CATS GIVE CARLTON THE BLUES; KINGSLEY HAS A NIGHT OUT
Ben Jensen 25 February 2006

By Ben Jensen. GEELONG CAPTAIN STEVEN KING did not appear, but full forward Kent Kingsley did, kicking a lazy nine goals, as the Cats defeated Carlton by twenty-eight points at the Telstra Dome tonight, setting up a clash with the Kangaroos at Cairns' newly named Cazaly Stadium next Saturday evening.

The Cats started slowly, allowing the Blues the first three goals of the match. After that though, the first quarter belonged to the proprietor of the George and Dragon Hotel, Mr Kent Kingsley. By quarter time, Kingsley had five goals.

After quarter time however Kingsley didn't really get near it. The Cats would add just another three goals over the middle two quarters, while the Blues booted another three (including one 'super goal'). Carlton even snatched the lead, briefly, late in the third quarter when Brendan Fevola finally got a kick - and goaled. But it wasn't theirs for long, the Cats equalising just before three quarter time through a Gary Ablett.

Carlton looked the better side midway through the final term, once more snatching the lead from the Cats. But Kent Kingsley went on another spree, kicking another four goals. Teammates Tom Lonergan and Darren Milburn also added to the tally of seven goals for the quarter.

Kingsley worked very hard for his eighth goal, leading initially to a pocket only to be turned down, then looping back to the goalsquare before leading strongly up the ground to the top of the 50m arc. Of course, he kicked truly.

Kingsley's ninth goal came after the siren, to wrap up the twenty-eight point lead. While the better team won, the game was a scrappy affair and one to forget.

For Geelong the best were Cameron Mooney, Matthew Scarlett (who needs to learn the new rules), Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman Jimmy Bartel. Carlton's senior players stood out, Kouta, Lance Whitnall, Nick Stevens and Matthew Lappin their best along with Adrian Deluca.

Other points of note:

• Paul Chapman and David Johnson look like twins, with Chappy the fatter looking twin
• Josh Hunt and Paul Koulouriotis new numbers caused some confusion in this household
• The 30 second rule, while unenforced, isn't too bad but please get rid of Channel Ten's 'shot clock'. In the words of one Ritchie Benaud / Billy Birmingham, "it's just a bit of seppo bullsh!t"
• The Wee Byrne Shannon needs to use the ball better; he could be a great player if his disposal was up to scratch
• Tom Lonergan made a couple mistakes but did bag a couple
• Corey Enright looks set to continue his role in defence this season, while Darren Milburn will play further up the ground
• Nathan Ablett struggled to pick up the ball but worked hard when on the ground

GEELONG: 0.5.1, 0.6.4, 0.8.6, 0.15.8 (98)
CARLTON: 0.3.2, 0.4.7, 1.5.13, 1.8.13 (70)

GOALS – GEELONG: Kingsley 9, Lonergan 2, Gardiner, G Ablett, Milburn, Ling
CARLTON: Fisher, Fevola 2, Deluca, Murphy, McClaran, O'hAilpin

BEST – GEELONG: Scarlett, Mooney, Chapman, D Johnson
CARLTON: Deluca, Kouta, Stevens, Whitnall, Lappin