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Preliminary Final Grand Final Previous
Years
PRESEASON
Geelong has continued on from its Premiership win last season with a 71 point thrashing of Melbourne in the first round of the NAB Cup. The only sour note for the Cats was the calf injury to Gary Ablett. Tom Lonergan played his first senior match since losing a Kidney in Round 21 2006. Although only a pre-season match and a months training behind on the same time last year Geelong was very sharp in the first term where they set up win with 8 goals against the breeze. Mooney kicked the first goal while Steve Johnson was at his Norm Smith winning form kicking a goal from 40 metres out on his left foot. Geelong continued to dominate in the second term with the highlight being a super goal from Shannon Byrnes who kicked two for the term and the margin was 48 points at half time. Geelong rested Tom Harley and Brad Ottens in the second half and Melbourne lifted with the wind and after kicking a super goal they reduced the margin to 35 points at the final change. Geelong again dominated the final term with Wojcinski topping off a good game of run from defence with 2 goals included a super goal. S.Johnson was the Cats best with 6 goals, while Harry Taylor playing his first senior match was great at Full Back. FINAL SCORE: Geelong 2.22.10.160 Melbourne 2.11.5.89
Round 2: St.Kilda V Geelong, Manuka Oval, Saturday February 23
Geelong has been knocked out of the NAB cup after losing a thriller to St.Kilda by 5 points in Canberra. The Cats rested Ablett, Ottens, Bartel, S.Johnson, Harley and Wojcinski from the side the thrashed Melbourne the week before. Corey, Selwood, Enright and Rooke came into the side. Geelong got off to a great start in the first 5 minutes of match with Corey and Stokes both kicking super goals. Hawkins then snapped the Cats third goal before Koschitzke reveled in the absence of Scarlett, Harley and Egan. He took some good marks and kicked 2 goals for the term. But Geelong still led by 20 points at the first change. It was all St.Kilda in the second term with Koschitzke added another 3 goals, 1 from a very soft free kick. The margin was 16 points at the main change. Geelong played better in the third term with Selwood continuing from his excellent debut year and he kicked a 9 pointer after a 50 metre penalty took him to the square. Hawkins kicked his second and the margin was 10 points at the final change. The Cats had all the play in the final term but did not convert on the scoreboard. Mooney could not get into the match as became frustrated with the treatment he received that was not penalised by the umpires. At one stage his shorts were nearly pulled off for no free kicked. Later he snapped a clever left foot goal to bring the Cats closer. Then Hawkins please the Cat fans with 2 good grabs and 2 goals and scores were level. Byrnes had 3 chances give the Cats breathing space but he could not convert and a late goal to the Saints stole the game. FINAL SCORE: St.Kilda 3.9.10.91 Geelong 3.8.11.86
ROUNDS 1 - 22
Port Adelaide V Geelong, AAMI Stadium, Thursday (Night) March 20
Geelong has repeated its Grand Final victory over Port Adelaide, this time by a much closer margin of 9 points. Geelong lost Ottens with an ankle injury and Trent West came into the side to play his first senior match while Ryan Gambleplayed his second match. Port kicked with the wind in the first term and after an early goal it was Geelong that settled and played the better football. Paul Chapman continued his form from the Grand Final to kick an early goal. Mooney also kicked a goal after 2 close misses earlier in the match. Ryan Gamble impressed as well and he kicked a goal as did Steve Johnson and Stokes to give the Cats a 16 point lead at the first change. Geelong continued to dominate in the second term with Tom Hawkins having an impact. He nearly took a huge mark over a pack and he followed that up by nearly taking a one handed mark, recovering and then coolly kicking a check side goal. Ling continued his straight kicking from last season and the margin was 31 points at the main change. Geelong started to make errors in the third term as fatigue set in and Port made more a game of it. Joel Corey kept the Cats going by kicking a goal after receiving a 50 metre penalty. The Power kicked 4 goals to 2 for the term and reduced the margin to 18 points at the final change. Mark Thompson ordered the players to kick the first goal and it was Gary Ablett that delivered. He got the ball from the bounce took two bounces ran inside 50 and slammed through a great goal. As the Power came back Geelong answered again when Chapman snapped his third goal on the left foot. Again as the Power looked like gaining momentum but this time it was Andrew Mackie who did what he did so often last year by running forward and kicking a goal from outside 50. But that did not stop the Power as they kept coming, but a few missed opportunities in the final 10 minutes and the Cats were able to hang on.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 15.15.105 Port Adelaide 14.12.96
BEST CAT: Paul Chapman
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman, Matthew Stokes 3
CROWD: 28,306
LADDER POSITION: 6 (1-0)
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Geelong V Essendon, Telstra Dome, Sunday March 30
Geelong has returned to its 2007 Grand Final form with a 99 point thrashing of Essendon at Telstra Dome. Geelong lost Mackie with a hip injury and selected Harry Taylor for his senior debut, while Wojcinski returned from a finger injury. Steve Johnson got Geelong off to a great start with the first goal of the match. Essendon replied but this was answered by a good running goal from Ablett who was on fire, along with Chapman and Kelly. Geelong had chances to go further ahead but Gamble, Mooney and Hawkins missed. Mark Blake then brought the house down with a magnificent running goal from 50 metres out. Trent West then joined in to kick his first goal in the AFL to give the Cats a 20 point lead at the first change. Geelong set up the big win in the first 5 minutes of the second term as they ran riot. Gamble, Enright and Corey all goaled as the Bombers has only touched the ball once for the term. Bartel then kicked one after taking a great mark and a fine tackle from Selwood set up Wojcinski to kick a goal. The margin at half time was 51 points. The carnage continued in the third term with Mooney kicking a couple of goals and Ablett adding his second goal. Geelong added 6 for the term as their lead extended to 81 points. With the match all over the main interest in the final term was to see if Geelong could win by over 100 points. Gamble added his third and again it was Blake that thrilled the crowd. First another running shot hit the post and then he took a strong mark over Mooney before kicking his second goal. Ablett was the Cats best with 34 touches, while Bartel (38), Stokes (31) and Scarlett, who kept Lloyd goalless, were not far behind.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 22.18.150 Essendon 6.15.51
