The VFL Cats have been defeated by Carlton in the penultimate round of the home and away season, with a last quarter flurry seeing the Blues boot the final six goals of the game to close out a 23 point win. 

Geelong were in front for nearly the entire day, relinquishing the lead for the first time at the 19 minute mark of the final quarter before Carlton put the foot down late.

Mitch Hardie (35 disposals & seven clearances) and Mitch Knevitt (31 disposals & two goals) both performed brilliantly for the Cats, while Marcus Herbert (31 disposals) again found plenty of the footy.

Knevitt was in blistering form in the opening quarter, booting two goals and collecting 13 disposals as the Cats jumped out to a 10 point lead at the first break. 

Geelong extended the margin in the second term with another four majors, taking a 19 point lead into half time. 

The Cats were dominant around the ground in the first half leading inside 50's (29-14), clearances (22-19) and marks (55-34). 

Phoenix Foster provided some terrific moments in the second quarter with a pair of goals, while Kade Chalcraft and Patrick Hughes also impacted the scoreboard prior to the main break. 

Knevitt (19 disposasls & two goals) finished off a strong opening half, while Mitch Hardie (19 disposals & six clearances) and Jhye Clark (16 disposals) were both instrumental through the middle. 

Foster provided another spark after half time booting his third goal of the game, but Carlton ratcheted up the pressure and closed the gap to just eight points heading into the final break. 

With the game in the balance early in the last quarter, Tanner Lovell snapped home a brilliant goal to give the Cats some breathing room. 

But from there it was all Carlton, as they booted the final six goals of the contest to run away with the 23 point win. 

The Cats will finish their home and away season next week with a clash against Sandringham, looking to secure their place in the top four heading into September. 

VFL Round 20

GEELONG     4.4     8.8    10.11    11.12     (78)
CARLTON     3.0      6.1     10.3     16.5     (101)

GOALS: Foster 3, Knevitt, Lovell 2, Clohesy, Chalcraft, Hughes, Antonac 1

DISPOSALS: Hardie 35, Knevitt, Herbert 31, Stevens, Lovell 24

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong