An historic moment for the AFL as the Geelong Cats takes on the Gold Coast Suns at Simonds Stadium. We’ll have live scores and commentary coming up from 7.40pm AEST.
Tonight is the first game under lights at the Cats home venue – a moment that brings some modernity to the footy club.
And seeing as they’ve spent a bucket-load of cash to upgrade the stadium to around 33,000 it now turns Simonds Stadium into a genuine top class venue.
The game itself should be entertaining and there’s no doubt the lure of Gary Ablett playing against his old team under the new lights is part of the attraction to this fixture being set up.
Geelong has once again exceeded expectations of many in 2013 with a near faultless season to date.
They can obviously thank their ever impressive midfield brigade, defenders holding the fort and the brilliance of the youth.
But it’s hard not to be impressed with the form of Tom Hawkins this season, averaging around three goals a game and scoring ten goals in the last fortnight.
No doubt his presence grew during the 2011 Grand Final victory, but seems to have grown in leaps and bounds this season.
He will have to do battle without the J-Pod next him.
James Podsiadly was forced to pull out of the match midweek after injuring both his knee and ankle during last week’s win against Port Adelaide, with Nathan Vardy likely to take his place.
Vardy has a chance to shine following an up and down pre-season with his own injury concerns.
The Gold Coast Suns has started to really show what their potential will be in the coming years in the last few weeks.
Despite one poor performance at home against the Fremantle Dockers, the Suns have been playing some sensational football for a team that’s still frequented with second and third year players.
Last week was always going to be a massive test, but their first half was completely compelling.
Ablett running rampant once again, Dion Prestia working well through the midfield, Aaron Hall popping up with five goals…
But the most thrilling to watch is the pure skill of Jaeger O’Meara.
This kid was held off from the football world last season because of the drafting rules, yet his talent has always been there.
The endurance isn’t there yet, and probably won’t be there across the entire team for another 12-18 months, but the signs are strong.
If they can stay in this game as long as they did against the Hawks, they may just give the Cats a fair old fright.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Here's the goal from Gazza http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QWzPH328M0
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Geelong Cats 18.15 (123) def. Gold Coast Suns 10.11 (71) Quarter by Quarter Geelong Cats 3.2 6.6 9.10 18.15 (123) Gold Coast Suns 3.2 4.8 9.10 10.11 (71) Goalscorers GEEL (10) – Nathan Vardy 4, Jimmy Bartel 3, Steven Motlop 2, Tom Hawkins 2, Cameron Guthrie 2, Trent West 1, George Burbury 1, Mitch Duncan 1, Mark Blicavs 1, Josh Hunt 1 GCS (7) – Campbell Brown 3, Gary Ablett Jnr 2, Luke Russell 1, Michael Rischitelli 1, Jaeger O’Meara 1, Tom Lynch 1, Jarrod Harbrow 1 Team Stats Disposals: GEEL 374-352; Disposal Efficiency: LEVEL 71%-71%; Kicking Efficiency: GEEL 65%-62%; Contested Possessions: GEEL 151-147; Marks: GEEL 92-68; Contested Marks: GEEL 21-9; Clearances: GCS 45-33; Tackles: GCS 66-59; Inside 50’s: GEEL 61-43; Hitouts: GCS 40-31 Player Stats Gary Ablett (GCS) 34 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 5 marks, 10 clearances, 6 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 2 goal Jimmy Bartel (GEEL) 30 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 5 marks, 8 inside 50’s, 3 goals Mitch Duncan (GEEL) 30 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 8 marks, 5 rebound 50’s, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 1 goal Dion Prestia (GCS) 29 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 12 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Geelong Cats 18.15 (123) def. Gold Coast Suns 10.11 (71) The Gold Coast faded away in that last quarter. And when you fade away from the Cats at their home ground, expect to get smashed! That's exactly what happened. Geelong had more in the tank in the last 40 minutes of that match. But, take nothing away from the Suns tonight - they were extremely competitive tonight. Stats to come on a really entertaining contest from Simonds Stadium
