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21 Round 22 Elimination Final
Semi Final Home
PRESEASON
Geelong lost to the Kangaroos by 25 points in very wet conditions in Canberra. The Roos handled the conditions better in the first term when they were at their worst. They kicked 2 goals to 0 in the first, while Josh Hunt kicked the only goal for the second term to keep the Cats within 8 points at the main change. With Ablett lively up forward and Mooney kicking a great goal, the Cats were able to stay in touch in the third term, but the Roos were also able to kick 2 goals and the Margin was 11 points at the last change. The Cats kicked the first goal of the last term through Playfair and once again the margin was less than a kick. But as they had done all day, the Roos were able to respond and win the match. Final Score: Kangaroos 0.7.12.54 Geelong 0.4.5.29
ROUNDS 1 - 22
Richmond V Geelong, MCG, Sunday March 27
Geelong won the opening round match for the first time since 2001 when it thrashed Richmond by 62 points. The Cats suffered a huge blow before the match when Mooney was ruled out on Friday, and then Harley and Milburn withdrew before the match, meaning Matthew Egan came in to play his first game for the Cats. The first quarter was even with Mackie providing the highlight with 3 goals for the term. The Cats led by 11 points at the first change. They broke the game open in the second term as they ran riot against the helpless Tigers. Enright was doing what he liked from half back, Ling and Kelly were on top in the midfield and Brad Ottens came into the game. First he was awarded a free kick for holding the ball after a fine tackle, and amongst the Boo's from the Tiger Fans he went back to slot his first goal for the Cats. The fans roared and he was surrounded by team mates. Then right on half time he took a mark between two Richmond players to kick his second after the siren. The Cats kicked another 7 goals in the third term as they blew out the margin to 64 points. Ottens kicked his 3rd during the term, while Shannon Byrnes was lively with 2 goals. Kingsley added a couple in the last term to finish with 4 goals, as the Cats started the season on a positive note.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 25.10.160 Richmond 15.8.98
BEST CAT: Cameron Ling
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 4
CROWD: 48,251
LADDER POSITION: 4 (1-0)
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West Coast V Geelong, Subiaco Oval, Saturday (Night) April 2
Geelong's dreaded interstate form continued with a 22 points loss at the hands of the Eagles. Capping off the bad night was the serious knee injury to David Wojcinski and the report of James Bartel for tripping. Geelong got off to a great start with Bartel kicking the first goal of the match. But misses to Ottens (2), Kingsley and Playfair proved costly as the Eagle kicked the next 3 to lead by 8 points at quarter time. Geelong came back in the second term thanks to good play from Shannon Byrnes who was covering plenty of ground. They kicked 3 goals to 2 to reduce the margin to only 3 points at the main break. Byrnes was in the play again in the third term and his second goal put the Cats in front for the first time since early in the first term. But that is where the Cats stopped as the Eagles dominated the rest of the match, with Hansen having the better of the Geelong defence with 4 goals. Byrnes was the standout player for the Cats with 24 touches to go with his 2 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: West Coast 12.12.84 Geelong 8.14.62
BEST CAT: Shannon Byrnes
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley & Shannon Byrnes 2
CROWD: 39,578
LADDER POSITION: 6 (1-1)
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Geelong were thrashed by Melbourne by 48 points in their first of many Friday Night matches this season. Geelong were never in the hunt after Bartel was carried off the ground after he hit his head on the ground after a head high knock from ex-cat Brent Moloney. Melbourne kicked the first 5 goals of the match before Chapman kicked the Cats first goal. The Cats were playing better in the second term after Chapman kicked his second, and then Playfair kicked his first after an impressive performance at centre half forward. Soon after his goal, he kicked one long to Kingsley who soccered one through and the Cats were within 21 points. But Robertson pushed Rooke into the fence and after some remonstrating from Rooke and Scarlett, the umpire awarded a free kick to Robertson and he goaled and that ended the Cats charge. The Dees were in front by 32 points at the main change. They kicked 7 goals 2 to the Cats 3 goals 10 in the second half. Kingsley was able to get the ball, but let himself down with poor kicking (2 goals 5). Josh Hunt was the Cats best player with 20 kicks and 11 marks.
