Geelong vs Fremantle: AFL Finals live scores, blog
Roar Guru By Alfred Chan, 8 Sep 2012 Alfred Chan is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, AFL finals, Fremantle Dockers, Geelong Cats, live blog
143 Have your say
3,214 reads
Tom Hawkins is flourishing at full forward. (Slattery Images)
Live Scores
Scores updated each minute. REFRESH NOW
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AFL Finals are upon us and Saturday night will be the end of the season for one of these teams in the week one blockbuster between Geelong and Fremantle. Join us from 7.00pm AEST for live scores and blog.
Geelong finds themselves in a new realm outside the top four in September for the first time since 2006. With no double chance, Geelong need to win four games in a row to win their fourth premiership in six years.
In their first season under Ross Lyon, the Dockers have made the finals by finishing seventh on the ladder after the regular season.
They have come into their stride towards the back end of the season when it matters and are playing the best football they have in a long time.
The dramas of last year’s acrimonious falling out with Mark Harvey have seen improvement on the team who will be playing just their seventh final since the team’s inception in 1995.
Lyon has his boys hungry to change history with a demolishing win over Melbourne last week which forced the Dockers to play Geelong rather than West Coast.
With the aggressive hit out last week, Lyon and his Dockers are not concerned about the road trip and feel good knowing they are playing at their best with strong performances to finish the season.
The last final Fremantle played was ironically against Geelong at the MCG in 2010 when Geelong defeated Fremantle by 69 points in the semi-final.
Geelong did what they do best by winning at Simonds Stadium last week against Sydney in a commanding performance which led many experts to voice their belief that the premiership can be won from outside the top four for the first time since 1997 when Adelaide did it.
The final round of the home and away season saw casualties on both fronts. Dockers defender Luke McPharlin left the game with a hamstring complaint and will miss the do-or-die clash.
In a season which saw him selected into the All-Australian squad, he has been one of the league’s most consistent key defenders and was a certainty to get the job on Coleman medal co-runner up Tom Hawkins.
The Cats will be without Norm Smith medallist Steve Johnson after he accepted a one match suspension for rough conduct against Sydney. A proven September performer, he will be missed by the Cats but nowhere near as much as the Dockers will miss McPharlin.
Coming in for Johnson is John Simpkin who will be playing in just his fourth AFL game and will be the likely substitute for the Cats.
The Dockers have bought key defender Alex Silvagni into the team to replace McPharlin. Kepler Bradley and Matt DeBoer have also been recalled at the expense of Jon Griffin and Tom Sheriden.
These two teams last met in round one of the 2012 season when the Cats flew Patersons Stadium and were defeated by the Dockers 16.9.105 to 15.11.101.
On that occasion, Nathan Fyfe starred for the home team, amassing 30 touches in the midfield and kicking two goals. Matthew Pavlich got the better of Harry Taylor that night by kicking three crucial goals.
Aaron Sandilands was the difference maker on the evening with 32 hit outs, eight clearances and three contested marks.
The best forward that night was Tom Hawkins who kicked four goals while Joel Selwood led the Cats midfield with 33 touches and eight clearances.
In that game, Matthew Scarlett was handed a four week suspension for striking when he was baited by the pest tactics of Hayden Ballantyne. Scarlett will be looking for revenge but must be wary of the TV cameras which will be all over this game.
In what will likely be his final season, a slip up of the fist would see him end his career from the stands.
In the midfield, Ryan Crowley has turned his career around under Lyon’s tutelage to be the league’s best shutdown tagger this season. He is most likely to get the job of Joel Selwood but against the Cats star studded midfield; he will need plenty of assistance.
Nathan Fyfe, a proven performer against the Cats, has been in blistering form since returning from injury. Originally expected to miss the entire season, Fyfe has turned games around over the past three weeks.
Finding good chemistry with David Mundy as an inside-outside tandem, the duo has averaged 56 possessions between them per game over the past three weeks.
The two key match ups will be at opposite sides of the ground. Both ending the season on 62 goals each, Matthew Pavlich and Tom Hawkins are the finals series in-form forwards and hold the key to this match and progressing to the next week of finals.
Harry Taylor will have the job on Pavlich. Failing earlier in the year, Taylor will need to be at his best to contain the Fremantle skipper.
With McPharlin out, Zac Dawson will be given the job of containing Hawkins who was not mentioned as a Coleman medal candidate mid-season. His strong finish to end the season has coincided with Geelong’s form. If he can get the better of Dawson, Geelong will go on to win the game.
Join us on The Roar from 7.45pm AEST for live scores and blog of the Elimination Final.
