The Cats in Season 2001

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PRESEASON

Ansett Cup Round 1 Geelong V Sydney, Marrara Oval, Darwin, NT

More than 150mm of rain fell in Darwin in the few days before the match making conditions very difficult. Adding to that was the 30+ degrees in temperature and the 97% humidity level throughout the game. Both sides had 8 men on the interchange bench and rotated the side on regular intervals. The Swans got off to the better start and did most of the attaching in the first term and they kicked 2 goals 5 to only 1 point from Geelong. Had the Swans converted on some easy shots they could have been further ahead. Ronnie Burns got the Cats first goal soon after the start of the second term, but the Swans then kicked the next 2 goals to lead by 26 points at the long break. Geelong lifted their game in the third quarter with Ben Graham controlling the back line and Burns doing well in the midfield, however they could only manage 1.4 for the term while the Swans kicked 1.1. The Cats continued their good play in the last term but 2 shots at goal that could have made a difference were touched on the line. They outscored the Swans 2.5 to 1.1 but lost the match by 13 points. Burns, Corey, and new recruits Justin Murphy and Kent Kingsley each kicked one goal. FINAL SCORE: Sydney 6.11.47 Geelong 4.10.34

Ansett Cup Round 2 Essendon V Geelong Colonial Stadium

Both teams came into this match after losing in the first round, but the Cats played better than Essendon. The first quarter was not pretty to watch and early on in the match Adam Houlihan was reported for tripping. Both teams missed chances and deep into time on the score read Geelong 4 points to Essendon 5 points. One of those points for the Cats was a running left foot shot by Peter Riccardi as the ball came off the boot badly. Finally it was Lloyd of the Bombers that scored the first goal of the match a long bomb from outside 50. But Geelong lifted in the second term and Riccardi finally kicked the cats first, and with Cameron Mooney marking strongly a couple of times they kicked 5 goals straight to Essendon's 6 points to lead by 17 points at 1/2 time. The third quarter was a great term of Football with 13 goals kicked. Geelong kicked 7 goals 6 while the bombers kicked 6 goals 5. Mooney added another, while Burns kicked a great left foot snap, and Mensch took a great mark and goaled. White and David Clarke both kicked running goals, and a soccer off the ground by Justin Murphy had the Cats 5 goals up late in the term. But Essendon got one on the siren and the margin was 4 goals at the last change. Essendon tried to come back in the last term but some Ronnie Burns magic stole the show. He kicked 3 goals for the term (one a beauty from the boundary line) and it was Milburn who sealed the match with and mark and goal from the goal square. Burns and Mooney each kicked 4 goals. Graham did a great Job in defence as did Brad Sholl who was tough as nails all night. FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.10.112 Essendon 12.18.90

Ansett Cup Round 3 Geelong V Port Adelaide Colonial Stadium

Geelong came into this match needing to win by more than 6 goals to make the semi finals. Garry Hocking played his first game for the year. Geelong got off to a good start in the first and should have lead by more had they kicked straight. They kicked 3.5 to 3.1 to lead by 10 points at quarter time. Sholl had a great term collecting more than 10 touches. The Power lifted their game in the second term and the umpiring puzzled the Geelong fans. Port kicked 5.2 to 2.4 to lead by a goal at the main change. Port continued to dominate the game in the third term and they slammed on 7 goals to 4. Three of the Cats goals came late in term including 2 to Ronnie Burns. The Power by 27 points at 3/4 time. Geelong tried to come back in the last term, but Port held them off despite another 10 plus possession quarter by Brad Sholl who had more than 30 for the match. Burns finished with 5 goals for the match. FINAL SCORE: Port Adelaide 16.9.105 Geelong 12.15.87

ROUNDS 1 - 22

ROUND 1 GEELONG V WEST COAST SHELL STADIUM

Geelong's first Round 1 match at Shell Stadium since 1995 saw them start favourites against the Eagles. Kicking with the wind in the first term the Eagles started off well with Cummings kicking a couple of early goals. But Geelong bounced back and with Bizzell kicking a couple himself they lead by 4 points at quarter time. The first term was soured with the reports of King and Murphy. The Second term was all Geelong and they dominated the play and had the capitalized on their opportunities they could have been further ahead at half time. Sholl, Sandeson and Graham were doing a great job on the half back line, while Riccardi and Clarke were getting plenty of the ball in the midfield and Spriggs was keeping Cousins quiet. Geelong kicked 4.3 to 2 points to lead by 29 points at the main change. The wind got stronger during half time but that did not stop the Cats kicking against it in the third term. They outscored the Eagles 5.2 to 1.0 and they had a match winning 55 point lead at the last change. King went forward that term and kicked a couple of goals while Snell was proving handy on the ball and in the forward line. The Cats continued their run in the final term and it was highlighted with a running goal to Clarke and a 60 metre torpedo from Peter Riccardi. Geelong winners by 66 points. The Eagles kicking their lowest ever score against the Cats.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.13.115 West Coast 7.7.49
BEST CAT: Peter Riccardi
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Clint Bizzell 3 goals
CROWD: 21,409
LADDER POSITION: 2nd (1-0)
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ROUND 2 ST.KILDA V GEELONG COLONIAL STADIUM