FINAL
SCORE: Melbourne 18.6.114 Geelong 8.18.66
BEST CAT: Josh Hunt
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman & Kent Kingsley 3
CROWD: 51,793
LADDER POSITION: 10 (1-2)
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Geelong V Essendon, Telstra Dome, Saturday (Night) April 16
Geelong came from 20 points down at the 10 minute mark of the third term to kick 14 of the next 16 goals and win by 56 points. Ottens started the match with a strong mark from a good lead and goaled. Kingsley then snapped a left foot goal and Kelly kicked a good goal on the run. The Bombers kicked the last two of the term to reduce the margin to 3 points at the first change. Both sides kicked 2 goals in the second term as play was very scrappy and mistakes were made by both sides. Once again Geelong were inaccurate in front of goals with 10 points to go with their 5 goals. The Bombers started the third term on fire, while the Cats were asleep. The Bombers kicked 4 goals in 10 minutes to lead by 20 points. But then King was taken off the ground, Ottens was put in the Ruck and Playfair was sent to centre half forward. Those 3 moves were the turning point of the match. The Cats kicked the next 7 goals of the term. The run was started by David Johnson who snapped over his head for a great goal. Kingsley then snapped another goal, and Playfair came into game and got his kicking boots on. He kicked 2 goals after kicking 3 points in the first half. Ablett and Chapman also chipped in with goals and before you knew it the margin was 27 points at the last change. Tom Harley was concussed after being hit late after he kicked the ball down field, but no free was awarded. Any thought the Bombers had of getting back in the match was gone early in the last when Riccardi kicked a classy goal from the Pocket. Geelong then ran riot with Bartel kicking 2 goals, Ablett and Chapman kicking their second and Gardiner kicking one from the pocket. Essendon got 2 late goals from Lloyd, one from a dive that would have made the Australian Diving Team happy. Corey Enright was the Cats best playing with 31 disposals. Other good players included Hunt, Kelly, Ottens and Chapman.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 19.17.131 Essendon 11.9.75
BEST CAT: Corey Enright
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 3
CROWD: 48,653
LADDER POSITION: 6 (2-2)
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Port Adelaide V Geelong, AAMI Stadium, Friday (Night) April 22
Geelong finally broke their instate hoodoo with a thrilling 4 point over the Power, in what was the Cats first interstate win since 2002. The Cats were the better side in the first term but once again they started the game by kicking poorly. Kingsley and Chapman kicked early goals, but Ottens kicked one on the full, then he missed another shot. Enright and Gardiner also missed shots. The Cats were up by 3 points at the first change. Geelong got on top early in the second term thanks to a goal to Playfair and then another one to Ottens after a brilliant contested mark in the square. The Power then came back with a couple of goals, but Chapman kicked his second and then Gardiner took a great mark and handballed to Enright and he goaled and the Cats were 2 goals up. But Tredrea kicked 2 late goals to give the Power the lead at half time. The Power got on top early in the third term and they kicked the first 2 goals of the term to lead by 17 points. But like they did against Essendon last week the Cats lifted at the 10 minute mark and came back hard. Goals to Byrnes, Ling, Kingsley and Riccardi saw the Cats hit the lead, but once against late goals to the Power saw them hit the lead going into the Final term. It was the Ottens and Riccardi show for the Cats in the final term that sparked the Cats. Ottens kicked 2 goals from around 50 metres out, while Riccardi kicked 2 as well to stamp his class on the match. Late in the game Ling took 2 brilliant marks to stop the Powers charge and the Cats held on for a brilliant win. Ottens was the Cats best player with his 3 goals and work in the Ruck, while Ling was also in the best with 28 touches.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 15.9.99 Port Adelaide 15.5.95
BEST CAT: Brad Ottens
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley, Brad Ottens & Peter Riccardi
3
CROWD: 33,405
LADDER POSITION: 6 (3-2)
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Geelong V Bulldogs, Skilled Stadium, Sunday May 1
Geelong easily beat the Bulldogs by 35 points, in the Clubs first home game for the season at Skilled Stadium, with the new Eastern Stand on show. Geelong opened the match better with the first two goals on the board early on. But the Dogs came back and kicked the next three goals of the game. Geelong steadied to kick 4 of the last 5 goals of the term to lead by 16 points at the first change with 6 individual goal kickers. The Dogs came out firing in the second term and they reduced the margin to under a goal. But the class of Riccardi was once again on show as he kicked 2 goals to give the Cats some breathing space and an 11 point lead at the main change. Riccardi's second goal was a classic, where he did a blind term, then side stepped a Bulldog opponent and he goaled from 50 metres out. Geelong could have been further in front but once again they were wasteful in front of goal. Ablett missed two shots from inside 25 metres. Geelong got on top in the term with Paul Chapman continuing his dominance. He kicked a great left foot snap and then some great work in the goal square saw him hand ball the ball towards goal where Ablett soccered off the ground to finally score a goal. Geelong continued their dominance in the last term as Brad Ottens took a couple of strong marks and kicked his second goal. Chapman was the Cats best player with 24 disposals and 3 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 16.12.108 Bulldogs 11.7.73
BEST CAT: Paul Chapman
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman 3
CROWD: 23,019
LADDER POSITION: 5 (4-2)
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Geelong V St.Kilda, Telstra Dome, Saturday May 7