Twitter: @AlfredC91
Live Score Updates
Scores updated each minute. REFRESH NOW
| Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Crowd Says (143) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- AFL, AFL finals, Fremantle Dockers, Geelong Cats, live blog
10:26pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:26pm | Report comment
That’s it from us here at The Roar.
Fremantle have sent Geelong crashing out of the finals and are through to a Semi Final clash on Friday night against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium,
Here’s the recap.
Geelong 11.14.80 def by Fremantle 14.12.96
Goals
Geelong: 2 Mackie, Hunt. J, 1. Selwood, Duncan, Christensen, Stokes, Taylor, Motlop, Vardy
Fremantle: 6 Pavlich, 3 Ballantyne, 2 Walters, 1 Crowley, DeBoer, Pearce
Best
Geelong: Selwood, Bartel, Duncan, Enright
Fremantle: Pavlich, Mundy, Fyfe, Sandilands, Dawson, Barlow, Ballantyne
Reports: James Kelly reported for rough conduct against Tendai Mzungu in the 3rd quarter
10:21pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:21pm | Report comment
Possessions:
Geelong: Selwood 28, Bartel 26, Enright 26
Fremantle: Barlow 26, Hill 21, Mundy 21
10:15pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:15pm | Report comment
FULL TIME!!!
Geelon 11.14.80 def by Fremantle 14.12.96
10:16pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:16pm | Report comment
What a game we’ve had. Fremantle have pulled off a massive upset to keep their finals dream alive and Geelong have been sent crashing home. Fremantle have won just their second final in history and next week will go to Adelaide on Friday night to play the Crows.
10:18pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:18pm | Report comment
Matthew Pavlich was super with a 6 goal performance. Geelong rallied and rallied in the final quarter. They cut down a 38 point deficit to lose by 16 in the end. This looks to have been Matthew Scarletts final game judging by the way the Geelong boys have gotten around him.
10:19pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:19pm | Report comment
Geelong were disappointing but we can’t take anything away from Fremantle. They played the best game in the clubs history. Everyone contributed and they outplayed the team who have won 3 of the past 5 premierships. I watched the Adelaide-Sydney game today. If both teams play the same way they did today, Fremantle will beat Adelaide next week.
4:45pm
ren said | 4:45pm | Report comment
third. we beat melbourne in 06 and Hawthorn in 2010, add geelong in 2012 and that is 3.
10:14pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:14pm | Report comment
Throw in Geelong forward pocket,
Enright sends it back in.
Fisted out.
Throw in again.
Enright again.
Harry Taylor takes a big mark.
He needs to go back and kick this.
37s to go.
He misses.
19s to go
Cats 80 Freo 96
10:13pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:13pm | Report comment
Pavlich marks on the 50m arc. He was the only Docker in their forward half.
He’s pulled this one out on the full.
Bartel goes up the middle.
Chapman gets a free.
Wide to Selwood.
Sends it long. Mackie can’t mark.
Freo free kick, Suban was pushed in the back.
Mackie needed to mark that.
1 to go
Cats 79 Freo 96
10:10pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:10pm | Report comment
Taylor Hunt gathers on the wing. Goes inside 50. Harry Taylor is held by Silvagni and will get a free kick.
Lining up 35 out, slight angle.
He’s kicked it!
3 to go
Cats 79 Freo 96
10:11pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:11pm | Report comment
Three goals in Three minutes is a lot to ask!
Fremantle have sent 8 guys into defence.
10:09pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:09pm | Report comment
Mundy gets the clearance out.
Pavlich is back on.
He kicks the goal.
That may be the sealer.
He kicks his 6th goal.
4 to go
Cats 73 Freo 96
10:07pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:07pm | Report comment
Fremantle now just chipping the ball around, trying to take time off the clock.
Finally go to a contest.
Downfield free given to Geelong for a Ballantyne wrestle.
Fremantle rebound the forward entry.
Josh Hunt gets a free kick. AND FIFTY!
He will kick this from 20 in front.
He kicks it!
4 to go
Cats 73 Freo 90
10:07pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:07pm | Report comment
There is still enough time!
10:08pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:08pm | Report comment
The 50mP is because Fyfe did not give the ball back quick enough.
10:05pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:05pm | Report comment
Pavlich is on the bench in pain. He cannot run. This could be huge!
10:04pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:04pm | Report comment
Throw in Geelong forward flank.
Chapman goes around the corner but Vardy spill the mark.
Pavlich gets it on a long lead. Too far out.
Into the contest. Walters is interferred with in the marking attempt by Mackie.
Walters gets the free kick 20m in front out goal.
Easy shot.
And he’s missed it!
7 to go
Cats 67 Freo 90
10:02pm
Alfred Chan said | 10:02pm | Report comment
Bartel gets the clearence but only as far as McPhee.
Mundy gets it on the wing.
