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Select Round
Round 1 Round 2 Round
3 Round 4 Round 5 Round
6 Round 7 Round 8 Round
9 Round 10 Round 11 Round
12 Round 13 Round 14 Round
15 Round 16 Round 17 Round
18 Round 19 Round 20 Round
21 Round 22 Round 23
PRESEASON
Geelong has started the pre-season to its premiership defence with a win over Sydney and a loss against St.Kilda. Sydney had earlier beaten St.Kilda. While the Swans were tired after playing back to back matches Geelong were sharp and too good despite missing 11 premiership stars. Joel Selwood continue where he left off last season while mature age recruit Orren Stephenson impressed in the Ruck. Also impressing was Steven Motlop, Simon Hogan and Josh Walker, while Taylor and Lonergan controlled the backline. Like Sydney in Game 2, Geelong struggled to back up in Game 3 in the very hot conditions. All coaches were critical of the interchange trial of 2 players and 2 Subs. Hogan and Taylor again played well while Trent West showed he could be an able replacement for Ottens taking a couple of fine marks around the ground. FINAL SCORES: Geelong 4.5.29 d Sydney 2.1.13 - St.Kilda 1.3.9.36 d Geelong 1.0.6.15
Round 2: Gold Coast V Geelong, Metricon Stadium, Friday March 2
Geelong has easily won its second round pre-season match against the Gold Coast by 49 points. The young Cats, with only 7 premiership players in the squad, dominated from the start but it was the experience duo of Captain Joel Selwood and Vice-Captain Jimmy Bartel that were the standouts. Selwood was everywhere and he even kicked his sides only 9 pointer while Bartel kicked 3 classy goals. Hawkins played his match of the pre-season and he looked dangerous and will be better in less humid conditions. Harry Taylor was great in defence while Cam Guthrie with add to his two senior games from Rounds 1 & 2 last season. Taylor Hunt did well while Steven Motlop again showed glimpses of brilliance that could add another X-Factor to the Cats side in the real stuff. The only low light was the dislocated finger to Andrew Mackie and despite rumours it could be trouble the club says he will be ok. FINAL SCORE: Geelong 1.16.13.118 d Gold Coast 1.8.12.69
Round 3: Geelong V Richmond, Simonds Stadium, Saturday March 10
Geelong put in a disappointing display to lose to Richmond by 59 points in the final Round of the NAB Cup. Geelong were never in the hunt as the players looked disinterested against a committed Tiger outfit. Richmond kicked the first 9 of the match including 3 to the vacant Doug Wade Stand End (it will be very hard to kick goals when the wind is at its strongest during the winter months). The Cats briefly came into the match with 3 late goals in the 2nd term. Richmond continue its run in the second half and the only noise made by the crowd in the final term was the frustration at the inconsistent umpiring decisions. Kelly, Chapman, Podsiadly and Scarlett played their first matches of the pre-season and apart from Kelly the others needed the run. Pods dropped a couple of easy marks early but took a few contested later to show he is over the Grand Final shoulder injury. Hawkins again marked strongly but his goal kicking remains a concern. Mitch Brown against showed glimpses that if he can get his body right, but on a few more kilos he had the hands to make it. FINAL SCORE: Richmond 1.14.15.108 d Geelong 6.13.49
Round 4: Geelong V Bulldogs, Simonds Stadium, Saturday March 17
Geelong ended its season preparation with a 9 point win over the Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium. The Bulldogs were the better side for the first 2 and a half quarters and they shot out to a 3 goal lead. But when the Dogs started to pick fights, Geelong fired up and the end result was 5 goals in quick succession including two monsters from Mackie and Hunt. Hunt then limped off after injuring his calf. The Cats kicked the first in the final term to lead by but the Dogs came back again before a late goal sealed the win. Chapman found some form to be the Cats best while Mackie provided great run from defence. FINAL SCORE: Geelong 11.18.84 d Bulldogs 11.9.75
ROUNDS 1 - 22
Fremantle V Geelong, Patersons Stadium, Saturday March 31
