ROCCA AND COLLINGWOOD DESTROY CATS
August 2 2003
GEELONG were in with a chance at half time but soon afterwards went missing. The Cats will rue their woeful kicking in the third term that could have snatched the lead back before three quarter time. Let alone their poor kicking for goal in the first half, Geelong 7.8 at half time. Cameron Mooney (right) went AWOL most of the night, off on a picnic with Shane Wakelin. Wakelin was the only big name left in the Collingwood defense, which was missing Jason Cloke, Simon Presigiacomo and 2002 All Australian James Clement.
Anthony Rocca booted five goals for the Magpies and along with Chris Tarrant destroyed the Cats. Although Tarrant only kicked the one goal, he took what may be mark of the year and set up many other goals for his team. For the Cats McCarthy, Paul Chapman and Steven Johnson top scored with two goals apiece. Collingwood players were ultimately more professional in their approach to goal kicking.
David Bomba Wojinski had a red hot go with nine tackles but unfortunately this was his downfall. Just before the quarter time break Bomba ran into Richard Cole of Collingwood and was forced from the field, hurting his shoulder. At the time Bomba was the leading possession getter on the field. While he did return to the field he was jolted by the accident. Bomba must continue in 2004.
The ferrals from Wobblerland turned up en masse, swelling the Telstra Dome to 45,887. Good news for the Cats' coffers but at the end of the day Geelong supporters would rather win in front of 10,000.
Before the match, Geelong president Frank Costa, paying tribute to Brian Cook, who lost the race for the AFL CEO, committed to twin venues. Costa committed to playing three games at Telstra Dome for Melbourne-based supporters and eight games at Skilled Stadium. This is in spite of the fact that Geelong makes nearly five times as much money from Skilled games.
Meanwhile, Geelong lost to Port Melbourne in the VFL. Read the full Match Report for a quarter by quarter description of today's match.
Axe falls on Mooney, Jelly and Street for Friday's clash with Melbourne
"Just get him out of here"
COLLINGWOOD: 2.5, 4.8, 10.10, 14.13.97
GEELONG: 4.3, 7.8, 8.12, 10.13.73
GOALS: Collingwood: Rocca 5, Burns 2, O'Bree, Woewoedin,
Tarrant, McKee, Didak, Holland, Lonie 1.
Geelong: Johnson, Chapman, McCarthy 2, Enright, Wojinski, Ablett,
Spriggs 1.
PORT MELBOURNE: 0.7, 7.12, 11.14, 18.19.127
GEELONG: 6.2, 8.7, 11.11, 13.13.91
GOALS: Port: Alleway 4, Morrell 4, Stevens 3, Phibbs
2, Watson 2, Deluca, Harris, S.Motlop 1.
Geelong: Kingsley 3, Lonergan 2, Bright, Byrnes,
Callan, Carrazzo, Clarke, Finnin, Gardiner, Jordan1.