Geelong lost Murphy and C.Mooney through suspension and then Wojcinski was a late withdrawal and Peter Street came in for his first game of AFL football. The last time Geelong beat St.Kilda in Melbourne was the 1991 Elimination Final when Geelong won a fantastic match by 7 points. In a surprise Mark Thompson started Mathew Scarlett on Spider Everett. After the first term it looked like the paten (of Geelong V Saints games in Melbourne) would continue. The Saints kicked 6.1 to 2.4 and Harvey was well on top in the midfield as the Saints made the most of their opportunities up forward. Steven King did well in the Ruck and David Mensch battled very well up forward and he along with Ronnie Burns each kicked a goal in the first term. The second term was a very tight scrappy affair with neither team able to break clear. Both teams kicked 2 goals for the term and King continued to impress in the Ruck. Once again it was Burns and Mensch to kick the Cats goals that term and they each had 2 for the match. The match changed in the 3rd term. From the first second when Riccardi grabbed the ball from the Ruck and run to 60 metres out and kicked a long point, the momentum changed towards the Cats. Ronnie Burns kicked the Cats first for the term with a great snap shot and Riccardi, Hocking, Kilpatrick and Spriggs, who was matched against Harvey and getting plenty of the ball himself, pumped the ball out of the centre. Then midway through the term, Ronnie Burns sparked the Cats crowd with a Banana kick from 30 metres out directly in front and it seemed the Cats were not going to lose this match. Playing his first game for the Cats Corey Enright spoilt an opponent and then he accepted the handball from Sholl and he through half forward and he set up a goal to Mitchell White, and after kicking 8 goals to 1, Geelong had turned a 22 point deficit at half time into a 20 point lead at the last change. Graham got on top at Centre Half Back during that term as did Sholl and Sanderson, while Scarlett was well on top of Everett. The Cats continued their run in the last term kicking 5 goals to 4. Burns added his 5th goal during the last term while Riccardi continued his run. Geelong winners by 29 points.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.13.115 St.Kilda 13.8.86
BEST CAT: Ronnie Burns
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns 5 goals
CROWD: 33,687
LADDER POSITION: 2nd (2-0)

Mathew Scarlett: Thrashed Everitt in Round 2
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ROUND 3 MELBOURNE V GEELONG M.C.G.

A big crowd in perfect conditions was on hand to witness this contest. Murphy was back for the Cats, while Farmer was back for the Dees. And it was the Dees that off to the better start and late in the term they lead by a couple of goals. But some Burns magic where he kicked two great goals, and another couple to the Cats saw them lead by 2 goals at quarter time. The Second term was all Melbourne and their midfield got right on top and the Cats made errors. The Dees kicked 5 goals to 2 for the Term. Melbourne continued their dominance in the third term and were 4 goals up when Snell took a great mark but broke his leg in the process and he was streched off the ground. This sparked the Cats into action and they kicked 2 late goals, one to Mensch and one to Burns and the margin was back to 15 points at the last change. The Cats were still running early in the last and a long bomb from Clarke was followed by a left foot snap from Mensch and the margin was only 2 points. The Dees steadied and then Mitchell White finally kicked straight to register his first goal and the margin was back to 2 points. But Melbourne once again steadied and won the match by 20 points. Clarke the Cats star with 21 kicks.

FINAL SCORE: Melbourne 18.16.124 Geelong 15.14.104
BEST CAT: David Clarke
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns and David Mensch 3 goals
CROWD: 48,551
LADDER POSITION: 5th (2-1)
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ROUND 4 GEELONG V NORTH KANGAROOS SHELL STADIUM

This match was played in extremely wet and windy conditions and persistent rain fell throughout the match. In a huge blow Geelong lost Garry Hocking before the match as he would have excelled in these condition. James Rahily came in for his first game of the season. This was Leigh Colberts first game at Shell Stadium since he walked out on the Cats at the end of 1999, and he was booed every time he touched the footy. North won the toss and they kicked with the wind in the first term. But it was Geelong who got the first goal, but then North adapted to the conditions and they played them well and after Harvey got a free kick and goaled just before 1/4 time they had kicked their 5th for the term and a 28 point quarter time lead. Kicking with the wind in the second term Geelong got two early goals to White and Burns to reduce the margin, but North managed one against the breeze to again gain the momentum. Jason Mooney was awarded a Holding the Man free kick on the Siren, but his shot Hit the Post and the Roos lead by 19 points at Half time. The Cats defended well against the breeze in the third term in an attempt to come home strongly with the Breeze in the last term. They restricted the Roos to only 4 points, and they had kicked 1 point themselves. Then Ronnie Burns ran about 50 metres to kick the only goal for the term against the breeze and the margin was back to 16 points at the last change. In the opening minutes of the last term, Burns had a chance to bring the Cats closer, but he missed a chest mark in the goal square, and then his shot at goal was only a point. David King goaled for the Roos late in the last term and the match was over, with the Roos winning by 20 points. Sholl the Cats with 20 kicks, while the Cats kicked their lowest ever score against the Roos.

