FROM a night of celebration to a night to forget and back again, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood will never forget the night he broke Stephen Kernahan's long-standing record after the Cats overcame a 30-point three-quarter time deficit to record a famous win on Saturday night.
The 33-year-old had been the focus of the week ahead of his 227th game as Cats skipper, moving past the Carlton legend after starting the season level with triple Brownlow Medallist Dick Reynolds.
That record may never be broken, but things were almost broken for Chris Scott's side on Saturday night.
Geelong conceded nine goals in the third quarter – five in a five-minute patch – and stared a 1-2 start in the eyes before booting the final seven goals of the game to win by 13 points and celebrate one of the greatest players to ever wear the famous hoops in dramatic style.
And while it was Selwood's night to savour, Jeremy Cameron produced his best performance since arriving at GMHBA Stadium at the end of 2020.
The Coleman Medal winner kicked three final-quarter goals when the Cats needed them, finishing with six goals – the most he has booted in a game for Geelong – from nine marks in a stunning performance.
Just when Craig McRae appeared set to make it three from three – and three 100+ scores to start a new era at Collingwood in style – Scott's men turned the game on its head in the final 30 minutes to win 16.8 (104) to 13.13 (91).
In an incredible game that saw both sides dominate large chunks of the contest, Collingwood had no answers for the Cats in the fourth quarter.
A special moment for a special person 💙#AFLPiesCats #GeelongStrong pic.twitter.com/4wvS36eJ4z
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) April 2, 2022
Geelong's other star key forward – Tom Hawkins – put the icing on the cake in the dying seconds, ensuring Selwood's milestone was a night to remember for the right reasons.
Selwood has now won every milestone, from 50 games to 300, and now on the night where he became the longest-serving skipper in the history of the game.
COLLINGWOOD 3.7 4.11 13.12 13.13 (91)
GEELONG 2.3 6.4 9.6 16.8 (104)
GOALS
Collingwood: Mihocek 2, Cameron 2, Elliott 2, N.Daicos, J.Daicos, De Goey, Ginnivan, Henry, Howe, Lipinski
Geelong: Cameron 6, Hawkins 3, Blicavs, Close, Dangerfield, Duncan, Holmes, Parfitt, Smith
BEST
Collingwood: Elliott, Adams, N.Daicos, Crisp, Quaynor
Geelong: Cameron, Stewart, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Holmes
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Geelong: Blicavs (ribs), Ratugolea (ankle)
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Brown (unused)
Geelong: Dahlhaus (replaced Ratugolea in fourth quarter)
Crowd: 52,974 at the MCG