CATS BEAT BLUES IN YET ANOTHER NAIL BITER
Ben Jensen 15 August 2014

AFL ROUND 21 2014 CARLTON BLUES V GEELONG CATS GEELONG snatched a victory from what looked likely to be a defeat at the hands of Carlton tonight at Etihad Stadium, Allen Christensen slotting through the winning goal with still plenty of time left on the clock but the Cats managed to control the game, scoring another behind to make the final margin six points. Christensen's goal came courtesy of a very late paid free kick, adding to the anguish for the Blues supporters (and the opposite for the Geelong fans).

Not a night for the Cats' big forwards - only Mark Blicavs troubling the scorers, the goals coming from Steve Motlop (3) and Christensen (2). It was a night for Josh Caddy however, relishing more game time and time on the ball, a unanimous choice as BOG for the Cats, booting a key goal midway through the final quarter after taking a brilliant mark falling back with the flight of the ball towards the behind post.

For the Blues, Troy Menzel started off very well but ended up with an AC injury; joined in the medical room by Dale Thomas (knee) and David Ellard who hurt a leg. Before the first bounce Jordan Murdoch (calf) was replaced in the side by Jackson Thurlow who booted a very crucial goal with 20 minutes on the clock. Thurlow was the sub, and replaced Billie Smedts at three quarter time.

Next Saturday night at the MCG the Cats take on the Hawks in an away game; win and the Cats will almost certainly finish second and even have a chance of finishing on top. The Hawks play Fremantle on Sunday at Subiaco.

GEELONG: 3.2, 6.5, 8.13, 11.16 (82) DEFEATED
CARLTON: 1.4, 5.6, 9.10, 11.10 (76)

GOALS
GEELONG: Motlop 3, Christensen 2, Blicavs, Selwood, Horlin-Smith, McIntosh, Caddy, Thurlow
CARLTON: Menzel 2, Gibbs 2, Waite 2, White, Murphy, Judd, Yarran, Bell

BEST
GEELONG: Caddy, Taylor, Motlop, Selwood, Enright, McIntosh, Blicavs
CARLTON: Gibbs, Murphy, Curnow, Menzel, Carrazzo

CHANGES
GEELONG: Jordan Murdoch (hip) replaced in selected side by Jackson Thurlow
CARLTON: Brock McLean (calf) replaced in selected side by Dennis Armfield

INJURIES
GEELONG: NIL
CARLTON: David Ellard (leg), Troy Menzel (shoulder), Dale Thomas (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
GEELONG: Billie Smedts replaced by Jackson Thurlow at three-quarter time
CARLTON: David Ellard replaced by Dennis Armfield in the second quarter

UMPIRES

FIELD: Hosking, Rosebury, Schmidt EM:
BOUNDARY: TBA
GOAL: TBA

TIP: Cats by 36 points

CROWD: 38,812 at Ethiad Stadium, Melbourne Docklands

GEELONG DRAW AFL SEASON 2014