In the build up to Geelong’s blockbuster clash with Brisbane on Saturday afternoon, we take a look back at some iconic Preliminary Final moments in Geelong Football Club history.
Today we revisit a memorable moment from the 2007 Preliminary Final, a classic goal from a familiar figure that set the Cats on a path to break their 44 year Premiership drought.
Geelong had been on a warpath throughout the 2007 season, winning 16 of their last 17 regular season games while securing the minor premiership in round 19.
With ten wins by 50 points or more, the Cats ‘play on at all costs’ style had taken the league by storm while carrying plenty of momentum heading into September.
Geelong continued their winning ways into the postseason, securing a thumping 106-point win over North Melbourne in the Qualifying Final to set up a Preliminary Final blockbuster against Collingwood.
In front of a packed MCG crowd, the Cats and Magpies traded blows all night with numerous lead changes and a game high margin of just 18-points.
Deep into the final quarter the two teams still could not be separated, with an Alan Didak goal trimming the Cats lead to just five points with less than nine minutes on the clock.
What followed was one of the most iconic moments in Geelong Football Club history, when the Cats forced a stoppage deep inside their forward 50.
Some swift ruckwork from Brad Ottens palmed the ball down into the path of Gary Ablett Junior who collected the footy, shrugged a tackle and curled home a sensational goal to give Geelong some breathing room.
Just as iconic was the call from the great Dennis Cometti: “Cometh the moment, cometh the man…… the son of the man.”
It proved to be Geelong’s last score of the game as they held on to secure a five-point win, setting up a Grand Final berth against Port Adelaide the following week.
