A heavily depleted VFL Geelong team travelled to TEAC Oval on Saturday to take on the top of the table, undefeated Port Melbourne outfit that oozed plenty of ex-AFL talent. The inexperienced Cats went into the contest missing Mitch Brown, Allen Christensen, Shannon Byrnes, Steven Motlop, Tom Gillies, and Dawson Simpson from last weeks gripping five point loss to the Northern Bullants. All were called up to the senior AFL team and delivered polished performances.

The Cats first quarters have been a concern of late for Dale Amos and his assistants, however not on this occasion, as the undermanned Cats came out with the first three goals of the game to Cameron Mooney, Tom Maas and Gareth Phillips to leave the small but vocal home crowd stunned. Simon Hogan was everywhere in the first quarter. His ten disposals for the term were instrumental in the early lead, whilst Jonathon Simpkin swooped around the forward flank in an ominous way. Two late goals to Nathan Batsanis and crafty forward Patrick Rose reduced the margin to six points at the quarter time break.

With the breeze whipping up early in the second term it was always going to be difficult for Geelong to stay in the contest against the well drilled Boroughs game style. The game continued to be a contested battle early in the term as both teams hit the ball with the sort of vigour and intensity you would expect from a top of the table contest. A costly turnover from Anthony Biemans gave the highly skilled Chris Caine the first of his three majors for the quarter. The sheer size and football smarts of premiership Cat Cameron Mooney set up the next two goals. The first was brilliant one hander in the goal square and then he was able to back that up with a sizzling kick to Jack Hollmer on the lead. Hollmer then finished with a nice goal into the breeze. With the game all tied up, a few costly turnovers from the Cats allowed the Port Melbourne to skip away with goals to Caine and another on the siren to Rose which pushed the margin out to 12 points at the main break. Hogan continued his strangle hold in the midfield with 15 disposals for the half whilst hard-nosed midfielder Mark Corrigan looked sharp with 14 disposals and three marks.

The third term turned out to be the turning point in the previously tight contest. A determined Port Melbourne came out and put the young Cats to the sword, slotting 6 goals to 3 for the term. The work of Sam Pleming, Nathan Batsanis and Liston Trophy winner Shane Valenti for the home team would have Garry Ayers breathing a sigh of relief whilst the smart work of forwards David Galea and Rose were proving a handful for the undermanned Geelong defence. In the final minutes of the quarter the margin sat at 42 points but some late fight from the visitors gave the contest a heart beat as goals to Hogan and Mooney on the siren kept them within arms reach. Mark Corrigan continued winning the contested footy whilst Andrew McLean, Troy Selwood, and Anthony Biemans fought hard in defence to restrict the rampaging Borough outfit.

If an upset was to occur the Bendigo Bank Geelong Cats needed a quick start and that unfortunately wasn’t the case, as the locals put through the first four goals of the last quarter to kill off the contest and cement their 12th win of the season. Five goals a piece to key forwards David Galea and Patrick Rose whilst at the other end veteran Cameron Mooney booted four as his comeback to AFL took more positive steps. Amazingly the Cats won the inside 50 count for the day with 49 to the Boroughs 47 but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities. Simon Hogan’s comeback had Geelong Football Manager Neil Balme and Senior Coach Chris Scott grinning from ear to ear.

Whilst the Bendigo Bank Cats sit second last on the ladder, their effort and intensity over the past month replicate a side sitting comfortably in the top eight. They return home to Skilled Stadium next Saturday afternoon to take on the last placed Frankston Dolphins. Hopefully they continue the Cats brand of football and come away with their second win of the season.

Match kicks off at 1pm.

Geelong Cats 12-10-(82)
Port Melbourne 19-9-(123)
Goals: Mooney 4, Hogan, Weston, Hollmer, Cuthill, Corrigan, Maas, Phillips, Burbury 1
Best: Hogan, Mooney, Simpkin, Guthrie, Corrigan, Tutungi