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ryan Gamble 3
CROWD: 50,636
LADDER POSITION: 2 (2-0)
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Geelong has celebrated the unfurling of the 2007 Premiership Flag by finishing Round 3 on top of the AFL ladder following a sloppy 30 point win over Melbourne. Max Rooke came into the side for his first match of the season. Geelong players lined up for the unfurling of the flag and their minds were still in the line during the first ten minutes of the match. After all the talk of a 100 point thrashing the Dees came out firing and they kicked the first 3 goals of the match and a major upset was on the cards. But Geelong steadied when Ling ran into goal to continue his deadly accuracy in tact. Gary Ablett then intercepted a pass and ran into the open goal and Hawkins picked up a loose ball in the square from a failed attempt to rush a behind and he goaled. Stokes finished the quarter off by kicking a goal and the margin was a goal at the first change. Geelong kept going in the second term when Johnson snapped a good goal and Hawkins again kicked one in the square. Then Blake brought the house down when a great running goal to kick the Cats 4 goals clear. But the Dees would not lie down and they kicked the next 3 to be within a kick. Johnson kicked his second and the margin was 11 points at the main change. Hawkins kicked his third goal from near the goal line at the start of the third term, and Milburn drifted forward to kick a goal and the Cats were again 4 clear. But the Dees again came back kicking the next 3 goals. Ling kicked his second and Hawkins his 4th from a great one handed mark and Mooney goaled to against stretch the margin to 4 goals at the final change. Hawkins continued his great form in the final by taking a mark over Carroll and then kicking his 5th from outside 50. Chapman was the Cats best player with 29 touches.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 16.16.112 Melbourne 12.10.82
BEST CAT: Paul Chapman
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Hawkins 5
CROWD: 23,969
LADDER POSITION: 1 (3-0)
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St.Kilda V Geelong, Telstra Dome, Saturday April 12
Geelong has won its forth straight match this season with a 7 goal win over fierce rivals St.Kilda at Telstra Dome. Geelong made 1 change to their side that beat Melbourne with Gamble coming in for Byrnes. James Kelly got the Cats off to a great start by kicking the opening goal. St.Kilda then had all the play but they could only manage 4 behinds. Geelong then got the ball forward and Mooney goaled. The Saints then came back to kick the next two, but Mooney kicked his second to put the Cats in front. Gamble put the Cats further in front with a goal, before Reiwoldt and Koshitzke goaled to give the Saints a 5 points lead at the first change, which should have been more had they kicked straight. Reiwoldt kicked the first goal of the second term and The Saints were up by 13 points. As the players were running back to the centre square King and Blake tangled and this fired up the Cats. The end result was 3 goals in 2 minutes to Johnson, Chapman and Stokes and the Cats never looked back from there. Kelly and Johnson added goals before the break to give the Cats a 16 point lead. Gehrig finally kicked a goal after once again being thrashed by Scarlett, but Geelong was too good as once again they got on a good run. Hawkins marked strongly and goaled, then Ling (who was well on top of Del Santo) kicked one from 50 on his right foot. Hawkins again marked strongly when he used his body well on Maguire and goaled and Stokes kicked one from the pocket. Wojcinski and Selwood then added the icing to the cake with 2 great running goals. Johnson then completed the play of the match when he intercepted a hand pass, ran forward, did a one two with Chapman and he slammed through his 3rd goal. The margin was 40 points at the final change. Johnson added his 4th, while Mooney and Hawkins added their 3rd in the final. Scarlett was the Cats best with 24 touches and he also held Gehrig to 2 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 21.10.136 St.Kilda 13.16.94
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson 4
CROWD: 44,368
LADDER POSITION: 2 (4-0)
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Geelong V Sydney, Skilled Stadium, Satuday April 19
Gary Ablett has inspired Geelong to run away from Sydney and record a 42 points victory with 13 disposals and 3 goals in the final term after the Swans got within 5 points. Ryan Gamble was suspended and Brent Prismall came into the side for his first match of the season. Kicking with a slight breeze in the first term it was Geelong that got off to a great start and the Swans with out the suspended Barry Hall looked to be in trouble. After a goal less 7 minutes Bartel got the Cats going with a long goal from 50 metres out. Then Steve Johnson kicked a goal as only Johnson can do we he quickly soccered with his left foot as the ball hit the ground. Wojcinksi, who used his pace to great advantage throughout the match, then ran forward to kick a goal and the Cats were 4 goals up. Jude Bolton got one back for Sydney, but then Johnson was in the play again. First he snapped one over his shoulder, and then he marked at half forward passed to Mooney, kept running to receive the ball back from Mooney and kicked his 3rd goal to give the Cats a 30 point quarter time lead. The second term was all Sydney as they kicked 5.5 to 1.6 to reduce the margin to 7 points at the main break. The third term was tight as no side could score a goal. Geelong wasted its chances kicking a further 5 points. Bevan finally scored a goal to bring the Swans within 4 points but Bartel was awarded a free kick well off the ball to goal and give the Cats a 10 point lead. After Moore reduced the margin to only 3 points Ablett sparked the Cats set shot goal from 45 metres out and then a great snap similar to one against Collingwood in last years Prelim Final. Johnson added his 4th goal to extend the margin to 22 points. But again the Swans would not lie down and Luke Ablett and Moore goaled and the margin was 11 points. But Geelong rallied again with Ablett setting up Hunt for a long goal, then Stokes kicked his 4th and Ablett his 3rd and the match was over. Ablett clearly best on ground with 35 disposals to go with his 3 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 16.18.114 Sydney 10.12.72
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson & Matthew Stokes 4
CROWD: 24,368
LADDER POSITION: 1 (5-0)
