CATS BACK WITH A WIN, DROP A LADDER POSITION
Ben Jensen 17 July 2016

AFL 2016 ROUND 17: FREMANTLE DOCKERS V GEELONG CATS GEELONG struggled early on but prevailed against Fremantle on Friday night but by the end of the round had actually dropped a ladder position, after GWS demolished Brisbane at the Gabba in the final match of the round. Trailing by 16 points at quarter time Geelong fought back hard in the second term, unlucky not to be ahead at half time and trailing by just 1 point. Just two goals (and four behinds) from the Cats were enough to lead in the final break after holding Fremantle to just the one behind.

The final quarter was a tough one with Docker David Mundy kicking the first goal at the thirteen minute mark. Goals to Zac Smith and Tom Hawkins, the latter who had a shocker of a night, almost steadied the ship but Cameron Sutcliffe's major in the 6th minute gave his side a sniff. The Cats held it out well though, leading by 11 points when the final siren rang- Jordan Murdoch extending the winning margin with an after the siren goal. He was properly concussed though with Coach Chris Scott eluding to the situation: "I can't shed too much more light on that other than to say it is serious and we hope he recovers quickly".

Patrick Dangerfield was clearly the best on ground with four crucial goals and twice giving Cats' staff and fans a fright when he landed heavily following a marking attempt. Lachie Henderson unfortunately went one better (or worse) in the third quarter, running back with the fight of the ball before colliding accidentally with Docker Chris Mayne who was running the other way- he was taken from the field on a stretcher giving the thumbs up on the way off.

In the VFL the Cats had a huge win, accounting for Werribee by 111 points. Darcy Lang responded to his dropped by kicking four goals and player in waiting Sam Menegola was named best afield.

GEELONG: 1.3, 6.7, 8.11, 11.12 (78) DEFEATED
FREMANTLE: 4.1, 7.2, 7.3, 9.7 (61)

GOALS
GEELONG: Dangerfield, Enright, Mackie, Selwood, Duncan, Motlop
FREMANTLE: Walters, Barlow, Taberner, Weller, Blakely, Pavlich, Ballantyne, Mundy, Sutcliffe

BEST
GEELONG: Dangerfield, Enright, Mackie, Selwood, Duncan, Motlop
FREMANTLE: Hill, Walters, Neale, Mundy, Blakely, Dawson

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil
FREMANTLE: Nil

INJURIES
GEELONG: Henderson (concussion)
FREMANTLE: Barlow (AC joint), Ballantyne (cheekbone)

REPORTS: Nil

UMPIRES: Findlay, Margetts, Mitchell

CROWD: 31,042 at Domain Stadium, Subiaco/Perth