1. Round 15, 2014, Etihad Stadium:
Geelong 13.11 (89) def Essendon 11.14 (80)
Stung by their loss to Gold Coast the week before, Chris Scott's burst out of the blocks and led by five goals midway through the second quarter. Mark Thompson's Essendon side then hit back, kicking five goals to two in the third quarter and snatching a four-point lead at the final change. But Geelong had the better of a classic last quarter, with Mitch Duncan and Steven Motlop both kicking two brilliant goals as the Cats continued their recent domination over the Bombers. It meant the Geelong boys were able to celebrate a win in their first match against former teammate Paul Chapman.
2. Round 2, 2008, Etihad Stadium:
Geelong 22.18 (150) def Essendon 6.15 (51)
The Cats were at their peak, and they simply destroyed the Bombers, who were in their first season under the coaching of Matthew Knights. Geelong was 51 points up at half-time, and the Cats went on with the job, running out 99-point winners. Jimmy Bartel finished with 38 disposals and two goals, while Gary Ablett Jnr racked up 34 touches and two goals. Cameron Ling (31 disposals and a goal) was another star, as wwere Mathew Stokes (31 touches and two goals) and Joel Corey (30 touches and two goals).
Cameron Ling kicks the ball out of a pack during the round two game in 2008. (AFL Photos)
3. Round 22, 1998, MCG:
Geelong 19.13 (127) def Essendon 18.9 (117)
The Gary Ayres-coached Cats were out of finals contention, while the Kevin Sheedy-led Bombers needed to win to assure themselves of a spot in the top eight. Geelong made a few changes at the selection table in the lead-up, with Matthew Scarlett picked to make his debut. It was an entertaining and high-scoring affair from the outset, and both teams went on the attack at every opportunity. Essendon held a narrow lead at each of the first three changes, but the Cats dug deep when it mattered most, kicking five goals to three in the last quarter and snatching a 10-point win. Paul Lynch was the hero with five goals.
Cats great Cameron Mooney will look back at this match in our next episode of Thirsty Camel Throwback Thursdays.
Matthew Scarlett in action in his debut game in round 22, 1998. (AFL Photos)
4. Round 6, 1993, MCG:
Geelong 19.18 (132) def by Essendon 23.18 (156)
This was the famous game when Gary Ablett Snr finished with 14 goals yet the Cats were beaten. Ablett's stats were extraordinary: 25 disposals, 12 marks, 14 goals and seven behinds. But the Bombers made off with the four premiership points thanks largely to Paul Salmon's 10 goals and Joe Misiti's brilliant work in the midfield.
5. Preliminary final, 1989, Waverley Park:
Geelong 24.20 (164) def Essendon 10.10 (70)
The teams had met in a qualifying final two weeks before, and the Bombers had won that one in a canter. But the roles were reversed this time around. With Gary Ablett Snr on fire up forward, the Cats were 50 points up by half-time and went on to win by 94, sealing their first Grand Final appearance since 1967. Ablett finished with eight goals, while Bill Brownless kicked four and Barry Stoneham three.
Gary Ablett Snr in action against Essendon in 1989. (AFL Photos)