Chips over the top to Pearce.
Podisadly punches it out in the back pocket.
Podsiadly has gone to full back.
Keplar Bradley kicks it out on the full.
Stokes goes up the middle.
Bombs forward,
McPhee lets it roll through for a point. He threw Motlop off the ball in the process. Should have been a free.
9 to go
Cats 67 Freo 89
9:58pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:58pm | Report comment
Bartel shovels it forward.
Ball locked in deep in Geelong attack.
Johnson clears it.
Enright sends it back in.
Josh Hunt winds up and bombs one from 55.
What a goal. Low and hard all the way.
11 to go
Cats 66 Freo 89
9:56pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:56pm | Report comment
Walters finds space, handballs over the top to Ballantyne who runs into an open goal.
12 to go
Cats 60 Freo 89
9:56pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:56pm | Report comment
Fremantle has activated their sub. Nick Suban is on and Lee Spurr is off.
9:55pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:55pm | Report comment
Ballantyne is stripped of it.
Cats get it on the wing.
Corey pumps is forward.
Mitch Duncan!
Duncan gives it off to Josh Hunt who winds up!
He hit the post!
13 to go
Cats 60 Freo 83
9:54pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:54pm | Report comment
Bartel is pushed out of a contest and gets the free.
He spots up Christensen on the lead 45 out directly in front.
Christensen kicks it!
Margin back to 24!
14 to go
Cats 59 Cats 83
9:54pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:54pm | Report comment
The Cats would equal their biggest comeback from 3/4 time if they can pull this off.
9:52pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:52pm | Report comment
Selwood clears it himself and sends it forward but Motlop and Christensen stuff it up.
They overpossessed the ball,. The pressure came and Christensen kicked a point.
Cats send the kick out back in and rush a point
15 to go
Cats 53 Freo 83
9:51pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:51pm | Report comment
Chapman gets it out but Hunt pushes Crowley in the back,
Crowley goes up the line to a contest but kicks it out on the full.
Mayne marks the Geelong mark and spots up Hill 55 out.
Hill goes back for the shot. He kicks into the man on the mark,
Cats send it forward but Hawkins can’t gather it at his feet.
Walters goes down the line. Throw in on the wing.
16 to go
Cats 51 Freo 83
9:48pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:48pm | Report comment
Mackie steals one off Mzungu and Mackie rolls one through along the ground.
18to go
Cats 51 Freo 83
9:48pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:48pm | Report comment
They needed to kick that first one!
9:47pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:47pm | Report comment
Start of the final Q.
Corey clears it, get its to Chapman.
Simpkin is tackled at the top of the 50.
Ball up.
Johnson gets it out but not very far,
Cats send it back and ball is locked in at CHF.
18 to go
Cats 45 Freo 83
9:45pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:45pm | Report comment
Chris Scott will need to throw the kitchen sink if the Cats are to come back in this one. They need to get the first two or three goals to get the belief.
9:45pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:45pm | Report comment
Ross Lyon has clearly out coached Scott tonight. Fremantle have answered every change Scott has made.
9:43pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:43pm | Report comment
Goals:
Pavlich has 5, Ballantyne and Walters 2 each.
All single goal kickers for Geelong.
9:42pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:42pm | Report comment
Leading possesion:
Geelong: Selwood 25, Bartel 18, Mackie 17, Duncan 17
Fremantle: Mundy 17, Barlow 17, Hill 16, Fyfe 16
9:41pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:41pm | Report comment
Gee. If if it were any other team down by 38 points, this one would be over. But Geelong can pile on goals in quick succession. They will need the greatest quarter in history to come back in this one.
9:40pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:40pm | Report comment
THREE QUARTER TIME!
Geelong 6.9.45 Fremantle 12.11.83
9:45pm
Dexxter said | 9:45pm | Report comment
thats what im talking about! cmon freo keep your foot on the pedal just as youve done all night!
9:40pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:40pm | Report comment
Ballantyne marks right on the 50m arc.
He goes sideways to Mzungu who will be on a slight angle.
He can kick this.
But he hangs it to the right.
Siren!
9:37pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:37pm | Report comment
Freo chip around the boundry before sending it to a contest.
Mackie takes a good defensive mark.
West marks strongly on the wing.
Christensen locks it in, in the forward pocket.
Ball up.
Fyfe gets it out and clears.
1 to go
Cats 45 Freo 82
9:36pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:36pm | Report comment
Selwood goes through the middle to Hunt but Dawson marks strongly in front of Hawkins and sends it back out.
3 to go
Cats 45 Freo 82
9:34pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:34pm | Report comment
Chapmon finds Simpkin at the top of the 50.
Simpkin goes a bit wider to Duncan who marks 45 out, slight angle.
