|
AFL RETIREMENTS AND DELISTINGS By Ben Jensen AFL CLUBS HAVE FINALISED their lists ahead of the AFL National Draft. Since the last list was released two weeks ago, clubs such as St Kilda and Sydney have swung the axe further, in all likelihood ending the careers of players such as Aaron Fiora, Nick Davis and Luke Brennan. Fremantle finally delisted a player officially, although it wasn't against his will - Josh Carr is almost certain to go to Port Adelaide with whom he won the 2004 Premiership. The Kangaroos finally broke the bad news to key defender / utility Leigh Brown. Twenty-six year old Brown was recruited from Fremantle in time for season 2003, after being drafted by the Dockers at number five in the 1999 draft. As always he was 'wished all the best' by his former club, but will be privately fuming. FULL STORY AFL RETIREMENTS AND DELISTINGS
|
AFL PREMIERS VICTORY PACK - FOUR DVD'S - THREE FINALS PLUS SEASON HIGHLIGHTS NOW ONLY $49.95 + P&H
DVD $49.95, PLUS P+H [WAS 99.95] NOT SURE WHY YOU'D WANT IT, BUT IT IS THE PERFECT PRESENT FOR A HAWKS SUPPORTER / BANDWAGONER
DVD - $34.95 + P&H - NOW AVAILABLE! 2008 BATHURST HIGHLIGHTS - DVD $34.95 + P&H
A DESPONDENT GEELONG SUPPORTER IN MUNICH
TOM LONERGAN (CLICK IMAGE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE OF ZAIDEE'S RAINBOW FOUNDATION)
SOLOMON'S CRUDE HIT ON LING [COURTESY CHANNEL TEN]
BEST ON GROUND, GARY ABLETT JUNIOR
2007 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS DVD SALE PRICE
DVD $19.95, PLUS P+H REDUCED FROM 34.95
NEW - UK TV GUIDE THE guide for Geelong fans in the UK / Ireland
2008 DRAW:
DVD $19.95, PLUS P+H REDUCED FROM 34.95
THE CATTERY HAS A NEW ADDRESS: FORUMS NOW ONLINE
GUESTBOOK TELL EVERYONE WHAT THE WIN MEANS FOR YOU! GUESTBOOK
PREMIERSHIP CELEBRATIONS
QUITE POETIC
'BROWNLOW MAN' - SONG BY ANDREW BIGNELL, TO TUNE OF 'WORKING CLASS MAN'
2007 BROWNLOW MEDAL WINNER JIMMY BARTEL, MINUS 'DATE' TIM CALLAN
GEELONG PLAYERS CELEBRATE AFTER THE FINAL SIREN IN THE PRELIMINARY FINAL
77,630 PEOPLE PACKED THE MCG TO SEE GEELONG BEAT THE KANGAROOS BY 106 POINTS IN THE FIRST FINAL
A WELL WISHER IN THE ROUND 21 CLASH WITH THE LIONS AT THE GABBA
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
AFL DRAW 2009 RELEASED; CATS PLAY
HAWKS IN OPENING ROUND By Ben Jensen GEELONG AND HAWTHORN will play a Grand Final rematch in round one of the 2009 AFL Premiership season, as the complete draw was released by the AFL today. The Cats, after receiving a pretty poor draw last season in that they had no home 'blockbuster' at the MCG, hosts two MCG games this season - including a Good Friday eve blockbuster against Collingwood that is sure to be a huge money-spinner for Brian Cook and his gang. The other MCG home game is the follow up match with the Hawks, in round 17 at the MCG on a Saturday afternoon. The Cats play at newly renamed 'Etihad Stadium' (former Telstra Dome) just four times, in a sign the AFL is now more intent on bashing the former Phone Dome than the MCG for a change.