Geelong lost a thriller to Fremantle by 4 points but the match will be remembered for undisciplined acts that cost the Cats. Three players were reported, Matthew Scarlett, James Kelly and James Podsiadly. Scarlett's was the worse of the lot with a left hook grazing the jaw of Fremantle pest Hayden Ballentyne who has a history of getting under the skin of opposition players and the Geelong players fell for it. Ballentyne will not escape the attention himself and he could be in strife following a behind the play hit on Paul Chapman. Billie Smedts and Oren Stephenson played their first AFL games. Like the pre-season match against Richmond Geelong were slow out of the blocks and Freo capitalized by kicked the opening 5 goals of the match. But in a real match you can never doubt this great side and with 3 quick goals including 2 for Hawkins they were back in the match. The margin was two goals at the first change but that was evened up after 4 minutes with two early goals to the Cats. Geelong finally hit the lead with both Podsiadly and Motlop kicking their second goal. The Dockers came back before a great Taylor Hunt mark and goal gave the Cats a 5 points lead at the main change. Freo hit the lead early in the third term when Scarlett was caught holding the ball. After they kicked the goal that is when Scarlett hit Ballentyne giving him another goal before the ball was bounced. After a couple of early uncharacteristic misses Bartel finally kicked straight but the Dockers again kicked two quick goals to lead by that margin. Goals to Johnson and Hawkins third reduced the margin to only 1 point at the final change. Geelong were playing the better footy early in the last and they hit the lead when Pods spotted Bartel on his own and he strolled in for his second. The Dockers kicked 2 in a row to hit the lead before Hawkins 4th goal gave the Cats the lead. When Pav kicked a freak off the ground goal the Dockers were 10 in front with 4 minutes to play. Bartel kicked his third with 45 seconds left and Geelong got the ball forward but another soft free saw Freo hang on. When you lose a match by only 4 points you can point the finger at a lot of things like Stokes missing from 15 metres out in the third but the incident that stands was Scarlett gifting Freo 2 goals in a row in the third term. Joel Selwood was the Cats best player with 33 disposals.
FINAL
SCORE: Fremantle 16.9.105 Geelong 15.11.101
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Hawkins 4
CROWD: 34,601
LADDER POSITION: 11 (0-1)
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Geelong V Hawthorn, M.C.G., Monday April 9
Geelong came from 3 goals down at the final change to win its 8th in a row against Hawthorn by 2 points. The never say die Cats proved they have the mental edge over the Hawks following the Hawks blowing getting chances in the final term including a couple from Buddy Franklin where he tried to dribble the ball through the goals rather than kick it straight through. Geelong lost Scarlett to suspension and Stephenson was a late withdrawal. Mitch Brown came in to the side to play his 3rd game. Geelong got off to the perfect start with Johnson kicking the opening goal of the match. Roughead replied for the Hawks before Johnson kicked his 2nd goal. Hawkins then took a good grab and goaled when he used Johnson's set shot snap style for accuracy. The Hawks got 2 back to even the match up and then Hawkins took a great pack mark but couldn't convert. Podsiadly finished the term off with a goal and the Cats kept the lead by 3 points at the first change when Franklin missed a shot after the siren following a very very soft free kick! The Hawks got the first of the 2nd term but Hawkins responded as he continued his good form and he showed he had grown confidence from his Grand Final performance. The Hawks again hit the lead through Mitchell, who was having an influence on the match without Ling, before Pods kicked his 2nd and then some great play from Smedts where he dodged a couple of Hawk players and snapped a long goal that bounced over two players in the square. But that good word was undone with 3 late goals to the Hawks including 2 to Lewis who had 3 to half time. The margin was 9 points at half time. The Cats needed the first of the third term but instead it was the Hawks that kicked the first 2 to extend the lead to 21 points. But Geelong would not lie down and they dominated the next 10 minutes of play. They kicked 3 goals in that time including Hawkins and Johnson kicking their 3rd goals and Bartel his second after he was set up by a good pass from Selwood. Some good play from Motlop spotted Hawkins on his own but he missed. The Hawks again rallied late in the term to kick 3 in a row and that was the margin at the final change. Bartel showed what a champion he is when he took a great mark in the rain and then slotted it from 55 metres out. Buddy missed one running in when he could have ran closer and then Podsiadly kicked his 3rd goal. Mackie then saved the day when he spoiled an attempt from Osborne in the square when for some reason Osborne tried to pick the ball up running than kicking it off the ground. Geelong were able to get the ball forward where Hawkins took another great mark similar to his first mark in the final term in last years Grand Final. He passed to Chappy who kicked long and Pods took a one hander. He quickly played on and goaled to reduce the margin to 3 points. A minute later he roved the back of a pack and kicked his 5th. Geelong were than able to hang on for a thrilling win. Hawkins was Best on Ground with 12 Marks and 22 Disposals to go with his 3 goals.
