Voice of The Outer: Kids in the spotlight as Cats flog Blues

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April 10, 2007

Kids in the spotlight as Cats flog Blues

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GEELONG 4.6 10.8 19.13 24.18 (162)
CARLTON 3.2 5.6 7.9 12.12 (84)
GOALS: Geelong: C Mooney 5 N Ablett 5 T Hawkins 3 G Ablett 2 T Varcoe 2 C Ling 2 B Ottens J Hunt J Selwood S Byrnes D Wojcinski. Carlton: E Betts 3 B Fisher 2 A Carrazzo 2 A Walker M Murphy L Whitnall C Ackland N Stevens.
BEST: Geelong: G Ablett D Wojcinski M Scarlett B Ottens J Bartel S Byrnes N Ablett. Carlton: M Murphy A Walker H Scotland.
INJURIES: Geelong: D Johnson (shoulder) replaced in selected side by J Hunt. Carlton: J Russell (cut head).
REPORTS: Nil.
CROWD: 41,113 at Telstra Dome.

Geelong were rarely threatened by a disappointing Carlton side at Telstra Dome on Saturday night. Stung into life after a tough week in the media following a loss to the Bulldogs in round 1 the Cats lead from start to finish in match where high scoring, fast flowing football was abundant.

Geelong's dominance in the ruck and electrifying run out of the defence wasn't fully rewarded until late in the second quarter as missed opportunities were squandered early by a variety of Geelong players allowing Carlton to stay in touch despite being outplayed in many facets of the game and Brendan Fevola being kept tight by Matty Scarlett.

Coming out of half time with a healthy lead a 9 goal blast in the 3rd quarter put the result beyond doubt as Carlton showed little to no resistance to the Cats onslaught. Geelong were allowed to do as they pleased slamming home the first five goals of the quarter in about as many minutes.

Things were getting extremely embarrassing for the NAB Cup winners as the lead ballooned out to 99 points in the last quarter, but Eddie Betts added some late respectability to the scoreboard as the Cats took the foot off the pedal much to Mark Thompson's & cat fans disappointment.

The tall trio of Mooney, Nathan Ablett & much publicised debutant Tom Hawkins ran riot up forward kicking 13 goals between them. Hawkins & Ablett providing a look into the future of the club which would have Cats fans drooling at the prospect of them playing together in the long term.

But it was the midfield & run from the backline that set the victory up. Ottens & Blake smashed lightweights Cameron Cloke & Cain Akland in the ruck contests giving the Geelong midfielders first use out of the centre. Ablett, Bartel & Joel Corey got leather posioning in the middle as Ling took Nick Stevens out of the game with a decent tagging job. While David Wojcinski was brilliant running off the half back flank breaking the game wide open.

Carlton were too one dimensional going forward spending most of their efforts inside 50 looking for spearhead Brendan Fevola who was double, sometimes triple teamed by Scarlett, Milburn and various assisting midfielders dropping back infront of his leads.

Of the kids Varcoe looks desperate and composed slotting two beautiful goals, Nathan Ablett showed what he can do at AFL level kicking 5 and setting up many more while Hawkins was the icing on the cake showing off his excellent hands and slotting 3 second half goals. The massive lead allowed Selwood to get some valuable minutes in the middle where he showed some promise once settling down.

Geelong now look forward to an injury ravaged Demons side on Sunday at the MCG.

Geelongblog.com Player of The Year
Round 2:
5. David Wojcinski
4. Nathan Ablett
3. Gary Ablett
2. Matthew Scarlett
1. Cameron Mooney

Leaderboard:
1. Nathan Ablett - 7
2. David Wojcinski - 6
3. Corey Enright - 5
4. Paul Chapman - 4
5. Gary Ablett - 3
6. Jimmy Bartel - 2
6. Matthew Scarlett - 2
8. Cameron Mooney - 1

Posted by Sammy D at April 10, 2007 09:40 PM