TonyK
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoClassy Cats destroy Dees
August 8th 2008 12:24
GEELONG has strengthened its grip on top spot with a 116-point demolition of Melbourne at the MCG on Friday night.
The Cats set up their 18th win of the season with a dominant opening term before cruising to a convincing 24.13 (157) to 5.11 (41) victory.
Geelong's win means they need just one more victory from the remaining three rounds to secure the minor premiership.
They could achieve that this weekend if the second-placed Western Bulldogs and third-placed Hawks both lose.
Geelong controlled the midfield, racking up a VFL/AFL record 470 disposals. Andrew Mackie, Brent Prismall, Joel Corey, Joel Selwood, Cameron Ling and Corey Enright were all prolific, collecting 30-plus possessions.
The Cats had 12 individual goalkickers for the match - Mathew Stokes and Tom Lonergan the most effective with four each.
For Melbourne, Matthew Whelan played a lone hand in defence, racking up a team-high 31 possessions while youngsters Shane Valenti, Addam Maric and Stefan Martin tried hard all night.
A contender for goal-of-the year in the final term from Paul Johnson was the only bright spot for the Demons in a disappointing end to a week in which the club raised more than $2 million.
Melbourne failed to fire a shot in the first term and weren't helped by their unwillingness to man up, poor use of the football and poor decision making.
The Cats meanwhile made it look easy, moving the football cleanly through the middle as they slammed on the first 11 goals of the match to effectively end the contest.
Geelong's dominance was underlined by the fact that Melbourne didn't get on the scoreboard until about ten minutes into the second quarter when Josh Hunt rushed a behind.
The first score from a Demon did not come until eight minutes later when Brad Green, courtesy of a 50-metre penalty, kicked a behind.
Melbourne avoided the humiliation of not scoring a goal in the first half thanks to Austin Wonaeamirri, who kicked truly at the 24-minute mark of the second term.
The Cats didn't take their foot of the pedal in the third term, slamming on seven goals to one before booting a further five majors in the final stanza to cap off another impressive win.
MELBOURNE: 0.0, 1.3, 2.6, 5.11 (41)
GEELONG: 8.5, 12.7, 19.10, 24.13 (157)
GOALS: Melbourne: Valenti 2, C. Johnson, P. Johnson, Wonaeamirri
Geelong: Lonergan 4, Stokes 4, Prismall 3, G. Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Ling 2, Mackie 2, Blake, Gamble, S. Johnson, Mooney, Selwood
BEST: Melbourne: Whelan, Wheatley, Maric, Martin
Geelong: Mackie, Ling, Selwood, Corey, Scarlett, Prismall
INJURIES: Melbourne: McDonald (wrist), Wonaemirri (ankle)
Geelong: Blake (elbow)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Jamar (Melbourne) replaced in selected side by White
UMPIRES: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan
CROWD: 34,610 at the MCG
The Cats set up their 18th win of the season with a dominant opening term before cruising to a convincing 24.13 (157) to 5.11 (41) victory.
Geelong's win means they need just one more victory from the remaining three rounds to secure the minor premiership.
They could achieve that this weekend if the second-placed Western Bulldogs and third-placed Hawks both lose.
Geelong controlled the midfield, racking up a VFL/AFL record 470 disposals. Andrew Mackie, Brent Prismall, Joel Corey, Joel Selwood, Cameron Ling and Corey Enright were all prolific, collecting 30-plus possessions.
The Cats had 12 individual goalkickers for the match - Mathew Stokes and Tom Lonergan the most effective with four each.
For Melbourne, Matthew Whelan played a lone hand in defence, racking up a team-high 31 possessions while youngsters Shane Valenti, Addam Maric and Stefan Martin tried hard all night.
A contender for goal-of-the year in the final term from Paul Johnson was the only bright spot for the Demons in a disappointing end to a week in which the club raised more than $2 million.
Melbourne failed to fire a shot in the first term and weren't helped by their unwillingness to man up, poor use of the football and poor decision making.
The Cats meanwhile made it look easy, moving the football cleanly through the middle as they slammed on the first 11 goals of the match to effectively end the contest.
Geelong's dominance was underlined by the fact that Melbourne didn't get on the scoreboard until about ten minutes into the second quarter when Josh Hunt rushed a behind.
Melbourne avoided the humiliation of not scoring a goal in the first half thanks to Austin Wonaeamirri, who kicked truly at the 24-minute mark of the second term.
The Cats didn't take their foot of the pedal in the third term, slamming on seven goals to one before booting a further five majors in the final stanza to cap off another impressive win.
MELBOURNE: 0.0, 1.3, 2.6, 5.11 (41)
GEELONG: 8.5, 12.7, 19.10, 24.13 (157)
GOALS: Melbourne: Valenti 2, C. Johnson, P. Johnson, Wonaeamirri
Geelong: Lonergan 4, Stokes 4, Prismall 3, G. Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Ling 2, Mackie 2, Blake, Gamble, S. Johnson, Mooney, Selwood
BEST: Melbourne: Whelan, Wheatley, Maric, Martin
Geelong: Mackie, Ling, Selwood, Corey, Scarlett, Prismall
INJURIES: Melbourne: McDonald (wrist), Wonaemirri (ankle)
Geelong: Blake (elbow)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Jamar (Melbourne) replaced in selected side by White
UMPIRES: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan
CROWD: 34,610 at the MCG
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