PANIC STATIONS AT GEELONG; GOOD NEWS AS SCARLETT CLEARED TO PLAY
B Jensen March 30 2004

PANIC STATIONS have been called early by Geelong fans, after just the one, admittedly severe, loss. St Kilda easily accounted for a very poor Geelong side. Although in front by seven points at quarter time, Geelong had their score doubled by the Saints, behind by ten goals at three quarter time. In junk time the Cats held St Kilda, the final margin remaining the same, sixty-one points.

Meanwhile the news gets worse, with Ben Graham, Darren Milburn and stand-in skipper Brenton Sanderson all to miss this week due to injury. Gary Ablett, a late withdrawal from Saturday night's ill fated clash, is also unlikely to play. It is rumoured Ablett has the dreaded 'OP'.

No doubt Carlton ferrals will be sad to see Milburn not take his place - who will they boo this time? Geelong fans making the trek to Optarse Oval are advised to check for the nearest exits and sit with other Geelong supporters - remember, safety in numbers.

All Australian fullback Matthew Scarlett was tonight cleared by the AFL tribunal of striking St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt. Scarlett will be reunited again with Brownlow Medal buddy, Carlton's Brendan Fevola.

While the weekend was a disaster, it is not the end of the world as we know it. (Some day it is only the beginning of the end). Stick with the club, buy a membership. Then get down to the game and support your club.

ST.KILDA: 3.0 8.2 16.4 19.8 (122) (easily) defeated
GEELONG: 4.1 5.4 6.7 9.7 (61)

GOALS: St.Kilda: Gehrig 7, Milne 4, Riewoldt, Hamill 3, Jones Thompson
Geelong: Playfair, Kingsley 2, Corey, Riccardi, Kelly, Scarlett, Graham
CROWD: 35,042 at Telstra Dome.