FINAL SCORE: North Kangaroos 7.11.53 Geelong 4.9.33
BEST CAT: Brad Sholl
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns 2 goals
CROWD: 14,298
LADDER POSITION: 7th (2-2)
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ROUND 5 GEELONG V PORT ADELAIDE SHELL STADIUM

Geelong regained Hocking and Cameron Mooney for this match and it was the first time the Mooney Brothers had played together in a match. Port Adelaide kicked with the Breeze in the first quarter, and after kicking the first goal in the first 30 seconds the Cats were able to stay with Port Adelaide and lead by 1 point at quarter time. The second term was all Port Adelaide as they slammed on 8 goals to 3 against the wind as the dominated all over the ground. Geelong continually played the man instead of the ball and that resulted in kicked being awarded down field. Port continued their dominance in the third term where they kicked another 8 goals to Geelong's 2. Once again Geelong played the man with Milburn giving away 3 free kicks down field and also a 50 metre penalty, and also Captain Ben Graham and also Murphy joining in and then Scarlett was reported by two umpires for striking. The Power by 80 points at the last change. Port took the foot off the pedal in the last term and that enabled the Cats to kick 7 goals to 4 with Murphy proving to be the Cats best playing by added 3 goals to his 30 touches. Sanderson was another good Cat player keeping Wanganeen quiet. Port home by 46 points.

FINAL SCORE: Port Adelaide 23.10.148 Geelong 15.12.102
BEST CAT: Justin Murphy
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Justin Murphy 3 goals
CROWD: 18,736
LADDER POSITION: 10th (2-3)
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ROUND 6 BRISBANE V GEELONG GABBA

Tim McGrath and Daniel Lowther came into the side to play their first games this season, while in a blow for the club Peter Riccardi withdrew at the last minute. It was Brisbane that got off to a great start kicking the first 3 goals of the match while C.Mooney missed one running in from only 10 metres out. Ronnie Burns finally snapped a goal for the Cats, but the Lions again kicked 3 in a row with Brown having 3 to 1/4 time. Houlihan got one back for the Cats but it was the Lions by 4 goals at quarter time. The Lions continued to dominate in the second term aided by some very bad skill errors and some very poor umpiring. Burns kicked a typical Ronnie Burns goals but that was the Cats only goal for the term while the Lions slammed on 6 more to lead by 58 points at half time. The third term was a scrappy affair with the Lions joining the Cats and making mistakes. Both teams kicked 3 goals for the term and the Lions extended their lead by 3 points to lead by 61 points at the last change. The Cats goal kickers for the term were Houlihan, Bizzell after a great mark in the goal square and David Mensch. Geelong played a bit better in the last term but both teams and the umpires continued making errors. Geelong won the term by 6 points, but could have cut the final margin down further had they kicked straighter than 2 goals 8 in the last term. Tom Harley drifted down from defence and kicked his second goal in as many weeks. The Cats better players on the night were Spriggs with 21 kicks and 11 marks and Sanderson with 19 kicks 7 marks and 10 handballs.

FINAL SCORE: Brisbane 17.14.116 Geelong 8.13.61
BEST CAT: David Spriggs
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns & Adam Houlihan 2 goals
CROWD: 25,881
LADDER POSITION: 11th (2-4)
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ROUND 7 GEELONG V CARLTON MCG

Riccardi came back into the team and lasted only 5 minutes as he broke his cheek bone. Baldwin and Chapman came in for their first game of the year. Bizzell was Dropped. The Cats continued their poor form in the first term as Carlton kicked 4.3 to the Cats 1.5. Whitnall was on top of Graham and Baldwin finally kicked the Cats first late in the term. Carlton lead by 20 points early in the second term, but goals from Clarke (a great running goal) and then a great goal from Mensch saw the Cats back within 8 points. But Carlton steadied and lead by 4 goals at half time. Carlton kicked 5 goals to 2 in the third term to lead by 7 goals at 3/4 time. The Cats won the last term by 2 points but the match was already over. King the Cats best in the Ruck while Spriggs once again played well in the midfield.

