The Bendigo Bank Cats declared their intentions to replicate last season’s heroics after completing a spirited 18-point come-from-behind victory over Williamstown in a pulsating VFL practice match at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.

Trailing by five goals at three quarter time, the Cats kicked seven unanswered last quarter goals to storm home to a 15-11-101 to 13-5-83 victory in front of a healthy crowd to continue their unbeaten stretch in 2007.

Four goals each to best on ground Matthew Stokes, Jason Davenport and Matthew Spencer paved the way, as the Cats overcame glaring accountability problems to surge to an otherwise impressive victory against last year’s preliminary finalists in pleasant conditions.

Stokes - with 28 disposals and seven marks - gave Geelong a physical presence around the contests in the last quarter, while the explosive work of rookie-listed Davenport – 27 disposals and eight marks – gave the Cats tremendous drive through the middle.

The speedy wingman used his scintillating pace at every opportunity and opened up the Cats’ forward line for full forward Spencer with quick, instinctive and direct ball movement through the middle.

Spencer, with three last quarter goals (and six last quarter marks to finish with 12 for the match), loomed ominously in attack, leading strong and seizing his opportunities to give the Cats a viable scoring option up forward; while defender Todd Grima continued to grow in stature with another solid performance off halfback.

The second year rookie was instrumental in repelling many Williamstown forays across halfback, dropping back into holes to intercept the incoming attacks, while still negating his direct opponent.

He looked to counterattack with authority by moving the ball quickly during the final quarter resurgence, but showed great composure to take control of the play when the Cats had a firm grip on victory deep in the match.

A further positive to emerge from the match was the five players returning from injury – Paul Chapman, Steve Johnson, Ryan Gamble, Tom Hawkins and rookie Liam Bedford – all played a half and got through the match unscathed.

Chapman injected experience and class to the Cats midfield and was used sparingly off the bench as he returns from a back-related injury, while exiled forward Steve Johnson worked hard and appeared determined to stamp his creative influence on the contest.

Hawkins provided a contest across half forward, taking several strong contested marks and making a fierce contest out of several others, while Bedford burst onto the scene with blistering pace.

Geelong started with a potent forward line comprising Hawkins, Spencer and Gamble, while Grima was left to marshal an inexperienced backline.

Inexperience proved costly early for the Cats, as Williamstown capitalised on messy accountability and looked dangerous on the counterattack, skipping away to a four-goal lead that, for the best part of three quarters, appeared to be an unassailable one.

A late goal to Stokes - after being set up by a polished transition of play culminating in some lateral vision from Davenport - kept the Cats within striking distance at the quarter time break.

Two goals to Davenport in the second quarter, including a game breaking long bomb, appeared to be the catalyst of a revival, as the Geelong forward line suddenly looked imposing. The Cats midfielders got first use of the ball and transferred it quickly, opening up the forward line by not allowing the Seagulls to flock back in numbers with great effect.

Chapman was amongst the instigators, while Stokes and Davenport were also prominent, as Geelong kicked the last three goals to take a three-goal deficit into the main break.

VFL list big man Simon Clark was moved into defence to offset the departure of the AFL contingent in the third quarter. The reshuffle meant that Jay Cheep and Luke Forbes were able to have their first taste of action for the season.

Davenport continued to impress, gliding away from would-be pursuers with consummate ease, while the fierce endeavour from Stokes was evident.

Grima worked hard as the big man in defence, dropping back on the last line to mark strongly, but - apart from the valiant efforts of Drew Barnes - had little support, as Williamstown unleashed a late charge to break the game open with three goals to one for the quarter.

The flashes of brilliance that had kept Geelong in the contest throughout the afternoon had evaporated by three quarter time, as the Cats looked stagnate, vulnerable and without the fluency that brought them back into the contest on the eve of half time.

However, a stirring last quarter performance saw the Cats deliver on their potential and run away with a comfortable 18 point victory, as their preseason campaign continues to roll on smoothly.

Stephen Owen again played a consistent match across the halfback flank and through the wing, and while it wasn’t his best match so far this season, it was an honest performance and evidence of his steady development in the VFL.

His confidence is on the rise, he covers the ground well and his determination to wrap up the opposition is strong.

The Bendigo Bank Cats will battle 2006 minor premier the Northern Bullants in a practice match at Skilled Stadium on Saturday commencing at the amended time of 9.50am.

The match will be a curtain raiser to the AFL NAB Regional Challenge match between Geelong and Melbourne that afternoon.

The match will be the Cats’ final home practice match before heading up to Barter Card Oval – formally Chirnside Park – for a battle with cross town rivals Werribee on Saturday 31 March at 1.00pm.

The VFL Home and Away season commences on April 7, where the Bendigo Bank Cats will be out for retribution against last year’s Grand Final nemesis Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval from 1.10pm.