Geelong came from 26 points down late in the third term to overrun St.Kilda in the last term and win by 18 points. Geelong suffered a blow before the match when Steve Johnson withdrew and Cameron Thurley came in to play his first game of AFL footy, after being drafted from the Tasmanian VFL side. The Cats started the match better after Reiwoldt took an early mark but he did not make the distance. Ottens took a mark falling forward and goaled, Kingsley kicked a goal, and then Chapman snapped a beauty and the Cats had 3 on the board. But the Saints came back and they kicked 5 of the next 6, to lead by a goal at quarter time. With the help of the umpires and poor play from the Cats the Saints controlled the game in the second term. Kingsley dribbled one through to keep the Cats in touch, as the margin was 19 points at the main change. The Cats suffered a blow in the third term when Chapman limped off with an ankle injury, while the Saints already had Jones and Harvey on the bench. The Saints extended their lead 26 points, but two late goals to Thurley, who kicked his first goal in AFL footy, and Bartel kept the Cats in touch and the Margin was back to only 13 points at the last change. Geelong continued their run in the final term as they out ran the tired Saints. Thurley was in the play again as he kicked his second then Enright, who was once again in the Cats best, passed to Milburn who marked and goaled from 10 metres out to reduce the margin to 5 points. Henry Playfair then ran into the open goal following a handball from Kingsley and the Cats were in front. They did not stop there as Kingsley marked on chest in the square and he kicked his 4th straight for the match. Milburn then capped off his best on ground performance (29 touches 11 marks) with a fine mark and he kicked his 3rd goal to give the Cats a 17 point lead. Ablett then weaved through a pack and goaled and the match was over.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 18.11.119 St.Kilda 15.11.101
BEST CAT: Darren Milburn
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 4
CROWD: 44,814
LADDER POSITION: 3 (5-2)
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Carlton V Geelong, Telstra Dome, Friday (Night) May 13
Geelong won their 5th straight match and 6th for the season by thrashing Carlton by 70 points. Chapman was not considered following his ankle injury the previous week and Steve Johnson replaced him. Geelong set the game up in the opening term when they kicked 6 goals to 0. Gary Ablett was in everything in the first term with 9 touches and he also kicked 2 goals. Brad Ottens also kicked 2 goals in the first term after taking two strong grabs against Lance Whitnall. After Ablett kicked his third early in the second term Fevola sparked a Carlton comeback. After kicking 4 points he got his kicking boots to kick 4 goals on Tom Harley after Scarlett went off with a knee injury, but he came back onto the ground. The Blues got within 13 points, but Thurley once again showed his poise in front of goal to give the Cats a handy break at the main change. Geelong played much better in the third team as they once again got on top of the Blues. Ablett kicked his 4th goal, while Darren Milburn celebrated his 150th game with another dominate game against Carlton and he kicked his 2nd goal. Scarlett started to look like the Scarlett of old as he out marked Fevola and he also started to run down the ground. At one stage he ran forward and took the ball at Centre Half Forward and everyone was hoping he would score a goal. But he did the team thing and handballed to Steve Johnson who goaled. Then Rooke ran forward and goaled on the run from 40 metres out and the Cats were 33 points in front a the last change. The last term was all Geelong as they ran riot as the Blues struggled to get the ball past the centre of the ground. Thurley helped himself to 3 goals for the term, one after Ablett had kicked a great snap, but the umpire called the ball back after paying a free. Ablett was the Cats playing with 26 possessions and 4 goals, while other better players were Milburn, Joel Corey and Henry Playfair who took 10 marks at Centre Half Forward.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 22.11.143 Cartlon 10.13.73
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Gary Ablett & Cameron Thurley 4
CROWD: 45,758
LADDER POSITION: 2 (6-2)
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Geelong V Kangaroos, Skilled Stadium, Sunday May 22
Geelong won their 6th straight match with an 85 point thumping of the Kangaroos at skilled Stadium. Tom Lonergan came into the side to play his first game as Tom Harley was a late withdrawal. Like the week before against Carlton the Cats got off to a flyer in the first term kicking 6 goals to 1. Henry Playfair was well on top of Leigh Colbert at Centre Half Forward as he helped himself to 2 first quarter goals. Paul Chapman showed no signs of his ankle injury as he had 14 touches and a goal in the first term. The second term was much tighter as the Roos came back. They kicked 3 goals to 2 to reduce the margin to 4 goals at the main change. Thurley kicked his 7th straight goal in AFL football, while Chapman came off as he aggravated his ankle injury. Once again the Cats got on top in the third term as they slammed on 7 goals to 3. Kingsley came into the play with 2 goals for the term, while Tenace's goal right before 3/4 time when he got the tap from King in the centre, bounced twice as he ran inside 50 and kicked truely, was the goal of the day. Cameron Mooney was taken off during the term after giving away 6 free kicks for the match which resulted in 4 goals to the Roos. The last term was a whitewash as the Cats slammed on another 7 goals to 1. Playfair, Bartel and Kingsley added their third goals during the term, while Lonergan was moved forward and he kicked his first 2 goals in AFL footy. Best for the Cats was Corey Enright with 30 touches and two goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 22.14.146 Kangaroos 8.13.61
BEST CAT: Corey Enright
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): James Bartel, Kent Kingsley & Henry Playfair
3
CROWD: 24,105
LADDER POSITION: 2 (7-2)
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GeelongV Fremantle, Skilled Stadium, Saturday May 28
Geelong lost there first game at home since 2003 when they were very disappointing in losing to Fremantle by 9 points. The Dockers jumped the Cats in the first term with a strong breeze and they had 5 on the board to 5 points. Kingsley was back to his bad kicking days when he failed to make the distance from 25 metres out. Ablett finally got the Cats first goal, and then Playfair kicked one from nearly 50 metres out and the Cats had the run. On the siren Scarlett marked and he kicked a torpedo from outside 50 to goal and the Cats were only 9 points down at the first change. After the Dockers got the first 2 of the second term Geelong got on top to kick the next 4 to lead by 3 points at the main change. The Cats got the first of the third term through Kingsley, but the Dockers once again came back and they lead by 9 points at the last change. They extended the lead to 14 points in the last term but the Cats came back to get within 3 points with minutes left. Ottens and Chapman had chances to put the Cats in front, but couldn't and the Dockers goaled after the siren for their first win at Skilled Stadium.
