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September 18, 2006
Cats Into Grand Final
Nathan Ablett came of age yesterday, proving once and for all he is ready for the step up to senior football.Given the interest and hype already surrounding the youngest son of the club's greatest player, it is easy to exagerrate his influence on a VFL match.
But there can be no doubt the 20-year-old, who yesterday kicked four goals in a dominant display from from centre half-forward, proved himself a class above in the Cats' 27-point preliminary final win over Williamstown.
Of his nine marks, of which most were contested, it was one of his first taken leaping high amid three defenders, all trying to punch, that stood out.
He snapped his first major on his left-foot, then nailed set shots from 30, 40 and 50m to cap an extraordinary month-long purple patch with his best game in the hoops.
Coach Leigh Tudor said Ablett's role proved vital as Geelong booked its second VFL Grand Final in five years, kicking five goals in a 10-minute burst midway through the third term to setup victory.
"He's playing AFL-style football,'' Tudor said of his best-on-ground player.
"He's had an outstanding year and his second half he's really come of age with his running and ball-use and his decision-making, everything is going really well.''
In his first known public interview after the match, Ablett thanked vocal Cats' fans for their support and said he enjoyed playing more up the ground, rather than out of the goalsquare.
"I definitely find centre half-forward better, you've got a bit more space and can do a few more things as opposed to full forward you're just leading all the time, so yeah, it was good,'' Ablett said.
"I think my fitness is improving and knowing the game I think that is really probably why I am stepping up, but as I get older I expect myself to learn a bit more and have a bit more of an influence on the game.''
Henry Playfair's shift to centre half-back also proved a masterstroke as the key tall enjoyed a new lease of life repelling many of the Seagulls' forward thrusts, particularly under pressure early in the contest.
The Cats held a narrow one-point lead at the first change and despite quickly scooting out to a 14-point buffer with Ablett on fire up forward, were two points down at the main break.
But Geelong hit its straps in the third term, winning a string of centre clearances in a five-goal blitz to take a 17-point cushion into the final quarter.
Backmen Tim Callan and Will Slade were inspirational in defence, combining to resist the Seagulls' first four forward-50m entries of the fourth term to prevent any chance of a miracle Williamstown comeback.
And when Kent Kingsely kicked his third goal, from a boundary throw-in and then his fourth and final goal from a well-judged mark backing back with the flight, the game was over.
Mathew Stokes, Paul Koulouriotis and captain James Byrne, with 28 touches and a massive15 tackles, fought hard all day in the midfield, while Charlie Gardiner also relished a push up the ground with two goals.
It was a fantastic effort from Nathan yesterday. Defintely the best I've ever seen him play and the interview came as a shock to me. Hopefully it is a sign of some new found confidence, as he has definitely been playing with it yesterday and from what I hear the week before.
It was an excellent effort from the boys. I honestly couldn't pick out a bad player on the day. Our intensity at times was something to behold and I hope the AFL players were there watching.
Overuse of the ball & poor skills were the only negatives, but then again it is the VFL and not the AFL.
I hope everybody that can gets down to MC Labor Park next weekend to support the boys in their quest for some silverware this season, despite it not being the actual one we've been looking for.
Posted by Sammy D at September 18, 2006 04:09 PM