CATS DERAIL FAIRYTALE
Justin Kremmer 10 July 2007

By Justin Kremmer AFL ROUND 14 ESSENDON V GEELONG GEELONG slowly, but surely, have extended their lead in the competition with a 50-point win over the Bombers at Telstra Dome on the Friday night stage. In front of over 51,000 in a
packed stadium under the roof, it was a tough fight up until half time, when Billy Brownless (who rolled me on SEN 1116 in their coverage of the game at the middle break) was not a happy man, unlike my one-eyed confidence in the Cats after big-name injuries to two Bombers stars.

I could see it coming, perhaps Billy could too as it was almost inevitable with Hird and Lloyd both not on the ground and the Cats playing terrifically. Luckily, the Cats had their best out on the field including the young gun and Rising Star nominee Joel Selwood, Joel Corey, Gary Ablett, Cameron Mooney, Jim Bartel, Paul Chapman and the ever-reliable tagging midfielder/handy leading forward Cameron Ling.

Along with a host of players such as Andrew Mackie, Tom Harley and Corey Enright who were all good early, the Cats just kept coming. Losing most of their pace with the loss Alwyn Davey (arm) who was cleaned up by another fast runner, Kane Tenace, the Essendon crew were struggling to keep a team on the field. A rather foolish act by Mark McVeigh to Gary Ablett was dealt with in the match by a free kick and later at the Tribunal. McVeigh and Fletcher will be missing in action when Matthew Lloyd returns next week.

Tom Hawkins presented well as a forward target, moving up the ground in his comeback match but his decision-making was off-key. The comments by the Cat?s coach during the week surprised everyone. Joel Selwood, the best young talent he?s seen in his time. But after what we?ve seen from the kid, maybe it isn?t such an alarming remark. Selwood certainly is a revelation in his first senior year of AFL football. The Cats play Collingwood in what will be a blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday, 14th July.

GEELONG 4.3 7.9 12.14 19.19 (133) DEFEATED
ESSENDON 3.4 6.9 11.10 12.11 (83)

GOALS

GEELONG: C Ling 3 P Chapman 3 C Mooney 3 B Ottens 2 C Enright 2 M Stokes 2 S Johnson D Milburn G Ablett T Hawkins.
ESSENDON: S Lucas 3 A Welsh 2 J Watson 2 T Hislop P Ryder A Ramanauskas H Slattery A Lovett.

BEST

GEELONG: G Ablett P Chapman J Selwood C Ling J Corey C Enright D Milburn B Ottens.
ESSENDON: J Watson J Johnson D Peverill M McVeigh D Fletcher A Welsh M McPhee.