CATS BEAT DOCKERS IN HEART STOPPER
Ben Jensen 10 August 2014

AFL 2014 ROUND 20 GEELONG CATS V FREMANTLE DOCKERS GEELONG defeated Fremantle by two points at Simonds Stadium last night, when David Mundy's shot after the siren sailed through for a behind. The Cats led for all but the first few minutes of the game, but in the last quarter the Dockers, kicking with the wind, absolutely peppered the goals ending up with four goals seven behinds to the Cats' one goal three.

A strong wind saw the Dockers struggle to score in the first quarter while the Cats booted four at the other end. In the next quarter Geelong did reasonably well, booting three goals into the wind including a ripper from Andrew Mackie, his second, from outside fifty. Freo managed four at the other end to reduce the deficit to less than two goals at the main break.

In the third quarter the Cats again had the better of the Dockers, with a four goals to two quarter, taking a handy a four goal lead into the final quarter and a fair dose of confidence. The Dockers however, despite the likes of Hayden Ballantyne undergoing treatment early on in the game, seemed to have the fitness and the Cats spent most of the quarter under siege. As the Dockers peppered the goals and had plenty of inside fifties the Cats really struggled but did have it up their end a fair bit - but could only score the one goal.

Mitch Duncan's goal midway through the quarter was much needed but didn't stop the Dockers, who booted the next two goals to get within six points. Matthew Pavlich had a shot from in front of the away fans from the boundary line 50m out but hit the post; a couple minutes later a snap from Zac Clarke through for a behind. Just when it looked like the Cats would be able to run the game out, that man Mundy once more had a chance to win the game, marking with some 9 seconds to go well inside fifty on the right side of the 50m arc.

Delayed with a player leaving the ground with the bloody rule (Mark Blicavs), Mundy finally began his runup, longer than DK Lillee in his day, many supporters and at least one coach (Chris Scott) not able to watch, the ball sailed through for a behind, Cats players and fans alike either rejoicing or quietly counting their blessings. For the match result was ultimately out of our hands, and in the hands of Mundy.

The win gives the Cats a two game buffer over the Dockers, and level pegging but behind on percentage with Hawthorn and Sydney, securing the double chance and virtually locking in at least third place on the ladder. Whether that's better than fourth is yet to be seen, as it stands the first final would be against second placed Sydney in Sydney, whereas many would prefer to faces the Hawks at the MCG.

Today in Ballarat the VFL side takes on North Ballarat; hopefully the frost on the ground this morning clears up.

GEELONG: 4.2, 7.4, 11.6, 12.9 (81) DEFEATED
FREMANTLE: 1.4, 5.5, 7.6, 11.13 (79)

GOALS
GEELONG: Bartel 3, Mackie 2, Hawkins, Duncan, Selwood, Motlop, Christensen, Caddy
FREMANTLE: Crozier 3, Fyfe 2, Duffy 2, Sutcliffe, Hill, Ballantyne, Barlow

BEST
GEELONG: Taylor, Mackie, Enright, Bartel, Selwood, Duncan, Hawkins, Christensen
FREMANTLE: Barlow, Fyfe, Mundy, Sandilands, Crowley, Crozier

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil
FREMANTLE: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Blicavs (cut to head), Mackie (knock to head)
FREMANTLE: Ballantyne (corked leg), McPharlin (calf), Fyfe (shoulder)

SUBSTITUTES
GEELONG: Josh Caddy; replaced George Horlin-Smith in the fourth quarter; also temporarily replaced Andew Mackie in third quarter
FREMANTLE: Max Duffy; replaced Luke McPharlin in the third quarter

UMPIRES

FIELD: Stevic, Pannell, Armstrong EM:
BOUNDARY: TBA
GOAL: TBA

TIP: Cats by 17 points

CROWD: 26,855 at Simonds Stadium, Geelong

GEELONG DRAW AFL SEASON 2014