The
Cats in
Season 1999
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The
Cats in |
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February 6: Geelong lost to Brisbane in Coorparoo by a goal in a match where the Cats lost Captain Leigh Colbert and Marc Woolnough with knee injuries and both are out for the season. Best players for the Cats included, Sanderson, Bizzell, Bamford, McGrath and Riccardi. The Cats had 7 single goal kickers, Bizzell, Mooney, Bamford, Arnott, Mensch, Wood and T.Lynch. Final Score: Brisbane 8.9.57 d Geelong 7.9.51.
February 14: Geelong thrashed St.Kilda by more than 10 goals at the North Hobart Oval. St.Kilda was missing 14 of their regular players. Paul Lynch was dominant up forward kicking 2 goals, as was new recruit Jason Mooney and Ronnie Burns who kicked 3 goals in the second half. Best Players: Milburn, Bamford, King McGrath, Burns, Mensch, Lynch. Goal Kickers: Burns 3, Lynch 2, Mooney 2, Wood 2, Arnott, Bamford, Kilpatrick, King, Riccardi, Sholl, Mensch. Final Score: Geelong 18.18.114 d St.Kilda 7.8.50.
February 20: Geelong was thrashed by the North Kangaroos in the first round of the Ansett Cup. The Roos were only missing a couple of their regulars, while the Cats did not have Colbert (out for season), Barnes and Stoneham, who both played in the seconds, Hocking, Mansfield, Spinks, Pickering and Rahily and H.Simpson who impressed last season. The Cats also lost Paul Lynch with a hamstring strain in the first term, to continue his bad run with injuries. North got away in the first term to lead by 20 points at quarter time. The Cats kicked the first 3 goals of the second term, but the Roos steadied to stretch the lead to 27 points at the long break. Simon Arnott was doing a good job up forward as was Tim McGrath on Wayne Carey. The second half was all North as they kicked 10.7 to Geelong's 3.3 to win by 73 points. Final Score: North 20.14.134 d Geelong 9.7.61.
February 27: Geelong lost to the Crows by 11 points in Whyalla. The Crows had the better of the Cats for the first 3 quarters to have a 6 goal lead at three quarter time. The Cats being very inaccurate kicking 4.11 up until 3/4 time. Geelong did come back in the last term by kicking 5.3 to 1.1. Better players for the Cats included midfielders Glenn Kilpatrick and Darren Milburn while new recruit Jason Mooney once again impressed up forward by booting 3 goals. Burns and Bizzell both kicked 2 goals. Final Score: Adelaide 11.12.78 d Geelong 9.13.67.
March 6: Geelong beat Richmond by 4 goals at Kardinia Park. The Cats kicked 4 goals a quarter to beat the Tigers who had a few of their players missing. The Cats were without Paul Lynch, Stoneham and Pickering with the last 2 playing in the reserves and did Brett Spinks who kicked 5 goals. John Barnes returning from injury, was the Cats best and other good players included Sholl, McGrath and Mansfield who provided drive from the back line. Geelong had 11 different goal kickers with Barnes and Bamford both kicking 3. Final Score: Geelong 16.10.106 d Richmond 12.10.82.
March 14: Geelong lost to Collingwood by 20 points in Bendigo. An 8 goal 3rd quarter burst got the Pies home. Geelong coach Garry Ayres was not happy with the Cats giving away too many easy free kicks under the packs around the ground. The Cats were very inaccurate and actually had 5 more scoring shots than the Pies. Final Score: Collingwood 13.5.83 d Geelong 8.15.63.
Geelong V North Kangaroos, M.C.G. Friday March 26
The first game of the season and the Cats were back at the 'G where their 1998 season ended on a positive note by defeating Essendon in the last round. Although at the M.C.G. this was a Geelong home game, but the advantage was really with North. Not one tipster in the Herald Sun or The Age tipped Geelong. It looked like they had made the correct choice too as the Roos slammed on the first 5 goals before Geelong could blink. The Cats then settled and kicked the next four to be within a goal. Arnott, who was very lively for the Cats, joined Mensch in kicking 2 goals. North then got a couple of late goals to lead by 21 points at the first change. The second term was all North as they displayed the form that got them into the Grand Final last year. Carey was dangerous up forward as was Welsh, as they both had 4 goals to half time. The Roos kicked 7 goals to 3 for the term and lead by 40 points at half time. Garry Ayres must have really had a go at the boys during the break, as they came out and kicked the first 6 goals for the term with Mensch kicking 2 to take his tally to 4 for the night. Barnes was getting on top in the Ruck as was Hocking around ground and Milburn and Sanderson in defence. The Roos then regained their composure and slammed on 4 goals in time on to skip out to a 29 point 3/4 lead. It looked like that burst would break the back of Geelong but it didn't as they slammed on the first 6 goals of the final term to hit the front by 7 points. New recruit Jason Mooney was lively taking a good mark to kick his second, and then laying a great tackle on a North player, which resulted in the umpire paying holding the ball and Mooney kicking his 3rd goal. North then reduced the Margin to 1 point but Burns snapped over his shoulder to stretch the lead to 7 points and then the ball was soccered forward, and then Burns soccered the ball into the goal square and Arnott finished it off by soccering through his 3rd goal and the Cats were 13 points up. Kilpatrick was sensational in the last term with 9 kicks and he got the ball out of the centre time after time. North reduced the margin to 6 points, but the Cats held on for a sensational win.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 22.9.141. North Kangaroos 21.9.135
BEST CAT: Garry Hocking
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): David Mensch 4 goals.
CROWD: 33,674
LADDER POSITION: 7th (1-0)
Geelong returned to Optus Oval where they broke a six game losing streak late last year. Geelong went into the game with an unchanged line-up from the victory over North. The Cats got off to a great start with Ronnie Burns kicking two goals early in the match. The Bulldogs then got into the game and lead by 1 point at quarter time. With the help of the umpires, the Dogs got on top in the early in the second term and they shot out to a 14 point lead. The Cats kept attacking the goals, but could not reduce the margin below a goal, until Pickering kicked a sensational goal from outside 50 just before 1/2 to reduce the margin to only 1 point at half time. The third term was another tight term with the lead changing several times. Mooney was dangerous kicking 3 goals for the term. A Barnes goal just before 3/4 time gave the Cats the lead by three points. The Dogs got the first goal of the last term to hit the front, then Geelong replied, Dogs in front again and then the Cats kicked 3 quick goals as they shot out to 3 goal lead with a couple of goals to Steven King. The Dogs then reduce it to under a goal, but the Cats steadied and once again were 3 goals up with Burns kicking his 3rd for the match. The lead remained around the 3 goal mark, until a sensational running goal from half back to Scott Bamford sealed the game for the Cats, a 21 point victory.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 24.11.155.
Bulldogs 20.14.134.
BEST CAT: Darren Milburn
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Jason Mooney 4 goals (7 for season).
CROWD: 24,161
LADDER POSITION: 3rd (2-0)
Geelong had won the last 7 against Melbourne, and the Dees had not won at Kardinia Park since 1988. Melbourne kicked with the breeze in the first quarter and dominated the play, but they could not put the goals on the board, kicking 2.6 to Geelong's 1.3. With the wind in the second the Cats went on a rampage slamming on 8 goals to 1 for the term to lead by 32 points at half time. King kicked 3 goals in 4 minutes, and Hocking kicked 2 for the term as Barnes and King dominated the inexperienced Alistair Nicholas in the Ruck. David Neitz kicking 4 points for the half. Melbourne lifted in the third term and played better football as they moved Tingay to full forward, and they got drive from Viney, M.Febey and Yze. They reduced the margin to only 2 goals at the last change. Melbourne continued their run the last term, they reduce the margin to a goal, but Geelong answered but then it was all the Dees with Tingay lively up forward, and final Russell Robertson put them in front by 7 points at the 20 minute mark. However, continuing its fighting form of the first 2 rounds (coming from behind in the last term) the Cats levelled the scores with a point to Bamford and a goal to Clint Bizzell who marked the ball as it came behind a pack of players. Bamford kicked another point to put the Cats in front, and then Tristan Lynch marked strongly and goaled to give the Cats a seven point lead, as they ran out 6 point winners.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 14.13.97.
Melbourne 12.19.91.
BEST CAT: Garry Hocking
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): David Mensch, Steven King 3.
CROWD: 27,066
LADDER POSITION: 3rd (3-0)
Port Adelaide V Geelong, Football Park, Sunday April 18
Geelong lost Riccardi during the week and brought in first gamer David Wojcinski. In another blow they lost Barnes before the match and brought in Adam Houlihan for his first game in more than a year. The Cats had never won at Football Park before this game. They got off to the better start with kicking 2 goals 1 in the opening minutes. The Cats shot out to a 3 goal lead with Ronnie Burns chopping them up and the wing and Simon Arnott also doing well. The Power got back into the match, and reduced the margin to 7 points at quarter time. The Cats got right on top in the second term with Arnott continuing his form with Hocking, Kilpatrick and Pickering, who came on during the term, all on top. McGrath was having a picnic at half back, as the Cats slammed on 5 goals to 2 for the term to lead by 23 points at the main change. Mooney was also doing a great job at Centre Half Forward. The Cats rested Burns and Arnott in the third term, but their dominance continued with Hocking, Kilparick and Pickering all getting plenty of the footy and Stoneham lifted his game in the forward line. Ben Graham was also getting on top at Full Back as was Steven King in the ruck. Bamford was also doing well. The Cats kicked another 6 goals to 2 for the term to have a match winning 45 point lead at the last change. Kilpatrick was also rested in the last term as the Cats gave Adam Houlihan and first gamer Wojcinski a run. Wojcinski had 2 kicks and 1 goal 1. The Power actually outscored Geelong for the term, but it did not matter as the Cats won their first game at Football Park by 41 points.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.13.115.
Port Adelaide 10.14.74.
BEST CAT: Garry Hocking
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Scott Bamford 3 goals.
CROWD: 34,574
LADDER POSITION: 2nd (4-0)
Geelong returned to Optus Oval where they defeated the Bulldogs in round 2. They last time these two teams met here, was in the same round 1997, where Geelong won for the first time in 13 years against the Blues at the ground. In perfect conditions Carlton got off to a better start as they flew away to a 2 goal lead in the opening minutes. The Cats first came at the 10 minute mark through Mooney, but the Blues held on to a couple of goal lead throughout the term until the Cats reduced the margin to2 points at quarter time. The second term was all Geelong as they went on a rampage. Five goals to nil set up a 5 goal lead at half time. The Cats forwards in Mensch, Mooney and Stoneham were causing headaches (Silvagni was forced from Full Forward to Full back), and when King swapped with Mensch he kicked a vital goal and his marking power and height had the Blues off guard. Similar to the first term the blues kicked 2 goals in 3 minutes to reduce the margin to 3 goals early in the third term. But Geelong answered and when Riccardi's shot from 50 was shepherded through by Stoneham the lead was back to 5 goals. At three quarter time the lead was 31 points. In the last term the Cats extended their lead as Stoneham was back to his best taking strong marks against Silvagni. He finished the match with 3 goals, as the Cats went on to win by 50 points. Milburn continuing his sensational start to the season with another 28 touches.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.13.115.
Carlton 9.11.65.
BEST CAT: Darren Milburn
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Jason Mooney 4 goals.
CROWD: 31,189
LADDER POSITION: 2nd (5-0)
Geelong V Hawthorn, Shell Stadium, Saturday May 1
The Cats brought back Barnes and dropped Houlihan for this match where the Hawks had won 3 of the last 4 here. The Hawks got off the better start too and lead by 17 points at Quarter time. Ronnie Burns was reported for striking during the term. Geelong lifted in the second term and slammed on 4 quick goals to hit the lead. Mooney looking dangerous as he snapped a couple of goals. The Cats kicked 6 goals to 2 for the term to take a 1 goal lead into the main change. The third term was a scrappy affair, with both teams kicking 3 goals as the Cats took in a 5 point lead at the last change. Hawthorn got the first goal of the last term, then the Cats slammed on 3 quick goals for a 16 point lead. Hawthorn reduced the margin back to 5 points, then Stoneham and Mansfield missed easy shots allowing the Hawks to hit the lead. They hang on to win the match by 2 points, their forth win in 5 years by a goal or less.
FINAL SCORE: Hawthorn
14.16.100 Geelong 14.14.98
BEST CAT: Jason Mooney
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Jason Mooney 4 goals (17 for season).
CROWD: 27,341
LADDER POSITION: 3rd (5-1)
Fremantle V Geelong, Subiaco Oval, Sunday May 9
Geelong lost Kilpatrick just before the game and Lowther, who was dropped, came back into the side. The Cats kicked with breeze in the first term and they used it to their advantage slamming on 6 goals to 1 to lead by 31 points at quarter time. Brad Sholl was reported for tripping early in the term. Liam Pickering and Simon Arnott were on top in the midfield, having more than 10 touchers each and Barnes was also on top in the Ruck. King was moved into the Ruck in the second term and the Dockers starting to run the ball from the back line, with Clive Waterhouse and Tony Modra very dangerous up forward. They reduce the margin to 11 points at Half time, but could have been in front had they kicked straighter. The third term was tight, as the Cats extended their lead by a goal to 17 points at the last change. The Dockers ran all over the Cats in the last Term kicking 7 goals to 2, with Modra finishing the game with 6, as they went on to win by 17 points.