Duncan pushes that to the right.
4 to go
Cats 45 Freo 82
9:33pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:33pm | Report comment
Ball locked up in Geelong 50.
They need to kick a few to get back into the game.
Taylor sends inside 50
Hawkins cant mark.
Walters gets one high but cant find McPhee.
Hunt spoils and hits Lonergan on the lead.
Lonergan hits the post.
He’s gone forward and Taylor is on Pavlich.
5 to go
Cats 44 Freo 82
9:30pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:30pm | Report comment
Hill sends it forward, Deboer cant mark.
He gathers it and gives it off to Walters.
Walters snaps the goal.
7 to go
Cats 43 Freo 82
Margin back out to 39.
9:29pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:29pm | Report comment
Bartel gets it out.
Taylor Hunt goes up the line.
Barlow sees it out.
Throw in on the wing.
Johnson goes to space on the opposite wing.
Lonergan takes Pavlich high.
Pav goes inboard.
Chapman gets the spillage and ball spills out.
7 to go
Cats 43 Freo 76
9:26pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:26pm | Report comment
Hill clears it wide to Walters,
Cats rebound it but Freo lock it up in the center circle.
Ball up.
Simpkin gets the clearence.
Fyfe sends it the other way to Ballantyne.
Ballantye kicks a great goal from the boundry 50m out. What a kick.
9 to go
Cats 43 Freo 76
9:26pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:26pm | Report comment
The Cats are in big trouble now. All the momentum with Freo.
9:23pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:23pm | Report comment
Pav outbodies Lonergan deep in the pocket. Gather it and runs into an open goal.
11 to go
Cats 43 Freo 70
That’s Pav’s 5th tonight!
9:22pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:22pm | Report comment
James Kelly has just been reported for rough conduct. He elbowed Mzungu and hit him in the head. No damage done but Jame Kelly is in serious trouble. He will be rubbed out for that.
9:22pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:22pm | Report comment
Geelong is activating thier substitute.
Simpkin is one and Murdoch has been subbed out after having no inflience tonight.
9:21pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:21pm | Report comment
Cats move it quickly. Get it to Hawkins on 55.
He goes inboard and Vary marks 45 from goal, directly in front.
Good mark too. Body on the line.
He’s kicked it.
Cats back with 21.
12 to go
Cats 43 Freo 64
9:20pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:20pm | Report comment
Mackie with a fierce tackle at Geelong CHF to lock in a ball up.
Chapman gets Barlow high.
Chips it back and Freo switch the ball.
Johnson goes up the line and Vardy punches it out.
Ballantyne finds DeBoer 20m from goal.
He should kick this.
but he misses and easy goal.
13 to go
Cats 37 Freo 64
9:16pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:16pm | Report comment
Pavlich takes a strong mark on the chest from the front position. Just got two steps on Lonergan.
He’ll line up from 50, directly in front.
He splits the middle.
That’s his fourth.
16 to go
Cats 37 Freo 63
9:15pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:15pm | Report comment
Enright sends it in again,
Off Hawkins hands,
Stokes crumbs,
dribbles, dribbles, DRIBBLES!
It’s dribbled through.
16 to go
Cats 37 Freo 56
9:14pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:14pm | Report comment
Murdoch picks off the kick in, goes to the top of the square and its knocked through for a point.
17 to go
Cats 31 Freo 57
9:13pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:13pm | Report comment
Pearce sends it forward. Pavlich can’t mark.
Duncan gets to to Hawkins a long way from home.
Give it back to Duncan on the overlap.
Gets it to Christenen who is taken high.
Christensen will kick from the boundry 45 out.
He’s missed it.
17 to go
Cats 30 Freo 57
9:11pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:11pm | Report comment
Duncan gets the clearance,
Sends it to Hawkins,
Podsiadly gets it out to Motlop who kicks the banana
GOAL!
Great start by the Cats.
19 to go
Cats 29 Freo 57
9:10pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:10pm | Report comment
And, we’re back for the second half.
9:06pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:06pm | Report comment
If the Cats are to pull the substitute trigger, I think Nathan Vardy could be the man to don the red vest. The Cats need to speed things up and swapping a big man for Simpkin, a midsized utility, could make it happen.
9:07pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:07pm | Report comment
From the injury perspective, Matthew Stokes has recovered and passed his concussion test, Mackie just had a corkie and Joel Corey’s vision is good enough for him to play on.
9:05pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:05pm | Report comment
The Cats bottom four players are not offering anything. Murdoch has just one touch playing in defence. He needs to get into the action and at least crash some packs if he’s not getting any of the ball.
9:02pm
Tom said | 9:02pm | Report comment
I was barracking Freo, until I saw how dirty they were playing.