FINAL
SCORE: Fremantle 14.7.91 Geelong 11.16.82
BEST CAT: Josh Hunt
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley & Paul Chapman 2
CROWD: 20,869
LADDER POSITION: 2 (7-3)
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Collingwood V Geelong , Telstra Dome, Friday (Night) June 3
Geelong lost to Collingwood by 25 points after they got within 2 goals in the last term after falling 7 goals down at half time. Collingwood got off the better start kicking the first 4 goals of the game. Mackie got the Cats first with a brilliant left foot snap, but the Pies got one more to against extend their lead to 4 goals. But Riccardi came on and helped spur the Cats. Ablett kicked a goal from a set shot, and then Riccardi ran in and goaled and the Cats were within 2. Gardiner had a chance to close the margin to a goal but he missed. The second term was all Collingwood as they kicked 6 goals to 1 (a goal from Ottens) to lead by 7 goals at the main break. Geelong played much better in the third term but could not put the score on the board until Chapman ran in and kicked a goal. Kingsley and Longergan kicked 2 each for the term, but each time the Cats got within 3-4 goals the Pies responded particularly through Alan Didak who kicked 2 ripper goals in the term. The Pies in front by 31 points at the last change. The Cats tried to come back in the last term through Ling and Mackie but Tarrant took a ripper over Scarlett and the margin was back to 5 goals. But Geelong would not lie down as Ablett kicked his second goal and Kingsley kicked his 3rd goal. Then Shannon Byrnes beat two Collingwood players on the boundary line and handballed to Ottens in the square and the margin was back to 2 goals at the 21 minute mark. But a stuff up on the wing when King handballed to Enright under pressure and Enright was forced to handball back to King proved costly. Instead of grabing the ball King tried to kick the ball out of the air and missed and the end result was a Collingwood goal and game over for the Cats.
FINAL
SCORE: Collingwood 18.13.121 Geelong 14.12.96
BEST CAT: Corey Enright
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 3
CROWD: 48,261
LADDER POSITION: 4 (7-4)
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Geelong V Adelaide, Skilled Stadium, Sunday June 12
Geelong won a thriller against Adelaide by 4 points dispite not kicking a goal in the second and final terms. Geelong welcomed back Brenton Sanderson for his first game of the seaon, while Tom Harley was once again a late withdrawal with hip soreness. The Cats kicked with a very strong wind in the first term, but it was the Crows who kicked the first two goals of the game. Ottens marked and kicked the Cats for goal which gave them a spark. Riccardi then came on and like he did against Collingwood last week he had an impact. This time he kicked two quick goals and the Cats were in front. His first goal was after receiving a ruck tap, while his second was a typical long bomb from around 50 metres out. Milburn then ran in to kick a great goal, and then Playfair handballed over the top to Chapman who goaled and the Cats led by 20 points at quarter time. Corey Enright went off with a knee injury during the term. The second term was all Adelaide as they held the Cats scoreless, and kicked 2 goals themsevles to be down by only 3 points at the main change. They should have been in front had they converted better as they also kicked 5 points. Like they did in the first term the Crows came out firing in the third term and they kicked the first 3 goals of the term into the wind to lead by 15 points and the Cats were in trouble. But like they did in the first term, the Cats needed a goal to spark them into action. That came at the 17 minute mark through Ling who goaled from 20 metres out. Then Playfair came into the game with two marks on the lead and he kicked two goals, his second putting the Cats in front. Sanderson, who made a great return, ran down field and kicked a ripper goal from 50 and the Cats were 9 points in front. Late in the term Playfair had his jaw broken after a bad attempt to spoil from the Crows, but no free kick was awarded. The Cats had only 18 fit men at 3/4 time as Rooke had mild concussion and Mooney was cramping in the calf. To the Cats credit they fought the last term. Once again they were held goalless (at least they kicked 3 points) while the Crows got within 3 points with around 5 minutes left. But the Cats backline stood firm with Scarlett magnificent. He had 30 possessions and 14 marks and he kept Scott Welsh goalless. The Crows had their chances with Edwards missing a handball that would have seen him run into the open goal, and some thought Mooney was lucky not to be penalised for delibrate out of bounds. Still a great fighting effort from the Cats. While Scarlett was the Cats best, Ling was not far behind with 37 touches himself.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 9.7.61 Adelaide 8.9.57
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Peter Riccardi and Henry Playfair 2
CROWD: 23,506
LADDER POSITION: 3 (8-4)
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Brisbane V Geelong, GABBA, Sunday June 19
Geelong lost another match at the GABBA, this time by 69 points in wet conditions. Brenton Sanderson played his 200th AFL game, while Peter Riccardi played his 300th official game (including pre-season and state of origin) to gain AFL life membership. Geelong were forced to make several changes due to injury with Enright (knee), Ottens (groin), Playfair (Jaw) and Mackie (soreness) unable to play. Steven King missed his second in a row. David Haynes and James Rahilly both came in to play their first games of the season. Brisbane got off the better start kicking the first 3 goals of the game. But Geelong came back with Chapman and Haynes soccering goals through, and then Kingsley marked strongly in front of Michael to goal and the margin was only 7 points at quarter time. Brisbane got right on top in the second term as they kicked 4 goals to 1 to lead by 5 goals at half time. Joel Corey was the Cats only goalkicker for the term, while Chapman went off with a knee injury and Rooke with hamstring tightness. Akermanis turned on his own show in the second half as he kicked 4 goals to finish with 5 for the game. The two he kicked in the third two were beauties from the boundary. Geelong only kicked one goal in both the third and last terms through Kingsley and Harley who started the match forward, went back and was shifted forwarded again where he kicked the goal. Best for the Cats was Kelly, while Scarlett did a good job on Bradshaw.
