Aswe enter the new year, afl.com.au is looking back at the best matches from2007. From nailbiters, to all-out goalscoring rampages, we've counted down the10 most memorable contests from the season past. Be sure to check back thisafternoon as we reveal what we rated as the best quarter of 2007.
No.1:Geelong v Collingwood, MCG, first preliminary final
WEAT afl.com.au have rated the Cats’ nail-biting win the first preliminaryfinal over Collingwood as the best game of 2007.
Certainlythe majority of the 98,002 fans who packed the MCG on the Friday night ofpreliminary final weekend could vouch for just what a cracker it was –especially those in blue and white.
Thematch, played in front of the biggest AFL crowd in 10 years, had just abouteverything from ferocious tackling and pressure, to freakish goals, someeyebrow-raising umpiring decisions and breathtaking individual feats.
Althoughnot known at the time, it would also be the final occasion that Magpiechampions Nathan Buckley and James Clement would take the field.
Theaction was fast and furious from the opening bounce and, although Collingwoodkicked the first goal of each quarter, Geelong held the lead for the majorityof the night.
Earlyon, it was unlikely hero Mathew Stokes who did the job for the Cats, bootingthree first-term goals.
Butthe Magpies lifted, and when Paul Medhurst booted a long bomb to put them infront early in the second term the black and white army sensed an upset.
Geelongsteadied however, with big man Brad Ottens dominating the ruck and SteveJohnson cutting loose to extend the minor premier’s advantage.
TheMagpies wouldn’t be denied, with young Irishman Martin Clarke’s form on thenight a real highlight for the legion of Collingwood fans.
Clarkeprovided plenty of run and showed just what an extraordinary talent he will bein coming seasons, while Travis Cloke patrolled centre-half forward withauthority.
Themargin was just five points at the long break after Alan Didak booted one ofthe goals of the season with five minutes remaining in the second term. Thesupremely-talented forward somehow manoeuvred the ball onto his right bootwhile airborne in the goal square to bring the crowd to its feet.
Thethird quarter was something of an arm wrestle, neither side being able to breakaway, as it appeared some self doubt was setting in among the Cats.
JoelCorey’s inspirational smother typified the efforts of players of both sides asneither team was willing to succumb in this epic contest.
Clokeput Collingwood in front inside the first minute of the last quarter, only forGeelong to again kick clear mid-way through the final term.
Howeverthe Maggies’ never-say-die attitude saw them again challenge, before a momentof Gary Ablett brilliance sealed Collingwood’s fate.
Hissuperb curling snap – with eight minutes remaining – was true genius.
AlthoughMedhurst reduced the margin to just five points with a minute remaining,Geelong held on to win a thriller.
Atthe final siren the Magpies were again pressing, with the ball on their lefthalf-forward flank.
Butit was the Cats who raised their arms in jubilation, booking a date withdestiny in the Grand Final.
Meanwhile,a disconsolate Buckley – who just minutes earlier had again tweaked histroublesome hamstring – was left sitting on the interchange in a sad farewellto AFL footy.
GEELONG 4.4 7.6 9.13 13.14 (92)
COLLINGWOOD 2.5 6.7 9.8 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Geelong:S Johnson 3, M Stokes 3, C Mooney 2, B Ottens, J Kelly, G Ablett, M Rooke, PChapman.
Collingwood:T Cloke 3, P Medhurst 3, S Rusling 2, A Didak 2, L Davis, S O'Bree, S Burns.
BEST
Geelong:B Ottens, G Ablett, J Corey, J Bartel, S Johnson, M Scarlett.
Collingwood:J Clement, M Clarke, H O'Brien, T Cloke, N Maxwell, D Swan.
INJURIES
Geelong:Nil
Collingwood:A Rocca (ankle), Fraser (back), replaced in selected side by Bryan
Reports:Nil
Umpires:S McBurney, S McLaren, S McInerney.
OfficialCrowd: 98,002 at the MCG.
