Australian Football

Match Report

Geelong remains in touch with the top four after it survived a scare against Essendon at Docklands stadium on Friday night. The Cats appeared to be heading fir a routine win over the Bombers, leading by 29 points at half time but Essendon turned the game on its head in the third term, kicking five goals to nil to take a four-point lead into the final quarter. But Geelong regained its composure in the final term and the lead changed hands several times during that last quarter before Steven Motlop and Tom Hawkins kicked the last two goals of the match to see the Cats home by nine points.

The architect of the Cats' victory was captain Joel Selwood, with nine tackles and 23 disposals, while Mitch Duncan (10 marks, 22 possessions) and Jimmy Bartel (28 touches and six marks) also played vital roles in the win. For the Bombers, Dyson Heppell (40 disposals and seven tackles) was outstanding. He received good back up from David Zaharakis (25 touches, six tackles) and Patrick Ryder (32 hitouts, 17 disposals). 

While Geelong's win sees it remain a chance for a top four place, the Bombers will rue the loss as a missed opportunity. The Dons are in 10th spot, but a win would have seen them take Gold Coast's place in the top eight. They will face a very tough ask in their next match - Port Adelaide (coming off a Showdown Loss) in Adelaide. The Cats' next match is a very winnable game against the Western Bulldogs at Kardinia Park next Sunday.

GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 3; Selwood, Kersten, Duncan, Motlop 2; Horlin-Smith, Enright
Essendon: Carlisle, Colyer, Daniher 2; Howlett, J. Merrett, Hibberd, Stanton, Dampsey

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Geelong: Selwood, Horlin-Smith, Hawkins, Murdoch, Bartel, Motlop, Duncan, Kelly
Essendon: Heppell, Goddard, Zaharakis, Fletcher, Colyer

BEST - THE SATURDAY AGE
Geelong: Selwood, Duncan, Kelly, Mackie, Rivers, Motlop, Hawkins, Murdoch
Essendon: Heppell, Ryder, Zaharakis, Colyer, Goddard, Stanton, Myers

INJURIES
Geelong: Taylor (head), Selwood (thigh), Christensen (shin)
Essendon: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Shane Kersten replaced by Josh Caddy in the final quarter.
Essendon: Kyle Hardingham replaced by Zach Merrett in the third quarter.

UMPIRES: Rosebury, Kamolins, Findlay

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Bruce McAvaney, Dennis Cometti, Leigh Matthews, Tom Harley, Wayne Carey, Tim Watson