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Fremantle V Geelong, Subiaco, Friday (Nlight) April 25
Geelong has stormed back from 39 points down during the second quarter to win a thriller against Fremantle by 1 point. Cameron Mooney played his 150th AFL match, while Shane Mumford played his first match for the Cats after being elevated off the rookie list. Fremantle kicked with the wind in the first term, but it was their attack on the ball and man particularly Ablett that gave them the advantage. They kicked the first 3 goals of the match with Pavlich kicking 2 of them. Geelong were finally able to get a clear kick forward and Mooney marked and goaled. Fremantle continued to dominate the end of the term but they could only manage 4 behinds. The pattern continued in the third term as Pavlich kicked two more and Freo lead by 39 points. Ling pin pointed Milburn who goaled to start the run for the Cats. Johnson kicked his second from a set shot, and Chapman kicked his first from a snap from the pocket. When Ablett finally found some space and his long shot from 60 metres out was shepherded through by Mooney the margin was back to 14 points. Mooney then kicked his second and Wojcinski ran into the open and the margin was back to only 2 points at the main change. Fremantle dominated the third term with the wind to lead by 25 points at the final change. Chapman kicked the first of the final term from the pocket and then Johnson kicked his third after a great snap shot. Hawkins then marked strongly and goaled from the square, and Mooney, who had his kicking boots on this week, kicked his third straight and scores were level. A Bartel point by the Cats in front for the first time of the night and then Stokes put them a kick up after snapping a goal from a handball from Hawkins. Pavlich kept the Dockers hopes alive with a goal with less than a minute left. Geelong held on when Taylor marked Freo's last forward play. Joel Corey was the Cat's best player with 35 disposals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 13.11.89 Fremantle 13.10.88
BEST CAT: Joel Corey
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson & Cameron Mooney 3
CROWD: 38,022
LADDER POSITION: 1 (6-0)
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Geelong V Brisbane, Skilled Stadium, Saturday May 3
.Geelong has finally got away from Brisbane in the final term after the match was close all day to win by 27 points. Gary Ablett withdrew before the game with a calf injury, while the Lions lost Brown and Black. Losing their two stars did not phase the Lions as they came out firing to kick the first two goals of the match. Geelong came back with Joel Corey kicking a long running goal and when Bartel goaled scores were level. The Lions got on top and started to dominate and should have been further ahead than 17 points had they kicked straighter. Geelong answered when Gamble marked strongly to kick a goal and the margin was 11 points at the first change. The Lions got on early in the second term but Stokes brought the Cats back into the match with 2 goals in a row. It was Geelong's turn to dominate and when Cameron Mooney goaled they were in front by 4 points at the main change. Power put the Lions back in front straight away in the third term, but Gamble again took a good mark and snapped his second goal. The Lions again got in front back but Geelong bounced back when Johnson snapped over his shoulder in the square and then he handballed to Bartel who ran into the open goal and Geelong had their biggest lead of the day. The margin was 5 points at the final change. Clarke kicked his third to level the scores early in the final term, but then Geelong got on top. Johnson kicked his second from a set shot, and then Mooney marked and handballed to Chapman in the square and he goaled. The Cats had a chance to really pull away but they were inaccurate. Mackie finally kicked a goal to end the contest. Scarlett was the Cats best player by keeping the in form Bradshaw to 1 goal.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 15.15.105 Brisbane 11.12.78
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Johnson, Stokes, Bartel, Gamble 2
CROWD: 23,388
LADDER POSITION: 1 (7-0)
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Richmond V Geelong, Skilled Stadium, Saturday May 17
Geelong has won its 8 straight match for the season following a hard fought 30 points over Richmond in wintry conditions at the 'G. The match was the Cats first at the ground since their magnificent Grand Final win. Gary Ablett returned from a calf injury and he replaced the suspended Stokes. Once again the Cats started slowly and Richmond kicked the first two goals of the match. Chapman kicked the Cats first when he marked strongly played on and snapped truly. Richmond kicked another when the ball bounced over Scarlett's head in the square. Wojcinski brought the Cats closer with a long goal from 60 metres out. The Tigers shot out to a 20 point lead early in the second term with the help of two 50 metre penalties. Ryan Gamble continued his promising start to the season with 2 goals in a row to bring the Cats back to only a goal down at the main break. After copping a rocket from Mark Thompson at half time Geelong came out firing in the third term and blew the Tigers away. Ling started it off with a right foot snap in the first minute. Chapman kicked his second from a 50 metre penalty and then Ablett kicked a hurried snap and the Cats were two goals in front. Ling kicked his second from a set shot and then Mooney set up Milburn in the square for another. Chapman kicked his third from a clever snap and then margin was 35 points at the final change. Chapman sealed the win in the early in the final term with his 4th goal. His 4 goals in tough conditions gave him the nod as best on ground just ahead of Gary Ablett who made a magnificent return to the side.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 14.15.99 Richmond 10.9.69
BEST CAT: Paul Chapman
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman 4
CROWD: 37,275
LADDER POSITION: 1 (8-0)
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Collingwood V Geelong, M.C.G., Friday (Night) May 23
Geelong lost its first match of the 2008 season to Collingwood by a whopping 86 points. Stokes returned from suspension and West was recalled and Mumford and Rooke were dropped. Geelong suffered a blow before the match when Chapman withdrew and Varcoe came in to play his first match of the season. Collingwood dominated the match from the first bounce and their pressure was too much for Geelong. Apart from a burst of 3 goals in 4 minutes at the start of the third quarter Geelong looked more like their 2006 selves when they lost to the Pies by over 100 points. Ablett was Geelong's best player as he never stopped trying and he kicked two goals. It is a pity he had little support.