FINAL SCORE: Carlton 17.6.108 Geelong 9.14.68
BEST CAT: Steven King
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): 9 players each kicked 1 goal
CROWD: 29,150
LADDER POSITION: 12th (2-5)
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ROUND 8 FREMANTLE V GEELONG SUBIACO OVAL

Before this game Geelong lost Riccardi (cheekbone) and Burns (suspension) and then Hocking (knee) was a late withdrawal while Scarlett came back from suspension and Bizzell was back after spending a week in the VFL. The win less Dockers started favourites. But it was Geelong who got off to a sensational start in the first term. Lead by Houlihan who kicked 3 goals for the term the cats kicked 6 goals 5 to only 2 points. Sanderson was well on top of Waterhouse and Scarlett was thrashing Modra, while Graham started in attack and did a good Job. King was on top in the Ruck and Spriggs continued on with his good form. Geelong continued their run in the second term with Houlihan kicked another 2 and Graham was also proving a handful and his goal after the siren meant the Cats had kicked another 5 goals to 2 for the term and they lead by 55 points at half time. Freo lifted in the third term with their midfield started to get plenty of the ball while Graham added his 4th goal and Houlihan left the ground with a groin injury. The Margin was 6 goals at the last change. Freo continued their run in the last term and they were only 17 points down when a great lunging tackle by Spriggs put pressure on Haselby and he missed. David Mensch then capitalized on a Freo error and he sealed the game with his first for the match. Geelong home by 22 points.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 14.11.95 Fremantle 10.13.73
BEST CAT: Steven King
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Adam Houlihan 5 goals
CROWD: 20,231
LADDER POSITION: 12th (3-5)
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ROUND 9 GEELONG V RICHMOND SHELL STADIUM

A packed house at Shell Stadium greeted the players when they ran out on the ground. The first quarter was very even with both sides going goal for goal. Graham once against started forward for the Cats and he took 2 marks and kicked 2 goals early on in the term. Ottens was causing trouble for the Cats, especially Matthew Scarlett as he had 4 goals to quarter time. But Thompson felt Scarlett was doing well in one on one contests and he left Scarlett on Ottens for the remainder of the match, and this allowed Graham to stay forward. Richmond by a point at Quarter time. Once again the second term was even with the Cats kicking 3 goals to 2 to lead by 5 points at half time. Geelong got on top in the third term but they just could not put the Scores on the board. They did extend their lead to 12 points, but then Ottens kicked his 6th, and he passed one off to Chaffey and then Cameran kicked a running goal and Richmond were suddenly in Front by 6 points. Bizzell Marked and goaled and then Chapman snapped his second and the Cats were 7 points in front at the last change. Richmond leveled the scores early in the last term, and then Bizzell sparked the Cats with a great goal where he picked the ball up shrugged a couple of tackles and snapped it through. Then it was the Steven King show. He took 3 very strong marks and kicked 3 goals. After his third goal he received a free kick and a 50 metre penalty and he kicked his forth goal before the ball went back to the Centre. He then knocked the ball down and the ball was kicked to Mensch who hand balled to Murphy and he kicked a goal from 50 metres out. Geelong home by 7 goals.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.16.118 Fremantle 11.10.76
BEST CAT: Steven King
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steven King 4 goals
CROWD: 27,421
LADDER POSITION: 11th (4-5)
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ROUND 10 ADELAIDE V GEELONG FOOTBALL PARK

Geelong lost Hocking before the match, but regained Burns from suspension and White from Injury. The Crows got the first goal, but the Cats got the next two from Clarke and then Houlihan after the Cats had taken the ball straight from a kick out from a Crows point. The Crows lead by 2 points at quarter time. The Crows got well on top in the second quarter but were wasteful in kicking 2 goals 5. Meanwhile the Geelong Forward line was non existent in that term and they were held scoreless. Joel Corey missing an easy mark 35 metres out from goal did not help. Facing a 19 point half time deficit, Geelong lifted in the Third term and Graham kicked a great Running goal from 50, and then Bizzell kicked a great left foot snap and the Cats were within a goal. But the Crows got the last 3 goals of the term to lead by 4 goals at 3/4 time. But the Cats did not give up and Graham kicked the first goal of the last term. And then Tom Harley drifted down field and he kicked a great goal and the margin was only 12 points. The Cats then got the ball straight out of the centre and Kent Kingsley was running into the open goal, but the umpire paid a free kick to the Crows which I still don't know what it was for. The Crows got the margin to 3 goals, but Mensch marked strongly and goaled. Then Graham marked in the centre and he passed to White on his own and he ran to 50, but instead of having a shot at goal he tried to get around too many Crow players and he got in trouble, and he got the ball to Bizzell who was also surrounded and his kick was smothered and the Crows rushed the ball forward to Marsh who extended the Margin to 18 points. But Mensch replied straight away and then Kent Kingsley marked 15 metres out and looked certain to reduce the margin to 6 points with 90 seconds left. But he missed the shot and that was the ball game. Spriggs once again was the Cats with 27 quality touches.