FULL STORY: AFL DRAW 2009 RELEASED; CATS PLAY HAWKS IN OPENING ROUND |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TRIPLE
PREMIERSHIP LION NIGEL LAPPIN TO JOIN CATS Ben Jensen 15 October 2008 By Ben Jensen (In London) NIGEL LAPPIN, triple Premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and four time All Australian will join Geelong in a coaching role effective immediately. Lappin, a member of the 'fab four' along with Brownlow Medallists Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Simon Black, was considered one of the best midfielders in the AFL during the premiership years at Brisbane until injury intervened. FULL STORY TRIPLE PREMIERSHIP LION NIGEL LAPPIN TO JOIN CATS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
JOEL COREY IN UPSET CARJI GREEVES MEDAL WIN By Ben Jensen (Back in London) JOEL COREY has beaten AFL Players Association MVP Gary Ablett Junior to the Geelong best and fairest award, the Carjie Greeves Medal, denying the Norm Smith and Brownlow Medal runner up 'back to back' club awards. Corey, who like Ablett was again All Australian, polled 591 votes to best Ablett (538) and 2007 Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel (522). FULL STORY JOEL COREY IN UPSET CARJI GREEVES MEDAL WIN |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
HAWTHORN DEFEATS GEELONG, WINS FIRST PREMIERSHIP
SINCE 1991 By Ben Jensen (In München) HAWTHORN defeated Geelong by twenty six points in front of over 100,000 people at the MCG today to claim their first premiership since 1991. The Hawks certainly played better, kicking goals when they had to, as evidenced by their score of eighteen goals and just seven behinds. The Cats on the other hand should have been in front at half time, the miss from metres in front of goal by Cameron Mooney epitomising their day, managing more scoring shots than the Hawks but at an inaccurate eleven goals twenty three. Luke Hodge was deemed best on ground, the former Geelong Falcon claiming the Norm Smith Medal ahead of teammates Stuart Dew, Cyril Rioli and Chance Bateman and Campbell Brown. Trent Croad broke a bone in his foot and was forced from the field in second quarter, was was fellow key defender and Geelong captain Tom Harley, who was badly concussed after an accidental clash of heads. HAWTHORN 5.2, 8.3, 14.5 18.7 (115) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 100,012 at MCG UMPIRES: M Vozzo S McLaren S Ryan INJURIES: HAWTHORN: Croad (broken bone in foot)GEELONG: Harley (concussion) REPORTS: Nil
THIS WAS ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHT FOR THIS GEELONG SUPPORTER
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
AFL FINALS 2008 GRAND FINAL; GEELONG V HAWTHORN;
MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen (In Austria) PREMIERS GEELONG, face Hawthorn in a rematch of the classic 1989 VFL Grand Final. David Wojcinski has been dropped to make way for Paul Chapman, while the Hawks go in unchanged.
CHAPMAN IN; WOJCINSKI OUT; MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV / RADIO DETAILS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS INTO GRAND FINAL By Ben Jensen (In London) GEELONG are into the Grand Final for the second year in a row after defeating the Western Bulldogs by 29 points in front of 70,140 punters at the MCG in the first Preliminary Final. Geelong will play either St Kilda or Hawthorn in the Grand Final, those two meeting at the MCG tomorrow night. It will be the first All Victorian Grand Final since 2000, when Essendon thumped Melbourne after winning 21 of 22 games in the home and away season, a feat the Cats are hoping to emulate. All that remains now is the big question: If presuming he is fit and selected, who will Paul Chapman replace? Bomber Thompson has already stated the Travis Varcoe will NOT be the one to make way: "Travis won't go out; he (Varcoe) wouldn't be considered (for omission). I'll say that publicly, if he doesn't get a virus he'll play next week". So while there's some Costello-style 'wriggle-room', Varcoe is set to have a chance at the Premiership he and indeed Mark Blake missed out on last season. Others in the gun are Tom Lonergan, David Wojcinski, James Kelly and Matthew Stokes. One one hand Lonergan should keep his spot being the only tall forward of the batch, but on the other hand Wojcinski and Kelly are proven finals winners. Stokes didn't play too bad in last year's Grand Final either, and has been good all season. Our money is actually on Stokes to make way; someone has to go and the cards point to the little man whose position will be filled be Chapman and Kelly switching roles between the forward line and midfield. Another school of thought is that Brad Ottens, no slouch in front of goal, could fill the void should Lonergan be left out. This is all well and good but you're robbing Peter to pay Paul in many respects, particularly should Hawthorn's ruckman get on top of Blake. Should heavy rain be predicted however, the likes of Stokes, Chapman, Varcoe and Kelly could come into their own so Lonergan could turn out to be the unlucky man to miss out.