FINAL
SCORE: Collingwood 20.14.134 Geelong 7.6.48
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Gary Ablett 2
CROWD: 78,206
LADDER POSITION: 2 (8-1)
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Geelong V Carlton, Telstra Dome, Saturday (Night) May 31
Geelong has returned to the winners list with a 56 point thrashing of Carlton. Brad Ottens was selected for his match of the season. Cameron Mooney was a late withdrawal and Tom Lonergan came into the side to play his first match since losing a kidney in round 21 2006. Geelong got off to its best start for well over a month when Stokes kicked their opening goal. Byrnes continued his poor goal kicking record when he snapped a point as did Johnson. Judd intercepted a kick in to kick the Blues first goal. Fevola then put the Blues in front with his first goal. Byrnes finalled kicked straight to level the scores, and Lonergan took a couragous mark put missed a sitter. Hawkins then marked 30 metres out in straight in front, but with his confidence down he passed to Stokes in the pocket who missed. Another two misses to Lonergan and the Cats has kicked 2 goals 7 for the term. Steve Johnson did it the hard way when he kicked a left foot snap from the boundary. Fevola and Cloke kicked two in a row and they were in front. The Cats then kicked 3 quick goals with Stokes kicking two from the square and Rooke a long one from 50. Carlton then slowed the game down before kicking a goal just before the siren to reduce the margin to 13 points at the main change. The third quarter is often touted as the Premiership Quarter and this was exactly how Geelong treated it as they blew the Blues away and set up the win. Mackie started the run with a goal from a set shot. Byrnes kicked another one after a handball from Varcoe, and Steve Johnson kicked his second goal. Lonergan finalled kick straight to kick goals and Johnson added is third when he ran onto the ball in the square and the margin was 56 points at the final change. The Final term was even with both sides kicked 6 goals 1. Johnson kicked 2 more to finish with 5 for the match and with 29 disposals he was best on ground just ahead of Ablett (32) and Corey (34).
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 19.19.133 Carlton 12.5.77
BEST CAT: Steve Johnson
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson 5
CROWD: 46,231
LADDER POSITION: 2 (9-1)
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Kangaroos V Geelong, Telstra Dome, Friday (Night) June 6
Geelong has held off a gallant North Melbourne side to win their 10th match of the season by 13 points. Geelong regained Mooney and Chapman from injury while Joel Selwood was a late withdrawal with a virus. After the Roos got the first goal of the night Geelong responded after Ablett found Lonergan who goaled. The Roos got another but with Ablett killing them in the midfield Geelong got a run on to kick 4 goals with Johnson kicking two of those. The Roos got one back, but Mooney snapped a clever goal from 10 metres out and then Ottens kicked a beauty from close to the boundary line and the margin was 22 points at the first change. The Roos came out firing early in the second term with two quick goals. Scarlett who had Hale kick two goals on him then went off with a hamstring injury that unbalanced the Cats defence. Mooney then steadied the Cats before Harvey kicked a good goal for the Roos. Mooney kicked his 3rd goal, but the Roos kept coming at the Cats with two more in a row. Ablett continued his domination in the second term by making up for an easy miss by kicking one from a set shot. Mooney's third for the term and 4th for the match extended the lead back out to 20 points, but again the Roos came at the Cats to reduce the margin to only 8 points at the main change. The Roos kicked the first of the third term to get within 2 points, but Geelong responded with Mooney's 5th and Lonergan's second goal. After behinds to both side Mooney's career best 6th goal extended the margin to 18 points. The Roos kicked two in a row, before Enright kicked a long goal on the run and Varcoe kicked his second. Again the Roos kicked two in a row, before a brilliant left foot snap from Ablett put the Cats two goals in front at the final change. Steve Johnson kicked his third early in the last term to put the Cats 3 goals ahead again, but the Roos kicked two in a row and had their chances to get in front but misses simple shots. With 3 minutes left Mooney kicked his 7th from the square to seal the win. Mooney's 7 was overshadowed by a possible report for a soft punch to the guts, and Gary Ablett who had 39 disposals to go with his 2 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 19.13.127 Kangaroos 17.12.114
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Cameron Mooney 7
CROWD: 38,373
LADDER POSITION: 2 (10-1)
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Geelong V Port Adelaide, Skilled Stadium, Sunday June 15
Geelong handed out another thrashing to a Port Adelaide side content on going the man by 59 points. Geelong lost Scarlett to a hamstring injury and Hunt returned from injury. Like they did in the lead up to last years Grand Final Port Adelaide were all talk in the lead up to the match with Gary Ablett the main topic on discussions. The Power were intent on hurting Ablett on every occasion but he answered the best way possible by kicking the opening goal of the match. The Power got the next two, but Geelong started to get on top towards the end of the quarter. Rooke a quick kick that went through for a goal and then Chapman nearly emulated his mark from the Grand Final but could not hold it on the way down, but that did not matter as he gathered the ball on the ground and snapped a cleaver goal to give the Cats an 9 point lead at the first change. Mackie, who was running all over the place without an opponent, kicked the opening goal of the second term and then Chapman received a 50 metre penalty from more Port rough tactics. After a string of behinds Chapman broke the drought with his 3rd goal and the margin was 25 points. Motlop finally got one back for Port but Ling was able to answer to extend the lead to 27 points at the main change. Geelong came out firing in the third quarter as the Power had no answers to the assault on goal. Goals to Varcoe, Johnson, Stokes and Lonergan made it 4 goals in 6 minutes to put the game beyond doubt. Chapman later added his 4th goal and Prismall kicked one as well to extend the margin to 62 points at the final change. Port won the final term by 3 points with the highlight being a running goal from Mark Blake. While Port could not contain Ablett who had 32 disposals, it was Selwood that was best on ground with 30 touches and excellent contested work as well.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 15.18.108 Port Adelaide 7.7.49
