Matthew Scarlett, assistant coach Brendan McCartney and Tom Harley of the Cats celebrate after winning the round nine AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Essendon Bombers at the Telstra Dome May 22, 2004 in Melbourne, Australia

This week’s ‘Time Cat-sule’ takes us back two decades as we revisit an epic 2004 clash against the Bombers, with some familiar faces lighting up Marvel Stadium.

A young Cats outfit took to the Docklands in front of a near capacity crowd (51,400), for a blockbuster Saturday night clash with Essendon.

The match proved to be something of a crystal ball moment for Cats fans, with the team boasting 15 players that would go on to play in the 2007 Premiership just three years later.

The night was also a special one for two Geelong champion’s, with Matthew Scarlett and Tom Harley both celebrating their 100th AFL game against the Bombers.

04:26

Time Cat-Sule Round 9, 2004 | Kingsley Kicks 7 Under The Lid

Ahead of our clash with the Bombers, look back to this shootout under the lid at Docklands as Kent Kingsley kicked 7 goals to lead a transitioning Cats team to victory!

Geelong had started the 2004 season poorly, losing four of their opening five matches before finding some form, winning three straight games heading into the round nine clash.

Similarly, the Bombers had reeled off six consecutive wins, to set up a mouthwatering clash under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

Geelong led narrowly at every change, with the two sides trading blows for most of the night before the Cats put the foot down in the last term, booting five goals to close out a 23-point win.

Peter Riccardi was voted best on ground, collecting 21 disposals and 10 inside 50’s, while also booting an important goal in the final quarter.

Kent Kingsley was a dominate force up forward booting seven, while a young Paul Chapman showed his class with 17 possessions and three goals.

The win set the Cats up for a big 2004 season, reaching a Preliminary Final for the first time since 1995.

 

ROUND 9 2004 – Geelong v Essendon @ Marvel Stadium

GOALS: Kingsley 7, Chapman 3, Graham, Kelly 2, Haynes, Ling, Milburn, Riccardi 1

DISPOSALS: Ling 23, Kelly, Riccardi, Corey 21, Mooney 20, Chapman 17

BROWNLOW VOTES: Peter Riccardi (3), Kent Kingsley (2), Paul Chapman (1)

 

GEELONG STARTING 22 
1. Steven King 
2. Tom Harley 
4. Andrew Mackie 
7. Ben Graham 
8. David Haynes 
9. James Kelly 
10. Kane Tenace 
11. Joel Corey 
15. Peter Riccardi 
18. Kent Kingsley 
21. Cameron Mooney 
22. Henry Playfair 
29. Gary Ablett 
30. Matthew Scarlett 
32. Brent Moloney 
33. Max Rooke 
35. Paul Chapman 
39. Darren Milburn 
40. David Wojcinski 
41. Josh Hunt 
44. Corey Enright 
45. Cameron Ling