GEELONG 5.3, 8.8, 10.9 12.11 (83) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 70,140 at MCG UMPIRES: M Vozzo S McBurney S Ryan INJURIES: GEELONG: Nil injury reportsWESTERN BULLDOGS: Nil injury reports REPORTS: Nil
The Bulldogs dominated the opening quarter until the twenty minute mark, after which the Cats responded to the challenge, booted the final three goals and took a six point lead into quarter time. Geelong controlled the second quarter but only outscored the Doggies by two goals, a situation that nearly became costly in the third term. The Bulldogs or 'Footscray' as they were known had a real go at the Cats in the third quarter, however like in the first term let Geelong back into it, the Cats also kicking two goals for the quarter while the Bulldogs kicked a wasteful two goals four behinds. In the final quarter Geelong stormed away, holding Footscray (that name again) goalless, increasing the final winning margin to just under thirty points. No injuries reports from either side; Paul Chapman will reportedly be ready to play in the Grand Final, meaning at least one player has to miss. No reports either, or incidents likely to attract attention. LAST TIME HAWTHORN WON A FLAG, WE GOT ANGRY ANDERSON AND HIS BATMOBILE; WHAT WILL THE AFL DISH UP THIS YEAR? (WE'D LIKE AC-DC TO PLAY 'It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)')
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
AFL FINALS 2008 PRELIMINARY FINAL;
GEELONG V WESTERN BULLDOGS; MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST
DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG
V WESTERN BULLDOGS PREMIERS GEELONG, head into this
Friday night's heavyweight clash at the MCG with the Western Bulldogs
minus Paul Chapman. Also missing is Brent Prismall, who had a knee reconstruction
following the qualifying final win over St Kilda two weeks ago. Returning
are James Kelly and David Wojcinski, both having missed several weeks
through injury. Kelly last played in round 20 at Sydney, Wojcinski round
15 against Fremantle. Chapman injured his hamstring in the qualifying
final, and is now in serious doubt to play again even if the Cats make
the Grand Final. CHAPMAN OUT; MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV / RADIO DETAILS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN CATS IN AFL ALL
AUSTRALIAN SIDE By Ben Jensen SEVEN GEELONG PLAYERS were named in the AFL's All Australian team for 2008 in festivities at Crown Casino. In for the second year in a row were Matthew Scarlett, Steve Johnson, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey. Captain Tom Harley and fellow defender Corey Enright were named for the first time, Harley named as Vice Captain behind Carlton's Chris Judd. Missing selection were Darren Milburn, Andrew Mackie and Joel Selwood. FULL STORY INCLUDING ENTIRE TEAM
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
GARY ABLETT FIRST CAT TO GO 'BACK TO BACK' By Ben Jensen (In London) GARY ABLETT JUNIOR has won the AFL Players' Association MVP award for the second year in a row. Ablett, who placed sixth in last year's Brownlow medal behind winner and Geelong midfield teammate Jimmy Bartel, won by nearly three hundred votes from Hawk Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin and Brownlow favourite Kangaroos Brent Harvey. Joel Selwood, in just his second year placed sixth behind Chris Judd. Speaking on the night, Ablett said "This is a massive honour as