FINAL SCORE:
Geelong 14.8.92 Hawthorn 13.12.90
BEST CAT: Tom Hawkins
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): James Podsiadly 5
CROWD: 69,231
LADDER POSITION: 10 (1-1)
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Geelong had no answers to North's running game losing by 17 points in what was a disappointing display. The day less break coming off the tough match against the Hawks plus having the roof closed leaving it very warm on a beautiful night would not have helped. Stokes, Mackie and Brown were left out of the side while Gillies, Stephenson and Horlin-Smith (playing his first match) came into the side. The Roos jumped out of the blocks kicked the first 3 of the match and they had 4 to Geelong's one, which was kicked by Podsiadly, at the first change. Things didn't improve in the second term when Mackie a knock and required 12 stitches! He was unable to return and was later subbed off at half time. Gillies kicked his first goal in the AFL when he ran down from the backline. But the Roos responded with the next 3 as their run and little pressure from Cats made it look easy. Goals to Hawking and Motlop reduced the margin to 16 but the Roos always had the answers with 2 more to them. Pods kicked his second late in the term and the margin was 21 points at half time. Horlin-Smith came on for Mackie and kicked a goal with his first kick in the AFL early in the third term. But again the Roos kicked two in a Row as they ran the ball out of Geelong's defence with ease. The teams then went Goal for Goal as Pods kicked 2 more to have 4 for the match. Byrnes then goaled on the run and then Christensen missed his second shot for the term right in front. Geelong's goal kicking was ordinary in the indoor conditions and the Roos kicked the last 2 of the term to lead by 6 goals at the final change. For the 3rd match in a row the umpiring was a disgrace with the Roos leading 14-5 at 3/4 time. One of the Roos late goals came after a 50 was awarded to MacIntosh after he walked over his mark by 5 metres and he was stopped by Lonergan. An incident early in the final term when a Roo player dropped the ball rather than handing it back to Geelong was not penalized. The Roos kicked the first of the final term after first Lonergan and then Bartel were caught high but no free kick was paid. Bartel is as honest as they come but even he signaled to the umpire asking did he leave his glasses at home! Pods kept his good game going with a point and then a goal which was his 5th for the 2nd consecutive week. Another one to Motlop and Geelong had a sniff. Guthrie had a chance to bring the Cats closer but from 35 straight in front he kicked the ball on the full! And of course the Roos replied straight away. Hawking and Duncan kicked two in a row and then Bartel had a shot from 45 straight in front but even he missed. Taylor then drifted forward to goal and the margin was again back to 17. But the Roos goaled to seal the win. Hawkins kicked 2 late goals for finish with 4 for the match. That is a sign of his improvement that he can kick 4 with little impact. He and Pods need more support from the little guys who have been disappointing so far this season. Selwood was Geelong's best player with 29 disposals.