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman 4
CROWD: 21,642
LADDER POSITION: 1 (11-1)
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West Coast V Geelong, Subiaco Oval, Saturday (Night) June 21
Geelong has thrashed West Coast by 135 points to record its greatest even winning margin and highest score against the Eagles. The margin was also the Eagles greatest loss at home. Geelong made one late change when Stokes withdrew and Wojcinski came into the side. Chapman kicked the Cats first goal of the match, while the Eagles first 4 shots at goal were points. After Kelly kicked the Cats second Harry Taylor kicked a long goal on the run from 50, his first in AFL football. Rooke kicked his first and then Kelly snapped his second goal. The Eagles finally got their first goal, but Mooney responded and then Johnson kicked a banana from the boundary to give the Cats a 35 point lead at the first change. Lonergan and Chapman kicked the opening goals of the second term before Lecras replied for the Eagles. Rooke and Mooney each kicked their second as Geelong capitalized on turnover after turnover from the Eagles who were a shadow of the side the won the flag in 2006. Chapman kicked his third just before half time and then Ablett, who was best on ground, was gifted his first from another turnover. The margin was 63 points at the main change. Geelong did not let up in the third quarter as they ran riot. They slammed on 10 goals to 1 to extend the lead to 116 points a the final change. Mooney kicked 3 for the term to have 5 for the match. Geelong continued their run in the final term as Chapman kicked his 5th and Kelly his 4th. Ablett continued his great form in the second half to finish the match with 37 disposals and 2 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 28.14.182 West Coast 5.17.47
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman & Cameron Mooney 5
CROWD: 38,414
LADDER POSITION: 1 (12-1)
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Adelaide V Geelong, AAMI Stadium, Friday (Night) July 4
The weeks break has done nothing to stop Geelong's dominating form as they lead from start to finish to thrash Adelaide by 68 points, their biggest win over the Crows in Adelaide. The Cats side were strengthened with the return of Scarlett and Stokes from injury. Prismall and Taylor were the unlucky two to be dropped. The win was set up in the opening term as the Cats dominated and took the vocal home crowd out of the equation. Steve Johnson kicked the opening two goals of the match as he also continued his good form as he was roaming the forward line with ease. Lonergan kicked his first goal and then after the siren Blake put the Cats 29 points in front from a 50 metre penalty. The lead should have been more had the Cats kicked straighter than 4 goals 6. After the Crows finally their first early in the second term Geelong again got on top with Lonergan and Ling kicking goals. Later in the quarter Lonergan was left alone in the square to kick his third goal while Mooney kicked his first soon after. Varcoe joined the party to extend the lead to 45 points at the main change. The Crows played better in the third term as they kicked with the breeze that had strengthened during the break. The matched the Cats two goals with two of their own, before Stokes kicked one to extend the lead to 50 points. The Cats did not let up in the final term and again it was only their kicking the kept the result from being a real hammering. Lonergan kicked his career best 4th goal in the final term while Stokes' 3rd was an absolute beauty as he spun away from an opponent and then snapped from the pocket. Back to his Brownlow best was Bartel with 41 disposals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 18.16.124 Adelaide 8.8.56
BEST CAT: Jimmy Bartel
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Lonergan 4
CROWD: 44,377
LADDER POSITION: 1 (13-1)
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Geelong V Fremantle, Skilled Stadium, Saturday July 12
Geelong overcame the Dockers rough tactics to win a by a record margin of 74 points. Geelong went into the match with the same side that thrashed Adelaide. Geelong were ready for the Fremantle tactics of roughing up the Cats particularly Ryan Crowley who was very aggressive against Ablett in the earlier match in Perth. Fremantle kicked with the wind in the first term and it was Pavlich that kicked the opening goal. Geelong replied through Chapman but the Dockers were able to answer that. Two goals to Lonergan and one to Enright saw the Cats 13 points in front at the first change. Dean Solomon was reported during the term after elbowing Ling to the face. Ling went off the ground and did not return. The Dockers tactics only caused the Cats to fire up and Varcoe and Ablett snapped two good goals early in the term. Bartel got one later in the term to extend the margin to 33 points at the main change. Geelong lost Ablett with an ankle seconds before the half time siren. With two men down Geelong continued their dominance in the third term, clamming 6 goals to 3 against the wind. The highlight was Lonergan who took some strong grabs and should have had more than 3 at the final change. Ottens kicked a couple of goals in a row earlier in the term as well, as the lead was stretched to 51 points at 3/4 time. The domination continued in the final term with the Cats adding another 5 goals to 1. Lonergan finished with 4 goals while Corey Enright was best on ground with 37 disposals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 18.10.118 Fremantle 6.8.44
BEST CAT: Corey Enright
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Lonergan 4
CROWD: 21,286
LADDER POSITION: 1 (14-1)
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Geelong V Bulldogs, Skilled Stadium, Saturday July 19