it is voted on by my peers. It means a huge amount to me that the players that I play against each week have voted for me and it is very humbling to win this award. While this is an individual award, there is no way that I could be in this position without my team mates and the coaches at Geelong and I want to thank them for everything they have done for me, not only this season but over my time with the club". Gary's father (Gary Senior) won the award back in 1993, during which he kicked 124 goals in just 17 games. This season, including finals, Gary has played 19 games for a return of 262 kicks, 281 handballs, 24 goals, 89 tackles. Brownlow votes are yet to be allocated. Only new Lions coach Michael Voss, disgraced former Roo Wayne Carey and two time Brownlow medallist Greg Williams have won the award twice previously. In other major awards, Tom Harley was named best skipper in the AFL, Brisbane's Jonathan Brown most courageous (possibly for standing up to Leigh Matthews), while Freo Docker Rhys Palmer was a shock winner of the best first year player award, beating Hawk Cyril Rioli. 11 SEPTEMBER 2008 GARY ABLETT FIRST CAT TO GO 'BACK TO BACK'
LEADER BOARD
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
GEELONG POWERS INTO PRELIMINARY FINAL By Ben Jensen (In London) GEELONG stamped their authority over this year's finals series, dispatching St Kilda summarily at the MCG in front of a crowd of 71,653. The Cats barely turned up in the final quarter but still won by fifty-eight points, although the win did come at a cost with the likely loss of Brent Prismall for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Out of contract Prismall, who had just about cemented a spot in the side after playing ten of the last twelve, is to have a scan to confirm what is believed to be a dreaded ACL. The Cats play the winner of Friday night's elimination final between Sydney and the Bulldogs at the MCG, in a Preliminary Final likely to be the following Friday at the MCG. Tickets go on sale 15 September to Geelong members.
GEELONG 3.7, 7.10, 16.15, 17.17 (119)
DEFEATED GOALS BEST CROWD: 71,653 at MCG UMPIRES: Kennedy, McInerney, Meredith INJURIES: GEELONG: Brent Prismall (knee - out for season); Paul Chapman (described as 'hamstring / quad') ST KILDA: Jason Blake (thumb) REPORTS: Lenny Hayes (St Kilda; by emergency umpire Jeffery) for allegedly striking Joel Selwood (Geelong) in the third quarter
FULL REPORT TO COME; SORRY FOR THE DELAY - SOME SCUMBAG STOLE MY PDA (ALONG WITH MY WEDDING RING) SO OUR MATCH REPORT WAS LOST |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
AFL FINALS SEASON 2008 FIRST QUALIFYING
FINAL; GEELONG V ST KILDA; MATCH PREVIEW PLUS TV / RADIO BROADCAST DETAILS By Ben Jensen GEELONG
V ST KILDA PREMIERS GEELONG face late charging St
Kilda in the AFL First Qualifying Final at the MCG this Sunday afternoon.
Andrew Mackie and Max Rooke return, at the expense of Shannon Byrnes
and Ryan Gamble. Rooke missed a week through suspension while Mackie
returns after being a late change last week with a back complaint. Smiling
like the fish that missed the hook are Travis Varcoe, Harry Taylor and
Brent Prismall, who have been in and out of the side in recent weeks.
Not so happy will be David Wojcinski, a key player in last year's finals,
who hasn't been able to force his way back into the side after being
pronounced free from injury. Gamble and Byrnes too can consider themselves
very unlucky.
