The Serve

Cats win thriller

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No celebrations for Cats

Geelong has made its first grand final since 1995, surviving a gallant Collingwood to win their preliminary final 13.14.92 to 13.9.87 at the MCG.

In a classic contest worthy of the 98,002 crowd, the Cats were behind early in the final term, before stamping their class to open a three goal lead, only to almost watch the Magpies pinch a last minute win.

The scene was set when Pies veteran Scott Burns scrounged a hard ball get and kicked the first goal of the match in the 3rd minute.

It was clear Geelong was in a contest.

The Cats response was swift, kicking the next three goals, including a double to Mathew Stokes.

Stokes had a third goal for the term, with the Cats going into the opening change leading by 11.

With the contest fierce, Collingwood enjoyed the momentum for a long period of the second term, taking the lead back thanks to Sean Rusling and Paul Medhurst. In a contest reminiscent of a Rocky bout, it was Geelong that then had the run, with three goals in six minutes. Steve Johnson collecting two in 90 seconds.

The Pies were sparked again thanks to a freakish goal to Alan Didak. The Pies surprise packet of the finals latched a bouncing ball in the goal square, touching and kicking over his head in one glorious movement. Rusling’s second goal reduced Cats lead to five points at the main change.

In a see sawing third term, the Pies hit the front when Travis Cloke and Paul Medhurst goaled, Collingwood leading by three.

Cameron Ling and Joel Selwood quickly added behinds, with the score then suspended for seven pulsating minutes, the drought ending when Mooney opened up a tight angle to goal.

The Cats produced nine scoring shots to four in the third term, however Geelong’s accuracy cost them dearly, leaving their lead at just five points at the final change.

Pies forward Travis Cloke appeared to make a statement with a goal from 35m, swinging the lead the Pies way. The true statement though came 90 seconds later, when Mooney grabbed a mark and drilled a goal from 25m.

Geelong pounced and extended their lead with goals to Johnson and Paul Chapman. Cloke gave the Pies a sniff with a goal 14 minutes into the final term. He could have reduced the gap to a goal just two minutes later, but missed a set shot. That margin would sink to five points however, when Didak cleaned up a long bomb from Burns and goaled.

The stage was set for a hero, and Gary Ablett stepped up. The overwhelming Brownlow medal favourite gathered a loose ball and goaled on the run from 35m.

A final twist emerged when Rocca finessed a free kick in front of goal, before limping off. Medhurst nervously caressed the goal from 30m, leaving Collingwood 57 seconds to steal the game.

Collingwood managed to take the ball to the 50, but there would be no miracle goal.

Geelong has now won 18 of its last 19 matches.