“He’s missed it!” a man a few rows back yelled with glee.
What happened next was unforgettable.
Jumping for joy belting out We Are Geelong, there were endless high fives.
Then the hugging began.
Unable to hide their excitement, happiness and raw emotion, grown men, women and children who’d never met before grabbed each other for a special hug.
It’s amazing how football makes us do strange things we wouldn’t normally do in day-to-day life.
I was embracing people I’d never laid eyes on, but as long as they were wearing blue and white – I didn’t care.
I couldn’t help but think being a fan of a football club is like being a member of one big family, especially if you barrack for the Cats.
The last time I experienced scenes like Friday night was another famous two-point victory over Hawthorn.
It was round 19, 2012 when Tom Hawkins continued the Kennett-curse, kicking an incredible long-range goal on the siren to make it nine straight wins against our arch-rival.
Friday night’s victory was even sweeter, not just because it propelled us into a Preliminary final, but because Hawthorn dictated play for the majority of the match.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson is a mastermind.
The ‘keepings off’ style game plan he’s developed plays to the Hawks exceptional kicking skills and pin-point passing but it’s extremely frustrating to watch if you’re not wearing brown and gold.
Their chip, chip, chipping, sideways and backwards starved the Cats of opportunities with the ball, and for the bulk of the match Geelong played right into their hands.
Luckily coach Chris Scott shuffled some magnets on his board and dared his stars to take some risks and it paid off big time.
With some inspirational smothers and tackles the Cats broke the shackles and wrestled the game back onto their terms and it was refreshing to watch.
Joel Selwood and Paddy Dangerfield once again starred but it was Cameron Guthrie and Linc McCarthy who really caught my eye, they were willing to take the game on when it really mattered.
As for the way it ended - I love Isaac Smith as a player and as a mate but this week I’ve heard a lot of people say how sorry they feel for him missing what could have been the match-winner.
You have to remember Smithy has won the last three premierships – he’s doing okay.
So with the weekend off, our attention now turns to Friday week’s preliminary final.
It’s hard to decide which team we’d prefer to play, Sydney or Adelaide.
We’ve beaten the Crows twice this year, whereas we lost to the Swans at home.
Personally I’d prefer to play Adelaide with the whole Dangerfield factor, but at least we know both sides will have to travel interstate to the mighty MCG, which is a massive advantage for Geelong.
Bring on the Prelim.
Go Cats!
Sean Sowerby
Channel 7 News Weekend Sports Presenter/Reporter
Proud Geelong FC Member
