CATS DOWNED BY DOCKERS AFTER FIRST QUARTER SHOCKER
Ben Jensen 18 May 2014

By Ben Jensen FREMANTLE DOCKERS V GEELONG CATS FREMANTLE celebrated skipper Matthew Pavlich's 300th game in style last night, defeating Geelong by 32 points at Subiaco Oval. The Cats fought back somewhat but the five goal opening quarter did too much damage, the margin getting within 20 points at one stage but every time Geelong got some momuntum they weren't able to capitalise.

Pavlich kicked three goals to make 601 in his 300 games including the opening goal of the match to bring the house down; Tom Hawkins also booting three after the ball barely got inside Geelong's 50 in the first quarter. Jed Bews made a capable debut down back under heavy traffic.

Anecdotally ratings of Seven and Fox Footy dropped off dramatically in the second quarter and rival stations Ten and ABC receiving significant spikes as Cats and neutral viewers switched channels; at the time of going to press we could not confirm these numbers but let's take it as gospel.

The match was marred with several bizarre incidents including the Dockers runner interfering with play drawing condemnation from most of the AFL world but applause by Dockers coach Ross Lyon. In the VFL more bad news, the Cats going down to Williamstown by 35 points earlier on Saturday.

FREMANTLE: 5.3, 7.11, 10.15, 13.18 (96) DEFEATED
GEELONG: 0.3, 3.5, 6.7, 9.10 (64)

GOALS
FREMANTLE: Pavlich 3, Ballantyne 3, Mzungu 2, Fyfe, Duffield, Barlow, Sheridan, Pearce
GEELONG: Hawkins 3, Varcoe 2, Horlin-Smith, Bartel, Murdoch, Motlop

BEST
FREMANTLE: Mundy, Hill, Barlow, Mzungu, Crowley, Fyfe
GEELONG: Selwood, Horlin-Smith, Kelly, Guthrie, Mackie, Enright

INJURIES
FREMANTLE: Nil
GEELONG: Nil

REPORTS: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
FREMANTLE: Matt de Boer; replaced Alex Silvagni in the third quarter
GEELONG: Jackson Sheringham; replaced Dawson Simpson in the third quarter

UMPIRES:

Chamberlain, Dalgleish, Donlon

CROWD: 38,565 at Subiaco Oval

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 3 points"

GEELONG DRAW AFL SEASON 2014