FINAL SCORE: North Melbourne 20.11.131 Geelong 16.18.114
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): James Podsiadly 5
CROWD: 29,630
LADDER POSITION: 11 (1-2)
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Geelong V Richmond, Simonds Stadium, Saturday April 22
Geelong help off Richmond to win by 10 points after scores were level in the final term. Geelong lost Kelly to a groin injury and Josh Hunt came in to play his first match of the season while Jesse Springer was elevated from the Rookie list for Nathan Vardy and his made his debut as the Sub. Geelong kicked to the old Doug Wade stand end in the first quarter and that end was favoured by a very strong breeze. They got off to the perfect start when Stokes kicked a goal in the opening minute. The Tigers responded before Selwood kicked a long running goal from 50 metres out. The Tigers got one straight back when an interchange infringement awarded them a 50 metre penalty from the centre bounce and they goaled. Reiwoldt got one soon after and they were a goal up against the breeze. Richmond were playing much better and like the Roos last week their run and carry was worrying the Cats. Josh Hunt was able to goal after getting a 50 of his own and then Hawkins kicked one to give the Cats a one goal lead at first change. Like Richmond in the first term it was Geelong that played better against the wind in the second term. Chapman kicked his first goal of the season with a fine left foot snap and then Pods marked and goaled from the square. Geelong could have been further ahead but first West and then Hawkins hit the post. Richmond then lifted but they could only manage 5 behinds in a row as the ball hardly left their end. But like what always happens Geelong were able to get the ball forward and Stokes kicked his 2nd to give the Cats a very handy 21 point lead at half time. Like they did in the first term Richmond dominated play against the wind. They kicked the first 2 goals of the term and they were within just 7 points. Duncan replied for Geelong and it wasn't until 10 minutes later when Chapman kicked the next goal, his second of the match. Now that Chappy has lost some pace he is more dangerous closer to goal and he should spend more time in the forward 50. The Tigers kicked 2 quick goals and they were only 1 down with the breeze to come in the final term. Luckily Motlop kicked one after a turnover so it was 12 points at the final change. Ten minutes later scores were level as the Tigers kicked the first 2 of the final term and the Cats were in trouble. But Geelong lifted and they kicked 2 points before Christensen kicked a fine snap shot to goal and lift the crowd and his team. Some great play from Bartel when he virtually beat 3 Tigers on the outer wing saved the day and allowed the Cats to hang on for the win.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 11.9.75 Richmond 9.11.65
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Paul Chapman, Matthew Stokes 2
CROWD: N/A
LADDER POSITION: 10 (2-2)
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Brisbane V Geelong, GABBA, Saturday April 28
Six straight goals from Tom Hawkins helped the Cats to a 38 point win over Brisbane in very very wet conditions at the GABBA. Geelong regained Matthew Scarlett from suspension which boosted its backline and Billie Smedts also came in to the side. The match started in pouring rain and there were puddles all over the ground and it seemed that scoring was going to be difficult. But not for Tom Hawkins who kicked 3 in the opening term. The first was from better judgment as he went back towards goal, the second was after a good lead and an even better shot on goal from 40 metres out on a 45 degree angle. The third was from off the ground after some good play from Christensen who poked it forward to allow Hawkins to goal. Motlop capped off the quarter with an excellent long goal in the conditions to give the Cats a 20 point quarter time lead. Geelong continued to dominate in the 2nd term as the rain eased lightly but there was still plenty of water on the ground. Selwood kicked their first after a great snap shot from the pocket. Hawkins kicked his 4th goal after he read the knock out by Hudson and then he snapped the goal. Chapman kicked the Cats 3rd for the quarter and he was playing a much better game. The margin was 40 points at the main change. Geelong extended their lead when they kicked the opening two goals of the third quarter. The first was to Duncan who took a mark on the boundary line in the pocket and then kicked a Steve Johnson set shot snap. Hawkins then took a huge grab 55 metres out. A Brisbane player got in the "protective zone" and a 50 metre penalty was awarded. Brisbane finally kicked their first goal before Chapman kicked his 2nd to give the Cats a 51 point lead at the last change. Brisbane kicked 3 goals to 2 in the final term as the Cats eased off. Hawkins added his 6th from a Banana Kick. He was the Best on Ground with Chapman not far behind. Christensen was also in the top 3 and he continues to improve after an interrupted pre-season.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 12.7.79 Brisbane 4.17.41
BEST CAT: Tom Hawkins
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Tom Hawkins 6
CROWD: 15,528
LADDER POSITION: 8 (3-2)
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Geelong V Melbourne, Simonds Stadium, Saturday May 5
Geelong hardly moved out of 1st gear to beat Melbourne by 43 points in a lackluster match at Simonds Stadium. Captain Joel Selwood and Tom Lonergan were late withdrawals while Stokes missed with an ankle injury. James Kelly returned from his groin injury. Melbourne kicked with the wind in the first term towards the city end but it was Geelong that started better. Johnson and Hawkins kicked goals and the Cats should have been further in front but they kicked 3.5 to 3 goals to only lead by 5 points at the first change. The second term saw the Cats use the ball better around the ground but again they were wasteful in front of goal. 6 goals 6 to 3.1 saw them extend their lead to 28 points at the main change. The Dees were ok early in the third term before Geelong started to run the ball better, including the first goal to Stringer after a link of handballs found him clear. Another 6 goals for the term saw the lead out to 39 points at the final term. Both sides went through the motions in the final term and the siren could not come quick enough. Geelong kicked 2 goals to 1 for the term. Johnson played his best match of the season as he had 35 disposals and 3 goals.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 17.17.119 Melborune 11.10.76
BEST CAT: Steve Johnson
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Podsiadly, Johnson, Chapman 3
CROWD: 18,010
LADDER POSITION: 6 (4-2)
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Adelaide V Geelong , AAMI Stadium, Saturday May 12
Geelong put in its worst performance under coach Chris Scott to lose by 50 points to Adelaide. Not much can be written about this match except it was a shocking performance even without Bartel and Scarlett who were late withdrawals. The margin at half time was 63 points as Adelaide kicked 8 goals to 1 in the second term. Geelong won the second half but that failed to hide the fact the Cats lost the contested possession once again. Byrnes missing from 7 metres out in the final term summed up the Cats day! Returning to the side this week, Joel Selwood had 29 possessions and 2 goals to be my best. Mitch Duncan was not far behind with 3 goals.