MATCH PREVIEW INCLUDING TEAM LISTS, TV / RADIO DETAILS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TEN CATS IN LINE FOR 2008 AFL ALL AUSTRALIAN HONOURS By Ben Jensen GEELONG has 'only' ten nominations out of fourty for this year's AFL All Australian side. In shock omissions, 2007 All Australians and Premiership players Cameron Mooney and Cameron Ling were not nominated. Corey Enright, Captain Tom Harley and Joel Selwood were nominated for the first time. Geelong's nominations are:
FULL STORY INCLUDING ENTIRE SQUADS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS BOUNCE INTO SEPTEMBER;
STOKES CLEARED By Ben Jensen (back in London) GEELONG will play Steven King's St Kilda in the 'first' Qualifying Final at the MCG next Sunday after thrashing the Eagles at Skilled Stadium on Saturday. However, they may find themselves minus Matthew Stokes, who was reported for striking the Eagles' Chad Fletcher to blight an otherwise good day on the field, will not face a suspension after the AFL Match Review Panel threw the case out. Stokes was facing a minimum one match ban, having had 31.25 activation points hanging over his head, and a 40% loading of any further assessment, had the charge sustained. GEELONG 4.3, 12.9, 18.12, 24.20 (164)
DEFEATED GOALS BEST CROWD: 21,752 at Skilled Stadium UMPIRES: Armstrong, Jeffrey, Stewart INJURIES: GEELONG: Andrew Mackie (back), replaced in selected side by Shannon Byrnes; Steve Johnson (finger); Joel Corey (elbow) WEST COAST: Nil reports. REPORTS: Matthew Stokes (Geelong) for striking Chad Fletcher (West Coast) in the third quarter Cleared
Again no coverage on Setanta Sports, so it was off to the 'Slug at Fulham' for a grainy replay 36 hours later. Felt a bit stupid wearing a Geelong shirt given the sign reading 'The Slug Supports the Eagles', compounded when the barman looked me up and down and mouthed 'Geelong supporter' before harrumphing and meandering off. It began late, forcing us to endure fifteen minutes of 'Biffs, Bumps and Brawlers'. We saw Dermie being cleaned up by Yeatesie plus Gary Senior crunching Johnny Gastev in his One Special Season (1993). Rex Hunt mannerisms, minus sound, really gave the locals something to laugh about (if they weren't already). Andrew Mackie was a late withdrawal with a back injury, earning Shannon Byrnes a reprieve. Steve Johnson and Brad Ottens were on fire early, Johnson goaling inside 25 seconds. It appeared wetter at KP than here; even Johnson struggled with the conditions, comically missing the ball three times in 30 seconds. Surely this was to be the day 'wet ball specialist' Jimmy Bartel would dominate. The Cats were hard at it from the word go while the Weagles seemed keen to go out with a bang. They would finally score their first goal nearly fifteen minutes into the game, and went on with it from there for the next five minutes to build an unexpected ten point lead. Normal order was restored with five minutes to go, Johnson booting his second, however at quarter time scores were level.
Finally spotted a Geelong jumper, sleeveless and all. Nice bloke; said he was a 'Sporting Poet' who wanted to get into sports writing. A dead ringer for Craig Cleeve, too. One to watch out for. The umpires, nearly strung up after gifting a goal to Mark LeCras, made peace soon after, handing Johnson his fourth with a soft free kick and fifty metre penalty. Harry Taylor and Brent Prismall did their finals chances no harm, kicking three goals between them, each of them a little bit cheeky. By half time the Cats had doubled the Eagles' score.
