As part of our celebrations for Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, we take a look back at some incredible highlights from Geelong’s Indigenous stars.
That Travis Varcoe goal
2011 Grand Final vs Collingwood
After kicking the first two goals of the 2011 decider, Travis Varcoe was already proving to be one of the Cats’ most influential players in a tight contest. But it was his final goal, with 15 minutes left in the final term that will go down in history. After flying for a mark in defence, Varcoe ran the length of the field to kick a left foot snap goal that helped ice the game for Geelong.
That Lesser Known Travis Varcoe goal
2010 Qualifying Final vs St Kilda
Considering this goal came in a final which the Cats lost, it is understandable that fans may have forgotten it as one of Varcoe’s best. Crumbing a spoiled Tom Hawkins mark in the pocket, Varcoe had a shot from the tightest of angles. With a St Kilda defender attempting a smother, Varcoe kept the shot low and even though the ball was spinning the wrong way, managed to sneak it in. The term impossible angle gets thrown around a lot in football but Varcoe made the impossible look easy.
Ronnie Burns’ Baffling Banana
Round 2, 2000 vs St Kilda
Unnecessary. Unlikely. Unbelievable. In the paddock of space that was the Kardinia Park pocket in 2000, Ronnie Burns kicked a miraculous goal. Burns probably had time to straighten up for a drop punt or even run into an open goal, but then we wouldn’t have been blessed with this incredible highlight. One of his three goals for the match, Burns’ checkside banana brought the home crowd to their feet in the Cats’ big win.
Nakia Cockatoo’s Solo Snag
Round 1, 2017 vs Fremantle
After a 2016 season marred by injury, the jury was out on Nakia Cockatoo, but this Goal of the Year contender in round one of the 2017 season silenced some critics. An incredible piece of individual play that highlights Cockatoo’s brilliance and will have Cats fans hoping for a speedy return for the midfielder in 2019.
Allen Christensen’s Gutsy Grab
2011 Grand Final vs Collingwood
Another great moment from one of the great grand finals. Late in the third term of the 2011 decider, a wayward Josh Hunt kick hugged the boundary with Collingwood’s Heath Shaw best placed to take the mark and teammate Alan Toovey not far behind him. Both players flew, but so did the young Allen Christensen. Sandwiched between the two Magpies, Christensen somehow pulled down the mark of the day. His subsequent kick started a chain of possessions that resulted in Tom Hawkins’ third goal of the match.
Tim Kelly Superb Sealer
Round 16, 2018 vs Sydney
In a must-win game late last year, the Cats were holding onto a slender last quarter lead against the Swans. With the SCG crowd at their loudest and less than four minutes on the clock, first-year Cat Tim Kelly silenced the fans with a remarkable snap to put the Cats two goals ahead. The Sydney faithful on the receiving end of his passionate celebration were less than impressed.