FINAL
SCORE: Brisbane 17.14.116 Geelong 6.11.47
BEST CAT: James Kelly
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 2
CROWD: 31,307
LADDER POSITION: 4 (8-5)
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Geelong V Hawthorn, Telstra Dome, Sunday July 3
Geelong returned to the winners list with a 55 point thumping of Hawthorn at Telstra Dome. Steven King returned to the Cats side, while Brad Ottens once again missed, and Matthew McCarthy came in for his first game of the year. Kingsley started well and kicked a goal as did Charlie Gardiner. Then McCarthy ran into the open goal and the Cats were away. McCarthy's joy was short lived however as he soon injured his shoulder and he spent the rest of the match on the bench. Byrnes capped off the quarter for the Cats by kicking a great running goal. The highlight for the term for the Cats was the form of Cameron Mooney, as he marked everything that came into the Hawk forward line. Hawthorn were starting to play a bit better in the second term but they could not put the score on the board. The did get the margin back to 3 goals, but King took his first contested mark of the season and goaled to steady the Cats. Once again the Hawks answered, but this time it was the Cats other Ruckman in Chamber's to mark well on the lead and goal to give the Cats a 4 goal break at half time. The third term was the Paul Chapman show, as he dominated the Cats forward line and he helped himself to 4 goals for the term. One of his goals came after he took a brilliant mark running with the flight of the ball. Kingsley could have had a massive quarter himself, but he kicked 1 goal 3 which should had read 4 straight. Geelong continued their run early in the last term as Kingsley kicked his 4th goal and finished the match with 12 marks and 22 possessions. Chambers kicked his second and Milburn his first. The Cats were in front by over 10 goals at one stage, but the Hawks were able to get some late goals. Mooney was probably the Cats best player, while he had plenty of support from Matthew Scarlett, who continued his recent return to form, as he beat the dangerous Mark Williams. Cameron Ling beat the dangerous Sam Mitchell, while Joel Corey picked up 29 touches.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 16.17.113 Hawthorn 8.10.58
BEST CAT: Cameron Mooney
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley and Paul Chapman 4
CROWD: 36,667
LADDER POSITION: 3 (9-5)
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Sydney V Geelong, SCG, Saturday (Night) July 9
Geelong were thrashed by Sydney by 9 goals in what was another dissapointing display interstate. To Cats lost Steve King, Camron Ling and Jared Rooke before the match as they were late withdrawals, while Matthew Scarlett played the match dispite suffering the effects of the flu. Mark Blake, son of Rod, came into the side to make his debut. Kicking against a tricky breeze the Cats dominated the first term but they could not put the score on the board and that proved costly. They kicked 1 goals 4 for the term with Thurley the only goal kicker. Chapman and Kingsley missed shots that they should have kicked. The second term was all the Swans as they slammed on 9 goals in a row. Geelong did get two late goals to reduce the margin to 40 points. Three more goals in a row at the start of the third term had the margin back to only 23 points and although they were not playing well they were a slight chance. But the Swans got another run on and when Luke Ablett goaled after the siren when the ball went through at chest hight and no Geelong playing touched it, the game was gone.
