In an upset during an elimination final at the MCG yesterday, Geelong were clearly outperformed by a Matthew Pavlich-led Fremantle.
The Dockers started strong, scoring the first seven goals of the game and responding to each comeback attempt by the Cats, ultimately winning 14.12 (96) to 11.14 (80).
Pavlich was a standout, netting six goals, with three of them coming in the first five and three critical goals in the latter half to extinguish Geelong’s hopes.
Midfielders Nathan Fyfe and David Mundy shone brightly, while the tenacious forward Hayden Ballantyne contributed three significant goals.
Despite the absence of injured Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin, Zac Dawson effectively neutralized Cats star forward Tom Hawkins.
This victory marked Fremantle’s third finals win in their AFL history, advancing them to a semi-final against an Adelaide team that recently suffered a heavy loss to Sydney, set for Friday night at AAMI Stadium.
The Dockers’ emergence as a formidable finals contender solidifies the decision to hire Ross Lyon from St Kilda at the end of the previous season.
The result marked the Cats’ decline, who had secured three premierships in five years during their golden era, leading to their most disappointing season since 2006, when then-coach Mark Thompson nearly lost his position before initiating their successful run.
Additionally, this defeat means that star defender Matthew Scarlett, believed to be retiring, concluded his career on a notably low note as part of a thoroughly outplayed Cats defense.
Scarlett led the defeated team off the MCG.
With their extensive finals experience, the Cats entered as heavy favorites, expected to display more composure than the Dockers.
However, Fremantle dismantled their defense early, scoring five unanswered goals within the first 20 minutes of the match, all from marks.
Among those goals were three from Pavlich, who dominated his opponent Tom Lonergan, consistently breaking through the Cats’ defense.
The Dockers held a 5.7 to 0.1 lead at the first break and quickly added two more goals to stretch their lead to 48 points at the start of the second term.
Andrew Mackie finally marked the Cats’ first goal at the 18-minute mark, igniting a flurry of three goals in four minutes.
Geelong followed with two more goals early in the second half, narrowing the gap to 20 points, before Pavlich responded with a calm set shot from beyond 50m.
Following another goal from the Cats, Pavlich again retaliated after executing an impressive half-volley pick-up and turn.
As the Cats rallied to close the margin to 17 points late in the final quarter, Pavlich once more provided the answer with a nifty sidestep and crucial goal.
Pavlich called it one of the best wins he had ever experienced.
“It probably is up there with the first final win we had a number of years ago now,” Pavlich remarked.
“Especially playing against a team that we hold in such high regard.”
Dockers coach Ross Lyon expressed that conquering such quality rivals at the grand final venue would bolster their confidence.
“I’m thrilled for the players who have been preparing extraordinarily well since I arrived, and they’re finally receiving some reward for their hard work,” Lyon stated.
Cats coach Chris Scott lamented the missed opportunity, acknowledging that the Cats were always going to face challenges after a poor first term, but he appreciated their fight throughout the match.
“The positive side of things is that when the pressure is on, our boys really stand up,” he noted.
by Terence Johns
