LIONS SCRATCH CATS FROM NAB CUP; VALE RON EVANS
Ben Jensen 9 March 2007

By Ben Jensen BRISBANE defeated Geelong by 15 points in front of a crowd of just under 15,000 at Telstra Dome tonight. An unprecedented four super goals helped the Lions' cause, but in the end even if they were 'normal' goals they still would have prevailed.

While the Lions were flat out for the first and final quarters, the Cats looked sleepy for most of the game and really only hit their straps in the third quarter.

Cameron Mooney kicked three goals including one on the three quarter time siren to put the Cats in front. Charlie Gardiner also kicked three while the the Lions Justin Sherman booted three.

Brisbane will play the winner of Carlton and the Kangaroos tomorrow night, at either the GABBA or Telstra Dome, while Geelong play Melbourne at Skilled Stadium on a date to be confirmed.

BRISBANE 0.1.1, 0.3.4, 0.9.8, 4.7.10 (88) DEFEATED
GEELONG 1.2.4, 1.2.7, 3.4.8, 0.10.13 (73)

SUPER GOALS (9 POINTS):
BRISBANE: Adcock, Black, Begley, Power
GEELONG: Nil
SIX POINT GOALS:
BRISBANE Lions: Sherman 3, Johnson 2, Tyler, Patfull
GEELONG: Mooney 3, Gardiner 3, Varcoe 2, Byrnes, Milburn

BEST:
BRISBANE: Rischitelli, Black, Sherman, Power, Copeland, Johnson, Notting
GEELONG: Enright, Bartel, Mooney, Gardiner, Kelly, Milburn, Byrnes

The poor crowd was attributed in part by some due to the heavy handed Telstra Dome 'tactic' of banning people from leaving the ground upon entering. This correspondent was forced to park his car under the ground, meet at mate outside on the concourse and drop into Nando's, prior to taking his seat in the Medallion Club.

VALE RON EVANS

The football world was saddened earlier today with the passing of AFL Commission Chairman and prominent Melbourne businessman Ron Evans. Evans was diagnosed with cancer in August last year and despite surgery to remove an abdominal tumour soon after, did not recover. He was to have retired from the AFL Commission on March 22.

Evans joined the commission in 1994 and took over as chairman in 1998. He was Managing Director of Spotless for twelve years until 2004 and last year received an Order of Australia for his contribution to football, service to business and to the community through the support of a number of charities.

Evans will be farewelled at a funeral service next Friday at St. Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne. A private cremation will follow.

The following comments were attributed to Geelong President Frank Costa today:

“Ron Evans leaves an indelible mark on the game, and he will be missed by all in football. Ron made his mark as both a successful player and administrator and from the Geelong Football Club’s point of view he was outstanding in his support during the club’s financial problems in the late 1990’s.

"He loved the game and had its best interests in mind in the decisions he took. On a personal levels Ron and I have been friends for many years. While he made an incredible contribution to football, he made an even bigger mark through his community endeavours.

"Everyone associated with the club offers Andrea, his sons David and Richard, his daughter Deanne, and their families our condolences at this time.

As a mark of respect Geelong players and officials will wear black arm bands in tonight’s NAB Cup semi final against Brisbane.”