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Geelong Cats 18.15 (123) def. Gold Coast Suns 10.11 (71) There's the final siren - the Gold Coast were really competitive during the first 3 quarters, but the Cats ran it out better. They win by 52 points!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 29:34 gone | GEEL 18.14 (122) | GCS 10.10 (70) Johnson tries to fashion another goal out of nothing... but hits the post. Then Cam Guthrie creates a turn over from the kick in! Shoots from 40m out - GOAL! 9 for the Cats in Q4!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 27:55 gone | GEEL 17.14 (116) | GCS 10.10 (70) Geelong with 50 more disposals so far this quarter. Mark Blicavs marks at centre half forward. Kicks from 52m out - almost marked on the goal line... then a snap around the corner from Johnson just misses.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 26:30 gone | GEEL 17.13 (115) | GCS 10.10 (70) The fluency of the Cats this quarter has been outstanding - happy to play on at any opportunity. The Suns a chance to make the scoreboard look a little better. Forward of the wing, chips short to Aaron Hall, 50m out from goal. Goes back... low kick, which is marked on the line by Andrew Mackie.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 24:25 gone | GEEL 17.13 (115) | GCS 10.10 (70) Allen Christensen with a couple of important handballs across half forward. Eventually the ball is marked by Mitch Duncan at centre half forward. Decides to pass it off to Josh Hunt. Kicking from 55m out - LAUNCHED A BOOMING GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 23:10 gone | GEEL 16.13 (109) | GCS 10.10 (70) Poor turnover from the Suns from the kickout. It'll give Steve Johnson a chance to set something up - kicks it short towards Burbury - can't mark. Suns try to clear it, but it's pumped right back into the forward pocket. Cats force a ball in - Christensen with a snap 20m out... Ablett stops it... but then kicks it out on the full. Kicked back into the field of play for the Cats - marked by Blicavs. Kicks from 45m out - behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 21:00 gone | GEEL 16.12 (108) | GCS 10.10 (70) Josh Hunt wins an important ball at half back... And it might turn out to be a score... as Motlop snaps from the pocket... POSTER!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 19:04 gone | GEEL 16.11 (107) | GCS 10.10 (70) Trent West spilled a certainty in the forward pocket... but kept attacked the footy. Snaps it high to the goal square... no mark, crumbs fall to Mark Blicavs - GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:52 gone | GEEL 15.11 (101) | GCS 10.10 (70) Ball up for the Cats in the forward line... Suns clear to the wing... but Tom Lonergan is back there to mop up for the Cats. Back inside 50 - Burbury almost gets through a couple of tackles, then gets it back and handballs to Cameron Guthrie. Snaps from 35m out - GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:40 gone | GEEL 14.11 (95) | GCS 10.10 (70) Steven Motlop with a great run through the middle of the ground, then kicks to CHF to Christensen! Now chips it across to the flank to Nathan Vardy 50m out... 45 degree angle - SWEET! GOAL!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:34 gone | GEEL 13.11 (89) | GCS 10.10 (70) Great handball on the wing to Andrew Mackie! He's off to the races - takes three bounces, handballs to Christensen. Then kicks into the forward line to Joel Corey! Should go back... no! Handballs to Jimmy Bartel... out on the full! Eeep. It goes straight down the other end. Sumner kicks to the half forward line to Ablett... has to beat a defender on the boundary... WHOA!!!! SWINGS IT BACK FOR A BELTER OF A GOAL!!! And pockets of the crowd stand and appalud!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
It's amazing what the Cats can do in just 10 minutes!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:05 gone | GEEL 13.11 (89) | GCS 9.10 (64) The Cats winning a lot more of the footy - especially through free kicks - getting first to the footy a lot more! Petrol tank empty at the Suns. Harry Taylor inside 50 with a bit of hope... VARDY!!! How'd he take that mark?! A couple of grabs at it in a big pack. Vardy kicks a GOAL! 6 on the trot. Game looks close to dead now
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:01 gone | GEEL 12.11 (83) | GCS 9.10 (64) Free kick to Steve Johnson in the middle of the ground - plays on straight away. Long ball is turned over though. Now Timmy Sumner with a great grab at the wing. Goes long to half forward - but defended well by Harry Taylor! Long kick to Tom Hawkins - and marks at half forward. LAUNCHES A GOAL FROM 55m OUT!! 5 in a row for the Cats now
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:34 gone | GEEL 11.11 (77) | GCS 9.10 (64) Mathew Stokes keeps the ball alive on the half forward boundary line. Gives it off to Andrew Mackie... then kicks to the pocket to Mitch Duncan! Good grab. Goes back from 25m out - GOAL!!! The Suns need to hang tough here.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:30 gone | GEEL 10.11 (71) | GCS 9.10 (64) The pressure from the Cats has lifted early Q4. A couple of forced turnovers from the Suns. Ball in the forward pocket as Jimmy Bartel snaps... but it drifts for a behind
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:40 gone | GEEL 10.10 (70) | GCS 9.10 (64) Corey Enright does well with a kick from the middle of the ground towards half forward to Josh Hunt. Kicks it into the hot spot for the Cats... no one cleanly gathers... but Jimmy Bartel gets fed a great handball. Swings from 40m out - GOAL!!!