Three men down and trailing by 34-points against a youthful and inspired Dockers outfit, Geelong have risen like Lazarus to steal a 2-point victory.
Entering the match as heavy favourites, the Cats experienced a disastrous opening minute losing captain Joel Selwood due to a sickening head clash with Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne.
It didn’t get any better, as young defender Tom Stewart and Darcy Lang soon made the list of casualties, leaving the Cats with only one healthy man on the bench for most the second half.
Smelling blood, a new look Fremantle team ripped the game open with seven straight goals in the second quarter.
Led brilliantly of half back by Connor Blakely and with Brad Hill and Michael Walters providing run through the midfield as well as a goal scoring option up forward, the Dockers scythed through Geelong’s defence, stunning the home crowd.
Despite missing stalwarts Aaron Sandilands and captain Nat Fyfe, Fremantle looked set to continue the trend of unpredictable and unbelievable upsets that have become common in season 2017.
Wounded and weary, the move to put players behind the ball stemmed the bleeding for the Cats, as they slowly worked their way back into the match trailing by 19-points heading into the final break.
Well held by Nick Suban for three quarters, Patrick Dangerfield exploded in the fourth, leading the way with 24 contested possessions while Mitch Duncan stepped up in Selwood’s absence collecting 30 possessions.
Two goals from James Parsons brought Geelong within striking distance before Tom Hawkins only goal of the match put the Cats in front.
A last-ditch foray forward for Fremantle almost caused yet another boilover in Round 14, however Walters’ shot from 25 metres out was sprayed to the left, leaving the Cats to revel in a season-defining victory.
Jon boy
Guest
Tough Gig
Jon boy
Guest
Grey replaced The undisciplined Ballantyne when he is fit should come straight back in Langdon should take H,bees place after costing us the game with that 12 point turn around But Soft Ross has forgiven him in the Past Numerous Times, for his Stupidity, ,,,,,,, Ross Has been Quoted on more than2 occasions "Hayden is Sorry He Knows he has let the team down and he is working on Regaining The trust of the players""
Don Freo
Guest
He has needed Crozier up forward to cover for Ballas. Now that Ballas is back, he has flexibility.
Jon boy
Guest
Crozier Was brilliant for 6 games last year off half back better proposition than Sutcliffe or Sheridan Why Ross Has not is another Question for him Bond has closed down all Questions which is shameful to Members and Supportes
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Crozier's performance when he came back into the side this season was like he was sending a message that he belongs there permanently. Across the rounds since then, however, his rate has slowly but steadily dropped. Maybe he needs a dumping every 4 weeks to keep the endeavour up.
Jon boy
Guest
Don is right Johnno Has been Really Good.........Avely you are right to he showed BIg sign's of being past it against cats he is 33 and has broken down about this time past 2 years Last Year been a great servant Rebuilding
Don Freo
Guest
I'm talking about out for a season or half a season. You are crying about half a game...and you had 19 fit players when you can only have 18 on the field. Only one of those injured players was any good. It was a non-factor. Here's a challenge. See if you can make one post this season that speaks positively about something.
Don Freo
Guest
Johnno's been fantastic.
Mattician6x6
Guest
How long have you been waiting to use that stat??
Cat
Roar Guru
Oversell Don? How many times have you brought up injuries as an excuse for Freo's tank job last year? You are one comical poster.
Docker@Aveley
Guest
Don - I'd get rid of Crosier, Sheridan and Sutcliffe straight away. Lee Spurr's gotta go too. And unfortunately, Michael Johnson is showing signs that he's past it.
Cat
Roar Guru
Must not be very many good teams than because only 31% of teams coming off a bye have won since 2008.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Ouch, just keep polishing that poo cat. Good teams win week after bye bad teams lose then blame bye for result.
Cat
Roar Guru
Good teams find ways to win even when they play poorly. Bad teams make excuses – like plane flights.
rusty
Roar Rookie
I couldn't believe how bad Geelong were but they still won. The first half it was like watching 17 v 18.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Darcy*
Don Freo
Guest
I agree on Pearce and Apeness for next season. I'd also say that Collins is not out of form in any way and would never disappoint if he gets a game. A classier, stronger version of Silvagni. Apeness could be anything. But this season, Spurr will not defend his small forwards. He flies in packs and the spilled ball goes to his opponent. I think he needs to play higher. Just too loose down back. Crozier fades. Could be a good trade for a come home West Aussie. I'd love Fasolo or Paparone under Rossie's coaching...for Crozier.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Bit harsh on Crozier and Spurr, Don. The big in for me next season will be Alex Pearce. Hopefully Collins regains form by then too and we're looking at a strong back line we can build off. Up forward, Apeness has the potential to be a strong full forward target. McCarthy can continue to grow into a Riewoldt/Franklin type mould - dominant forward with good work up in the midfield. Well... a man can dream! Great debut by Cox.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Gee I'm glad I'm not a Freo supporter, The perennial disappointers.
Don Freo
Guest
The fine is wrong. It is another acting sham. Look at the replay. You still can't cite the other 2, can you? You know why? They didn't happen? He set up Freo's performance. They are so much better with Ballas back. Kicked 2 goals, set up two more. You eastern states fans seem to know nothing about Freo.