Geelong news

VFL Grand Final Report
Reported by Michael Robinson

Geelong have won their 1st VFL Premiership for 4 years after thrashing Coburg Tigers by 74 points at MC Labour Park today.

In a game played in perfect conditions, The Cats dominated from the start it was only their conversion that let them down but they still took into quarter with 15 point lead.

Coburg came out agressively and that led to a all in brawl at the quarter time break.

In the 2nd quarter as the players continued to have apush and shove with at one stage Geelong's Nathan Djerrkura having 2 shots at goal without the ball being bounced. As the play settled down Geelong's midfield got right on top but once again poor conversion by the Cats led to an even 2nd quarter as the Cats remained 14 points up at the break.

The 3rd quarter was the killer for the Tigers as Geelong ran riot adding 7.6 to 0.1 to have the contest wrapped up by 3 Quarter Time to lead by 61 points. Tom Longeran after stopping Jack Riewoldt in the 1st half kicked 5 goals in the 3rd quarter onslaught.

Geelong, a hot flag favourite for several weeks, has selected 14 AFL-listed players and five AFL rookies in a powerful unit which also contains 2007 Liston Trophy winner James Byrne.

Coburg has improved through the finals and strengthened its side after its 31-point loss to the Cats in the qualifying final.

But Geelong could also be better with the inclusion of Kane Tenace and Sam Hunt after hamstring injuries.

The Burgers are young, willing and spirited and will be competitive but it's hard to see them controlling the Cats for the whole game.

Coburg coach Andrew Collins said coaching staff had been devising a new plan to try and overcome the challenge.

GEELONG VFL coach Leigh Tudor said the Cats had little concern about a report on forward Charlie Gardiner from Saturday's win.

In the only sour note for the day, Gardiner had his number taken for a front-on bump on Djaran Whyman midway through the last quarter.

He faces the VFL tribunal tonight.

``I didn't actually see it but no one seems to be (concerned),'' Tudor said. ``Charlie didn't think he got him so we'll wait and see.''

 Gardiner would be a big loss for the Cats heading into their second straight VFL grand final.

His four goals on Saturday made him the biggest goal scorer of the game.

``Charlie's versatility has been fantastic for the footy club,'' Tudor said. ``Whenever we've needed someone to kick a goal, Charlie's done it for us, whenever we've needed someone to go on-ball and work hard, Charlie's been able to do it for us.''

Tudor said Brent Prismall, Steven King and Ryan Gamble deserved credit for setting up the Cats' final term blitz out of the middle.

GEELONG VFL captain James Byrne has added another accolade to his wonderful career by taking out the JJ Liston Trophy last night.

The 29-year-old won the VFL's best and fairest award by two votes from Sandringham's Shane Valenti.

The inspirational midfielder led the voting by three votes after the first 11 rounds.

He didn't add another vote again until round 15, missing votes in round 13 despite racking up 43 possessions in Geelong's win over Frankston.

He picked up two votes in round 15 against Port Melbourne, as teammates such as Shannon Byrnes, Josh Hunt and Jason Davenport continued to share the spotlight.

Following the round 16 bye, he added another three votes in the round 17 win over Coburg to take a one-vote lead over Valenti.

The umpires awarded him another vote in the round 18 win over North Ballarat, extending his lead to two.

GEELONG has put itself in the box seat for a tilt at the VFL flag after overcoming a determined Coburg in its qualifying final yesterday.

The Cats' 31-point win at TEAC Oval gives them a week's break before a possible grand final rematch with reigning premiers Sandringham in the preliminary final in a fortnight.

After a fantastic tussle in the first three quarters, the Cats blew the game open in the last term to run out comfortable winners, thanks to best-on-ground Jason Davenport.

The margin was less than a kick at each break, but last year's runners-up booted the first four goals of the final quarter to break the spirit of a tired Coburg.

Jay Cheep  who along with Scott Thompson proved Geelong has plenty of talent in its VFL list  took a strong overhead mark and goaled, before Todd Grima added the second of his three majors for the day to put the Cats up by 16 points six minutes into the last quarter.

Enter Davenport to seal the deal.

The Cats' young gun kicked the next two  the second a superb goal on the run  to put the contest beyond doubt.

To protect the integrity of the competition, the VFL does not allow players unqualified for VFL finals to play in its Sunday grand final should the Cats be eliminated from the AFL the previous day.

If Geelong's AFL team wins there will be no restriction on VFL team selection.

But should it lose, then the VFL team will be restricted to 12 AFL-listed players, who would have to be finals qualified (at least seven VFL games and no more than 12 AFL games this season).

"This rule has been in place since 2004, It is not a Geelong-specific rule, it is a competition rule," VFL general manager Martin Stillman said.

Geelong coach Leigh Tudor is anxious not to get ahead of himself but is merely pointing out what could become a difficult selection process.

GEELONG'S VFL team can guarantee a top two finish with a win over Werribee at Bartercard Oval tomorrow.

The Cats, who sit a game clear in second spot on the ladder, can cement their spot if they notch its fourth straight win tomorrow afternoon.

Geelong will be out to turn the tables on their local rivals after their round nine result.

Werribee took the points at Skilled Stadium by 15 points in round nine, set up by a six-goal opening quarter.

Silky-skilled midfielder Brent Prismall is again likely to miss with a wrist injury, while first-year player Nathan Djerrkura is also unlikely to play again before the end of the home and away season.

Defender David Johnson has been added to the team after being dropped from the AFL side, while Stephen Owen will be missing for the best part of 12 months, due to have a knee reconstruction today.

The 20-year-old 2005 AFL draft choice from the North Ballarat Rebels, who is yet to make his AFL debut, twisted his left knee midway through the final quarter.

Geelong VFL coach Leigh Tudor said last night Owen appeared to have damaged his ACL joint.

"Stephen has been awesome for us all year," Tudor said.

"He has improved out of sight and it is very sad. He will undergo a full medical examination on Monday."

Geelong's 71-point win came on the back of emerging teenage ruckman Trent West, a winning midfield headed by Josh Hunt and Ryan Gamble, a strong defence led by Tim Callan, Tom Lonergan and Sam Hunt, and a three-pronged attack headed by Charlie Gardiner, Todd Grima and Henry Playfair.