Geelong used a brilliant third quarter to set up a 31 point win over Fremantle in the final practice game of the preseason.
The Cats trailed by 16 points at half time before emerging to blow the Dockers away. Tom Hawkins began the onslaught with a mark and goal in the first minute. After a Jimmy Bartel miss, Ablett stole the kick in a la the 2007 grand final, and ran into an open goal. When Paul Chapman goaled moments later the Cats had taken the lead for the first time all day.
Joel Selwood quickly followed with a running goal from an Ablett give, then Bartel booted two more. When James Podsiadly marked strongly and goaled the lead had swelled and the Cats were all but home. The Dockers managed only a solitary behind for the quarter. The final term saw Mitch Duncan and Steve Johnson add goals as the Cats cruised to the win.
The game was scrappy in the early stages before Shannon Byrnes booted the Cats first goal on the run. Chapman was forced from the ground after just seven minutes with a nasty cut under his left eye, but he was able to return later in the quarter.
Fremantle had the better of the late stages of the term and took a two goal edge to the break.
The second quarter belonged to the Dockers, who built a 29 point lead. That seemed to spur Geelong into action. Cameron Mooney kicked two goals, one a dribbling snap from a tight angle after Podsiadly had won the ball in the pocket, then he snapped over his shoulder. The Dockers responded with a long effort, however Andrew Mackie reduced the margin to 17 points with a goal from centre half forward. Chapman had a shot after the siren to further eat into Fremantle’s lead, but he missed,
The biggest moment of the term came in the final stages of the quarter, when Johnson collided heavily and went to ground after receiving a blow to his neck. He was able to run off the field, and returned to action in the second half. Johnson provided perhaps the goal of the day with a brilliant pick up from a Hawkins marking contest late in the third quarter.
Geelong will face Essendon in round one at the MCG on Friday 26 March. Joel Corey could return to a line up that looked ready for the season to begin.
Geelong: 1.1, 4.4, 12.7, 14.12 (96)
Fremantle: 3.1, 7.2, 7.3, 10.5 (65)
Goals: Johnson, Mooney, Bartel 2, Byrnes, Mackie, Hawkins, Ablett, Selwood, Chapman, Podsiadly, Duncan 1
Best: Selwood, Taylor, Kelly, Ling, Bartel, Mackie
Injuries: Chapman (cut eye)
Crowd: Approx. 8,400