FINAL SCORE: Adelaide 19.8.122 Geelong 10.12.72
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Mitch Duncan 3
CROWD: 35,535
LADDER POSITION: 9 (4-3)
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Collingwood V Geelong, MCG, Friday May 18
Geelong missed several chances in the final term to lose to Collingwood by 2 goals after scores were level with under 2 minutes to play. Geelong regained Bartel from lost Christensen to a calf injury and they also Scarlett who was a late withdrawal for the second week in a row. James Kelly played his 200th match and James Podsiadly his 50th. Geelong started better than they did last week with continue his form from last years Grand Final. Unfortunately he continued his bad kicking from that match when he missed two set shots but kicked one in general play. Collingwood played better during the term and had they kicked straighter they should have been more than 8 points up at the first change. Both teams kicked 4 goals in the second term and the Pies threatened to run away with the match but the Cats were able to hang in there by kicking goals at the right time. The third term set up the win for the Pies as they kicked 3 goals to Geelong's 1 goal 6. Chapman was Geelong's only goal kicker for the term but they missed some gettable shots. Hawkins again missed this time just sneaked in for a point that went to the video review, Selwood missed one on the run (Joel is a great player and he has taken his game to a new level this season but he needs to improve his goal kicking, then he will be complete) and Pods tried to bounce a long through when he had players clear to pass the ball to. The Pies kicked the first of the final term to extend the lead to 23 points after a bad missed tackle from Josh Hunt. But Geelong would not lie down and they dominated most of the final term, an injury to Swan and later Reid may have contributed to that. Two quick goals to Duncan and Hawkins and the Cats were within two goals. Cloke replied to the Pies before the Cats bombarded the goals for only 1 goal to Stokes. Bartel, Corey and West all missed shots from straight in front. After a 5 minute break in scoring Geelong added two more points before Varcoe got the ball in the square and goaled and scores were level. Geelong went forward, Collingwood cleared and then Fasolo marked at half forward. He went to play on, Hunt went to stop him but the umpire hadn't called it. The result, a 50 metre penalty and a heart breaking goal. Pendlebury then kicked his fourth to seal the win. A much improved effort on last week but not good enough when you miss so many easy shots.
FINAL SCORE: Collingwood 14.12.96 Geelong 11.18.84
BEST CAT: Joel Selwood
LEADING GOAL KICKER(S): Matthew Stokes 3
CROWD: 75,650
LADDER POSITION: 10 (4-4)
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Bulldogs V Geelong, Etihad Stadium, Friday May 25
Geelong V GWS, Simonds Stadium, Saturday June 2
Carlton V Geelong, Etihad Stadium, Friday June 8
BYE
Sydney V Geelong, S.C.G., Friday June 22
Geelong V Port Adelaide, Simonds Stadium, Sunday July 1
Gold Coast V Geelong, Metricon Stadium, Saturday July 8
Geelong V Collingwood, M.C.G., Saturday July 14
Geelong V Essendon, Etihad Stadium, Friday July 20
Geelong V Adelaide, Simonds Stadium, Saturday July 38
Hawthorn V Geelong, M.C.G., Friday August 3
West Coast V Geelong, Patersons Stadium, Friday August 10
Geelong V St.Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Friday August 17
Geelong V Bulldogs, Simonds Stadium, Sunday August 25
Geelong V Sydney, Simonds Stadium, Date TBC