Australian Football

Match Report

Geelong has retained its place in the top four and tuned up for the finals with a relatively routine win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday. The Cats were not expected to be troubled by Brisbane and accordingly put the Lions to the sword in the first quarter, booting seven goals to one to open up a big lead. The Lions surprised most by fighting back to be within 15 points at half time but Geelong got back on top in the second half, kicking 10 goals to three to win by an even 60 points.

The Cats were switched on from the very beginning and had three goals on the board within the first 11 minutes via Steven Motlop, Patrick Dangerfield and Dangerfield. Even when Brisbane finally hit the scoreboard it was via an ex-Geelong player, Josh Walker kicking the Lions' first at the 12-minute mark. Brisbane's brief respite from the Geelong onslaught ended there and the Cats went on to kick four more majors through Tom Hawkins, Mark Blicavs, Motlop and Mitch Duncan to lead 45-9 at the first break. 

One could have been forgiven for think the teams had swapped jumpers at quarter time as the Lions came out in the second term looking the far superior side. Within six minutes Brisbane had added goals through Lewis Taylor, Tom Cutler and Mitch Robinson and the home side was within 19 points. The Cats settled to a degree after that but Brisbane finished the term strongly with goals to Tom Bell and Rhys Mathieson and the margin was only 15 points at half time.

Brisbane probably wished the long break had never come once the third quarter began as, after four scoreless minutes, Geelong resumed 'normal service' and began to pile on the goals. Steven Motlop got the Cats going and then Corey Enright, Hawkins and Lincoln McCarthy (twice) all got in on the act as the margin blew out to 48 points at the 25-minute mark. The Lions kicked a late goal through Daniel Rich but the last break saw Geelong seven goals clear.

There was to be no reversal of fortune in the final term. After a goal to Cat Josh Cowan had a quick reply from Brisbane's Bell, Geelong got right back on top after that with majors to Shane Kersten, Cameron Guthrie and Motlop as the Cats' lead jumped to an even 10 goals. Tom Rockliff kicked one final goal for the Lions but Motlop topped off a great individual game and a bit win for Geelong with the last goal of the match.

Motlop's five goals and 23 touches made him one of his side's best while Dangerfield did his Brownlow chances no harm with a 28-possession, two-goal performance. For Brisbane, Rockliff (27 disposals, save marks) was outstanding.

Sitting in third position, Geelong can sew up a top-four position and possibly even a top-two one - along with a home final - if it can defeat Melbourne at Kardinia Park next Saturday. A loss, on the other hand, could see it miss out on the top four and the associated double chance. Brisbane will hope to see out the season with a strong performance, if not a win, against St Kilda at Docklands on Sunday. 

GOALS
Brisbane: Rich, Bell 2; Walker, Taylor, Cutler, Robinson, Mathieson, Rockliff
Geelong: Motlop 5; Dangerfield, Henderson, Hawkins, McCarthy 2; Blicavs, Duncan, Enright, Cowan, Kersten, Guthrie

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Brisbane: Rockliff, Cutler, Rich, Andrews, Mathieson, Martin
Geelong: Dangerfield, Menegola, Motlop, Enright, Guthrie, J.Selwood

BEST - THE AGE
Brisbane: Rockliff, Rich, Robinson, Cutler, Robinson, Martin
Geelong: Dangerfield, Menegola, Motlop, Enright, J. Selwood, Guthrie

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Geelong: Nil

UMPIRES: Hosking, Findlay, Wallace

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network