9:01pm
Alfred Chan said | 9:01pm | Report comment
Hawkins and Podsiadly are not doing enough. Vardy has looked threatening without taking and big marks. It seems at the moment Geelong’s most threatening forwards have been the smaller guys.
Stokes, Christensen and Duncan have all had their chances. Geelong needs to clear out some room and try to isolate Hawkins 1 on 1 and just send the ball in quick. Fremantle are slowing down the Geelong midfield so much that the ball is not getting into Hawkins as quick as he would like.
8:59pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:59pm | Report comment
Roarers, what does Geelong need to do to get back into this?
They are in an unfamiliar position heading into the break 34 points behind.
This is a do-or-die final and they have a long margin to cut down if they are to fly to Adelaide next week.
8:56pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:56pm | Report comment
Clearances:
Geelong: Selwood 4
Fremantle: Mundy 4, Sandilands 3, Hill 3
In total, Geelong have had 2 more then Fremantle but Fremantle just keep sending the ball back the other way. Geelong have manged just five marks inside 50.
8:57pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:57pm | Report comment
Only 2 of those marks inside 50 have been from reasonable spots to kick a goal. Fremantle defence is doing well to push Hawkins wide and Podsiadly up the ground.
8:54pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:54pm | Report comment
Leading Possesion Getters:
Geelong: Selwood 15, Bartel 13, Corey 12, Enright 12
Fremantle: Mundy 14, Fyfe 12, Barlow 11
8:53pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:53pm | Report comment
Joel Selwood was great in that second quarter. He got a few critical clearances and spurred his team on. Lonergan looked better on Pavlich in that quarter and will need to keep it up if the Cats come into the game.
Mundy has been fantastic. He and Sandilands are working really well together.
8:52pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:52pm | Report comment
What a stunning first half! Did anyone see this game panning out like this?
Fremantle hit the ground running and have been relentless in terms of pressure. They have not let the Cats get out out their defensive half and are forcing the ball in and in over again.
If it wasn’t for that five minute burst from Geelong late in the second Q, they would be down by about 60.
8:50pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:50pm | Report comment
HALF TIME!!!
Geelong 3.5.23 Fremantle 8.9.57
8:50pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:50pm | Report comment
Lonergan did well to win the ball infront of Pavlich, Sends it back the other way.
Bartel almost marks,
Chapman snap, smothered.
Throw in in the pocket.
13s to go
Mackie gets a kick off and kicks a point.
Cats 23 Freo 57
8:48pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:48pm | Report comment
Fyfe gets the clearance.
Throw in, Freo forward line.
Selwood find Stokes who finds Podsiadly.
Bad kick inside 50. McPhee marks.
1 to go
Cats 22 Freo 57
8:46pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:46pm | Report comment
Lonergan gets his fist in, Pavlich cant mark.
Walters comes out with it, snaps, can’t make the distance.
Mackie taken high and gets the free.
Goes to a contest, Dawson sends it back in.
Scarlett sends it out on the full.
Dawson goes long to the top of the square.
Lonergan sends it back out.
Sandilands can’t mark.
Mayne centers to top of the square.
Walters soccers one through!
2 to go
Cats 22 Freo 57
8:46pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:46pm | Report comment
Joel Corey went to an arrogant don’t argue and simply wasnt strong enough.
8:43pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:43pm | Report comment
Joel Selwood is lifting his team!
8:43pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:43pm | Report comment
Margin back to 29! It was 47, five minutes ago.
8:43pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:43pm | Report comment
Selwood clears it again!
Finds West who sends it to the pocket.
Podsidly finds Duncan in the square!
Duncan marks infront of the pack on the chest.
He kicks it,
The Cats are coming!!!
4 to go
Cats 22 Freo 51
8:41pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:41pm | Report comment
Selwood gets the clearence.
Chapman goes wide.
Crowley lets it over the line.
Throw in.
Selwood sharks it and goes to the square.
Vardy drops it,
Chapman locks it up in the Cats forward line.
Selwood taken high.
He will kick this directly in front, 30 out.
He kicks it!
Cats ahve back to back goals!
5 to go
Cats 16 Freo 51
8:41pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:41pm | Report comment
Great tap there by West straight to Selwood!
8:38pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:38pm | Report comment
Christenson finds Mackie 40 out, directly in front.
Cats looking a lot better. More composed and not turning it over as much.
Mackie kicks Geelong’s first.
6 to go
Cats 10 Freo 51
8:39pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:39pm | Report comment
Joel Corey on the bench after a poke to the eye.
8:37pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:37pm | Report comment
Mackie finds Bartel 50 from goal. He’ll need to kick it 55.
Can’t make the distance, kicks a point.