FINAL
SCORE: Sydney 16.9.105 Geelong 7.9.51
BEST CAT: James Kelly
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Cameron Thurley 3
CROWD: 28,667
LADDER POSITION: 3 (9-6)
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Geelong V Port Adelaide, Skilled Stadium, Saturday July 16
Geelong got its season back on track in the lead-up to the finals with a 79 point thumping of Port Adelaide at a wet and windy Skilled Stadium. The Cats welcomed back Steve King, Cameron Ling, Henry Playfair, Jarad Rooke and David Johnson to the side that was thrashed by Sydney the week before. Unfortunantely David Johnson was to re-injure his hamstring during the match. The Cats were kicking against a very strong wind in the first term, but they got off to a great start when Playfair marked and goaled in his return game. Ling then kicked a running goal, but the Power got a couple to get back into the game. Josh Hunt then ran down from defence and his kicked a long goal from out side 50 against the breeze to give the Cats a 9 point lead at the first change. Kicking with the wind in the second term Geelong broke the game open as they slammed on 7 goals. Bartel was running riot in the midfield, Scarlett was doing a good job on Tredrea and Milburn was shutting down Chad Cornes in the Cats forward line while helping himself to a goal. Ablett also showed what he is capable of with a brilliant snap from the pocked. Geelong went into the main break with a 45 point lead. Geelong continued to dominate in the third term even though they were kicking against the breeze and the rain started to come down. Kingsley kicked a couple of goals during the term while Ablett set up Chapman who goaled. Geelong were 10 goals up at the last change. The procession continued in the last term as Kingsley kicked his 4th, and then was awarded a free kick before the ball was bounced to kick his first and equal Jason Snell (1997) and Ben Graham (2004) as the best performance in goals against the Power. Bartel was the Cats best player with 32 touches, 10 marks, 12 tackles and 3 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 18.18.126 Port Adelaide 7.5.47
BEST CAT: Jimmy Bartel
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 5
CROWD: 19,362
LADDER POSITION: 3 (10-6)
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Bulldogs V Geelong, Telstra Dome, Saturday July 23
Geelong put in probably their worst performance of the season as they lost to the Dogs by 35 points, after being down by 11 goals midway through the third term. Geelong got off to a great start with Kingsley playing on and kicking a goal from the boundary. But from then on it was all the Dogs as Wayde Skipper kicked 3 goals for the term as the Dogs overran the Cats. After they Dogs led by 4 goals at quarter time Geelong kicked the first two goals of the second term after receiving a spray from Mark Thompson. But then the Dogs once again got their running game going and they lead by 31 points at half time. They continued their run in the third term and they extended their lead to 11 goals. As the Bulldogs tired Geelong started to get more of the ball and another good goal from Kingsley from the boundary was the first of 5 goals to reduce the margin to 38 points at the last change. Geelong continued to come in the last term as Kingsley kicked his 4th, another from the boundary, then Ablett snapped his third, and a quiet Chapman kicked his third and there was 4 goals in it. Straight out of the centre Kelly marked but hit the post and that was the match.
FINAL
SCORE: Bulldogs 20.13.133 Geelong 14.14.98
BEST CAT: Cameron Mooney
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 4
CROWD: 29,351
LADDER POSITION: 5 (10-7)
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Essendon V Geelong, Telstra Dome, Friday (Night) July 29
Geelong's season went from bad to worse with a 13 point loss to Essendon. Geelong regained Brad Ottens and Corey Enright for the important match. Geelong played much better football in the first term than they did against the Dogs last week. A Riccardi snap went to Kingsley who ran into the open goal. Then Tenace ran down the outer win and passed to Ablett who quickly passed to Kelly and he goaled. Ablett later kicked a goal himself, as the Cats led by 8 points at quarter time. The Bombers tried to come at the Cats in the second term, but the Cats had the answers with Kingsley kicking 2 goals from free kicks. Steve Johnson then snaped a clever goal, as did Kelly and the Cats were still 8 points in front at half time. The Bombers got the first of the third term, but Chapman goaled after he was awarded a 50 metre penalty when Soloman punched Ablett in the guts. But the Bombers then got right on top with Lucas kicking 4 goals for the term. Ottens marked on the lead and goaled, and then at the 35 minute mark Ricardi goaled to reduce the margin to 7 points at the last change. Joel Corey had a chance to bring the Cats closer early in the last term, but missed. The end result was Hird kicking 2 goals and the match was over. Ablett got one late, and then Milburn goaled right on the siren after umpire Goldspink got in the way of an Essendon kick.
FINAL
SCORE: Essendon 16.11.107 Geelong 13.16.94
BEST CAT: Cameron Ling
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 3
CROWD: 47,122
LADDER POSITION: 6 (10-8)
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St.Kilda V Geelong, Telstra Dome, Friday (Night) August 5
Geelong lost their third game in a row with a loss of 41 points to St.Kilda. The Cats lost Steven King (broken finger) and Cameron Mooney (Back) before the match. The Cats and the Saints went goal for goal in the first term as Kelly goaled then Kingsley goaled from a set shot. Chapman also kicked a goal in the first term, but he sooned went off with a slight hamstring injury. The Saints got on top in the second term but the Cats undermaned defence held up as the Saints were also inaccurate. After a couple of soft frees to Reiwoldt, Ottens finally got one after he was being scragged all night, and Ablett played on with advantage and goaled. Ottens then marked in the square and goaled. The Cats could have been closer had Kingsley been paid a marked, then moments later Hamill was awarded a mark that he held even less than Kingsley. The Saints were in front by 10 points at half time. The Saints continued to dominate in the third term but they could not kick straight. Kelly kicked his second but misses to Corey and Kingsley proved costly. Enright went off during the term with a shoulder injury. The Saints got the first of the last term, but Haynes responded to give the Cats a slight chance, but it was not to be. Matthew Scarlett was easily the Cats best as he thrashed Gehrig, keeping him to one goal and picking up 22 touches and 10 marks.
