not to leave. The Cats are most likely to replace Mumford with up-and-coming star Trent West, who has played with the senior side. Geelong has had a problem dealing with topped up ruck stocks in recent years when club favourite Steven King was forced into a trade shortly after participating in Geelong's 2007 premiership. He joined St Kilda and has played a key player for them. FULL STORY |
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ENRIGHT, ABLETT SHARE 2009 CARJI GREEVES
MEDAL AFL GEELONG BEST AND FAIREST By Justin Kremmer GARY ABLETT AND COREY ENRIGHT have both been honored for their standout seasons by sharing the 2009 Carji Greeves medal in a remarkable vote count finish that produced the first tie in the awards history. Geelong favourite Corey Enright was rewarded for consistency after withstanding a freakish surge of high votes from Brownlow medal winner Gary Ablett, who missed three matches yet polled in 21 of 22 of his games, to triumphantly finish equal winner, alongside Ablett, to claim his first Carji Greeves medal. Enright played in every one of the 25 games and polled in 23 of them, he also lead by one vote ahead of Ablett approaching the Grand Final against St Kilda. The results came right down to the wire, with Ablett polling 30 votes to Enrights 29 in the last game. The pair remarkably each finished on 740 votes. |
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CATS WIN 2009 AFL PREMIERSHIP By Ben Jensen GEELONG has defeated St Kilda by twelve points to win the 2009 AFL Premiership. On a damp day the Cats will be considered lucky to have overcome the Saints, who for several periods early in the game were dominant but failed to score goals. But Geelong rebounded strongly in the second half, after unluckily trailing by a goal at half-time, conceding three goals inside a minute. They held St Kilda to just two goals in the second half and none at all in the final term, booted five themselves including three in the last quarter, to snatch their second flag in three seasons. Paul Chapman edged out Max Rooke and the excellent Harry Taylor for best afield to grab the Norm Smith Medal. Geelong legend Bob Davis, 1963 Premiership coach and 1951-52 Premiership player, presented the Premiership cup, setting off wild scenes of celebration and a touching moment as Mark Thompson helped Davis from the podium. VIDEO CATS WIN 2009 AFL PREMIERSHIP
GEELONG:
3.0 7.1 9.4 12.8 (80) DEFEATED GOALS BEST INJURIES CROWD: 99,251 at MCG, Melbourne UMPIRES Tom Harley won the toss and chose to kick to the Ponsford Stand end, same as 2007 if memory serves me correct. We aren't at the game but will be bringing you updates from the Cattery residence in Edinburgh, host to possibly the city's only Grand Final house party. So far the entertainment has included Mark Seymoor or Hunters and Collectors fame; Jimmy Barnes; Johnny Farnham and even James Morrisson (the trumpet guy). It's going to be a wet Grand Final, conditions Jimmy Bartel will be lapping up but may dampen some other more skillful players in either side. Stay tuned. Geelong dominated play early in the first quarter but didn't capitalise on the scoreboard when kicking to the favourable Ponsford Stand end, whereas St Kilda finished off the quarter strong to lead by two points at half time and were unlucky not to be further in front. The Saints went on with it in the second quarter but again kicked more behinds than goals, while the Cats made hay, with goals to Byrnes, Ablett, Hawkins and Chapman giving them a handy two goal lead. Then with less than a minute to go, Clint Jones made something out of nothing, squeezing a stolen ball from a stoppage through a crowded pack of players for a team lifting goal. When Justin Koschitzke booted his first from the goal square thirty seconds later to equalise, it was all too much for Darren Milburn, who characteristically mouthed off at the umpire who had no hesitation in awarding an unprecedented free kick right on the goal-line before play restarted in the centre. The Saints went into half time with a six point lead. The third quarter was a tough one with little scoring actually occurring despite many opportunities. Geelong managed to level the scores with 5 minutes remaining and should have at least taken the lead but could not manage even a behind in several plays in front of goal. The Saints again came up with a late quarter goal, Leigh Montagna breaking the deadlock to put his side up by a goal. Another behind next play gave the Saints a seven point lead at the final break. Tom Hawkins' goal in the third minute, converting a strong contested mark from 35m out on an angle, put the Cats right back into it from a spiritual basis and had the crowd (especially in this house) pumping. Tense moments ensued as the Saints went close but could not manage an actual goal the entire quarter. The Cats did though, Paul Chapman's 3rd putting the Cats up by six points and a behind the next play making the margin a seemingly unassailable seven points. Matthew Scarlett conceded a behind in the dying moments of the game before Max Rooke marked inside fifty in the final seconds of the match. When the siren sounded the Cats were six points up, Rooke's 2nd goal stretching the margin to the equal biggest of the day, twelve points. |
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AFL GRAND FINAL 2009; ST KILDA V GEELONG;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen AFL GRAND FINAL 2009 ST KILDA SAINTS V GEELONG CATS ONE THING stands between an unchanged Geelong and a second Premiership inside three season; a sizeable one in St Kilda, a side who dominated season 2009, dropping just the two games, towards the end of the season. Geelong are the overwhelming favourites with the betting public, paying out an average of $1.60 for a win comparred with the Saints at $2.40 generally. Still, most punters still work for a living so you can't always take that as an accurate judgement. Geelong thrashed Collingwood by 73 points in the second Preliminary Final last Saturday night at the MCG, while the Saints got the job done over the Bulldogs at the same venue the previous night by just 7 points. FIELD UMPIRES ANNOUNCED MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LISTS INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST DETAILS, UMPIRES, BETTING
UMPIRES: FIELD:
Stephen McBurney, Brett Rosebury, Shaun Ryan |
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GARY ABLETT WINS
2009 BROWNLOW MEDAL By Ben Jensen GEELONG'S GARY ABLETT has won the 2009 Brownlow Medal, stunning everyone by winning by a massive eight votes from Carlton's Chris Judd. Ablett stormed into the lead from round one, scoring six votes in the opening three rounds before two more best on grounds in rounds four and five. After eleven rounds Lenny Hayes was Ablett's principal rival, trailing on 16 votes to Ablett's 19. But despite playing in almost all winning sides since that point, Hayes' teammates took votes from him in all but rounds 17 (3 votes) and 22 (1 vote), to finish with 20 votes. Jonathan Brown, likewise, had a hot streak after being on just 8 votes at the halfway point, polled 11 votes in the next seven rounds to move into second place on 19 votes by round 18, but didn't poll again. Chris Judd averaged a vote a round, having a total of 11 votes by round 11, and finishing on 22. Watch Ablett's Acceptance Speech
TOP FIVE
GEELONG TOTALS
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CATS THRASH MAGPIES,
INTO THIRD CONSECUTIVE AFL GRAND FINAL By Ben Jensen AFL 2009 2ND PRELIMINARY FINAL GEELONG CATS V COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES GEELONG are into their third AFL Grand Final in a row, defeating Collingwood at the MCG by a massive margin of seventy-three points in front of a decent crowd of 87,258 at the MCG. The Cats will play St Kilda next Saturday afternoon, aiming for two Premierships inside three years. GEELONG
: 3.6, 7.7, 11.13, 17.18 (120) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST INJURIES UMPIRES: Shaun Ryan, Scott McLaren, Brett Rosebury CROWD: 87,258 at the MCG Collingwood had the early play in the match, leading for half the opening term before the Cats got cracking, booting three unanswered goals. Both sides went pretty much goal for goal in the second quarter but as described earlier, Geelong should have pushed to a thirty point-plus lead. The Cats led Collingwood by fourteen points at half time, but should have led by over 30, Brad Ottens missing an easy chance and the Magpies taking advantage, kicking another two goals before the main break. At half time Chapman and Hawkins had two goals each for the Cats, Ablett, Byrnes and Ottens the other goal-kickers. For the Magpies Brown, Didak, Johnson, Lockyer and O'Brien had one goal each. The Cats started the second half out of the blocks however, booting three early goals and missing a third to push to a thirty-one point lead eight minutes into the third term. Mooney, Johnson and Corey kicked their first goals of the match, Johnson missing two other shots that would have really put the foot on the Magpies' throat. Macaffer kicked a goal for the Pies a second or so before the three quarter time siren; the Cats going into the final break thirty-six points ahead, and hoping to take things easy in the last quarter ahead of next Saturday afternoon's Grand Final against St Kilda at the MCG. But, Collingwood being what they are, Geelong will have to be on their guard this final thirty minutes, and keep attacking until the end. Two minutes into the final term, Travis Varcoe got on the end of a turnover by Collingwood veteran Simon Prestigiacomo to boot his first goal and give the Cats a forty point lead. Paul Chapman's third goal a couple minutes later, created by Joel Corey and Jimmy Bartel's tenacity, was the genuine sealer that sent the Wobbler fans packing back home; the margin out to an unassailable forty six points. Gary Ablett was next to sneak one through and it was party time in all corners of the world as Geelong fans rejoiced in the knowledge they would be watching their side in another Grand Final next week. Unfortunately for this 'viewer' the person streaming the match at this point decided to play the Geelong, Collingwood and finally St Kilda theme songs over the top of the match audio, but it's free so we can't complain. We can complain, however, about ESPN's decision to show Rangers v Kilmarnock from the Scottish Premier League, a game sure to attract far fewer UK viewers than Geelong-Collingwood. Paul Chapman slammed on three goals in the last ten minutes, his fifth of the game pushing the margin out to a massive 74 points.
GEELONG COACH MARK THOMPSON SPEAKS
TO CHANNEL TEN'S |
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