Cats Sharpen Claws on Dockers

Cats Win At Crosswords In Season

by Tim Stone, reporting for AFANA from Subiaco, WA

Fremantle has continued their wayward--and losing--way with an emphatic 66 point hiding at the hands of Geelong on sunny Subiaco Oval on Saturday.   The game presented two teams at  crossroads in their seasons--polar opposites in the positions they find themselves  going into the split round break of the 2006 AFL premiership  season.

Having beaten Geelong in 4 of their last 5 occasions, Fremantle have now collapsed outside the 8 with a 50% win loss record at 6-6.   Geelong, who were favourites for the flag in round 2, have managed to turn  their  season on a dime, placing a turbulent month firmly behind them as they won on the road to improve their record to 5-7, 11th on ladder.

Both teams were wasteful early in the match with 6 minor scoring shots being registered, before Pavlich showed the players how it was done 8 minutes in with  the first major of the game.  Fremantle were hard on the ball, and  on their opposition as Milburn was taken off after a heavy shepard. Debate over the Dockers poor form going into the split round break was quickly forgotten as Crowley goaled to give Fremantle an early 14 point advantage.   The Dockers faithful were soon reminded of their poor form however as they  stopped their assault on the game as Geelong poured on the next 3 goals in 6 
minutes.  Cameron Mooney was sensational as he kicked their first and set up the next two. When Ablett marked and goaled as the siren sounded Geelong had managed to win their 10th first quarter out of 12 for the season .

Ablett kicked his second successive goal as he opened the scoring in the second quarter. Medhurst quickly replied to bring the margin back to 3 points, 5 minutes into the quarter.  This was the start of the end for Fremantle. A 6 goal barrage in the next 15 minute pretty well sealed the deal, with Ottens and Ablett making light work of the Fremantle backline.  Headland's late goal on the run was a single handed effort to inspire his side's  fading performance. He raised his arms and appealed to the supporters to help lift the side. The flame that he may have generated was quickly snuffed out as Chapman goaled right before half time as the home side went into the change rooms shell shocked 40 points, adrift and quickly running out of time and answers.

The third quarter scoring wasn’t as free flowing, but it was equally as devastating for Fremantle. Mooney and Ottens continued to embarrass the Dockers with their impressive stature and kicking. 3 goals to zero in the quarter was all that was needed to effectively ended the game at the last break.   Needing 9 goals to even be in the running,  Farmer opened up in the best way possible. If they had converted their next two chances they might have had a chance against Geelongs previous exposed shaky legs. However,  Medhurst kicked his chance out on the full and Farmer miscued his. If the game wasn’t already over it was signed, sealed and delivered as Ablett dribbled through his 5th to put them out to 54 points.

Geelong were wise after previous game to thwart any attempt at an overhaul on their sizeable lead at the hands of the Dockers. Ablett raised his tally to 6 goals with 2 in the last, and Ottens boosted his tally to four goals for the game with last quarter goals. Both players lead the goal kicking and were among the vote getters, Mooney equally as devastating in his first half destruction of the Dockers.

Geelong, while low on the ladder have shown great resilience from the media as they continue to resurrect a season that went terribly wrong toward the middle. They ran out victors by 66 points over the hapless Dockers, sure to send shockwaves through the harbour town faithful, who will now want heads to roll for their continued inability to string matches together and rise to the occasion when it most needed.

Geelong 4.3 12.6 15.8 18.10 (118)
Fremantle 3.6 5.8 5.13 6.16 (52)

GOALS - Fremantle: Crowley, Sandilands, Farmer, Pavlich, Medhurst, Headland
Geelong: Ablett 6, Ottens 4, Stokes 2, Mooney 2, Ling, Enright, Chapman, Milburn

BEST - Fremantle: Headland, Carr, Mundy, Peake
Geelong: Ablett, Ottens, Mooney, Ling, Enright, Bartel, Corey, Hunt

Crowd: 34,236 at Subiaco Oval