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NEXT BREED OF CATS INTO VFL PRELIMINARY FINAL By Ben Jensen THANKS TO the likes of Nathan Ablett, Matthew Stokes, Ryan Gamble and a timely intervention by Kent Kingsley, Geelong's Bendigo Bank Cats are through to the VFL Preliminary final against Williamstown next Sunday. Down by five goals midway through the second quarter, the Cats fought back to cut the deficit to just one goal by the half time break. Kent Kingsley got on the end of fine passes from Gamble, Stokes and Paul Koulouriotis, kicking give goals. Nathan Ablett had four and setup no less than four others, and was quite hard done by to not receive several free kicks within striking distance. Ablett really stepped up to the plate when it counted, as did young Matthew Stokes. Following the game, Stokes told ABC TV he had played in two losing grand finals in the SANFL and is keen to go one step better this season. The Cats very nearly bombed out, after finding themselves two goals behind with nearly twenty-five minutes. But Geelong turned that into a two goal lead in a stirring five minute spree. The Roosters kicked the final goal of the match to bring the final winning margin back to six points. Geelong face Williamstown, who defeated the season's best team Northern Bullants at TEAC Oval next weekend, next Sunday 17 September at 2:10PM. Several Cats will pull up sore following today's match and those that missed out may be nursing headaches following Darren Milburn's bucks party in Geelong last night. As well as the right to play in the Grand Final, the two teams will also vie for Premier Steve Bracks' approval and perhaps even a stately visit into the changerooms following the match.
GEELONG 3.3 8.7 13.11 19.14 (128) DEFEATED GOALS: BEST: |
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