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July 19, 2006
Late Surge Cuts Power
I rocked up on Sunday to the usual half empty standing area on the forward flank of the City End. Before not too long I was giving an ovation to Benny Graham for his 219 games, 145 goals & his performances in a GFC guernsey. As he was going around on his Ford with his two daughters they were running a video of his NFL career on the screen and the fact he took a risk to join the New York Jets was mentioned a lot. It's a risk that has undoubtably payed off for Benny. He's earning close to $1m a year in New York and while he was in the Hickey Stand I'm sure he was thinking "I'm glad I'm not part of this side anymore" as we played uninspiring football for 120 minutes against an average side with some major players out.
Having won the most first quarters in the league this season it would have been no surprise to see us jump out of the gates. We dominated the first 10 minutes of football it showed for little as we struggled to find an avenue to goal. From there the Power played very good negating football for most of the day.
Needless to say the crowd were displeased. Not only by the unattractive football played by Port Power, but also Geelong's horrible disposal, refusal to attack straight 'down the guts' & one Darren Goldspink. Goldspink gave Port three 50m penalties in somewhat dubious circumstances. It was definitely clear that Port Power had definitely watched a lot of the World Cup Finals as they almost hit the turf with pleasure knowing instantly the umpires reaction. Although the eager Power players went down like they'd been shot it was stupid by members of our leadership group to give them the opportunity. Especially in such a tight contest.
By the time Ebert kicked Ports first of the last quarter they had a 10 point lead and all the momentum, but suddenly Geelong broke the shackles and started to play some decent football, which prompts us to answer why can't they play like this all the time?
Firstly a brilliant flick from Ablett (who was well held all day by Wilson) found Stokes, who handballed to Chapman for the quick reply. From there it was the Matthew Stokes show, who is no doubt a cult figure with the crowd now. The skillful little player that he is kicked two goals, took a great mark and put an untold amount of pressure on any Port Power playing within his sights. He dragged himself exhausted for his efforts to a standing ovation from the Geelong faithful. It was a wonderful moment and one I won't easily forget.
In the end just over a quarter of good footy by the Geelong boys was enough to run out 10 point winners. Milburn, Scarlett, Harley & Egan played well down back, especially in the last quarter when Port Power suddenly started to pump the ball in long, contrary to the chip around game they had used all day. Enright & Bartel had good days in the midfield while Mooney & Ottens (who kicked some clutch goals) provided decent targets in a forward line that performed far from its best. Ottens was also decent in the ruck when given the opportunity after Lade promptly kicked our captains ass.
GEELONG: 1.1, 4.5, 5.9, 9.14 (68)
PORT ADELAIDE: 2.4, 3.5, 6.7, 8.10 (58)
GOALS – Geelong: Ottens 3, Chapman 2, Stokes 2, Ling, Mooney
Port Adelaide: Motlop 2, Tredrea, Mahoney, Walsh, S Burgoyne, Ebert, Thomas
INJURIES – Geelong: Nil
Port Adelaide: Brogan (ankle)
CHANGES – Geelong: nil
Port Adelaide: nil
REPORTS - Mooney for striking Mahoney in the second quarter
UMPIRES - Donlon, Nicholls, Goldspink
CROWD - 19,149 at Skilled Stadium
Geelongblog.com Player of the Year
5. Darren Milburn
4. Matthew Stokes
3. Jimmy Bartel
2. Brad Ottens
1. Tom Harley
Leaderboard
32 - Gary Ablett
26 - Paul Chapman
24 - Darren Milburn
24 - Joel Corey
20 - Jimmy Bartel
18 - Cameron Mooney
13 - Brad Ottens
12 - Jarad Rooke
10 - Corey Enright
8 - Cameron Ling
5 - Kent Kingsley
4 - Josh Hunt
4 - Matthew Stokes
4 - Steven King
3 - Matthew Scarlett
1 - David Wojcinski
1 - Shannon Byrnes
1 - Tom Harley
Posted by Sammy D at July 19, 2006 01:20 PM