THE MATCH Cat-Apulted Into FIRST Mark Harding
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+ 50 Sunday Herald Sun, September 30, 2007 heraldsun.com.au + THE MATCH Cat-apulted into FIRST Mark Harding 50 MCG TO steal a line from George Orwell, all Grand Finals are grand, but some are grander than others. Some are defined by their closeness, others by displays of individual brilliance. This Grand Final will be remembered for its justice — and it was truly grand. Geelong was the stand-out team of this year — perhaps not 119 points better than any other, but vastly superior all the same. SHS 30-SEP-2007 PAGE Through the final weeks of the home and away season and in the finals, the one thing that gave hope to the other teams was that the Cats might choke, strangled by the bur- K den of 44 flagless years. There was choking at the ’G all Y right, but not by any of the blue-and- M white hooped brigade as it dominated a Grand Final the way no C other one has been dominated before. With such a margin, it is almost superfluous to say Geelong didn’t have a bad player. Steve Johnson was a worthy Norm Smith medallist with four goals, including two in the first term when the contest still had life, but this was the ultimate team performance. FB123 A measure of the depth of talent was that Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel and the mate he beat for it, Gary Ablett, were not in their team’s top six best players. They were both good — but others were better. Paul Chapman, whose mix of hardness and skill continually Catch me if you can: Gary Ablett brilliantly gets through a bunch of Port players. Picture: ANDREW BROWNBILL amazes, was a short half-head be- hind Johnson as best-on-ground. But behind these obvious heroes pressure mixed with skill at high Both sides went in with line-ups as Maybe it would have all been Maybe the theatre of Johnson’s res- were an army of fast, skilful runners speed. The Cats kicked long and selected and the opening minutes different had he converted, but urrection and the mercurial nature and hard, loyal soldiers. were not afraid to invest faith in their were typical of many Grand Finals — probably not, although Ebert was of his talents gave him the edge. Corey Enright, Joel Corey, James mates. tough, tight and lots of turnovers. benched and spent an inordinate Matthew Scarlett led the backline, Kelly, Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, Port Adelaide could not say the The Power even had the best amount of time there for such an eclipsing poor Justin Westhoff; Darren Milburn, Josh Hunt, Mathew same and somehow the memory of scoring chances early, but Brett important forward. Cameron Mooney was an awesome Stokes (with apologies to the rest) coach Mark Williams gripping his tie Ebert was off line with a relatively The first major from Mooney took target up forward with five goals and all had wonderful games. around his neck in mocking triumph straightforward snap and then failed eight minutes, with those who Brad Ottens was a mighty ruckman. This team applied relentless in 2004 kept flooding back. to make the distance with a set shot. backed Chapman to kick the first Bendigo hino.com.au Bendigo Truck Centre 03 5440 9111 Dandenong South Prestige Hino NICE PACKAGE 03 9212 5555 Laverton North CMI Hino Melbourne 03 9931 6500 North Geelong ISR Hino 03 5278 9844 ® ™ * Wodonga HINO TRADEACE PACKAGE OFFER Jacob Hino 02 6022 9516 Includes Bullbar, Dual SRS Airbags, Alloy Tray, Racks, Power Steering & ABS from $41,990†. Visit hino.com.au to fi nd your nearest dealer today to arrange a test drive. FIRST HINO TRADEACE. WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER. A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY * Offer applies to the Hino 300 Series TradeACE with 4 tonne heavy duty rated tray, Hino bull bar and removable centre and rear racks. Offer ends 31st October 2007. Conditions, fees & charges apply. †$41,990 is the recommended sale price + of the TradeACE including GST when purchased without Hino special fi nance rate. Price excludes govt and statutory charges, dealer delivery and other on road costs. Conditions apply. Dual compliance available for car licence. HMS3873/MHS +.