Geelong has cemented top spot on the ladder and sent an ominous warning to rival clubs after storming away from the Bulldogs after half time to win the top of the table clash by 61 points. Geelong lost Ling and Ablett through injury and then Wojcinski was late withdrawal and Gamble came into the side to replace him. Paul Chapman played game 150. The Dogs kicked with the wind in the first term but Geelong started the match better with Cameron Mooney kicking the opening goal. Brad Johnson replied for the Dogs, before Steve Johnson kicked the Cats second. The Dogs kicked the next two to hit the front before Ottens goaled just before the siren to level the scores at the first change. With the help of the umpires the Dogs kicked the first two goals of the second term as the decisions made frustrated the Geelong fans. Gamble brought the Cats closer with his first goal, but once again the Dogs answered to lead by two goals. Mackie answered by running forward and kicking a goal and once again the margin was a goal. Again the dogs replied, before Bartel kicked a goal from 50 metres straight in front. A string of rushed behinds saw the scores level at half time. Geelong set the win up against the breeze in the third quarter. Stokes kicked the opening goal of the term before Gamble marked strongly and goaled and then Johnson marked played on and snaped a left foot goal. The Dogs replied again but Harry Taylor ran forward to kicked his 2nd AFL goal from 50 metres out on the run. Gamble then kicked his third and the Cats lead by 20 points before the Dogs reduced the margin to 15 points at the final change. Any hope the Dogs had of winning were snuffed out in the opening minutes of the final term. Chapman kicked a goal in the opening minute before Bartel snapped a great goal and the match was over. Those two goal sparked a run of 8 for the term. Gamble kicked his 4th goal, while Mooney kicked 2 for the term to finish with 3. Scarlett was the Cats best as he thrashed Scott Welsh once again.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 19.17.131 Bulldogs 10.10.70
BEST CAT: Matthew Scarlett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Ryan Gamble 4
CROWD: 24,801
LADDER POSITION: 1 (15-1)
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Hawthorn V Geelong, M.C.G., Friday (Night) July 25
Geelong has confirmed its status as the competitions number 1 side with a gutsy 11 point win over Hawthorn despite being without Ablett, Ling, Milburn and Wojcinski. Milburn was a late withdrawal with a virus and he was replaced by David Johnson who played his first senior match for well over a year. After the match started off with an exchange of behinds, Gamble found Stokes on his own in the square and he ran in and kicked the opening goal of the night. Franklin replied for the Hawks before a long kick from Enright found Steve Johnson who goaled. Hawthorn again replied but then Geelong got on top in the next 10 minutes to slam on 4 straight goals. Chapman kicked two of them and Mooney had a hand in the other two. He kicked one himself and then he passed off to Johnson who ran in to kick his second goal. Williams got a late one for the Hawks to reduce the margin to 19 points at the first change. Ottens had a chance to extend the lead early in the second term but he just missed and the Hawks then kicked the next two to be right back in the match. Bartel kicked s brilliant left foot snap after Gamble had crashed a pack resulting in the ball falling to Bartel. Franklin kicked another for the Hawks when Mooney was penalized for 2 50 metre penalties. Gamble who had earlier kicked in the man on the mark from 15 metres out, extended the lead to 17 points at half time after bad messing around from the Hawks defence. Geelong suffered a blow when Chapman left the field with a hamstring injury just before half time. Roughhead kicked the opening goal of the third term before a terrible kick from Bateman landed in the lap of Enright who ran into goal. Franklin then got on top but he kicked 2 points before kicking a banana goal to reduce the margin to only 4 points at the final change. Williams gave Hawthorn all the momentum when he put them in front early in the final term. Ladson missed an easy one to give the Hawks some breathing space and Geelong capitalized when Selwood handed off to Bartel who goaled from 55 metres out to give the Cats the lead. Geelong then grabbed the momentum but they also could not make the Hawks pay. Due to the pressure both sides turned the ball over before Max Rooke held his nerve to nail a set shot from 40 metres out and the margin was 2 goals. Franklin kicked his 4th after Geelong messed about following a kick in and Rooke gave up the footy. Hawthorn kept coming but the disposal of Hodge when he had two shots on goal let them down. Hodge was again the villain when he passed across ground and Gamble intercepted. Gamble passed to Steve Johnson who marked then played on and snapped the sealer. The "Geelong, Geelong" chant then rang around the packed 'G. The Geelong players showed how much this match meant with their elation following the final siren, while the fans showed it with the passion they sung the club song. Hawthorn may have won had they taken their chances, but without their stars Geelong will be confident should these teams meet again in September. Bartel was the Cats best player with 36 disposals to go with his two goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 12.16.88 Hawthorn 11.11.77
BEST CAT: Jimmy Bartel
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson 3
CROWD: 86,179
LADDER POSITION: 1 (16-1)
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Geelong V Richmond, Telstra Dome, Saturday August 2
Geelong has overcome a slow start to thrash Richmond by 63 points. Geelong lost Chapman to a hamstring injury but regained Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn. Matthew Scarlett played his 200th match. Richmond started the match better and they kicked the opening two goals of the match. They could have been further again had Bowden not missed 2 set shots. After a string of 6 behinds Kelly following kicked the Cats first goal with a good snap shot. Tom Lonergan then kicked the Cats second to put them in front at the first change. Geelong shot out to a 4 goal lead after Stokes kicked the first two goals of the second term and Gamble added another. The Tigers came back to reduce the margin to 11 points, before two goals from Jimmy Bartel turned the momentum back to the Cats at half time with a 26 point lead. The third term is often described as the Premiership quarter and like it has done to some many sides this season it blew the Tigers away. 7 goals to 2 was the result with Mackie running forward to help himself to two goals for the term. Milburn also ran forward to kick a rare goal late in the term. Both sides went through the motions in the final term. The Tigers kicked 4 of the first 5 goals of the term before the Cats rallied to kicked the final 4 of the match. Lonergan and Gamble adding their 3rd goals. Joel Selwood was the best on ground with another great display from the youngster.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 20.14.134 Richmond 10.11.71
