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August 23, 2007
Fifteen, still we dream
GEELONG 5.6 6.10 13.12 17.16 (118)
KANGAROOS 2.8 4.10 7.11 13.13 (91)
Goals: Geelong: C Mooney 5 S Johnson 4 G Ablett 2 P Chapman 2 J Bartel B Ottens J Corey M Stokes.
Kangaroos: S Grant 3 D Petrie 3 H McIntosh D Harris L Brown C Jones B Harvey E Sansbury M Campbell.
Best: Geelong: G Ablett J Bartel J Corey C Mooney C Ling T Harley.
Kangaroos: G Archer D Harris S Grant D Wells A Swallow H McIntosh.
Umpires: S Grun K Nicholls S McInerney
Crowd: 48,501 at Telstra Dome.
The Cats made it fifteen wins in a row at the weekend with a win over top four contenders, the Kangaroos.
In a game that resembled a patchwork of incongruous 15 minute periods of domination by one side or the other, it was Geelong’s additional class and ability to stamp its authority that made the difference.
Geelong has started its games extraordinarily well this season, having won 18 out of 20 first quarters. It has been a significant factor in its winning streak, a period during which no side has headed the Cats at quarter time.
So when the Kangaroos bounded out from the blocks and peppered the goals in the opening minutes of the game, it was obvious that Geelong would have its hands full.
But the Roos failed to hurt Geelong in that opening onslaught. Daniel Wells and Brent Harvey were particularly wasteful. Against a side as confident and as good as Geelong it is not a luxury that can be afforded. Geelong responded in the second half of the quarter to yet again take a lead into the quarter time break.
In the second quarter Geelong was wasteful, kicking 1.4, and missing an opportunity to have a handy break. A miscalculated attempt at a mark instead of a spoil by Steven King handed the Kangaroos a sniff right on half time.
The third quarter was ruthless Geelong on show. Kicking 7.3, the Cats showed why they are the most feared side in the competition at the moment. The attack on the ball, the skill, the run and the confidence that they showed leaves the observer in no doubt why they are hot premiership favourites. In just 17 minutes the Cats piled on 6 goals to destroy the Kangaroos chances of upsetting the applecart.
It is that ability to demolish a side in a short period of time that has been the hallmark of Geelong 2007. As if by flicking a switch, all of Geelong’s key movers seem to gain a telepathic understanding that allows them to get clearances, run to the right spaces, support team mates and slam on goals.
The midfield of Bartel, Ablett and Corey are surely the best unit going around right now. Cameron Mooney and Steve Johnson lead a dangerous and potent forward line. But it is the defensive six of Scarlett, Harley, Milburn, Egan, Mackie and Enright which impresses so much. With the perfect blend of aggression, frugalness and flexibility, they are a key reason behind the success of Geelong this season.
Having the game sewn up early in the last quarter after an early goal extended the margin beyond 40 points, Geelong put the cue in the rack, resting key players and taking the foot of the gas. The Roos responded no differently than you would expect, for the Shinboner spirit does not permit waving the white flag. North piled on goals in yet another contrasting 15 minute burst, bringing the margin back within four goals.
But as Geelong has shown all year, when challenged it has the ability to steady the ship and ice the game. The final margin of 27 points reflected the difference between the sides but couldn’t even begin to reflect what went on in the previous two hours.
Geelongblog.com Player of the Year
Round 20:
5. Joel Corey
4. Jimmy Bartel
3. Gary Ablett
2. Cameron Mooney
0.5. Cameron Ling
0.5. Brad Ottens
Leaderboard:
1. Gary Ablett - 50.6
2. Jimmy Bartel - 47.3
3. Joel Corey - 28.5
4. Joel Selwood - 20.5
5. Cameron Ling - 19.8
6. Matthew Scarlett - 16.1
7. Steve Johnson - 15.3
8. Darren Milburn 14.5
9. Paul Chapman - 14
10. Corey Enright - 9
11. Andrew Mackie - 8.8
12. Cameron Mooney - 7.6
13. Nathan Ablett - 7
13. Matthew Egan - 7
15. David Wojcinski - 6
16. James Kelly - 5.5
17. Mathew Stokes - 5
18. Brad Ottens - 4.5
18. Brent Prismall - 4
20. David Johnson - 2.5
21. Travis Varcoe - 2
21. Max Rooke - 2
23. Kane Tenace - 1.5
24. Tom Harley - 1.3
25. Mark Blake - 0.5
Posted by catempire at August 23, 2007 11:28 AM
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