FINAL
SCORE: St.Kilda 13.18.96 Geelong 8.7.55
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): James Kelly 2
CROWD: 46,848
LADDER POSITION: 7 (10-9)
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Geelong V Melboure, Skilled Stadium, Saturday August 13
Geelong let a good chance to be a step closer to playing in the finals with a heartbreaking 1 point loss to Melbourne at skilled Stadium. Huge hype surounded the match after Nathan Ablett was a late inclusion into the side after Paul Chapman did not recover from his hamsting strain from last week. Geelong got off to a great start in the first term as Steve Johnson shook off the late night drinking incident from last weekend to kick 2 early goals. Kingsley missed one, but then kicked better to goal, and then Milburn also goaled to give the Cats a 11 point lead a quarter time. Geelong continued to play well in the second term. Playfair marked and goaled, then the moment Cat fans had been waiting when Gary Ablett passed the ball to brother Nathan who marked. He goaled from 35 metres out with his first kick in AFL footy, and he was surrounded by his teamates. Ottens then goaled and the Cats were 5 goals in front. Moments later Ottens slid on his knee to mark, but in doing so he re-injured his groin and he took no further part in the match. Geelong were 27 points in front at half time. Melbourne came out firing in the third term but when Bartel kicking his second the margin was 31 points. Then the wheels fell off. Ling dropped an easy mark from a kick in and Melbourne goaled, and Mooney gave away a free before the ball was bounced and Melbourne goaled. The Dees kicked another soon after and they were right back in the game. They hit the lead just before the final change by 3 points. Both teams kicked a goal each early in the last term, and then Geelong kicked three goals, to Nathan Ablett after another pass from brother Gary, who himself then kicked a brilliant snap and then Kingsley kicked his 4th goal. But Melbourne again came back as Robbertson kicked his 7th after Mark Thompson would not move Matthew Scarlett onto him. Geelong tried to snatch the lead back, but Kingsley missed, Ablett dribbled one into the post and then Mathew Egan marked after the siren. From 55 meters out his shot was forced through the points by a pack of Melbourne players.
FINAL
SCORE: Melbourne 14.16.100 Geelong 15.9.99
BEST CAT: James Bartel
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Kent Kingsley 4
CROWD: 20,148
LADDER POSITION: 6 (10-10)
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Geelong V West Coast, Skilled Stadium, Saturday August 20
Geelong cemented 6th spot on the ladder and almost assured themselves of playing in finals, with a 76 point thrashing of ladder leaders West Cost. A loss would have seen the Cats slip out of the 8. While the Cats lost Ottens and Hunt, Steven King returned early from a finger injury, and Tom Harley played his first senoir game in 7 weeks. The Eagles kicked the first goal of the game, but it was Cats who were switched on from the start of the match. Their agressive tackling, which has been lacking in the past month, was back, as the Eagles were always under pressure. Jarad Rooke lined up on Chris Judd and Rooke took the honours as he drove the Cats forward in the first term. With Gary Ablett Sr watching in the stands, Nathan Ablett turned it on in the first term. He took 6 marks, his first was a beauty, and kicked 3 goals, while he set up another to Ling when he handballed over to him in the goal square. He had three opponents for the term. Geelong continued to dominate in the second term, when Nathan Ablett kicked his 4th goal, and then brother Gary set up Kingsley. Steve Johnson was also on fire and he added a couple of goals himself. Steven King was playing his best game of the season and he kicked a great goal as well. Geelong were 43 points in front at the main change. The Cats only kicked 2 goals in the third term, one of them was a beauty to Tenace, but that didn't matter as they held the Eagles scoreless. The last term saw the Cats continue to dominate. Kingsley kicked his second, Johnson his 3rd, while Gary Ablett capped off a great game for the family, with a brilliant running left foot goal. Jimmy Bartel was excellent in the midfield, as was Cameron Mooney who played a ruck rover type role, while Tom Harley played his best game of the season, and Matthew Scarlett was once again at his best.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 16.13.109 West Coast 5.3.33
BEST CAT: Steve Johnson
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Nathan Ablett 4
CROWD: 20,372
LADDER POSITION: 6 (11-10)
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Geelong V Richmond, Skilled Stadium, Sunday August 28
Geelong has finished the 2005 AFL season in 6th spot after hanging on to defeat Richmond by just 1 point at Skilled Stadium. Paul Chapman returned to the Cats side after missing 2 weeks with a hamstring injury. Brenton Sanderson played his last game at Skilled Stadium after announcing his retirement (after the Finals) during the week. The Cats kicked with a very strong wind in the first term and after a slow start Steve Johnson kicked a goal from 50 metres out. He was all over the ground in the first term in his continued return to form since his late night drinking incident. Cameron Mooney repeated Johnson effort with a goal from 50 of his own. Mooney was in the play again soon after when he spoiled a Richmond defender, which enabled Nathan Ablett to snap a great goal. Next it was Nathan again in the play when he marked at half forward and he kick inside 50 where Brother Gary took a "Speccy". He goaled and the Cats were 22 points in front at the first change. The Tigers looked better in the second term with the breeze as they tried to move the ball quickly into the forward line. Steve Johnson was at his best again when he nearly took a one hander on the boundary line, then recovered to soccer the