7 to go
Cats 4 Freo 51
8:36pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:36pm | Report comment
Fyfe goes up th line to Walters.
Freo cant mark, spills over the back.
Bartel just jams it on the boot. No one in Geelongs forward line.
Duffield find Bradley 55 from goal.
He goes to Mzungu 40 from goal.
Mzungu goes inside and finds Pierce 45 slight angle.
He;s kicked it.
8 to go
Cats 3 Freo 51
8:34pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:34pm | Report comment
Taylor Hunt wins a good hard ball and gets it to Christensen.
He’s taken high and will kick for goal from 45 out. Tough angle. 10m in from the boundry.
And he’s missed it.
10 to go
Cats 3 Freo 45
8:33pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:33pm | Report comment
Hunt gets a free for an arm chop.
Christensen snaps, misses the lot. throw in.
Matthew Stoke in trouble, hit his head on the ground.
He gets back up and give it to Scarlett who kicks to the pocket. Out of bounds on the full,
10 to go
Cats 2 Freo 45
8:32pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:32pm | Report comment
Podsiadly finds Hawkins 45 out on the boundry.
I think thats their first mark i50.
Very tough angler here for Hawkins.
He pulls it to the left.
11 to go
Cats 2 Freo 45
8:30pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:30pm | Report comment
Barlow to Mayne who finds Mundy uncontested 40 from goal.
Mundy kicks it!
12 to go
Cats 1 Freo 45
8:30pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:30pm | Report comment
Andrew Mackie is limping to the sideline.
8:31pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:31pm | Report comment
Knee clash. He should be fine to come back in.
8:29pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:29pm | Report comment
McPhee marks in the center. Cats cant get it past that center line.
McPhee sends it back in.
Throw in on the flank.
Trent West held, gets the free.
Duncan can’t mark,
Throw in on the wing.
12 to go
Cats 1 Freo 39
8:27pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:27pm | Report comment
Pav marks 70 from goal, Ballantyne crumbs it and centers it to Barlow.
Barlow has it 30 from goal only a slight angle.
Misses to the left.
14 to go
Cats 1 Freo 39
8:26pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:26pm | Report comment
Hawkins is yet to get a touch.
8:26pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:26pm | Report comment
Duncan goes through the middle.
Finds Bartel but his kick is picked off.
Hill goes up the line to a contest.
Walters keeps it going.
Bartel finds Selwood, overlap to Enright.
The Freo pressure is immense. There are no free men in the middle.
Hawkins cant mark.
Throw in
15 to go
Cats 1 Freo 38
8:24pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:24pm | Report comment
Selwood taken high on the wing.
Gives it to Enright who sends it forward.
Sandilands marks easily above the pack.
Ballantyne taken high by Stokes.
Ball locked up on the wing.
Pierce snaps it forward.
Ballantyne driblles a point.
17 to go
Cats 1 Freo 38
8:22pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:22pm | Report comment
Mundy sends it to the goal square but Selwood sends it back the other way.
Kelly goes to Pods who is held. Ump calls it.
Pods to the top of the 50.
Deboer spills it.
Cats lock it in.
Deboer shoudl have marked that.
Free kick Fremantle.
18 to go
Cats 1 Freo 37
8:20pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:20pm | Report comment
Pav could easily have 4 but his first shot skewed off his boot and he didnt make the distance. Fremantle are winning every single statistical catagory. Getting ready for the second half.
8:19pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:19pm | Report comment
Fyfe is doing what he pleases across CHF. No one seems to be running with him. That needs to change in the second quarter is Geelong want to get the ball past him. His hands overhead are better than any of the Geelon midfielders.
8:18pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:18pm | Report comment
The Cats have been absolutely blown out of the water in the opening half and just have no answer. An enourmous upset is in the brewing. This is how Fremantle player in round 22 when they destroyed North Melbourne all over the ground.
8:16pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:16pm | Report comment
Matthew Pavlich has kicked 3 goals already. 2 on Lonergan and 1 on Mackie. The time may have come to send Harry Taylor to him. Taylor has been on Bradley.
Possession leaders are: Corey 8, Barlow 7, Bartel 6, Mayne 6, Mundy 6
8:15pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:15pm | Report comment
Fremantle kept Geelong goalless than enture quarter. Fremantle are pressuing Geelong off the ball and forcing uncharacteristic turnovers.
The Cats just could not get the ball past the half way point.
8:14pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:14pm | Report comment
QUARTER TIME.
Geelong 0.1.1 vs Fremantle 5.7.37
8:14pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:14pm | Report comment
Enright pushes Pearce in the back. Free kick.
Enough time.
Siren!
8:13pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:13pm | Report comment
Walters in space on the wing, gives it to Hill who kicks from 50.
