Cats still ruthless enough.

Ever since Paul Chapman snapped that late goal in the 2009 Grand Final, this game was marked on the calendar of all the Geelong faithful: The unfurling of the Premiership Flag at the recently upgraded Skilled Stadium, as well as the lap of honour to former premiership captain Tom Harley. Harley was presented with something he’s probably never seen before; Kardinia Park bathed in sunshine. It was a day that Geelong would cherish, but would Port Adelaide steal the four points?

The game began and Robbie Gray booted the first, before James Podsiadly kicked the Cats’ opener from a free kick. Gary Ablett marked and goaled, but Warren Tredrea replied. Steve Johnson kicked his first to regain the lead for Geelong, before snapping a beauty over his shoulder. Tredrea snapped a clever goal from a pack, but a long goal from 50 to Cam Mooney saw Geelong lead by 13 at the first break, 5.3 to 3.2.

The second quarter started and Daniel Stewart, making his debut, marked and goaled. This kid will be good. Chapman goaled, before Johnson ran into an open goal after some classic Geelong unselfishness. Podsiadly booted his second and they led by 27 points. Credit to Port Adelaide though, as they fought back with an impressive goal to Kane Cornes, Gray and former Cat Jason Davenport, slicing the margin to 10 at the main break, 7.3 to 8.7.

What followed would not have been predicted by anyone at all. Ablett snapped a pearler on his left boot, before Chapman marked in the goalsquare to boot his second. Mooney goaled, Jimmy Bartel goaled, Mitch Duncan got onto the end of some Ablett brilliance and snapped a ripper from the forward pocket, Tom Hawkins marked uncontested in the goalsquare to kick his first and Podsiadly got crunched, earning a free kick and kicking his third. He is already a cult hero down at Kardinia Park. Justin Westhoff finally replied for Port after a 50m penalty, reducing the margin to 49 points, but the Cats continued with the slaughter, Podsiadly kicking his fourth, Ablett running into an open goal, Shannon Byrnes dodging two opponents to slot his first and Johnson kicking his fourth off the ground from 25m out, he is back to his freakish best. At three quarter time, after an unbelievable quarter, Geelong led by 77 points, 19.14 to 8.3. Outstanding. Breathtaking.

The final term began and I started to wonder if Geelong could break the 200 point barrier. An unknown Port player kicked a goal (I didn’t see because I was finishing off “Tomorrow, When The War Began, which is the best book I’ve ever read…well, besides any of the Footy Almanac’s that is) but Byrnes replied with his second. Davenport kicked his second, and it was pleasing to see that David Rodan was still strong through the legs after his LARS surgery. Johnson kicked consecutive goals, before the hero, Podsiadly, marked and kicked his fifth, giving Geelong a 95 point lead. Mark Blake was thrown forward, the Cats’ faithful desperate for him to get a goal, but the siren beat him. Geelong winning in their best game of their three year reign, 23.21.159 to 10.4.64.

I had some doubts about Geelong. Could they win a third premiership? Was it beyond them? Were they still ruthless? They can win a third Grand Final, it is not beyond them, they are still ruthless. Darren Milburn broke Chad Cornes’ nose, and the fact that Geelong piled on 11.7 in the third quarter, if that isn’t ruthless I don’t know what is. But some things are still shaky. Ablett spent the ball four times before he earnt them (Thanks for keeping count    B.D* McAvaney) but everyone’s happy down at Kardinia Park, are they still the greatest team of all. Judging on this performance, they are the best by far.

Geelong 5.3—8.7—19.14—23.21.159

Port Adelaide 3.2—7.3—8.3—10.4.64

Goalkickers:

Geelong-Johnson 6, Podsiadly 5, Ablett 3, Byrnes 2, Chapman 2, Mooney 2, Bartel, Duncan, Hawkins

Port Adelaide-Tredrea 2, Gray 2, Davenport 2, K Cornes, D Stewart, Westhoff, Hitchcock

Best:

Geelong-Everyone

Port Adelaide-Pearce, K Cornes, Salopek

Crowd:  25,579 at Skilled Stadium

Votes:   3: Joel Corey (G)  2: Gary Ablett (G)  1: James Podsiadly (G)

*: The ‘D’ stands for Delicious.

About Josh Barnstable

21 year old North Melbourne supporter from country Victoria. Currently living in Melbourne studying a Bachelor of Sports Media. Dreams of becoming a sports journalist and broadcaster.

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