The Geelong Cats have closed their home-and-away season with a brutal thumping of Melbourne, winning by 111 points at Simonds Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Geelong 24.11.155
Melbourne 6.8.44
One week out from finals and still one more hurdle for the September-bound Geelong Cats; toppling their old rival the Melbourne Demons at Simonds Stadium. Join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) for all the action.
Last time these two sides met, at Kardinia Park, the end result was a famous win to Melbourne, spoiling Corey Enright’s 300th game, marking the Demons’ rise back to relevance.
It was also the day Max Gawn arrived on the scene, with a dominant, best-on-ground display.
However, this Geelong team is very different to the one that walked out on that day last year, as are the circumstances.
Unlike last time, the Cats are right in the hunt for the premiership, and need to win this final game to guarantee their spot in the top four. If they don’t, they face the possible prospect of finishing fifth; and we all know that you don’t win the flag from there – at least not in the last 20 years (almost).
Melbourne’s very slim final chances were dealt dispatched last week in a disappointing loss to Carlton, but the up-and-coming side are looking to cap off a positive season with another huge scalp at one of footy’s toughest venues.
Steven Motlop returned to form superbly against the Lions, kicking five goals in a best-on-ground showing after some sub-par performances in weeks prior. If the young star can have another big match and take that sort of form into September, the Cats’ chances of making it to the big dance increase greatly.
The Cats have dropped Shane Kersten and Darcy Lang for this clash, and have lost Scott Selwood and Lachie Henderson to injury. Coming into the side at a pivotal time is Jed Bews, Josh Caddy, Jimmy Bartel and Daniel Menzel.
The Demons have made three changes at the selection table, omitting Clayton Oliver, Viv Michie and Alex Neal-Bullen, bringing in Jeff Garlett, James Harmes and Christian Salem.
Prediction
If the hometown favourites are the real deal, they’ll notch up a big win in front of the Geelong faithful, but a Demons side featuring hard-nosed stars such as Jack Viney and Nathan Jones will certainly not make it easy, especially now that the grand old flag has had a bit of pride restored.
Still, at such a crunch time, you’d expect the Cats to be too strong.
Geelong by 29.
Join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) for all the action.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Sydney's percentage is already greater than Geelong's.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report The Roar’s AFL MVP Votes 3 - Patrick Dangerfield 2 – Tom Hawkins 1 – Joel Selwood
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
That would be a strange feeling given they have lost to St Kilda, Carlton and Collingwood this year
Brian
Guest
just as long a hawks get to play and beat geelong in a fortnight rather then travel to sydney :)
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Maintaining percentage at this stage requires keeping to scores low. If the Swans do this and win, 3 goals won't drop their percentage enough, but if it's closer to 80+ points each then it's going to be close.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
There's going to be lots of players vying for votes in this one. Match report and votes will be here soon!
Brian
Guest
if swans win by approx under 3 goals cats will yet be minor premiers
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
...and to tink I was only 9 points off this comment yesterday: http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/25/cats-expecting-lively-demons-afl-finale/ Farewell Roos you rubbish coach. Cats for the flag. GO CATS!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GEELONG WIN! At the final siren it's Geelong on 155 points, beating Melbourne by 111. Spectacular game played by the Cats at home. Geelong 24.11.155 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL GEELONG Menzel with the exclamation point! Spectacular snap on his left under the arm of a Melbourne defender marks his fourth goal and an 111 point lead! Q4 34′ Geelong 24.11.155 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Menegola wins hungriest play of the day, going for goal from about 60m out under pressure, burning five teammates in the process. Q4 33′ Geelong 23.11.149 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL GEELONG J-Bar makes no mistake, kicking goal number three - the crowd is going crazy! Q4 32′ Geelong 23.11.149 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Bartel is taken high under a pass from Motlop and will line up from 35m out for another goal! Q4 31′ Geelong 22.11.143 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL GEELONG Caddy slams the ball through into the adoring Geelong crowd, taking the margin back out to 99. Q4 30′ Geelong 22.11.143 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Guthrie finds Motlop on a hard lead inside 50 - he turns around and finds Caddy on a hard lead on a better angle. All too easy now. Q4 29′ Geelong 21.11.137 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND GEELONG Rushed behind by Salem. Q4 28′ Geelong 21.11.137 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Dangerfield wins the next clearance and sends it inside 50 for the fifteenth time. Q4 28′ Geelong 21.10.136 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL MELBOURNE Finally Jesse Hogan is able to get on the scoreboard, after marking close to goal off a James Harmes pass. He's not had the best day, but at least he'll leave with that. Q4 27′ Geelong 21.10.136 Melbourne 6.8.44
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL GEELONG And one for Harry Taylor, just for good measure! The star backman pushed up from defence and was found by Dangerfield about 55 out - he had no hesitation at firing at goal, and with a strike like that why would you? Sensational long goal. Q4 25′ Geelong 21.10.136 Melbourne 5.8.38
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND MELBOURNE Demons pressure makes Ruggles force a rushed behind. Q4 23′ Geelong 20.10.130 Melbourne 5.8.38