Hill kicks a point.
He had much more time than he though.
1 to go
Cats 1 Freo 37
8:12pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:12pm | Report comment
Mayne finds Pav on a long lead. Too far out.
He pumps it to the contest.
Taylor punches over the line.
Throw in deep in Freo forward line.
Kelly clears it but theres no one in front of him.
Silvagni sees it over the line.
Ump says its deliberate.
West has it 50 from goal on the boundry,
He kicks it into the man on the mark,
Throw in.
Barlow clears it. But its all Geelong.
Selwood finds Pods on 50.
Gives off to Chappy but Pearce marks.
1 to go
Cats 1 Freo 35
8:09pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:09pm | Report comment
Freo has had 15 i50′s. Geelong just 5.
8:09pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:09pm | Report comment
Fyfe flies and takes a nice grab, sends it forward and kicks another point.
3 to go
Cats 1 Freo 36
8:08pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:08pm | Report comment
Hill sends it to the top of the square and Geelong rush a point.
4 to go
Cats 1 Freo 35
8:08pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:08pm | Report comment
Sandilands gets the clearance.
Fyfe gets a free kick at CHF for a high tackle.
Fyfe kicks a point
4 to go
Cats 1 Freo 34
8:06pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:06pm | Report comment
Roarers, what on Earth are we seeing? The Cats are shellshocked and Freo as come barnstorming into the game.
Pavlich has 3 goals already.
8:06pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:06pm | Report comment
Cats cant get it past the midfield. They keep turning it over.
Pavlich marks on his chest AGAIN.
This time, 30m out, slight angle.
This one was on Mackie who couldnt get the fist in.
Pavlich has kicked his third.
5 to go
Cats 1 Freo 33
8:04pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:04pm | Report comment
Mcphee marks the Mackie kick.
He finds Bradley up the line.
Off hands. Chapman tackles Ballantyne over the line.
Spurr finds Johnson just on the edge of 50.
He’s come a long way up the ground to take this shot.
He kicks a point with a helicopter.
6 to go
Cats 1 Freo 27
8:03pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:03pm | Report comment
Vardy can’t hold the mark on 50.
Ball goes back the other way.
Mayne marks deep in the pocket acute angle.
What a quick rebound!
Mayne goes short to Walters on the lead to improve the angle.
Walters marks.
He hangs it to the left.
8 to go
Cats 1 Freo 26
8:01pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:01pm | Report comment
Deboer gets the clearance, ball spills over for a Fremantle point.
Cats 1 Freo 25
8:00pm
Alfred Chan said | 8:00pm | Report comment
10 to go, Freo by 17
Pearce finds Crowly on the 50.
Crowley kicks it.
That’s FOUR goals in a row!
Cats 1 Freo 24
Freo by 23
7:59pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:59pm | Report comment
11 to go – Freo by 17
Cats defence is all sorts of trouble.
Great start by Fremantle.
Vardy gets a clearance but Duffield sends it right back the other way.
Mayne snaps but cant get enough on it. Hunt marks on the goal line.
Cats 1 Freo 18
Freo by 17
7:58pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:58pm | Report comment
12 to go – Freo by 11
Throw in in Freo forward line.
Both teams are very aggressive.
Mundy gets a quick kick out of the pack and Ballantyne takes a good contested mark on his chest.
He’ll line up 40 out from a slight angle.
He kicks it!
Cats 1 Freo 18
Freo by 17
7:55pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:55pm | Report comment
13 to go – Freo by 5
Ball locked up at Geelong CHF.
Johnson clears it to the wing.
Deboer sends it forward.
Mundy send to to Pav who is 1 on 1.
Pav nudges Longergan out of the way to take an easy mark and kicks the goal.
Cats 1 Freo 12
7:56pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:56pm | Report comment
Longeran does not look happy being isolated with Pav.
7:54pm
Johnno said | 7:54pm | Report comment
Is Sandaliands playing.
7:56pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:56pm | Report comment
Yes he is. Dominating the hit outs already too.
7:53pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:53pm | Report comment
14 to go – Freo by 6
Fyfe clears it.
Hunt sends it back in,
Johnson pushes it over for a point.
Cats 1 Freo 6
7:53pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:53pm | Report comment
15 to go – Freo by 6
No one can get it out of the middle.
Kelly gets it out to Selwood.
Hawkins can’t mark.
Throw in.
Cats 0 Freo 6
7:51pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:51pm | Report comment
Crowley has gone to Selwood.
7:51pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:51pm | Report comment
16 to go – score level
Mundy gets it forwad to Walters and Pavlich takes an uncontested mark on the chest, 15 in front of goal.
He just slipped Lonergan and ran into space.
He squeezes it through.
