The highly anticipated round one blockbuster clash between Geelong and Williamstown lived up to all expectations, with the Cats taking an eight point win against the Seagulls in a hard fought encounter at Torquay’s Spring Creek Reserve on Sunday, Geelong 12.16 (88) def Williamstown 11.14 (80).

The excitement of a first round encounter between the reigning premiers, the Bendigo Bank Cats, and a Williamstown side tipped to have a proper tilt at the Finals had fans turn out in their thousands.

Prior to the game the crowd had the chance to cheer on the Cats during the unfurling of the 2012 premiership flag in honour of Geelong’s triumph.

Along with the unfurling of the flag the Cats brought with them some heroes of their Premiership side, naming Josh Walker, Jordan Schroder and Mitch Brown in their first hit-outs with the clubs VFL side for the year after strong campaigns in the NAB cup- as well as the surprise inclusion of AFL star Joel Corey.

Brown and Corey stared for the Cats with Brown holding down the fort in defence on his way to a massively impressive 34 disposals and 11 marks. Corey demonstrated his abilities across the ground, pushing forward or back into defence from the midfield as required. His 28 disposals, 9 marks, 8 tackles and the Cats opening goal stamped a solid authority from the opening bounce.

Williamstown held their ground against the premiers throughout the game, at times taking control and dictating terms before the Cats would inevitably respond. The first quarter was so hotly contested it took twenty minutes for the first goal to be scored.

By half time the Cats had worked up an eight point lead thanks to gutsy efforts from Brown and Sully in defence, Walker up forward and Gibbs, Corrigan, Gleeson and Raidme across the ground. Walker was taken off the ground in the third quarter after taking a direct hit which injured his right shoulder.

The Cats kicked away with the wind advantage in the third despite the loss of Walker, which also had the flow on effect of forcing Andrew Banjanin to shoulder the ruck duty virtually single-handedly.  Ben Raidme’s two goals bookended the quarter for the Cats, his first coming in the first ninety seconds. His second came lofting in from beyond the 50m arc to just clear the fingertips of the Williamstown defence after the three quarter time siren, giving the Cats a 23 point lead.  

The final term was a struggle of epic proportions, the scoreboard seesawing back and forth as both sides wrestled for control. Williamstown came home strong with the wind and steadily whittled down the Cats lead. The final minutes became tense as both sides pushed for that winning edge, and the Cats were steadied by none other than Dom Gleeson, who dispossessed the Williamstown defence allowing Schroder to score and minutes later threw himself into the fray to break the pack and kick one for himself.

The eight point win was a great relief to coach Mathew Knights.

“The group only really came together on Saturday for our last training session.” he said.

“A lot of our VFL have played together in the pre season, but it was the first time I guess that guys like Schroder, Thurlow and Brown have been with the group this year after playing NAB cup footy,”

“So to bring the group together and to achieve a win against what everyone believes will be a very good team this year as one of the flag favourites... is a very good achievement."

The victory was a credit to the entire team according to Knights.

“Whether they be Dane MacFarlane or Daniel Measures or Piers Flanagan playing their first game or Joel Corey at the top end of the experience tree with Dom (Gleeson) and Troy (Selwood) we were happy to get the result and do it in a way that we were pleased with the way they played their footy.” he said.

Possibly the only sour note of the day was injuries to Josh Walker and Tom Maas. Maas came off with a hamstring complaint, while a savage hit on Walker in the third quarter sidelined the big man.

“With Maasy we have to assess at what level his hamstring is, but we expect he may miss three or four weeks,” said a thoughtful Knights.

“Josh is a bit different, we have to assess him tomorrow with the medical staff and see what level that shoulder is at,”

“He was involved in a few heavy contests, one in the first thirty seconds of the game. Such a courageous footballer and I think that’s what we all admire in him so let’s hope he gets back sooner rather than later."

The Cats enjoy a week off to recuperate during the split round, and face Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval on the 14th of April at 2pm.

Geelong 12.16 (88) def Williamstown 11.14 (80).
Goals: Schroder, Hollmer, Hamling, Raidme 2, Corey, Thurlow, Measures, Gleeson
Best: Brown, Corey, Raidme, Corrigan, Gleeson, Eardley
Injuries: Maas (Hamstring), Walker (Shoulder)
@ Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay.