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"

PHOTO COURTESY twitter.com/KROCKFootball/