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Lonergan, Ryan Gamble 3
CROWD: 42,238
LADDER POSITION: 1 (17-1)
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Melbourne V Geelong, M.C.G., Friday (Night) August 8
Geelong has continued its winning run with a thumping 116 point of bottom of the ladder at the MCG. Geelong lost Milburn to suspension but regained Ablett from the ankle injury. In wet conditions with drizzling rain persistent in the opening term Geelong handled the ball as it was dry and the match was over in the first 15 minutes when the Cats lead by 5 goals to nothing. Andrew Mackie who was left on his own to run down field helped himself to two of those goals. Another 3 goals for the term with Prismall helping himself to two of those and the Cats had scored 53 to 0 in the opening term. The second quarter was more subdued and the Dees finally got on the board with a rushed behind from Hunt. Lonergan kicked 2 goals for the term while Stokes and Ablett added their first. Melbourne finally kicked their first goal at the 24 minute mark. Geelong regained their run in the third term as they slammed on another 7 goals to 1. Prismall and Lonergan both kicked their third goals during the term. The highlight of the last term was Stokes kicking 3 goals to finish with 4 for the match along with Lonergan.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 24.13.157 Melbourne 5.11.41
BEST CAT: Andrew Mackie
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Lonergan, Matthew Stokes 4
CROWD: 34,619
LADDER POSITION: 1 (18-1)
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Sydney V Geelong, ANZ Stadium, Saturday (Night) August 16
Gary Ablett has returned to his best form to lead Geelong to a 39 point win over Sydney at ANZ Stadium. Geelong set up the win in the with a seven goal burst in the first quarter. Ablett was instrumental in kicking the ball inside 50 with Tom Lonergan kicking 2 early goals. Ablett kicked one himself on the run and Shannon Byrnes kicked the best goal of his career as he played his best match of the season. The Swans came back later in the term to reduce the margin to 21 points at the first change. The second quarter was much tighter and the Swans got on top in general play. They kicked the first goal of the term but Geelong responded with first Varcoe and then Ablett kicking good running goals as they extended the margin by a point to 22 points at the main change. Again in the third term Geelong but the afterburners on to blow Sydney away. After Sydney kicked the first goal Geelong kicked 6 in around 13 minutes. Ablett, Byrnes and Lonergan each kicked their third goal, while Johnson chimed in with 2 himself. Sydney won the last term by kicking 6 goals to 4 but the damage was already done. Ablett was the best on ground with 32 disposals to go with his 3 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 20.13.133 Sydney 14.10.94
BEST CAT: Gary Ablett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Lonergan, Gary Ablett, Shannon Byrnes 3
CROWD: 44,950
LADDER POSITION: 1 (19-1)
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Geelong V Kangaroos, Skilled Stadium, Sunday August 24
Geelong did enough to beat the Kangaroos by 33 points at Skilled Stadium. Chapman, Scarlett and Milburn returned to the side from injury but Kelly and Stokes were late withdrawals. Brad Ottens played his 200th AFL Match. Ottens celebrated his 200th match by kicking the opening goal of the match. David Hale's height was causing Geelong problems in their forward line and he kicked two in a row to give the Roos the lead. After Johnson missed an easy shot running in Chapman made amends when he kicked his first. Ling, who was having the better of Harvey, accepted a handball from Blake and he kicked a goal. But the Roos responded towards the end of the term and Hale's third gave them the lead by a goal at the first change. Chapman leveled the scores when he kicked his second from a clever snap. Hale again gave the Roos the lead with his fourth but Ottens was able to respond for the Cats. Ottens goal was followed by two goals to Mooney and one to Johnson and Lonergan as Geelong set up the match winning lead. Hale kicked his 5th and Chapman his 3rd just before the long break and the Cats lead by 26 points. The Roos got the first goal of the third term but Geelong again got a run on with Chapman kicking his 4th, Mooney his 3rd and Ling his second as the margin blew out to 41 points. Three in a row to the Roos reduced the margin to 4 goals early in the last term. But Mooney's 4th goal sealed the win. Ling was the Cats best as he beat Harvey and collected 29 possessions to go with his 2 goals.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 17.13.115 Kangaroos 13.4.82
BEST CAT: Cameron Ling
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman 4
CROWD: 24,288
LADDER POSITION: 1 (20-1)
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Geelong V West Coast, Skilled Stadium, Saturday August 30
Geelong has finished the Home and Away season with 21 wins and only 1 loss following its thumping 99 point win over West Coast at Skilled Stadium. The massive win followed the 135 point win in Perth earlier this season. Stokes and Gamble returned to the side while Mackie was a late withdrawal and Byrnes was the inclusion. West Coast kicked with the a strong breeze in the first quarter but they did not do enough with it. Two goals from Johnson in the first term saw scores level at the first change. Geelong run riot in the second half of the second term to set up the match at half time. Johnson added another 2 to have 4 at half time, while Lonergan kicked a couple of goals for the term as lead was 42 points at the main change. Nothing changed in the third term as Geelong continued their dominance. Another 6 goals to 3 was kicked during the term. The final term was much the same as Johnson added his 6th goal to equal his career best in a match. Bartel reveled in the wet conditions and he even took a handy "slips catch" mark.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 24.20.164 West Coast 10.5.65
