It is not very often that one team within a club wins by 100 points while another team loses by 100 points - unfortunately the Geelong Cats achieved that unwanted daily double on the weekend.

The season that promised so much hit its lowest point for the lowly Bendigo Bank Cats on the weekend, as the far superior Port Melbourne Borough flexed their considerable muscle to embarrass the VFL Cats 24-15-(159) to 8-6-(54) at TEAC Oval on Saturday afternoon. Ruckman Trent West was the only multiple goal kicker for the Cats with 2 majors.

The difference in experience and strength around the ball stood out like the proverbial sore thumb with former AFL listed players Cory McGrath (19 disposals, 8 marks, 5 goals), Shane Valenti (31 disposals, 7 marks, 5 goals), Adam Bentick (22 disposals, 6 marks), Sam Pleming (22 disposals, 8 marks) and Nathan Batsanis (24 disposals, 6 clearances, 2 goals) dominating for the Borough from the first bounce.

Standout individual performances for the Cats were few and far between with only a number of players able to walk out the turnstiles with their heads held high. First year player Allen Christensen (31 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles) shone like a beacon on a very dark and gloomy day for the VFL Cats.

As has so often been the case in season 2010 the match was played in tough conditions on a very boggy and uneven playing surface. The playing surfaces in the VFL competition have reached diabolical proportions this year with a number of grounds such as Bendigo and Casey Fields completely shutdown for periods and other venues continuing to dish up unsuitable and in some cases unsafe surfaces week after week.

The word around the traps was that Port Melbourne was to field one of its strongest line ups for the year, while the Cats were going into the match with one of its most inexperienced sides for the season. Things got much worse when the Cats lost the toss and the option to kick with the 4 goal breeze blowing towards the main entrance at the famous suburban football venue.

Kicking against the strong wind the Cats started strongly and seemed to have control of the corridor for the first half of the first quarter but they were unable to go deep inside 50 and convert on the scoreboard. The tide then began to turn dramatically with the influence of midfielders Shane Valenti, Adam Bentick and Cory McGrath. A 5 goal to nothing run including goals to McGrath, Valenti, Burge and Batsanis gave them an unassailable 37 point lead at the first change.

In need of some much needed motivation the Cats opened with quick goals to Tom Maas and Trent West reducing the margin to 31 points until a Cory McGrath inspired charge saw the Borough kick 4 quick goals in succession. Mitch Duncan tried hard from half back while Simon Hogan and Nathan Djerkurra were kept quiet in the first half. The spirited Port Melbourne faithful were in fine voice and much to be excited about when their side when into the long break with a 51 point half time advantage.

Heading back into the howling gale and against the powerful Borough outfit it was always going to be an uphill battle in the third quarter. The Cats did however open the term in positive fashion with Christensen combining with the silky skilled Steven Motlop to put through the Cats first major into the breeze and reduce the margin a paltry 8 goals. The spark was short lived however, as the highly talented Valenti went about his business, collecting possessions all over the ground and even sneaking forward to blow the scoreboard out further. Goals to Bonaddio, McGrath and Galea pushed the lead close to 100 points before some much needed forward pressure from the Cats gave the small Cats cheer squad something to smile about. Unfortunately for the inexperienced Cats the margin was an ugly 88 points with a quarter of football still to play.

The final term only provided the Cats the opportunity to gain some respect back with the game well and truly out of their reach. Key indicators early in the term showed the young Geelong side was giving it their all but the class of Valenti, McGrath and co proved too much in the end. The final margin to the delight of the Borough faithful ended at 105 points and guaranteeing the famous club a double chance come finals time.

The disappointment and embarrassment of the playing group was obvious in a very quiet and sombre change rooms after the match.

The Bendigo Bank Cats will be looking to end the season on a positive note at home when they take on the reigning back to back premiers the North Ballarat Roosters. The Cats scored one of the upsets of the season earlier this season when they defeated the VFL powerhouse by 9 points on their home deck.

The final match of the year kicks off at 1pm and all Cats members gain free entry.

To people on the outside the 2010 VFL season may appear to be an overwhelming failure for the Cats.

But that is far from the case.

The purpose of the Geelong VFL side is to provide a setting where players can learn how to play the ‘Geelong Way’ and put into practice what they are being taught on a daily basis. It is important to have players ready to play the ‘Geelong Way’ at AFL level when required.

The impressive performances of Jeremy Laidler, Daniel Menzel and Taylor Hunt in the AFL side on Saturday night are great examples of just that.

Port Melbourne 24-15-(159)
Geelong Cats 8-6-(54)
Goals: West 2, Djerrkura, Motlop, Ediriwickrama, Allwright, Rock, Maas 1
Best: Christensen, Gamble, West, Duncan, Simpkin, Tutungi
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Nil