Gumleaf
September 26th, 2009, 07:40 AM
By Mat Mackay, WWOS
17:00 AEST Sat Sep 26 2009
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=868186
Geelong has cemented its place in history and heaped more misery on long suffering St Kilda fans by claiming an epic AFL (Aussie Rules Football) grand final.
In a battle that will long be remembered, the Cats overpowered the Saints in the final quarter of the clash to win their second flag in three years.
Players and fans jumped for joy at the final siren as renowned Cats hardman Max Rooke slotted home his second goal of the match to give Geelong a 12 point victory.
And while the record books will reflect only the final score - Geelong 12.8 (80) to St Kilda 9.14 (68) - in reality only a single kick separated the sides until the dying seconds of the game.
The Cats trailed the Saints by seven points at the final break, but showed tremendous spirit as they set out to erase their demons of 2008, when they suffered a shock loss at the hands of Hawthorn.
Perhaps aptly, young gun Tom Hawkins kicked the goal that drew them level with the Saints early in the term, with Paul Chapman kicking the major that would give them the outright lead at the 23rd minute mark.
It was Chapman's third goal of the match, with the effort in a low scoring slog in wet conditions rightfully earning him the Norm Smith medal for best on ground.
Under dark clouds and persistent rain, it was the Cats who drew first blood in the highly anticipated blockbuster, with Rooke and full forward Cameron Mooney kicking the first two goals of the match.
Despite an obvious nervous start, the Saints - with skipper Nick Riewoldt working tirelessly - fought their way back into the contest and after an opening goal to Brendon Goddard, managed to kick three of the last four goals of the first term to take a two point lead into the break.
Midfielder Lenny Hayes was instrumental for the Saints in the first quarter, amassing a staggering 11 possessions which included five clearances and a goal.
Two controversial incidents overshadowed an otherwise awesome display of rugged football in the second quarter.
After being dominated early in the term, the Cats turned the tide with goals to Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman and Tom Hawkins.
But it was the major awarded to Hawkins which sparked outrage amongst the Saints faithful, with replays clearly showing his snap from point blank range actually shaved the inside of the post.
The decision - with less than a minute remaining - gave the Cats a six point lead until the Saints stole the show and set the MCG alight with a flurry of goals.
Clinton Jones kicked the first of three in the final seconds of the half, with big man Justin Kozchitske claiming the second from a toe poke in the goalsquare which triggered a vocal and ultimately costly protest from Cats defender Darren Milburn.
A free kick was awarded against the veteran, with Adam Schneider converting the set shot to once again turn the game on its head and give St Kilda a one goal lead at the long break.
The third term reflected the arm wrestle that the match was, with neither side willing to give an inch on football's biggest stage.
For 10 long minutes scores were locked during the term, with only a miraculous snap from the boundary by Saints onballer Leigh Montagna splitting the teams at the final break.
Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett was heavily tagged throughout the encounter and although quiet by his lofty standards he proved pivotal in the final term, helping to set-up several forward thrusts.
Ablett finished the match with 25 possessions, which included a goal.
His legendary father, Gary Senior, was among those first to arrive in the Cats changerooms at the conclusion of the match to congratulate his son.
© AAP 2009
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17:00 AEST Sat Sep 26 2009
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=868186
Geelong has cemented its place in history and heaped more misery on long suffering St Kilda fans by claiming an epic AFL (Aussie Rules Football) grand final.
In a battle that will long be remembered, the Cats overpowered the Saints in the final quarter of the clash to win their second flag in three years.
Players and fans jumped for joy at the final siren as renowned Cats hardman Max Rooke slotted home his second goal of the match to give Geelong a 12 point victory.
And while the record books will reflect only the final score - Geelong 12.8 (80) to St Kilda 9.14 (68) - in reality only a single kick separated the sides until the dying seconds of the game.
The Cats trailed the Saints by seven points at the final break, but showed tremendous spirit as they set out to erase their demons of 2008, when they suffered a shock loss at the hands of Hawthorn.
Perhaps aptly, young gun Tom Hawkins kicked the goal that drew them level with the Saints early in the term, with Paul Chapman kicking the major that would give them the outright lead at the 23rd minute mark.
It was Chapman's third goal of the match, with the effort in a low scoring slog in wet conditions rightfully earning him the Norm Smith medal for best on ground.
Under dark clouds and persistent rain, it was the Cats who drew first blood in the highly anticipated blockbuster, with Rooke and full forward Cameron Mooney kicking the first two goals of the match.
Despite an obvious nervous start, the Saints - with skipper Nick Riewoldt working tirelessly - fought their way back into the contest and after an opening goal to Brendon Goddard, managed to kick three of the last four goals of the first term to take a two point lead into the break.
Midfielder Lenny Hayes was instrumental for the Saints in the first quarter, amassing a staggering 11 possessions which included five clearances and a goal.
Two controversial incidents overshadowed an otherwise awesome display of rugged football in the second quarter.
After being dominated early in the term, the Cats turned the tide with goals to Gary Ablett, Paul Chapman and Tom Hawkins.
But it was the major awarded to Hawkins which sparked outrage amongst the Saints faithful, with replays clearly showing his snap from point blank range actually shaved the inside of the post.
The decision - with less than a minute remaining - gave the Cats a six point lead until the Saints stole the show and set the MCG alight with a flurry of goals.
Clinton Jones kicked the first of three in the final seconds of the half, with big man Justin Kozchitske claiming the second from a toe poke in the goalsquare which triggered a vocal and ultimately costly protest from Cats defender Darren Milburn.
A free kick was awarded against the veteran, with Adam Schneider converting the set shot to once again turn the game on its head and give St Kilda a one goal lead at the long break.
The third term reflected the arm wrestle that the match was, with neither side willing to give an inch on football's biggest stage.
For 10 long minutes scores were locked during the term, with only a miraculous snap from the boundary by Saints onballer Leigh Montagna splitting the teams at the final break.
Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett was heavily tagged throughout the encounter and although quiet by his lofty standards he proved pivotal in the final term, helping to set-up several forward thrusts.
Ablett finished the match with 25 possessions, which included a goal.
His legendary father, Gary Senior, was among those first to arrive in the Cats changerooms at the conclusion of the match to congratulate his son.
© AAP 2009
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