2008 NAB CUP : GEELONG V MELBOURNE MATCH REPORT
Justin Kremmer 16 February 2008

By Justin Kremmer IN THEIR FIRST official appearance since the 2007 Grand Final, the Cats picked up exactly where they left off with a stunning 71-point defeat to the Melbourne Demons at Skilled Stadium, with hot conditions in front of a crowd of around 15,000. The Cats continued the form which saw them dominate most of the 2007 AFL season and Grand Final in a record-breaking year.

From the opening centre bounce they played a continuous, free-flowing style that all footy fans love watching. It only took 90 seconds for All-Australian Cam Mooney to kick the first goal of the match, just as he did on the 29th September last year. This one not quite as memorable however did stamp the Cats’ authority on the match.

The Cats lead an impressive 0-8-1-49 to the Dees 0-2-4-16 at quarter time, both teams yet to score a super goal. Steve Johnson got hands early on the ball making opportunities from every touch, while Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett tore the Demons’ midfield apart.

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Link: NAB CUP / 2008 SEASON DRAW GEELONG DRAW [HTML]

GEELONG 0.8.1 1.12.4 1.15.7 2.22.10 (160) DEFEATED
MELBOURNE 0.2.4 1.4.4 2.8.5 2.11.5 (89)

GOALS
GEELONG: Nine-point goals: Byrnes, Wojcinski. Goals: S Johnson 6, Lonergan 2, Gamble 2, Davenport 2, Kelly 2, Byrnes 2, Ablett, Stokes, Hunt, Prismall, Milburn, Mooney, Wojcinski
MELBOURNE: Nine-point goals: Buckley, Garland. Goals: Newton 2, Garland 2, Valenti, Meesen, Sylvia, Zomer, Green, Weetra, Robertson.

BEST
GEELONG: S Johnson, Prismall, Ling, Stokes, Milburn, Bartel, Wojcinski, Kelly
MELBOURNE: Jones, Buckley, Valenti, Garland

INJURIES
GEELONG: G Ablett (calf)
MELBOURNE: Nil

CROWD: 15,000 (estimated) at Skilled Stadium

Melbourne rookie and former VFL star Shane Valenti gave a respectable performance and young guns James Buckley and Tom McNamara showed their talents to first timer coach Dean Bailey, who would have also appreciated the tireless efforts from James McDonald, Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia. But it was too little too late. This match was won before it was played and the Cats were not even out to murder.

The Dees missed many of their veteran stars including skipper David Neitz, who was sidelined with an injury. But more importantly were in strong need of defender Nathan Carroll to try and contain Mooney of which Ben Holland was struggling to fulfil that role. Carroll was serving a club suspension for his off-field misdemeanours.

Johnson finished as the best Cat with six goals, Ling and Bartel were great and Mathew Stokes and Shannon Byrnes showed they are set to continue their roles as being the AFL’s most dangerous smalls. Brent Prismall also saw a lot of the ball and is keen to play more games and cement a spot.

David Wojcinski was flying seemingly faster than ever and ran with the ball in typical fashion. Draftee Harry Taylor, 21, who was the Cats first pick-up in last year’s draft, gave more than was expected and is sure to give Mark Thompson more head-aches throughout the year. Tom Lonergan was cheered when he ran on and booted two goals, having more of an input than Tom Hawkins in this particular game for the contest of Nathan Ablett’s position.

The only disappointment for Cats fans was an injury scare to the newest Best and Fairest winner Gary Ablett. It is believed Ablett will miss just two NAB Cup matches with a calf-strain.

The premiership players who did not play in this match were: Matthew Scarlett, Paul Chapman, Joel Selwood, Max Rooke, Corey Enright and Joel Corey.