FINAL SCORE: Adelaide 9.12.66 Geelong 8.7.55
BEST CAT: David Spriggs
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ben Graham & David Mensch 2 goals
CROWD: 40,466
LADDER POSITION: 12th (4-6)
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ROUND 11 GEELONG V HAWTHORN COLONIAL STADIUM

Geelong regained Kilpatrick from suspension and Riccardi and Hocking from Injury. The first quarter was a scrappy affair with the skill from both sides very poor. The Hawks got the first goal of the match, but Hocking, who started the match on the ground, replied with the Cats first goal. Burns kicked the Cats second goal but Hawthorn lead by 3 points at quarter time. With the skill still poor Geelong also gave silly free kicks away and Burns and Murphy were benched. Graham kicked a long goal from 50, and then Sanderson also kicked one from 50 metres out after he was given a 50 metre penalty. Houlihan was the Cats other goal kicked for the term as they kicked 3 goals to 2 to lead by 1 point at half time. Geelong got on top in the third term as Ronnie Burns started to come into the game. Ling, Kilpatrick and Riccardi kicked goals, and then Burns got passed his opponent to get the ball and he handballed to Clarke who kicked a goal. Then Burns marked at half forward and he was slung and he was awarded a 50 metre penalty. He goaled and the Cats lead by 3 goals. But the Cats let the Hawks get 2 late goals and there was 6 points in it at the last change. Both sides went goal for goal in the last term as they each kicked 4 goals each. Riccardi kicked his second goal of the match and then Kilpatrick ran into goal and handballed to Chapman who kicked a goal. Then it was Ronnie Burns magic who kicked to great roving goals to clinch the match for the Cats. Finally Geelong won a close game against the Hawks.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 14.9.93 Hawthorn 13.12.90
BEST CAT: Ronnie Burns
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns 4 goals
CROWD: 37,526
LADDER POSITION: 11th (5-6)
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ROUND 12 GEELONG V WESTERN BULLDOGS SHELL STADIUM

Geelong lost King to a knee injury and Burns to suspension. Mensch returned to play game 150. Geelong Kicked with the Breeze in the first quarter and they took advantage of it slamming on 7 goals to 1. Hocking, Bizzell and Riccardi kicked 2 each while Graham was providing a target at Centre Half Forward. C.Mooney was in the Ruck and he was going a pretty good job. Against the Breeze in the second Geelong continued to play well and they kicked 3 out of the first 4 goals of the term. But then the Dogs kicked 5 quick goals and it was only 17 points at half time. Knowing they could not stop the Cats playing one on one football the Dogs placed 3 extra playing in Defence and this held the Cats. Geelong could not brake the flood and they only outscored the Dogs by 1 point in the third term. The last term was tight for the first 10 minutes with the Cats having most of the play, but they could not kick straight. The Dogs then slammed on 6 straight goal to lead by 14 points. Geelong got one back but the match was over. Graham the Cats best with 16 marks and 3 goals.

FINAL SCORE: Bulldogs 15.4.94 Geelong 13.9.87
BEST CAT: Ben Graham
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ben Graham & Clint Bizzell 3 goals
CROWD: 22,771
LADDER POSITION: 11th (5-7)
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ROUND 13 SYDNEY V GEELONG S.C.G.

Geelong dropped Chapman and brought in Rahily while they resisted the urge to rush Peter Street straight back into the team. The Swans started better kicking the first two goals of the match, but Kingsley got one back after a chain of handballs from the backline took to ball to the forward line. Then Murphy, who was getting plenty of the ball, let one go from outside 50 and the game was even. The Swans got one back just before quarter time, after a bad handball from Murphy was intercepted by Williams, to lead by 4 points at the first change. Geelong got on top in the second quarter and they kicked the first 3 goals of the quarter. Hocking was playing well and he was going in hard and breaking packs and he also kicked a goal. The Swans got 2 late goals to Maxfield and the margin was back to 3 points at half time. Once again Geelong got right on top in the third term and this time they put the scores on the board. Kingsley was looking very dangerous and he kicked 2 goals for the term while Kilpatrick kicked a beauty from the boundary line and then Milburn marked and goaled and Geelong were 27 points up at the last change. But like against the Bulldogs, Geelong let the Swans back into the match and they kicked the first 3 goals of the term to be only 9 points down and could have been in front had shots from Kelly and Maxfield gone through but instead they were 7 points down. At the 16 minute mark Spriggs kicked Geelong inside 50 for the first time for the term and Clint Bizzell took a sensational mark (in the similar spot to where Danny O'Brien took one up there last year) and he goaled to steady the Cats. Then Mitchell While marked and goaled from 50 metres out and the match was all over, Geelong home by 19 points. Sanderson and Scarlett did a great job in defence while Murphy had 30 touchers.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 12.12.84 Sydney 9.11.63
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 3 goals
CROWD: 26,705
LADDER POSITION: 10th (6-7)

Bizzell celebrates with Mensch after his match winning mark and goal.
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ROUND 14 GEELONG V COLLINGWOOD COLONIAL STADIUM