One bloke clearly thought he was at a different game - he was calling out 'Go Tiges' intermittently earlier on but now screaming it out every stoppage. Better news though was the cry of 'MOOOONS' were really starting to take off; he was getting more of the ball. West Coast kicked a few good goals; one each from the boundary forty-five out, the third generated midfield by Captain and All Aussie full back Darren Glass, who was about their best on a dirty day. Coinciding with a break in rain Johnson booted his fifth halfway through in, as the Cats worked towards a three figure thrashing. This also coincided with the arrival of dozens of Chelsea fans from nearby Stamford Bridge, embarrassed at their draw with Spurs (an act akin to Geelong losing this match). The Cats led by a lazy sixty-one points at the final break - the strategy for the final quarter would be one of avoiding injury and further reports. The announced crowd was unexpectedly down 3,000 on last week. Joel Selwood, who earlier enjoyed a bit of push and shove with brother Adam, nearly spoiled the 'no injuries' script, copping a ball in the face. He's tough as nails though and pushed on - confirming the B&F votes he should have earned by now. Bartel was next to show his courage and skill; in one play booting the ball from mid-air, then following it up with a tunnel-ball through an opponent's legs. Tom Lonergan, quietly plying his trade, soon had four goals to make it 31 from 13 games. Along with fellow reinforcement Taylor he can expect to play finals. A cry of 'three votes!' rang out from the back as Bartel took another hander - starting to show off a bit now. The quarter had threatened to be a yawn fest but for him and Ablett, instead it capped off a season that hopefully for the Cats will yield a second flag in four weeks' time. The win, Geelong's twenty-first of the season, equalled Essendon's feat of 2000. To the cries of 'have a shot' Josh Hunt did just that, launching a rocket off not even half a step from well outside fifty to put it through at post height. Bartel was BOG, followed by Johnson. Selwood stole the final vote from Ottens and Ling. The backline was rock solid, Tom Harley particularly so along with Taylor, but they do need Mackie back against the Saints next Sunday. We're biased but no Eagle had a game of note; though Glass, Priddis and Cox battled hard. I hope Max makes it back; though it'd be ironic if a
Harry Taylor or Brent Prismall benefited from his absence, given last
year he got a guernsey due to Matt Egan's injury. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS BOUNCE KANGAROOS By Ben Jensen (back in London) IN THE AFL'S PENULTIMATE ROUND, GEELONG put a sizeable dent in North Melbourne's top four, let alone Premiership, aspirations in front of an absolutely jammed packed 24,288 at Skilled Stadium today. Although the Kangaroos led at quarter time and forward David Hale booted eight goals, the Cats led at every other change, four goals at the middle two breaks and finally running out thirty-three point victors. Contratry to reports by AAP, Paul Chapman and Cameron Mooney each booted four goals, with Brad Ottens, playing his 200th game, kicking three. Steve Johnson had to be content with two while for a change Tom Lonergan could only manage a single. The spurned Brent Prismall and Travis Varcoe earned reprieves, coming in for the injured James Kelly and Matthew Stokes respectively. GEELONG 3.3, 10.6, 13.10 17.13 (115) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 24,299 at Skilled Stadium UMPIRES: James, Nicholls, McInerney INJURIES: GEELONG: Matthew Stokes, replaced in selected side by Travis Varcoe; James Kelly, replaced in selected side by Brent Prismall NORTH MELBOURNE: Nathan Thompson, replaced in selected side by Jess Sinclair; Matt Campbell, replaced in selected side by Scott Thompson. REPORTS: Nil |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS SNUFF OUT SWANS' TOP FOUR HOPES By Ben Jensen in Paris GEELONG put paid to Sydney's hopes of a top four finish and the double chance in front of 44,950 at ANZ Stadium tonight. Gary Ablett proved he's over his ankle injury, suffered back in round fifteen against Fremantle, kicking three goals while the Tom Lonergan goal kicking show continues, he and Shannon Byrnes matching Ablett's three goals. 16 AUGUST 2008 CATS SNUFF OUT SWANS' TOP FOUR HOPES GEELONG 7.4 9.8 16.10 20.13 (133) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 44,950 at ANZ Stadium UMPIRES: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan (same trio as last week) INJURIES: GEELONG:Matthew Scarlett (back); replaced in selected side by Travis Varcoe SYDNEY: Leo Barry (hamstring); replaced in selected side by Malceski. Jeff Crouch (neck), Moore (ankle). REPORTS: Nil |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
GEELONG ASSERTS SUPREMACY OVER MELBOURNE WITH MASSIVE
