CATS CLAW TICKET TO NAB CUP FINAL
Ben Jensen 12 March 2006

By Ben Jensen. THE GEELONG FOOTBALL CLUB celebrated after doing just enough to defeat the Fremantle Dockers by twenty points at Telstra Dome last night, to reach the final of the AFL's NAB Cup for the second time in three seasons. The Cats will play the Adelaide Crows.

The game was low scoring until the third quarter, with Geelong holding a 36 to 30 point lead at half time. Fremantle skipped away to a ten point lead at three quarter time. Geelong coach Mark 'Bomber' Thompson said he was not particularly concerned if they won or lost, but the players decided at three quarter time they wanted the win.

So, in the final term the Cats stepped up a gear, and blew the Fremantle side away faster than the famous Doctor back at Fremantle. Joel Corey put the Cats back into the lead midway through the final quarter, with a nine point 'super goal'. He followed this with a second goal, this time a six pointer, a short time later. Also in the forward line in the crucial final quarter was Darren Milburn and Paul Chapman.

Geelong now faces the Adelaide Crows at the insurance stadium next Saturday night, as the Crows had scored more goals in the competition. This may well be a function of the fact the Crows didn't have to play at climates such as Cairns. However this will probably work in Geelong's favour as they'll be able to escape Victoria in the day leading to the final.

Whatever the result, it will be good for the club off field. On field is another matter; the interstate travel wouldn't have been what the officios were looking for. However a win will certainly boost the confidence - this is going to be a good year regardless of the result.

Later on this week The Cattery will feature a special story on Geelong's new training regime.

GEELONG: 0.1.4 1.3.9 1.7.10 3.10.14 (101) DEFEATED
FREMANTLE: 0.2.2 0.4.6 1.9.8 1.10.12 (81)

GOALS - GEELONG: (9 POINTS) Chapman, Corey, Milburn; (6 POINTS) Prismall 2, Mooney, N.Ablett, Chapman, Slade, Enright, Byrnes, Corey, Ling
FREMANTLE: (9 POINTS) Gilmore (6 POINTS) Medhurst 2, Bell 2, Farmer 2, Carr, Schofield, Pavlich, Longmuir

BEST – GEELONG: Corey, Enright, Tenace, Chapman, Scarlett, Prismall
FREMANTLE: M Carr, Pavlich, Headland, Bell, Murphy.