Cats 0 Freo 6
7:49pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:49pm | Report comment
17 to go. Score level.
Ibbotson finds Pavlich on the lead 50 out, directly in front.
Pavlich skews it, doesnt make the distance.
Cats 0 Freo 0
7:48pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:48pm | Report comment
Ballantyne sends it up the wing. Bradley gets a free and kicks to the pocket.
Out of bounds.
Bartell clears it.
1st Quarter 0.0.0 – 0.0.0
7:46pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:46pm | Report comment
Scarlett to Mayne, Enright to Ballantyne and as called, Lonergan to Pavlich.
7:43pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:43pm | Report comment
That’s the anthem and we are second away from the bounce!
7:41pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:41pm | Report comment
Just getting set for the national anthem. Crowd is between 45,000 to 50,000.
7:41pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:41pm | Report comment
This is a big ask of Nathan Vardy. He has played one game of senior footy after a career threatening hip injury and he will be spending a significant amount of time one on one with Aaron Sandilands.
7:40pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:40pm | Report comment
Chris Scott has said Scarlett will not directly go to Ballantyne. That job will most likely be given to Mackie or Hunt. I think Ballantyne is too quick to Hunt so I’d expect Mackie to go to him.
7:35pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:35pm | Report comment
Geelong is now firmed into $1.27 and Fremantle has drifted out to $3.90.
Those prices seem about right. Fremantle will need to play the best game in their clubs history if they are able to topple this dynasty building team. I can’t see it happening tonight.
I think Geelong will be too strong and win by 39.
7:38pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:38pm | Report comment
Is anyone backing Fremantle to cause an upset?
7:30pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:30pm | Report comment
We’re 15 minutes from the bounce. Roarers, give us your tips!
7:29pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:29pm | Report comment
We’re still waiting on news out of Adelaide but in the final minutes of the game, Daniel Talia appeared to have injured his risk. He would be an enormous risk if he misses the game next week, and improve the chances of tonights winner making it through to the Prelim, but first, they need to win tonight!
7:22pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:22pm | Report comment
Let’s talk X-Factors!
Who will bob up for each team and win the game when it matters?
7:23pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:23pm | Report comment
I think for the Cats, it would easily be StevieJ but with him out, I think the stage is set to Allen Christensen. He’s one who will get extra midfield time tonight and he has had a great season, breaking games apart when it has mattered.
7:31pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:31pm | Report comment
For Fremantle, Michael Walters has been in excellent form over the past five weeks. He cemented his spot and looks dangerous when Ballantyne gets added attention.
7:21pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:21pm | Report comment
In past finals, Geelong has tended to let things play out in their back line before locking in their match ups.
Who will go to Pavlich first?
Any one of Taylor, Lonergan, Mackie and Scarlett has the size to man up on him. The natural decision is Harry Taylor but in the past against Hawthorn, Geelong has given Lonergan the first crack on Buddy Franklin and Lonergan won. Could Geelong do the same thing for Matthew Pavlich?
They like to do this because Taylor’s strength is his marking ability. He reads the ball so well he often floats across and takes good strong marks from opposition forward entries.
7:14pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:14pm | Report comment
Luke McPharlin is an enourmous loss. I’m not sold on Zac Dawson getting the job. Dawson matches up better on Podisadly. Alex Silvagni is in the team. Does he get the job on the competitions dominant forward in his first game back?
7:13pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:13pm | Report comment
Steve Johnson is going to be a big loss tonight. The windy conditions and possibility of rain will see the ball spilling off the packs and StevieJ is usually there to feed on the crumbs. Steven Motlop will play more across the forward flank to try and fill that void.
7:09pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:09pm | Report comment
It’s currently 12 degrees in Melbourne and quite windy. It has been windy all day and the conditions will swirl the ball around tonight just as it did last night. There have been drizzles of rain throughout the day and they are likely to continue tonight. These conditions are very similar to the seaside conditions down in Geelong and will strongly favor the Cats. Freo are much more suited to warm conditions like out in the West.
7:05pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:05pm | Report comment
From todays result in Adelaide, the winner of tonights game will have to fly to Adelaide next week and play the Crows. The winner of that match will then play Hawthorn at the MCG in the Preliminary Final most likely on the Friday night.
7:02pm
Alfred Chan said | 7:02pm | Report comment
The final teams are in and there are no late changes to either team.
Jonathon Simpkin is the substitute for the Cats as expected and Nick Suban will don the green vest for the Dockers.
6:59pm
Alfred Chan said | 6:59pm | Report comment
Roarers! Welcome to tonight’s coverage of the blockbuster Elim final between Geelong and Fremantle.
We’re starting early tonight to answer all of your questions and review the two games already played.