Geelong got Burns back from injury while they lost Houlihan before the match and Ling come back into the side. Riccardi started on Buckley, but Buckley was damaging early and after 15 minutes Ling was moved onto Buckley. Rocca kicked the first goal of the match in the Opening minute but a few minutes later David Clarke replied for the Cats kicking a goal from the boundary. The Pies got on top after that and they slammed on the next 4 goals to lead by 26 points and the Pies fans were thinking how far. Bizzell took a mark from a turnover and goaled, but the Pies replied and again the margin was 26 points. White took a mark on 50 and a Collingwood player ran through the mark and 50 metres was awarded and White goaled to reduce the margin to 19 points at 1/4 time. Geelong got the first two goals of the second quarter through Graham and White and the margin was only 8 points. But in the next 5 minutes Collingwood kicked 3 goals and once again the margin was 26 points. But the Cats lifted from then on White kicked his third goal for the match after marking 15 meters out, then Bizzell marked on the goal line ran around and snaped from the goal square and the Cats were within a couple of goals. Then the play of the match took place. The ball was kicked long into the Cats forward line and Bizzell took a sensational mark over team mate Mensch and Collingwood's Kinnear, he hit the ground balanced and he handballed to the running Scarlett who handballed to Burns in the square for a goal and there was only 2 points in it. Then some Ronnie Burns magic where he picked up the crumbs and goaled from 30 metres to kicked the Cats 6th goal for the term and give them a 2 point half time lead. Rocca got the first goal of the third term and the Pies were back in front. But Geelong once again took Control of the game with kicking one and then Bizzell kicking 3 more, 2 from marks and 1 where he dodged Collingwood players in the square and kicked a banana goal, to have 5 for the match. Then late in the term Matthew Scarlett drifted down for the second time in the match and he kicked a sensational goal from the boundary and the Cats lead by 22 points at the last change. Graham marked but missed his shot at goal early in the last and then the Pies kicked 2 quick ones and they were only 11 points down. White took a courageous mark and he was then flattened and awarded a 50 metre penalty. But he hit the post from 25 meters out. Collingwood tried but they just could not score. Then Bizzell took a strong mark at half forward and he turned to see Brad Sholl running on his own in the pocket and Bizzell passed to Sholl who ran in and goaled and the Cat fans knew the match was over. Collingwood got one back and then Cameron Mooney who had done a great job in the Ruck was moved into attack and he kicked a point. But he got another chance and Goaled to give the Cats a 17 points lead. Bizzell marked in the Pocket and the siren sounded, he shot at goal was a point and the Cats were home by 3 goals.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 16.15.111 Collingwood 14.9.93
BEST CAT: Clint Bizzell
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Clint Bizzell 5 goals
CROWD: 50,160
LADDER POSITION: 9th (7-7)
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ROUND 15 ESSENDON V GEELONG COLONIAL STADIUM

Geelong went into the match with an unchanged line-up following the win against the Pies last week. It was Essendon that got off the better start with Barnes dominating the Ruck and Misiti and J.Johnson on top in the midfield. Lucky for the Cats they did not kicked straight, 5.7 for the term. Bizzell and Graham kicked points for the Cats and finally Bizzell snaped the Cats first. Before the ball was bounced in the second term Bizzell was awarded a free kick. He then got another free kick after an Essendon player jumped onto a pack late and then the Don player abused the umpire and Bizzell got 50 metres. That lifted the Cats with D.Clarke, Murphy, Ling and Kilpatrick lifting in the midfield. Burns was also at his best in the term kicking 3 goals. The Cats kicked 8 goals to 5 for the term with Murphy, Kilpatrick and Clarke the other goal kickers and the margin was 9 points at half time. Essendon started the third term better than the Cats but the Cats did not give in. Graham got a free kick from a Ruck contest, and Clarke kicked a beauty from the boundary. Then Rahily kicked a running goal, and then Sholl, who had been quiet in his 150th game, put a great tackle on an Essendon player and the ball spilled to Mensch who kicked a great goal and the margin was back to a couple of goals. Lloyd extended the margin to 3 goals at the final change. Burns had a chance to get the Cats into it in the last term but he kicked 4 points. Riccardi finally did something and kicked a long goal and Bizzell marked strongly in the pockett and goaled. The first quarter costly as the Cats went down by15 points. David Clarke the star in his 50th with 26 touches and 2 goals.

FINAL SCORE: Essendon 19.13.127 Geelong 17.10.112
BEST CAT: David Clarke
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Clint Bizzell 4 goals
CROWD: 48,152
LADDER POSITION: 12th (7-8)
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ROUND 16 WEST COAST V GEELONG SUBIACO

