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April 04, 2006
Practice Match Vs Werribee
Only saw the last 10 minutes of the game so I'm going to have to rely on Nick Wade
Cats stand and deliver 4:42:09 PM Tue 4 April, 2006 Nick Wade Geelong Football ClubThe Bendigo Bank Cats asserted their intention to reverse last season’s wooden spoon performance with a comprehensive 47-point dismantlement of 2005 runner up Werribee at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
Taking a strangle hold of the match in the second quarter and continuing that dominance in the third, the Cats annihilated their much fancied rivals in nearly all areas to run out convincing winners 17-12-114 to 9-13-67.
Werribee, with the aid of a notorious Skilled Stadium breeze in the first quarter, gained the early ascendancy and looked in ominous form, but a lack of forward line efficiency kept the game tight.
The Cats’ challenge began in earnest in the opening stages of the second quarter, catching the Tigers off guard and capitalising on a spate of Werribee errors - a result of the Cats’ relentless pressure and a greater desire to win the ball.
Dictating play around the ground and generating tremendous rebounding power from defence, the Cats lifted the match intensity to new heights that simply left the Tigers behind to succumb in its wake.
Much of the same continued in the third quarter as Werribee capitulated under the weight of goals, as the Cats inflicted some of the scoreboard torture they were all too used to receiving.
The Cats were almost at full strength against a relatively full strength Werribee side, with Tim Callan, Tom Lonergan, Paul Koulouriotis, Steven Johnson, Nathan Ablett, Matthew Spencer and Brent Prismall amongst the AFL-listed participants.
Nathan Ablett and Tom Lonergan both had a day out up forward for the triumphant Cats.
The dynamic pair tore apart any aspiration the Tigers had of a revival, with the innate class in the air and on the ground of Ablett, combined with the versatility of Lonergan, proving a futile task for Werribee defenders to negate.
The duo snagged ten of the Cats’ seventeen majors between them, proving almost unstoppable.
Ablett played much of the match inside the forward 50, appearing completely camouflaged from the Tigers’ defence, as he seemingly emerged from the grand stands to kick three of his six goals from strong grabs on the goal line.
Tom Lonergan took a couple of powerful marks early on in the blustery morning conditions, standing tall as he loomed as a formidable target up forward for the Cats.
The developing forward snared four goals in an impressive display that saw him deliver some of the potential he has been threatening to unleash over the past couple of seasons.
Electrifying forward Matthew Stokes was once again outstanding for the Cats, gathering twenty-two disposals and two goals by virtue of his phenomenal work rate.
His unquestionable resolve to pick himself up after being collected by much larger opponents was a hallmark of his laudable work rate.
NAB Cup premiership player Brent Prismall was simply damaging and was the pick of the players for the Cats.
Buoyed by his successful stint in the AFL line up, the hardworking onballer was a prolific ball winner, gathering 23 disposals, and gave his teammates a
Roles Royce ride all afternoon with precision passing and continuous effort.Paul Koulouriotis was more than a handy contributor in the convincing win, rebounding from defence and also clearing the ball from the stoppages in a pleasing 18-disposal performance.
Ryan Gamble is growing in stature and confidence for the Cats, revelling in the contested situations and accommodating his teammates with smart team play.
Although he didn’t win as much of the football as other weeks, the draftee gave fans plenty of room for enthusiasm with another solid display.
Livewire forward Steve Johnson was at his artistic best at times, while at other times his lack of match conditioning was evident.
Finding space where there was none, the exciting forward set up Nathan Ablett with an inventive kick around his body close to the boundary line, as he daringly played on with his opponent baring down.
Matthew Torney continued his transformation into one of the competition’s powerhouse midfielders on Saturday, winning plenty of the football around the ground in his typically tough attack, further reiterating his value to the Cats engine room.
Captain James Byrne collected 19 touches and a goal as he primed himself for a blistering season.
The Bendigo Bank Cats’ 2006 TRUenergy season gets underway this weekend with a round one clash against North Ballarat at Skilled Stadium.
North Ballarat last week drew with Frankston in their final practice match and has struggled to post a win in their recent practice matches, including a fourteen-goal walloping against Tasmania.
This eagerly anticipated match will be the curtain raiser to the Geelong-Kangaroos match on Saturday, April 8.
Action commences at 10.30am - gates open at 10.15am.
Posted by Sammy D at April 4, 2006 11:26 PM