It is a game that brings back mixed emotions for Geelong fans, but it is hard to deny what an incredible spectacle it was when the Cats and Saints met midway through the 2009 season.  

It was round 14, both teams were undefeated and sitting four games clear of third place on the ladder after a blistering start to the year.  

Only two teams had managed to get within 20 points of Geelong and St Kilda to that point of the year, setting up a blockbuster clash on a Sunday afternoon.  

Supporters were certainly aware of the occasion, with an AFL record crowd of 54,444 people packing into Marvel Stadium to see the heavyweight clash.  

Cameron Ling touched on the game on this week’s episode of Geelong Cats podcast ‘To the Final Bell.’  

“It was one of the fastest, most high intensity games I have ever played in,” Ling said. 

“I think during Covid when they started replaying a few games, I actually finally watched it and I was blown away by some of our ball movement.  

“It was off the charts, the bold craziness of it all at times and the frenetic pace.  

“I get it was a sensational game, but I am still annoyed that we didn't win that game. We know what happened later in the year, but I wanted to win both games.” 

The Saints turned it on early booting the first five goals of the game to jump the Cats, but Geelong’s champions slowly started to peg back momentum throughout the first half. 

Going goal for goal after the main break, the Cats struggled to close the margin and still trailed by 23 points nearly 13 minutes into the final quarter.  

But the game had another surprise in store, with Geelong booting five goals in 11 minutes as Mathew Stokes levelled the scores with less than five minutes on the clock. 

Unfortunately the final twist in the tale went the way of the Saints, as Michael Gardiner took a huge pack mark and kicked the game winning goal.  

To this day it is still regarded as one of the greatest home and away games of all time, but as it unfolded Geelong were able to get one back on the Saints later that year.    
 
The Cats had the last laugh in 2009, with Geelong winning their 8th premiership, defeating St Kilda by 12 points.  

ROUND 14 2009 – St Kilda v Geelong @ Marvel Stadium 

St Kilda    5.3    8.4   10.5   14.7   (91) 
Geelong   2.2    5.5    8.7    13.7   (85) 

GOALS: Ablett, Milburn, Mooney 2, Chapman, Selwood, Corey, Mackie, Stokes, Varcoe, Rooke 1 

DISPOSALS: Chapman 39, Bartel 37, Selwood, Enright 30, Ablett, Corey 27  

BROWNLOW VOTES: Michael Gardiner (3), Jimmy Bartel (2), Nick Riewoldt (1)  

CROWD: 54,444 @ Marvel Stadium (AFL Record) 

GEELONG STARTING 22 
2. Tom Harley 
3. Jimmy Bartel 
4. Andrew Mackie 
5. Travis Varcoe 
7. Harry Taylor 
9. James Kelly 
11. Joel Corey 
14. Joel Selwood 
17. Shannon Byrnes 
21. Cameron Mooney 
24. Mark Blake 
26. Tom Hawkins 
27. Mathew Stokes 
29. Gary Ablett 
30. Matthew Scarlett 
33. Max Rooke 
34. Simon Hogan 
35. Paul Chapman 
39. Darren Milburn 
41. Shane Mumford 
44. Corey Enright 
45. Cameron Ling