WIN By Ben Jensen in San Sebastian AS EXPECTED THE CATS FLOGGED THE DEMONS at the MCG tonight, by one hundred and sixteen points in front of a very poor crowd. The poor old Dees didnt trouble the scorers in the opening quarter, as the Cats went on to kick eight goals five behinds for a fifty-three to nil lead. Tom Lonergan and Matthew Stokes finished with four goals apiece, Lonergan taking his season tally to 23 from just 10 games. Late in the game Steve Johnson was given a couple in the guts by Melbourne player Lynden Dunn and had to be taken off for fear he would respond and attract attention from the AFL Match Review Panel. Andrew Mackie had a superb game, as did Joel Selwood who must have earned Brownlow votes in double figures the past month. Gary Ablett had his first run since injuring an ankle against the Fremantle Dockers three weeks ago, and looked like he needed the run. The Cats travel to Sydney next Saturday night in the third last home and away season game before the finals, and are now odds on to go undefeated and take out their second flag in a row. GEELONG 8.5 12.7 19.10 24.13 (157) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 34,610 at MCG UMPIRES: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan INJURIES: Geelong:Nil Melbourne: Mark Jamar replaced in selected side by Jeff White REPORTS: Nil |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS BELT TIGERS By Anthony Jensen Geelong flogged Richmond by 63 points in front of 42,238 at the Telstra Dome tonight. The Cats had a lazy twelve goal kickers, led once more by Tom Lonergan and Ryan Gamble with three apiece. Geelong started slowly but then put together three dominant quarters of football to end up 63-point victors. The Tigers were without in-form spearhead Nathan Brown who was suffering with a virus. 6 AUGUST 2008 CATS BELT TIGERS GEELONG 2.6 8.8 15.13 20.14 (134) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 42,238 at Telstra Dome (Melbourne Docklands) UMPIRES: Stevic, Wenn, Stewart INJURIES: Geelong:Nil Richmond: Richo hurt his right knee REPORTS: TBC
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS HANG ON TO SOLID 11 POINT WIN OVER HAWKS By Anthony Jensen An exuberant crowd of 86,179 flocked to a brisk MCG for the Friday night clash between top of the ladder Geelong and third-placed Hawthorn. The rugged-up fans rode a rollercoaster match which was well worth the build-up since these sides last met in Round 4, 2007. Despite leading at every change and coming away 11 point winners, the end result doesnt come close to telling the story of this close encounter for the Cats. 27 JULY 2008 CATS HANG ON TO SOLID 11 POINT WIN OVER HAWKS GEELONG 6.3 8.10 9.12 12.16 (88) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST CROWD: 86,179 at MCG UMPIRES: S McBurney B Rosebury J Schmitt INJURIES: Geelong:Darren Milburn (virus), replaced in selected side by David Johnson(first game since 2007) Hawthorn: TBC REPORTS: TBC |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS CRUISE TO SIXTY-ONE POINT WIN By Ben Jensen GEELONG cemented top spot on the AFL ladder after defeating the second-placed Bulldogs by sixty-one points at Skilled Stadium today. Windy conditions and plenty of bite from the Bulldogs ensured the Cats made hard work of it in the first half before finishing all over the Bulldogs in the second half, their superiority over their challenger rudely asserted, despite the absense of All Australian midfielders Gary Ablett and Cameron Ling. The first quarter can only be described as scrappy. Despite scoring the only goal in the first twenty minutes were lucky to level the scores by quarter time. Darren Milburn picked up an amazing 19 posessions by quarter time, although many of them were give and gets with Tom Harley and Matthew Scarlett. Ryan Gamble, who replaced an injured David Wojcinski, proved too much to handle for the Bulldogs backline most of the day, going about it in his customary low-key manner, although he did smile as he took a big grab in the third term. In the second quarter Geelong were arguably the better team, inaccurate kicking ensuring the Bulldogs remained in the match, the scores again all level going into the main break, The Cats put the foot down in the third term, building a twenty point lead midway through the term. The two sides traded goals before a sharked goal from Harry Taylor just about snuffed out the Bulldogs. However while milking time on the centre-half back line, the Geelong defence came unstuck, Nathan Eagleton benefiting with a crafty goal from just outside fifty to peg the lead back to fifteen points. The Bulldogs didn't really fire a shot in the final quarter, as Geelong finished with eight goals to one. Cameron Mooney chimed in with two goals, Gamble another. The Bulldogs didn't score until time on, as if to emphacise the differential between the two sides first and second on the ladder. This Friday night Geelong play Hawthorn at the MCG, the Cats' third MCG 'away' fixture of the season in what will certainly be a big money spinner for the Hawks. Football Manager Neil Balme maintains Ablett is a chance to return but the sight of him hobbling on crutches suggests he is more likely to miss than play.