Geelong lost Murphy with a wrist injury and then Hocking withdrew before the game. Youngsters Corey and Hunt came into the side. The Eagles looked better in the first quarter with Troy Wilson looking dangerous at full forward but he could not kick straight. Ronnie Burns kicked the Cats first goal with a check-side kick. Ling was doing a good job on Cousins and he kicked the Cats second. Riccardi was busy in the midfield and he was showing signs that he was returning to form. He had 6 kicks for the term. Burns kicked a great running goal just before quarter time and the Eagles were in front by a point. The Eagles got on top early in the second term and they shot out to a 22 point lead. But the Cats got back into the game with Sholl looking dangerous and Kingsley was marking strongly at full forward but like Wilson he could not kick straight. When Burns snapped a goal on the siren Geelong were in front by 7 points at half time. Geelong continued to get on top of the Eagles in the third quarter although the Eagles were hanging on. Tom Harley had a good term at half back. Ling kicked a great goal on his right foot and Bizzell a long goal from 50. Sholl kicked his second and near the end of the term Burns ran into the open Goal for his 4th and Geelong were 25 points up at the final change. The last quarter was all Geelong as they had more numbers around the ball, the pressured the Eagles and they slammed on 8 goals to one. Ling kicked his third, Burns his 5th with a torpedo from outside 50th, and Kinglsey his 4th goal. He finished the match with 10 marks and 4 goals 5. Youngsters Enright and Corey kicked goals and played well while Kilpatrick has one of his best games in the midfield picking up 25 possessions. Geelong easy winners by 70 points.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 22.18.150 West Coast 12.8.80
BEST CAT: Ronnie Burns
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ronnie Burns 5 goals
CROWD: 31,456
LADDER POSITION: 10th (8-8)
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ROUND 17 GEELONG V ST.KILDA SHELL STADIUM

Garry Hocking return to the Geelong side after missing last week with a knee injury. Geelong kicked with the wind in the first term but it was St.Kilda with Capuano kicking a goals that got the Saints off to a better start. Ling was on fire in the midfield he had 5 early kicks and kicked 2 goals before he injured his ankle and he was forced off the ground and he did not return. Bizzell also started the match well playing up the ground he set up opportunities for the Cat forwards. Geelong by 15 points at quarter time. The second term was a scrappy affair with the Saints kicking a couple of goals and Geelong only kicking one until on the half time siren when Riccardi, who was playing much better, kicked a goal and the margin was 13 points. Geelong got on top with the wind in the third term and they were sparked by Barry Hall who was reported twice in the term. One for striking Corey and the other for rough play on Scarlett. Kingsley was the star for the term kicking 3 goals, while Clarke and White who was doing well at centre half forward stretched out the lead to 26 points. St.Kilda kicked the first goal of the last term, but then Bizzell got a free kick in the square after being shephearded out and he kicked his first goal and the lead was 25 points. St.Kilda would not lie down and they kicked the last goals of the match to reduce the final margin to 12 points. Milburn was the Cats best with another great game at half back, while Bizzell and White were good up forward.

FINAL SCORE: Geelong 12.6.78 St.Kilda 10.6.66
BEST CAT: Darren Milburn
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kinsley 3 goals
CROWD: 22,414
LADDER POSITION: 9th (9-8)
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ROUND 18 GEELONG V MELBOURNE M.C.G.

Geelong regained Steven King after 7 weeks out with a knee injury and lost Cameron Mooney. Ronnie Burns got off to a good start kicked a couple of early goals and having a hand in another. But he tore his hamstring during the term and he missed the rest of the match. The Cats kicked 5 goals to 4 for the term. Geelong continued to play better than the Dees in the second quarter but they could not put the score on the board. Melbourne were giving away frees down field which helped the Cats. Graham kicked 2 goals in the term to have 3 goals to half time. He was on top of Neitz. Geelong in front by 15 points at half time. Melbourne came out firing in the third term and they run all over the Cats. King was getting beaten in the Ruck and Geelong's midfield was getting thrashed. Geelong only kicked 1 goal through Graham, while the Dees kicked 5 to lead by 11 points at 3/4 time. Melbourne got the first goal of the last term, and then Bizzell passed the ball to Kingsley who ran in to kick his third goal and margin was back to 2 goals. Melbourne then got the next 2 and were 4 goals up. Ling, who had spent most of the game on the bench obviously not 100% fit from the ankle injury from last week, kicked a goal, and then Riccardi snapped one off his right boot and there was only 10 points in it. But Melbourne once again kicked the next 2 goals and the match looked over. But the Cats kicked 3 quick goals and there was only 4 points in it. Then Bizzell had a snap at goal but it was touched and Melbourne hung on to win by 3 points and putting a big dent in Geelong's finals hopes. Graham was the Cats best with 10 marks and 5 goals from Centre Half Forward.

FINAL SCORE: Melbourne 16.7.103 Geelong 15.10.100
BEST CAT: Ben Graham
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ben Graham 5goals
CROWD: 31,074
LADDER POSITION: 9th (9-9)
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ROUND 19 NORTH KANGAROOS V GEELONG COLONIAL STADIUM

Cameron Mooney returned from injury while David Mensch was dropped. Then Ling withdrew and Wojcinski came into the side. North got the first goal of the match, but Geelong lifted and they kicked the next 3 goals by Kingsley, Graham and Bizzell. But from then on North dominated the match. Harvey, Simpson and Grant thrashed Geelong in the midfield. The Roos kicked the last 5 goals of the term to lead by 3 goals at quarter time. They continued to dominate in the second term and they extended their lead to 6 goals. Then Mooney was reported for striking Sinclair and he was dragged and he did not come back on. Bizzell marked and goaled and then Murphy snapped a goal and the margin was back to 4 goals. But the Cats could not get closer than that and the Roos kicked the last 3 goals of the term to lead by 7 goals at half time. The third term was not as free flowing as the first halfand the Roos made the most of their opportunities. They kicked 3 straight to the Cats 1.6 with Enright snapping a great goal the only highlight. Both teams kicked 4 goals 1 in the last term. Hunt was given some game time and he played well from Half Back. Scarlett, Murphy and Sanderson were the Cats better players. North winners by 49 points.

FINAL SCORE: Kangaroos 21.5.131 Geelong 12.10.82
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ben Graham 3 goals
CROWD: 30,918
LADDER POSITION: 10th (9-10)
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ROUND 20 PORT ADELAIDE V GEELONG FOOTBALL PARK

The Cats lost Hocking, Riccardi and Sholl and then before the match Kilpatrick withdrew, meaning they had a very in-experienced midfield.Ben Graham played his 150th game while Steven King played his 100th game. White got the Cats first goal after the Power had kicked 4 straight points, but then the Power kicked the next 4 goals to be 23 points in front at quarter time. Cornes was on top of Milburn and yound Daniel Foster was moved onto him and he did a good job. The Power midfield was cutting the Cats to pieces. The Power continued to dominate the second term as they slammed on 6 goals to 2 to be 49 points in front at half time. Bizzell and Graham kicked the Cats goals in the term. Geelong changed to a more direct game plan in the third term and it paid off. King was moved the full forward and Street was played in the Ruck.That move was successful with King kicking 2 goals for the term and Milburn added another as the Cats won the term by 7 points. The Cats good play continued in the Final Term as Murphy (who was kept quiet by Carr) came into the game. Goals to King, Kingsley and a running one from Murphy and the Margin was back to 25 points. Then Bizzell handballed to Enright 15 metres out and he goaled and suddenly the Cats were 3 goals at the 20 minute mark. But the Power steadied with the last to goals of the match to win by 30 points.

FINAL SCORE: Port Adelaide 14.15.99 Geelong 10.9.69
BEST CAT: Corey Enright
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steven King 3 goals
CROWD: 25,536
LADDER POSITION: 11th (9-11)
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ROUND 21 GEELONG V BRISBANE SHELL STADIUM

This was Garry Hocking's last game at Shell Stadium and he was greeted with a standing ovation from the 24,000 fans as he ran onto the ground. There was also a tribute for 'Buddha' by the Brisbane Lions Cheer Squad. Mitchell White withdrew with a leg injury and David Spriggs who was dropped was happy to be recalled. Bouyed by the emotion of Garry Hocking, Geelong came out firing and they were well on top of Brisbane in the first term. But they could not put the score on the board. They kicked 4 goals 5 for the term to lead by 15 points at quarter time. Garry Hocking nearly brought the house down with a vintage left foot snap in the term. Brisbane then got on top in the second term with Akermanis, Black and Voss running riot in the midfield. They slammed on 6 goals to 2, and a great Spriggs goal from the boundary reduced the margin to 8 points at half time. The Lions continued to run in the third term and they kicked another 7 goals to Geelong's 1 and the match was all over at 3/4 time, with the Lions in front by 46 points. Geelong won the last term by 3 points to lose the match by 43 points. Hocking walking around Shell Stadium after the match.

FINAL SCORE: Brisbane 16.14.110 Geelong 9.13.67
BEST CAT: David Clarke
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): 9 individual goal kickers
CROWD: 24,325
LADDER POSITION: 11th (9-12)
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ROUND 22 CARLTON V GEELONG OPTUS OVAL

Geelong kicked the first 2 goals of the match through Spriggs who marked a Silvagni kick in and then Kingsley kicked their second after a strong mark in the square. The Blues kicked the next 3 goals, but then Kilpatrick kicked a long goal that bounced through. Thats where the match ended as they could only manage 7 behinds for the final 3 quarters. To make matters worse Kilpatrick and Mensch were reported in those quarters and Milburn flattened SOS which cause him to be dragged where he clapped towards the crowd and while he was on the bench, angry Carlton fans were trying to get to the bench and were banging on the glass sheild on the back of the bench. Milburn also needed Police escort as he left the field. Geelong lost the match by 70 points. Kilpatrick and King were the Cats better players and what was a bleak day for Buddha and his last game for the Cats.

FINAL SCORE: Carlton 13.19.97 Geelong 3.9.27
BEST CAT: Kilpatrick
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Spriggs, Kilpatrick, Kingsley 1 each
CROWD: 26,314
LADDER POSITION: 12th (9-13)
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Cats in Previous Years