Geelong has survived a David Mundy shot after the siren to defeat Fremantle by two points, reducing the field for the AFL minor premiership to a three-horse race.
In a tense and tough match, the Cats looked to have Fremantle’s measure until they roared back into the contest with a four goal fourth quarter.
After seeing a long Matthew Pavlich bomb hit the post with two minutes to go, Mundy lined up from 50 metres knowing a goal would snatch an unlikely win for the Dockers.
However his shot stayed right of the post, giving the Cats a 12.9 (81) to 11.13 (79) victory.
The win keeps Geelong level with Hawthorn and Sydney with 15 wins each.
While the final term drama ensured this chapter of Geelong and Fremantle’s modern rivalry would live long in the memory, the Cats would be kicking themselves that it got that close.
With captain Joel Selwood imperious, Harry Taylor dominant in the air and Jimmy Bartel menacing across the forward line, the Cats had Fremantle’s number for three quarters.
Last term goals to Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Barlow, Hayden Crozier and debutant Max Duffy set up the grandstand finish.
Before the late drama, the keenly anticipated match-up between Steve Johnson and tagger Ryan Crowley brought plenty of entertainment.
The pair traded blows all night amongst plenty of spot-fires across the ground.
Johnson was a lightning rod for Docker aggression, even needing a replacement guernsey after some attention from Aaron Sandilands.
He will face scrutiny for a kick to Crowley’s head while on the ground, while Travis Varcoe’s punch to Nick Suban’s head is likely to result in an enforced lay-off.
The Dockers brought their famed intensity around the ball to Simonds Stadium, hassling and harassing the Cats.
The congestion ensured a busy night for umpires; there were more free kicks paid than forward 50 entries in the first term.
With the aid of the wind, Geelong were able to set up a night in the lead with a four goal to one first quarter.
The Stevie J show launched into overdrive in the second quarter, the mercurial Geelong star theatrically winning a free kick in the centre square.
Johnson faked the man on the mark, flicking across goal to Andrew Mackie, who let fly to goal from 50.
Fremantle responded, finishing the term stronger, with Nat Fyfe’s leap and goal a highlight.
With half-time stilling the breeze, Bartel and Steven Motlop majors ensured the Cats would maintain breathing space.
The Dockers had their fair share of injury worries, with Luke McPharlin subbed out (calf) and Fyfe (shoulder), Ballantyne (back) and Stephen Hill (ankle) having complaints.
After witnessing the near miss, Cats coach Chris Scott said the team’s mood was closer to relief than euphoria.
“We gave them a chance, they were good enough to almost take that chance,” he said.
“I suspect in a couple of days we’ll say ‘what fantastic practice for the big games’.”
He hailed Taylor’s contribution of 19 marks – his career best.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, who saw the final stages from the boundary, said he never thought Mundy’s kick was a goal.
“I didn’t think it had come off sweet, it was a challenging kick,” he said.
“It was a tough game of footy… (we were) just not quite good enough to finish.”
johno
Guest
AFL Coaches gave him 2 votes, Herald Sun put him second best on ground as did the Age.....
Don Freo
Guest
Guess what Axle...? I'm sitting on the balcony overlooking Rottnest Island drinking an American beer from Louisiana. It's made by a company called ABITA and its name is "Purple Haze". The trouble is, it has a touch of raspberry and I'm hoping that's not an editorial comment on Freo's finals hopes. Perhaps it's giving the raspberry to 17 other teams.
Don Freo
Guest
So are Pavlich and Mundy and Mayne...Your point?
Michael Hallam
Guest
I absolutely love the banter on the" ROAR", one day i might gathert the courage to contribute. :)))
swanny
Guest
Funnily enough all the ones that did get paid were towards the Cats
swanny
Guest
Are you telling me Johnson didn't kick Neale in the head, Johnson gave as good as he got and deserved it
swanny
Guest
Geoff, the umpiring was terrible and it certainly did affect the result, 3 or 4 cats goals came directly from Free Kicks that weren't there meanwhile down the other end every time I looked Sandilands was being held and wasn't paid, I thought the AFL must have introduced different rules for players over 210 cm. Also Stevie J Got a free kick for kicking Lachie Neale in the head, so I think that sums up how biased the umpiring was 31 frees to 11 tells the story and Fremantle should hold there heads high after that game.
swanny
Guest
Really Gene? you had it "pencilled" in as a loss That's funny because last week you said that it would be an easy win!
swanny
Guest
You hit the nail on the head, The umpires don't necessarily love Geelong they just hate Freo. 31-11 in Free kicks in favour of the Cats proves my point as does the fact that Precious Stevie J got a free kick for kicking someone in the head. The umpiring was completely deplorable and it went all one way. If the umpiring was fairer Freo win the game simple as that. Last two weeks Fremantle -28 in Free kicks
Radelaide
Guest
Actually the footy show was raising money for a kid it happened to the other week, very sad Ax.
Michael huston
Guest
The umpiring was questionable, but it didn't affect the result. Fremantles pressure and polish wasn't there for large periods of the game and Geelong capitalised on that. It was a game that could have gone either way, but in the end, the better team won. Hardly a disappointing result for Freo. To challenge Geelong like that on their home turf is difficult. These two are interesting because I feel like we haven't seen their best yet this season. It's hard to get a grasp on their chances. I think the top four will be composed of two rivalries which will be interesting come September. It means anything can happen.
Don Freo
Guest
Yeah...Gold jacket. What kinda colour's that?
Axle an the guru
Guest
When i played Radelaide that was the exact reason we were always told never to duck the head,i was a kid when that happened to that Footsgray player,i am very surprised it has not happened since with the way they have been ducking the head since the 90s,but history will repeat itself,the head gets ducked to often for it not to.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Feel better after your little rants? Tell me did you prepare those earlier, buy them from a Rants-R-Us site, or get them from a Corn flakes packet, because I'm not sure exactly what they're addressing from here specifically.
Malahka
Guest
Overall worse conversion yes. However Bartel is known for accurate set shots and his two misses were very gettable sure you would agree.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Hahahaha fu:k you crack me up mate hey. Keep it up Don,you should be head of the Fockers cheer squad mate,you would make a better leader than that Collingwood peanut Joffa
Don Freo
Guest
Of course! The media is complicit through their silence. Don't worry about it. We'll survive...it's the essence of Australia and Freo, the prime of Western Australia (Australia's economic leader) will also lead us morally and ethically onward. Good guys always win. Actually, we have a superiority complex.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Haha gee Bosk is there anyone on this site you like? You just seem to kick everyone in the head :-)
Radelaide
Guest
Don't get me wrong it happens more now that the free is more likely to be given, but I'll admit sometimes it is still a reflex action as this video shows back in 1975 when players weren't playing for the free. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXXHMrdKcoY , poor guy did the same thing as Lynch and that NRL player Alex McKinnon.
Scott
Guest
Can't fault you there. Sorry sir.