JIMMY Bartel has kicked a goal in the final minute to sink North Melbourne and hand Geelong its second comeback win in a row at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Cats trailed by as much as 41 points during the second quarter, but booted 11 goals to four after half-time to win by four points, 16.16 (112) to 17.6 (108).

Bartel's winning goal came after he was pushed in the back by Kangaroos defender Nathan Grima 40 metres out from goal, and then received a 50-metre penalty when Michael Firrito kicked the ball away, putting him on the goal-line.

Geelong is now 2-0 after two rounds, after overcoming a five-goal deficit to beat Hawthorn last week.

The loss will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Kangaroos and their coach Brad Scott, after they sped out of the blocks, dominating possession and piling on 12 first-half goals.

But the Cats lifted after the main break, cutting the deficit to nine points by three-quarter time and then controlling play in the final term.
In the end, the winning margin should have been greater, with Geelong booting 3.8 in the fourth quarter.

Big man Tom Hawkins and zippy small Allen Christensen each kicked three goals for Geelong, with Paul Chapman and Steven Motlop adding two apiece.

Chapman was one of the Cats' better players, although both he and Motlop were among those who were wasteful in front of goal as the Cats pressed for victory.

Joel Selwood and James Kelly were prolific through the middle of the ground for the winners, while veterans Corey Enright and Joel Corey were both important.

Subbed on in the third quarter, Mathew Stokes made the most of his limited time on the ground, collecting 16 disposals in an impactful burst.

Small forward Lindsay Thomas booted five goals for North Melbourne in a dynamic display, with Drew Petrie booting four, all in the first half.

The Kangaroos gained great service from Andrew Swallow and Ryan Bastinac who each had a game-high 29 disposals. Swallow also had 11 clearances.

Defender Nathan Grima was another of North's better players, restricting James Podsiadly to just one goal while collecting plenty of the football himself.

The Kangaroos are now winless after two rounds, and face 2012 premiers the Sydney Swans next week.

The game also featured the rare sight of steady rain falling on the Etihad Stadium surface, with the roof being left open for the clash.

GEELONG                                4.0       6.4       13.8     16.16 (112)                                
NORTH MELBOURNE            7.1       12.3     15.5     17.6 (108)

GOALS
Geelong: Christensen 3, Hawkins 3, Chapman 2, Motlop 2, Selwood, Podsiadly, Lonergan, Duncan, Caddy, Bartel
North Melbourne: Thomas 5, Petrie 4, Tarrant 2, Bastinac, Mullett, Atley, Anthony, Adams, Wells

BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Christensen, Enright, Chapman, Kelly
North Melbourne:  Swallow, Bastinac, Grima, Thomas, Petrie, Ziebell,

INJURIES
Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Mathew Stokes replaced Mitch Brown in the 3rd quarter
North Melbourne: Ben Jacobs replaced Kieran Harper in the 3rd quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Nicholls, Findlay