The Serve

Comeback Cats pip Dockers

Fremantle star forward Matthew Pavlich has hit the post with a minute remaining, allowing Geelong to extend its perfect record to 6-0 with a dramatic topsy-turvy 13.11 (89) to 13.10 (88) win over the Dockers at Subiaco Oval.

The premiers were stunned in the opening quarter and a half, falling to a 39 point deficit. The Cats stormed back into the match with a frantic six goal burst in a ten minute patch, shrinking the margin to two points at half time.

The Dockers recovered the ascendancy in the third term, booting the first four goals to establish a 25 point lead at the final change.

Once again the Cats roared back, kicking six consecutive scoring shots to take the lead 17 minutes into the last term. Mathew Stokes landed a goal to give Geelong an eight point buffer, before Pavlich nailed his fifth major five minutes into time added-on. With 45 seconds left, the giant forward had a chance to give the Dockers the lead from 45 metres on a tight angle, with the shot drifting into the right post.

It would be the last scoring shot of the match.

Pavlich was undeniably the Dockers best player, while Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel and Cam Mooney kicked three goals each for the Cats. Joel Corey picked up a game high 35 possessions.