CATS OVERCOME BULLDOGS BY ONE POINT IN ANOTHER THRILLER AT TELSTRA DOME
Ben Jensen 23 July 2006

By Ben Jensen GEELONG's mighty Cats are officially back in contention for a finals berth with their third win in a row, following their thrilling one point win over the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome this afternoon. Reversing the result of their last clash in round three at the Dome, which the Bulldogs won by one behind, the Cats certainly didn't the part early but had to contend with over a dozen contentious umpiring decisions.

GEELONG: 2.3 7.4 11.8 13.12 (90) DEFEATED
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 4.2 8.3 11.8 13.11 (89)

GOALS – GEELONG: Chapman 3, S Johnson 2, Ottens 2, Kelly, Egan, McCarthy, Rooke, Ling, Corey
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Johnson 5, Baird 2, Gilbee 2, McMahon, Robbins, Harris, Grant

BEST – GEELONG: Chapman, Scarlett, Ling, Rooke, Ottens, Corey, Enright, Hunt
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Johnson, Cross, Eagleton, Griffen, Gilbee, McMahon

The clash between these two teams in round three was hailed one of the best games ever, and was certainly the most exciting and most watched game ever televised live by Foxtel's Fox Footy Channel. Today's Heritage Round clash between the fierce rivals, although shown on Channel Nine on delay, was to be no different.

Geelong started off with a centre-square combination of Captain Steven King, rugged stopper Jarad Rooke, livewire Gary Ablett and Cameron Ling. The Cats kicked the first goal of the game, through Matt McCarthy but the rest of the first quarter belonged to the Bulldogs.

Geelong wasn't helped by questionable umpiring decisions from the very first passage of play, several holding the ball decisions not going Geelong's way when tackling their opponents. However, just minutes later free kicks were paid against the Cats for similiar situations. You could say the mood was palpable on the northern wing!

As for all the game, the first quarter was an intensive affair with no quarter given by either side. Brad Johnson was starting to get on top after starting out in the back line, and namesake Steve Johnson for Geelong got plenty of the ball.

The Bulldogs, or Footscray as they used to be known, took an eleven point lead into the first break. In the second quarter they broke out to a twenty-three point lead but a spirited effort by Geelong saw the margin at the main break just five points. During the quarter Brad Johnson kicked two goals from near identical positions and former Geelong utility Matthew Robbins kicked a trademark snap from the forward pocket to all but break the spirit of the Geelong side. Paul Chapman brought the margin to back within one goal with a goal after the siren.

THE CATS, spurred on by Chapman's after-siren goal, dominated the early third quarter, snatching the lead through goals to Chapman again and Brad Ottens. But the scores ended deadlocked, the Cats winning the quarter by three points.

GEELONG began the final quarter in a canter, kicking the first two goals and one behind to jump to a thirteen point lead, their biggest of the game. However they couldn't manage another goal, falling agonisingly short with their kicking several times, and the Bulldogs kicked two of their own. Another few behinds to either side and the scores were locked at 13.11 apiece.

With just over one minute on the clock, Brad Ottens took a leading mark and had a set shot about forty-five metres out, on a forty-five degree angle. He missed the goal but crucially did score what turned out to be the winning behind.

Best for Geelong was Paul Chapman. Chapman played all round the ground at different stages of the game, and at one stage in the third quarter was by himself in the goalsquare during the centre bounce. Josh Hunt did a great job while looking shaky, spilling a few balls but always recovering. Jarad Rooke has to be one of the best bargains ever unearthed from the Rookie list, and never takes a backward step. Joel Corey's cool head and strong thrust at the ball probably helped save the game while Brad Ottens was unmatchable in the forward line and had another good game.

Many Geelong punters suggested the umpiring was linked to the complaints made by Geelong after their verbal abuse from umpire Darren Goldspink during last weekend's win over Port Adelaide at Skilled Stadium.

Following Fremantle's win over Melbourne in the final match of the round. The Cats remain one game outside the eight in ninth position, ahead of Richmond by percentage.

The Cats head to Canberra's Manuka Oval in what is the Kangaroos' last home game there for the time being. The Kangaroos have had a shocking season on and off the field, and should be 'fired up', pardon the pun, to farewell our nation's capital (as the Yanks would say) with a win.

The VFL side had the bye this week and play the Bendigo Bombers at Skilled Stadium next week.