The story of the match between two undefeated teams, the Saints and the Cats, told in pictures.
Out of form Geelong forward Cameron Mooney has had some indiffrent form over the past few weeks, but today he celebrates with his team mates ( from left) Gary Ablett, Simon Hogan (34) Max Rooke and Tom harley (obscured) and Cameron Ling. Mooney in form is key to the Cats title challenge for season 2009.
The scores were locked on 85 each, enter Saint Michael, from forward pocked left, leaping over the pack to take a strong mark with 2 minutes of normal time remanining . In this pack crash he knocked out Cats defender, Harry Taylor, as Nick Reiwoldt looks on, with James Kelly (9) yet to work out what is happening. This mark enabled Gardiner to kick the winning score. (Note Gardiners elbow banging into Taylors head.)
Michael Gardiner (with ball) stands tall after a tipping the scales in favor of the Saints. The match had been poised at 85 points a piece, The critics, the punters and scriptwriters were hoping for a draw. from left, Riewoldt catches his breath, has a quiet word with Andrew McQualter (32), Taylor lies prone, as Stephen Milne calms Gardiner , Enright is on his knees and Darren Milburn (39) with 25,000 Cats fans waits, heart in mouth, last years Brownlow Medalist, Jimmy Bartel slowly picks himslef up.
Terence Newman (l) and Courtney Brown with Ricky Olerenshaw (r) former Essendon Premiership Player , now Boundary rider for Channel 7 sports. As guests of the AFL engaging in some cross code promtion with the NFL. The Aussie Rules connection is that they are teammates of Matt McBriar, the Australian born Cowboys punter. Following the Saints one goal win, the boys went doen to the Geelong rooms and met with Captain Tom Harley and the defeated Cats players.