Source: Geelong Advertiser
DALE Amos celebrated his first win as VFL coach after the Cats upset Werribee in a thriller on Saturday.
VFL captain James Podsiadly booted six goals in his first appearance against his former club as Geelong opened its 2009 account with a 15.8 (98) to 13.14 (92) victory at Skilled Stadium in the curtainraiser.
The Cats' young defence, led gallantly by Tom Gilles, stood defiant in the final few minutes of the game as Werribee tried desperately to draw level, but it ran out of time.
"It's a nice relief," Amos said after the game
"It felt like we hung on a little bit at the end, but it's a great reward for the boys and nice to get the first one (win) under the belt.
"I didn't think we started great, but I thought after quarter-time the boys really stuck at it. We were really good last week against Port Melbourne, but we just couldn't get the job done, so, hopefully, this is an indication that were moving forward."
Tom Lonergan chipped in with four goals while Ryan Gamble produced a best-on-ground performance playing predominantly in the midfield.
He finished the game with 27 possessions.
"I was a bit disappointed with Ryan's game last week and I thought he was fantastic," Amos said of Gamble's effort.
"His defensive pressure, his clearance work (was excellent) and he looked dangerous every time he was near the footy."
Quick goals late in the third quarter to Lonergan, Adam Donohue and Taylor Hunt got the Cats back into the match after the Tigers looked like breaking the game open.
The Cats grabbed the lead early in last term when Nathan Djerrkura slotted a clever goal from just outside 50m.
Grovedale's Ben Raidme had 29 touches while Amos had high praise for the team's VFL-listed players, Jonathan Simpkin, Ben Johnson, Matt Firman and Jack Hollmer.
Geelong plays another curtainraiser at Skilled Stadium next Saturday, against North Ballarat.
Meanwhile, the VFL has announced the match between Werribee and Geelong in round 19 will be played under lights.
The match had been scheduled for the afternoon of August 22. It will now start at 7pm.
