The 2011 season has officially finished for the Geelong VFL side after the side recorded one it’s most memorable victories. At one stage during the 3rd quarter the Cats trailed the Sandringham Zebras by 45 points and a season-ending massacre looked on the cards - but the young Cats unit that has come so far in season 2011 had other ideas. Kicking to the Doug Wade stand end in the final quarter, the VFL Cats kicked 8 goals to 1 and held on to win a tight finish by 4 points - 19-10-(124) to 18-12-(120) much to the delight of the crowd that had come early.

The victory was an ever more incredible effort when you consider that the home side went into the final quarter with an injury cloud over a number of players. Taylor Hunt (corked buttock) was finished for the day; Ryan Bathie (elbow) was heavily restricted, while Mark Corrigan (ankle) Jessie Stringer (illness) were both told to play out of the goal square.

Despite the quiet and somewhat scrapping first half the Cats had a number of standout contributors throughout the day. Jonathan Simpkin (34 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals) finished off his superb season with another eye catching performance. He was well supported in the midfield by Simon Hogan (30 disposals, 9 clearances), Joshua Cowan (26 disposals, 2 goals) and Steven Motlop (21 disposals). The quality of the VFL listed players once again shone through with co-captains Matthew Firman (25 disposals, 7 marks) and Troy Selwood (26 disposals, 7 tackles) leading from the front. They were joined by Jaxson Barham (21 disposals, 1 goal) and Lara pocket rocket Jack Shannahan (25 disposals, 3 goals) who has been a revelation in his 3 matches last in the season.

At the start of the day, the St Kilda aligned Zebras were still a chance of stealing the final finals position, while the Cats were keen to finish on a positive note in front of an adoring home crowd. First year recruit George Burbury (15 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles) put through the opening goal of the game through some clever crumbing and got the Cats out to an early lead. The Cats continued to waste valuable opportunities and eventually the tide turned in favour of the visitors with goals to Paul Cahill, Marcus Marigliani and Michael Lourey swinging the momentum back in favour of the Zebras going into the first change.

As the AFL crowd started to make their way into Skilled Stadium, the atmosphere and the skill level began to lift as the two sides when goal for goal in a fifteen minute burst that had everyone entertained. Josh Cowan and Steven Motlop were continuing to exert their influence on the contest, while the highly anticipated ruck battle between Dawson Simpson (13 disposals, 3 marks, 44 hit outs) and premiership player Michael Gardiner was living up to expectation, with both big men taking in turns to deliver first use to their respective midfields. With the game in the balance nearing the main break, it was big man Dawson Simpson who stood up to take an important contested mark in the goal square and kick truly to give the Cats a crucial three point buffer at the main break.

Both teams had a lot to play for in the third quarter, but the Zebras seemed to be far more desperate as they smashed the home team in contested ball and kicked the first 5 goals of the quarter. With only one fit player on the bench, many people in the stands thought they were about to witness the cats worst loss of the 2011 season. The Zebras kicked another 5 goals for the remainder of the quarter and all of sudden it seemed like finals were a possibility for them. Cats rookie listed forward Ben Johnson (15 disposals, 2 marks, 2 goals) kicked a goal on the 3 quarter time siren to bring the margin back to 37 points at the break.

While many people may have been thinking the VFL Cats would come out and play for pride in the final quarter - the team had other ideas - they were after the win.

The Cats kicked the opening goal of the final term through Ben Johnson and all of a sudden the Cats seemed to have all the run. Simon Hogan, Jonathan Simpkin, Joshua Cowan and Steven Motlop assumed control throughout the midfield and they started to run in waves. Matthew Firman and Troy Selwood were leading from the front and putting their bodies on the line at every opportunity. Goals in concession to Cowan, Stringer, Motlop, Simpkin and VFL veteran Jackson Hollmer dragged the margin back to an amazing six points, with the atmosphere at fever pitch as the home crowd knew they were about to witness something special. An incredible opportunistic goal from half forward Shanahan brought the game back on level terms before Simpkin (34 disposals, 2 goals) kicked a superb right foot drop punt from fifty metres to incredibly put the Cats six points in front, with only five minutes remaining. The final five minutes then became a tight arm wrestle as both sides looked to break the spirit of the other. The Zebras mustered up one final shot on goal but could only register a behind. One minute later - the Cats had achieved what looked almost impossible and recorded one of the team’s most memorable victories for some time.

The efforts of injured trio Mark Corrigan, Ryan Bathie and Jesse Stringer to not only provide the home side with extra rotations but also provide dangerous forward targets, demonstrated the commitment and wonderful spirit of the group.

After the game coach Dale Amos thanked all his players and staff for showing so much character in the second half of the year and spoke of his excitement for the future.

While a number of young AFL listed players will continue to train with the AFL finals squad and a number of VFL listed players will have GFL finals to look forward to, the season is over for the rest of the group.

The Cats would like to thank all those wonderful Cats supporters all have provided fantastic support all around the VFL circuit throughout the 2011 season. Everyone involved is excited by what lies ahead for the young players within this group.

Geelong Cats 19-10-(124)
Sandringham Zebras 18-12-(120)
Goals: Shannahan 3, Corrigan, B.Johnson, Cowan, Simpkin 2, Motlop, Firman, Phillips, Stringer, Simpson, Burbury, Hollmer, Barham 1
Best: Cowan, Simpkin, Guthrie, Hogan, Firman, T.Hunt.