GEELONG 3.3 6.11 11.12 19.17 (131) DEFEATED
GOALS BEST UMPIRES: Chris Donlon (1) (VIC), Michael Vozzo (2) (VIC), Shaun Ryan (25) (VIC) CROWD: 24,801 at Skilled Stadium, Geelong INJURIES: Geelong: David Wojcinski replaced in selected side by Ryan Gamble Western Bulldogs: TBC REPORTS: TBC
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS CRUISE TO SEVENTY-FOUR POINT WIN By Ben Jensen GEELONG EASILY ACCOUNTED FOR FREMANTLE at Skilled Stadium this afternoon. The match was marred in controversy early on, Docker Dean Solomon reported for ending Cameron Ling's game in the first quarter, Ling suffering a horrendous injury in a fractured cheek bone. James Kelly was a late change due to a calf injury, replaced by Harry Taylor. Tom Lonergan kicked four goals for the second week in a row, Brad Ottens also finding the big sticks with three. But the match will be remembered for Solomon's lone act of violence, that sparked retaliations and several more spotfires throughout the match. The former Essendon 'hard man' (not sure what that means when he charges a player from 25m) has sparked a debate about whether a 'send off' rule should apply for such blatant acts of violence. Cats Coach Mark Thompson confirmed Ablett would miss at least one match, at best. Next week Geelong play the Western Bulldogs, again at Skilled Stadium, in the match of the round, before taking on Hawthorn at the MCG the week after. Cameron Ling will be having surgery tonight, and is expected to miss up to six matches, ironically possibly longer than his assailant, Dean Solomon, will receive.
GEELONG 4.2 7.7 13.10 18.10 (118)
DEFEATED GOALS BEST UMPIRES: Justin Schmitt (17) (SA), Stuart Wenn (22) (VIC), Jason Armstrong (26) (VIC) CROWD: 21,286 at Skilled Stadium, Geelong INJURIES: Geelong: Ablett (rolled ankle late in second quarter, did not return); Ling (king hit by Dean Solomon in first quarter, did not return to field) Fremantle: TBC REPORTS: Dean Solomon for striking Cameron Ling in the first quarter
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CATS CLIP CROWS' WINGS By Anthony Jensen GEELONG THRASHED ADELAIDE at AAMI Stadium by 68 points on Friday night. Geelong led from start to finish, never looking troubled by the team that was fifth on the ladder heading into this match. Matthew Scarlett returned from a hamstring complaint while Mathew Stokes resumes his small forward role after accepting a one-match suspension for striking Brisbane’s Michael Rischitelli.
GEELONG 4.6 9.8 12.10 18.16 (124)
DEFEATED GOALS BEST UMPIRES: Chamberlain, Rosebury, Stevic CROWD: 44,377 at AAMI Stadium, Adelaide INJURIES: Geelong: None reported ADELAIDE: Reilly (knee) REPORTS: Nil A MATTHEW STOKES SPIN AND GOAL foreign exchange forex banks money travel holiday dating ipod
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
READ MORE GREAT ARTICLES IN THE NEWS ARCHIVE