FINAL SCORE: Fremantle
16.20.116 Geelong 15.9.99
BEST CAT: Garry Hocking
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): S.Bamford 3 Goals
CROWD: 17,723
LADDER POSITION: 4th (5-2)
Geelong V Sydney, Kardinia Park, Sunday May 16
Kilpatrick came into the Cats side after missing last week with a calf strain. The First term was even until the Swans kicked a couple of last goals to take a 2 goal at quarter. Lockett had 3 for the term, while to everyone's surprise Garry Hocking was in the back pocket minding Cresswell. The Swans got right on top of the Cats in the second term with Hocking still in the back pocket. Kilpatrick came on and after a mistake by the Swans Sanderson bounced his way from Half back to kick a goal from fifty that could lift the Cats. A minute later, Barry Stoneham marked strongly and goaled after the siren to reduce the margin to only 13 points at Half time. The Cats got the first goal of the 3rd term and there was only a goal in it, but the Swans again got on top and they blew the margin out to 46 points at 3/4 time. Ayres finally put Hocking in the midfield but the games was all over. Barnes kicked a couple of goals early which gave the Cats a bit of hope, but the Swans steadied and went on to win by 41 points.
FINAL SCORE: Sydney 21.20.141
Geelong 14.16.100
BEST CAT: Tim McGrath
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Barry Stoneham and David Mensch 3 Goals
CROWD: 21,581
LADDER POSITION: 6th (5-3)
Brisbane V Geelong, GABBA, Sunday May 23
Geelong bought in Paul Lynch and Derek Hall, for their first games this season. Burns came back from suspension, while Mansfield and Sholl were omitted in a huge shock. Geelong got the first goal for the term through Arnott but the Lions kicked the next 3. Mooney got one for the Cats, but the Lions kicked 4 more to take a 22 point lead at 1/4 time. Brisbane got right on top in the second term and extended their lead to 40 points at the main change. Their run continued in the second half as they kicked another 9 goals to 5 to win by 57 points. Burns kicked 3 for Geelong, while Mooney kicked 2.3 but should have had 5, missing shots from 30 metres out.
FINAL SCORE: Brisbane
22.12.148 Geelong 14.16.100
BEST CAT: Glenn Kilpatrick
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns 3 Goals
CROWD: 22,948
LADDER POSITION: 6th (5-4)
Geelong V St.Kilda, Kardinia Park, Saturday June 5
Geelong bought back Sholl and Mansfield for this game. The Saints kicked with the breeze in the first term and kicked 4 goals in the first few minutes. Geelong came back through Burns and hit the lead late in the term before the Saints got 1 late in the term, to lead by 5 points at quarter time. Paul Lynch limping off with a calf injury. The Cats dominated the second term with the breeze. They slammed on 7 goals to 2 with Mansfield kicking 2 of them. Barnes was doing well in the ruck while Riccardi was getting Plenty of the ball. The Cats by 27 points at half time. The Saints reduced the margin by just over a goal in the third term, as they Cats had a 19 point lead with the breeze in the last term. The Cats kicked a goal in the first minute of the last term, but that was where they stopped as the Saints slammed on the next 6 goals to win by 10 points, a very bad loss for the Cats.
FINAL SCORE: St.Kilda
18.10.112 Geelong 16.12.108
BEST CAT: John Barnes
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns 4 Goals
CROWD: 22,906
LADDER POSITION: 6th (5-5)
Essendon V Geelong, M.C.G. Friday June 11
Kilpatrick was a late withdrawal with the flu, as Lowther replaced him in the side. The Bombers got the first goal, but the Cats got the next 4 with Riccardi dominating out of the midfield. The Bombers then got on top, finishing the quarter strongly, kicking 8 of the next 9 to lead by 22 points at quarter time. Ayres started 2nd gamer Scarlett on Lloyd. McGrath was moved on Lloyd in the second term, then Graham and then Mcgrath went back on him as the bombers dominated the early part of the term before the Cats steadied late in the term. The Bombers by 26 points at 1/2 time. Graham was moved to full forward and he kicked 3 goals for the term, while Jason Mooney was strong at centre half forward. The Cats could not reduce the Margin below 3 goals. The Bombers by 27 points at the last change. The Bombers added another 3 to 2 in the last to win by 33 points. Mooney kicking 5 and Graham kicking 4, all in the second half.
FINAL SCORE: Essendon
21.11.137 Geelong 15.14.104
BEST CAT: Garry Hocking
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Jason Mooney 5 Goals
CROWD: 61,783
LADDER POSITION: 9th (5-6)
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