ball off the ground for a goal. Richo got the Tigers back in it with a couple of goals, but Goals to Kelly and Riccardi kept the Cats in front by 3 points at the main change. Richmond returned to their first term plan of slowing the game down to run the clock down and limit the amount of time the Cats had the use of the breeze. The tactic nearly worked, but it was Darren Milburn who sparked the Cats with 2 good goals for the term. Then a minute or so before the siren, Tom Harley ran down field and kicked a great goal from 50, to give the Cats a handy 26 point lead at 3/4 time. This should have been extended to 32 points when Johnson was awarded a free kick and he played on and snapped another great goal from the boundary, but the umpire called the ball back and his shot went out on the full. Then the Tigers got a run on and they kicked 2 quick goals to reduce the margin to 13 points. The Cats held on for a while, but with 3 minutes left the Tigers got another and the margin was 7 points. Then with 45 seconds left Richmond got a goal after Symonds snapped a goal from a boundary throw in. The margin was only 1 point. The Cats kicked the ball forward but with all players in Richmond's forward line the Tigers took the ball forward, but for the second time in the term Cameron Ling took a great mark backing back into Richardson's lead, and the Cats held on for win that earned them a "home" final.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 10.9.69 Richmond 10.8.68
BEST CAT: Cameron Mooney
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson & Darren Milburn 2
CROWD: 24,000
LADDER POSITION: 6 (12-10)
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FINALS
Geelong V Melbourne, M.C.G., Saturday September 3
Geelong earned themselves a crack at Sydney in the Semi Finals after a 55 point thrashing of Melbourne at the MCG. The Cats led from start to finish after Cameron Mooney had an immediate impact playing a ruck roving role. Steve Johnson got a free kick for holding the ball and he passed to James Kelly who marked and goaled. Then Ling dropped a mark in the forward line, but good work from Rooke got him the ball back and he snapped a goal. Robertson then got the Dees first goal. Mooney continued his excellent start when he took the ball out of the Ruck and ran into the open goal. Gary Ablett then dribbled one through and Geelong had their 4th. Melbourne got one back when Robertson was awarded a soft free kick for a push in the back against Scarlett. Kingsley replied that with a kick off the ground that appeared to be over the goal line. The only sour note for the term was the report of Steve Johnson for rough play. The second term was all Geelong as they slammed on 7 goals to 4 to extend their lead to 37 points at the main change. The goals were shared by 7 different players. Ling, Ablett, Kelly and Mooney all kicked their second goals, while Tenace ran into the open goal to kick his first and Playfair snapped his first goal. Melbourne kicked 2 in a row to reduce the margin to 5 goals, but Mackie snapped a goal near the siren to extend the Cats lead. Geelong continued their run in the third term as they slammed on another 4 goals to 0. Steven King, who was having the better of White, tried to kick the ball out of the air but missed, and he made contact with Whites face breaking his nose and jaw. G.Ablett and Kelly both kicked their third goal during the term, while Steve Johnson and Nathan Ablett kicking their first. Melbourne won the last quarter by a goal as the Cats eased a bit. Playfair and Mackie both kicked their second goals for the match. Cameron Mooney was the Cats best player with 26 touches, 11 marks and 2 goals in an excellent team effort.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 18.8.116 Melbourne 9.7.61
BEST CAT: Cameron Mooney
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Gary Ablett & James Kelly 3
CROWD: 65,018
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Sydney V Geelong, S.C.G., Friday (Night) September 9
Geelong has suffered a heartbreaking 3 point loss to Sydney after a Nick Davis goal with 3 seconds put the Swans in front. Geelong lost Peter Riccardi and Nathan Ablett before the match. The Swans got the first goal of match, but the Cats settled and started to play better. Charlie Gardiner, who came in for Ablett, kicked the Cats first goal when he soccered one off the ground. Kelly kicked their second when he snapped one through, but the Swans replied close to quarter time to reduce the margin to 4 points. The second term was all Geelong as they started to dominate. Henry Playfair started the term with a goal. Steve Johnson was then awarded a free kick when he was blocked from going for the ball. He goaled and the Cats were 16 points in front. Jarad Rooke then kicked a goal after receiving a free kick and the margin was 20 points at the main change. Sydney had their chances early in the third term, but they could not kick goals. Instead Geelong got the ball forward and Steve Johnson ran into the open goal to give the Cats a 4 goal lead. Ablett nearly extended the lead when he kicked the ball through the goals, but we ruled to be out of play. O'Loughlin kicked the Swans first goal for nearly 2 quarters just before the 3/4 time siren to reduce the margin to 17 points. David Johnson then ran forward and goaled from 40 metres out early in the last term to give the Cats the four goal lead back. But that is when they stopped and Nick Davis kicked the next 4 goals. Best for the Cats was Matthew Scarlett who thrashed Barry Hall. Other good players included James Kelly and Cameron Ling who had the better of Goodes. Brenton Sanderon played his 209th and last AFL game. For the second year in a row the Cats have only themsevles to blame for being knocked out of the premiership race.
FINAL
SCORE: Sydney 7.14.63 Geelong 7.11.53
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson 2
CROWD: 39,079
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