FOR three quarters on Saturday night, the young Gold Coast outfit took it right up to Geelong. With lights encapsulating Kardinia Park for the first time, it was historic night, and it was meant to be Geelong’s night – but the Suns were out to spoil the party.
They matched the Cats blow for blow in the first three quarters, and at one stage in the third term – a quarter Geelong has dominated all year – the Suns led by two goals.
“It was stressful,” said Geelong coach Chris Scott afterwards.
“We didn’t play well early, but I think we’ve all got to stop talking about them as a young, developing expansion team. They’re a good team.
“They played really well in the slippery conditions and pressured us better than we pressured them early.
“But the reason I’m in a good mood now is that quarter was fantastic.”
Gary Ablett, playing his first game at Kardinia Park since leaving Geelong in 2010, was predictably sensational, getting the ball 34 times and kicking two goals. One of those was vintage Ablett – hard up against the boundary and snapping goalward at the Doug Wade Stand. There have been plenty of those in the Cats’ history.
Scores were level at quarter time and again at three-quarter time, but as many expected, Geelong came out firing in the last quarter. They kicked nine goals to one to run away with a 52-point win. The large margin didn’t do justice to how competitive Gold Coast was in the first three quarters. The Suns will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.
Nathan Vardy kicked four in his first match of the year, while Jimmy Bartel was best on ground with a 30-disposal, three-goal display.
While the final margin belied the fact that they held a two goal lead in the thrid quarter, Suns coach Guy McKenna was full of praise for his players.
“I could not fault their effort,” said McKenna.
“They were super – moved the ball really well and, to be honest, even at half-time and three-quarter time we probably should have had our noses in front.
“We missed some gettable goals that the boys have kicked before, but, again, you can’t fault their effort.”
Here are the highlights from the game:
GEELONG 3.2 6.6 9.10 18.15 (123)
GOLD COAST 3.2 4.8 9.10 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Geelong: Vardy 4, Bartel 3, Motlop 2, Hawkins 2, Guthrie 2, Burbury, West, Duncan, Blicavs, Hunt
Gold Coast: Brown 3, Ablett 2, Rischitelli, Lynch, O’Meara, Russell, Harbrow,
BEST
Geelong: Bartel, Kelly, Johnson, Hunt, Duncan, Blicavs, Selwood
Gold Coast: O’Meara, Ablett, Thompson, Prestia, McKenzie
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Gold Coast: Matera (ankle)
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Allen Christensen replaced Mitch Brown in the third quarter
Gold Coast: Kyal Horsley replaced Brandon Matera in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fila, Ryan, McInerney
Official crowd: 30,082 at Simonds Stadium