CATS DEPLORABLE AGAINST DOGS
Ben Jensen 26 July 2005

GEELONG'S premiership hopes were all but extinguished with a thirty-five point defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome last Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs controlled the game throughout, although in the third and final quarter the Cats did peg back their lead and had half a chance with five minutes to go, only to be snuffed out.

Despite their impressive victory over Port Adelaide the week before, Geelong didn't display the skill nor the fight of the previous round. No players stood up when required; this season when a team such as the Bulldogs, Swans or Lions have a run of goals the Cats' fail to fire until it's too late and their deficit is insurmountable. The only time Geelong's came back from this position this season was their breakthrough victory over Port back in round four at Football Park.

As reported on The Cattery last week, Brad Ottens did not take his place in the side, instead replaced by Steve Johnson. Ottens is reportedly set to play this Friday night, although it has been confirmed he will not be playing ruck due to his limited mobility. This mobility restriction is the result of the groin injury that's kept Ottens out of the side since round twelve's narrow win over the Adelaide Crows.

This Friday night Geelong face Essendon at Telstra Dome. Essendon, fresh from their victory over Collingwood last Friday night, have only won six games this season to Geelong's ten, but have arguably better form the past few weeks.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: 6.4, 10.9, 17.12, 20.13 (133) DEFEATED
GEELONG: 2.3, 5.8, 11.10, 14.14 (98)

GOALS - WESTERN BULLDOGS: Skipper 5, Eagleton 4, Smith 3, Giansiracusa 2, Robbins 2, Cooney, Hahn, Johnson, R.Murphy
GEELONG: Kingsley 4, G.Ablett 3, Bartel 2, Chapman, Corey, Koulouriotis, Milburn, Mooney
BEST - WESTERN BULLDOGS: Griffen, Eagleton, Gilbee, Skipper, R.Murphy, West, Cross, Smith
GEELONG: Kingsley, Milburn, Mooney, Bartel, G.Ablett