'Professional' Cats withstand Tiger challenge to win week off
Chris Walker | September 3, 2007 | The Age
GEELONG earned itself a week off and a place in the 2007 preliminary finals after defeating a valiant Coburg 22.16 (148) to 17.15 (117) in a pulsating qualifying final at TEAC Oval.
Coburg coach Andy Collins labelled it a match of amateurs versus professionals, alluding to the 16 AFL-listed players and rookies lining up for Geelong. The Tigers appeared undaunted by their bigger and more physical opponents, however, and relied on their pace to challenge the premiership favourites for three seesawing quarters.
The first quarter was marred by a nasty collision that left Tiger defender Jason Morgan with a fractured left tibia, stretching the undersized Coburg defence. It would prove too much in the end, with 19-year-old Tom Hawkins pulling down 15 marks and kicking four goals in an impressive attacking display.
Coburg held a narrow five-point lead at the half-time break. Andrew Krakouer created a goal for the ninth lead change of the match midway through the third term and Coburg had the momentum.
Livewire Daniel Connors then kicked a crafty goal and, just 60 seconds later, eluded a tackle and unselfishly stabbed a pass to Michael Farrelly who rewarded his generosity. With a three-goal buffer, the Tigers looked like causing an upset, but in the blink of an eye, the lead was erased. Rookie Liam Bedford goaled first and Trent West followed with another.
Steven King, excellent all day in the ruck, split the middle with a 60-metre bomb on the three-quarter-time siren to pinch the advantage. The lead would not change again.
In the final term, gun rookie Jason Davenport capped his best-on-ground performance with two of Geelong's seven final-quarter goals. He finished his day with 29 possessions and four goals.
The onballer, who turns 22 tomorrow, said he was looking forward to next week's rest: "It will be nice to be have the week off next week.
"It was very exciting to have Kingy back in the side today. He made a big difference."
Geelong coach Leigh Tudor was pleased with his team's ability to respond to the challenge: "It was a great win in the end. It was a real arm-wrestle and we had to persist all day, which we were able to do."
Also yesterday, Port Melbourne, having grabbed its spot in the finals in the last week of the home-and-away season, defeated the Casey Scorpions by 13 points at Casey Fields.
The must-win match was played with the intense pressure that marked all four of the VFL finals this weekend. Port's midfield was relentless all day and Tim Hazell and Luke Cotchett kicked three goals apiece.
Port Melbourne will return home next week to play the Coburg Tigers in a do-or-die semi final.
The other semi final will between reigning premier Sandringham and North Ballarat.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/professional-cats-withstand-tiger-challenge-to-win-week-off/2007/09/02/1188671794000.html
