CATS TAKEN BY SURPRISE BY GIANTS
Ben Jensen 8 June 2013

AFL ROUND 11 GWS V GEELONG CATS GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY stunned Geelong in this afternoon's match at Škoda Stadium, kicking the first five goals of the match before the Cats eventually shook them off with an eight goal to one final quarter, not dissimilar from the match with Gold Coast the week before. The 59 point win puts the Cats top of the ladder, one win ahead of Hawthorn who have the week off with the bye. Earlier in the day it was announced Harry Taylor had agreed terms with the Cats and will sign up soon for a deal set to take him to the end of his career.

The Giants took three minutes to kick the first goal of the match and just kept on going, they had four by the time the Cats scored a behind at the ten minute mark. The tiny crowd was stunned, most of them wearing blue and white. Steve Johnson and Matthew Stokes kicked Geelong's only goals for the quarter.

GWS weren't going to leave it there by any means, after the Cats kicked the first two of the second quarter going more or less goal for goal with the Cats who held a slender lead at half and three quarter time. In the final quarter the Cats finally swatted away the Giants. It also saw a sickening head clash between Allen Christensen and Steve Johnson. Fortunately both walked off the ground assisted by trainers but if it weren't for the bye next round would be unlikely to play next week.

James Podsiadly enjoyed his return from a knee complaint with five goals, and Jordan Murdoch having his best return in front of goal yet with three. In total the Cats had fifteen goal kickers, the Giants nine, Jeremy Cameron top scoring with four. Mitch Duncan started as sub after having a hot few weeks, coming on late in the third quarter in place of Nathan Vardy who didn't trouble the goal scorers in his second game back from a long term layoff.

Cats coach Chris Scott was fuming pretty much the entire match and afterwards, pointing out that although they're ten wins for just the one loss, it was more good luck than good management having played so poorly at times during most games.

GEELONG 2.3, 10.7, 16.8, 24.13 (157) DEFEATED
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.3, 9.5, 14.8, 15.8 (98)

GOALS
GEELONG: Podsiadly 5, Murdoch 3, Selwood 2, Hawkins 2, Hunt 2, Johnson, Mackie, Bartel, Stokes, Christensen, Corey, West, Duncan, Stringer, Kelly
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY : Cameron 4, Palmer 3, Scully 2, Ward, Reid, Plowman, Treloar, Shiel, Tomlinson

BEST
GEELONG: Podsiadly, Selwood, Johnson
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Treloar, Cameron, Ward

INJURIES
GEELONG: Steve Johnson (concussion), Allen Christensen (concussion)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Matera (left ankle)

SUBS
GEELONG: Mitch Duncan, for Nathan Vardy - late in 3rd quarter
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Lachie Whitfield, for Stephen Coniglio - Three quarter time

UMPIRES:

FIELD: Justin Schmitt (17) Troy Pannell (28) Andrew Mitchell (31) EM: Brendan Hosking (16)
BOUNDARY: Michael Saunders Luke Roberts Robert Taylor Scott Gordon
GOAL: James Savage Dale Puren EM: Sergio Villagra

CROWD: 7,809 at Škoda Stadium

PRE-MATCH TIP: "Cats by 81 points"