GEELONG CLIMB LADDER
June 9 2003

Yesterday at the Telstra Dome 44,587 fans witnessed Geelong thrash Carlton by 40 points. While forty points is generally not considered a thrashing, the Cats doubled the number of scoring shots of the Blues, thirty to fifteen. Best for Geelong were Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn (pictured, right), Corey Enright, Peter Riccardi and Cameron Ling. For Carlton Anthony Koutoufides had 31 touches, Camporeale 27. Besides those two usual suspects, there was precious little for the Blues. Former Grovedale and Geelong listed player Simon Fletcher contributed but did not star.

Full-back Matthew Scarlett is surely the front runner for All-Australian honours, after another superb performance on Brendan Fevola. Scarlett, who characteristically refused all interviews after the match, conceded three opportunistic first half goals to Fevola. But in one on one contests, Scarlett reigned supreme. In the second half, Fevola had just two kicks for 9 possessions all game, compared to Scarlett's 17 possessions and 4 marks.

Darren Milburn started the match on the wing and got his head off the chopping block for at least a few more weeks. Along the way, Dasher took a contender for mark of the week. Ben Graham continued his recent good form in his 100th consecutive match while Brenton Sanderson and Cameron Mooney will probably live to fight another day. Gary Ablett continued to show that he's more than just a famous name. Ablett booted two goals, one a trademark burst on the run, the other a set shot on an angle from outside 50m.

James Kelly was a late withdrawal from the side, replaced by Charlie Gardiner. Gardiner had played against the Northern Bullants in the VFL the day before. Geelong emerged from the game unscathed. Carlton player Simon Wiggins was not so lucky. In just his thirty-third game, Wiggins will sit out the remainder of the season, after suffering a knee injury that will require a reconstruction.

Next week Geelong again travels to Subiaco to face the dreaded Freo Heave-Ho. But the Cats will not be overawed, having pushed West Coast, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide in recent weeks. The Cats climbed from 15th to 13th on the ladder, leapfrogging Carlton and Melbourne.