BEST CAT: Steve Johnson
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson 6
CROWD: 21,752
LADDER POSITION: 1 (21-1)
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FINALS
Geelong V St.Kilda, M.C.G., Sunday September 7
Geelong has reached the Preliminary Final after thrashing St.Kilda by 58 points at the MCG. Geelong made two changes to the side that beat West Coast with Mackie and Rooke coming in for Byrnes and Gamble. Matthew Stokes played his 50th match for the Cats. Geelong were on top early and Steve Johnson should have kicked the first goal as he ran into goal but he tried to bounce the ball through and he missed. Then Prismall, who has made a promising start, injured his knee and he was carried off the ground. St.Kilda got the first goal of the match, but Chapman quickly replied. Then Mooney took a mark in the pocket and he was knocked over by Hudghton and awarded a 50 metre penalty and taken to the goal line where he kicked the Cats second. Bartel then took a good mark on the behind line and kicked a banana through the goals to give the Cats a 3 goal lead at the first change that should have been more had they kicked straight. Brad Ottens got the Cats off to the perfect start in the second term when he marked uncontested and goaled. Milne replied for the Saints before Ling was able to snap one through. Mooney then kicked his second as did Ottens as the margin was 32 points at the long break. Again Geelong dominated early in the third term but they did not convert and Goddard got one for the Saints. Gary Ablett sparked the Cats into action when he came off the bench run forward and kick a great goal. Then Geelong kicked two without the ball being bounced. Ottens got a free for interference and he goaled and before the ball was taken back to the centre Milne elbowed Johnson who was awarded a free kick which he converted to rub salt in the wounds of the Saints. Mooney then kicked his third goal. The Saints got one back before ex-cat Steven King thought he was still playing at Skilled Stadium as he bombed the ball two 3 Cat players. Scarlett marked the ball and the end result was a Rooke goal. Stokes then stole a handball in the square to goal and Mooney fired a quick handball to Varcoe who also goaled. Lonergan has also added two for the term as Cats were at their best kicking 9 for the term to lead by 76 points at the final change. Geelong closed shop in the last term as the Saints kicked junk time goals. Bartel was Geelong's best with 34 disposals and 2 goals, while Harry Taylor's thrashing of Reiwoldt has to be mentioned as well.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 17.17.119 St.Kilda 8.13.61
BEST CAT: Jimmy Bartel
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Brad Ottens, Cameron Mooney 3
CROWD: 71,653
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Geelong V Bulldogs, M.C.G., Friday September 19
Geelong is through to its second consecutive Grand Final after defeated the Western Bulldogs by 29 points in the hard fought contest. Geelong lost Chapman and Prismall to injury and Kelly and Wojcinski returned. Geelong started the match like they did in last years Prelim Final with plenty of nerves and they were unable to handle the ball cleanly as the weeks rest has not been helpful again. Stokes kicked the first goal of the match on the behind line and he snapped a clever goal. Higgins, who was on top of Milburn, snapped a clever goal after kicking 2 early behinds. Bartel answered for the Cats when he marked at centre half forward and he kicked the goal. The Dogs then got on top with 2 quick ones and when Akermanis snapped a left foot goal the margin was 11 points. But like they have done so often this season Geelong were able to get on a run that was started by Wojcinski kicking a long goal from 70 metres out that carried the pack and bounced through. Rooke then took a mark with the flight of the ball and goaled and Lonergan goaled from the square and the margin was 6 points at the first change. Geelong continued its run on the second term but they could not score goals. Finally at the 12 minute mark Johnson was able to kick one from the pocket. Minutes later Harley marked in the second square, was hit late and he was awarded a 50 metre penalty. His kick wobbled through for his first major of the season, one that lifted the Geelong fans. Ottens then roved a back to run into the open goal and the margin was 26 points. The Dogs got one back before the break to reduce it to 21 points. Geelong dominated the opening 10 minutes of the third quarter and Varcoe extended the lead early in the term. But wasteful ball usage in the forward line meant that could not capitalize and then it was the Dogs turn to lift. Harbrow kicked 2 quick goals but misses to Minson and Hahn cost the Dogs as the margin was back to 14 points. Geelong made the Dogs pay when Varcoe found Mooney just outside the square and Moons kicked a badly needed goal for the Cats to extend the margin to 18 points at the final change. Again the Dogs wasted opportunities in the early stages of the final term and it took 10 minutes for the first goal of the term. Brad Johnson was set to mark but Max Rooke running with the flight of the ball hit Johnson but the umpire called play on and while Johnson looked back at the umpire waiting for the whistle Rooke got up grabbed the ball and snapped through his second goal and Geelong was just about home. Steve Johnson sealed the win with his second just into time on. Mackie was the Cats best player providing great run from defence. Another Grand Final for the Cats but they will need to play much better if they want to win Back to Back flags.
FINAL
SCORE: Geelong 12.11.83 Bulldogs 7.12.54
BEST CAT: Andrew Mackie
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Steve Johnson, Max Rooke 2
CROWD: 70,140
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Geelong V Hawthorn, M.C.G., Saturday September 27
A shattered Geelong lost the Grand Final by 26 Points. Geelong did not take their chances in the first half and they were made to pay in the second half. That is all for now, it is too painful to write.
FINAL
SCORE: Hawthorn 18.7.115 Geelong 11.23.89
BEST CAT: Gary Albett
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Max Rooke, Cameron Mooney, Gary Ablett, Tom Lonergan
2
CROWD: 100,012
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