AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL
2011
2011
Round 1 - St.Kilda Saints (47) @ (48) Geelong Cats - The opening game of the season for the new-look Cats started positively, with a dramatic 1 point win over the Saints. With new coach Chris Scott and without star player Gary Ablett Jr. (who left the club in the off-season) the Cats rebounded from a scoreless 1st quarter and a 21 point deficit in the 3rd quarter to win on a goal with 18 seconds left. The stars for the Cats were Corey Enright (31 disposals, 10 marks), Jimmy Bartel (27 possessions, 1 goal) and Mitch Duncan (2 goals). The Saints were led by Lenny Hayes (29 possessions, 1 goal) and Nick Riewoldt (1 goal) (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Round 3 - Port Adelaide (43) @ (122) Geelong Cats - Geelong moved to 3-0 on the season and extended their home win streak to 24 games with a dominating win over the winless Power. The Cats used a 48 point, 8 goals burst in the 2nd and 3rd periods to blow open a close game and then coasted home in the final period. The Cats goals came from 13 different players with Joel Selwood (34 possessions), Jimmy Bartel (27 possessions, 2 goals) and Steve Chapman (26 possessions, 2 goals). The Power were led by Chad Cornes (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - McAvaney/Cometti/Harley, PAL)
Round 4 - Geelong Cats (81) @ (54) Sydney Swans - On a rainy day at the SCG, Geelong continued their unbeaten streak with a big win. A tight 1st half ended with the Cats up 42-29 at the half, and with Geelong's defense holding the Swans to only 3 more goals the rest of the way, the Cats held on for the win. Geelong were led by David Wojcinski (3 goals), Paul Chapman (27 disposals, 2 goals) and James Kelly (12 tackles). Sydney were led by Josh Kennedy (29 disposals), Rhyce Shaw (27 disposals) and Paul Bevan (2 goals) (10, In the 4th quarter between 9:40 and 6:20 the audio breaks up due to technical difficulties although the picture is unaffected, 2 Discs, CH10 - Hudson/Walls/Darcy, PAL)
Round 6 - Gold Coast Suns (58) @ (197) Essendon Bombers - Essendon made history with a record-breaking win over the Suns. The Bombers out-scored the Suns 94-1 at the end of the 1st quarter, an AFL record. The Bombers then scored 3 goals in the 2nd quarter, 7 in the 3rd and 6 in the 4th. Essendon ended with 13 individual goalkickers, led by Kyle Reimers (8 goals) + Stewart Crameri (4 goals) and Angus Monfries (4 goals). The Suns were led by Gary Ablett (30 possessions) and also featured Sam Iles (2 goals) and Brandon Matera (2 goals) (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Unknown, PAL)
Round 8 - Collingwood Magpies (62) @ (65) Geelong Cats - The much anticipated #1 v #2 match-up lived up to the billing as the 2 unbeaten teams met at a blustery and rainy MCG. A back-and-forth game was finally won by the Cats in the 4th quarter as they kicked 3 goals to take a decisive lead. Best on field went to Joel Selwood (29 possessions), playing his 100th game, and he was well supported by Steve Johnson (25 possessions, 1 goal) and Jimmy Bartel (2 goals). The Magpies featured Travis Cloke (2 goals) and Steele Sidebottom (2 goals) but were missing captain Nick Maxwell to injury (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Round 9 - Geelong Cats (102) @ (100) Carlton Blues - On an emotional night at Etihad Stadium, the Cats continued their unbeaten streak with a Friday Night win but needed a last minute miss from the Blues to do so. The Cats and the AFL community were grieving the loss of Cats legend Bob Davis and held a moments silence before the game. Geelong fought back from 18 points down early in the second quarter to draw level at halftime, 54-54, then used a strong 2nd half to take a 102-99 lead into the final 77 seconds. Carlton then had a chance to take the win but Robert Warnock missed from 15 metres out and the Cats held on for the win. Geelong featured James Kelly (29 disposals), Joel Selwood (29 touches) and Steve Johnson (3 goals). Carlton were led by Kade Simpson (3 goals) and Chris Judd (22 possessions, 1 goal) (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Round 10 - Geelong Cats (139) @ (73) Gold Coast Suns - The Suns celebrated the opening of their new stadium by hosting the #1 Cats with also the sub-plot of Suns captain Gary Ablett Jr facing his old team. The Suns actually led 62-51 at the half before the Cats scored 8 goals in the 3rd quarter to pull away for a comfortable win. The stars for the Suns were Ablett (30 disposals), Karmichael Hunt (1 goal, his 1st AFL goal) and Nathan Block (24 disposals). The Cats were led by Steve Johnson (7 goals, 29 disposals), Joel Selwood (2 goals, 27 disposals) and James Podsiadly (4 goals) (10, 2 Discs, CH10 - Hudson/Quartermain, PAL)
Round 12 - Hawthorn Hawks (83) @ (88) Geelong Cats - The Cats kept their unbeaten record with a comeback win over the Hawks at the MCG. Geelong trailed by 17 points in the 4th quarter but their defense held the Hawks scoreless while the attack, led by Steve Johnson (2 goals), brought the Cats back into it and gave them the win. Geelong also featured James Podsiadly (6 goals). Hawthorn were led by Lance Franklin but lost Jarryd Roughhead for the season during the game with an achilles injury (10, 2 Discs, CH10 - Hudson/Quartermain/Walls/Darcy, PAL)
Round 13 - Geelong Cats (100) @ (72) St.Kilda Saints - Geelong dominated their big rivals, overcoming the loss of key players to stay unbeaten on the season. Led by goals from Daniel Menzel (4 goals) and James Podsiadly (2 goals) + great defense from Matthew Scarlett and Corey Enright, the Cats built on a 57-34 lead at the half to take the win. The Cats also featured Paul Chapman (2 goals, 26 possessions), Joel Corey (29 disposals) and Cameron Ling (25 possessions) but were missing Joel Selwood (Suspension) and Jimmy Bartel (1st quarter injury). St.Kilda were led by captain Nick Riewoldt but he had a quiet game and no goals (10, 2 Discs, CH10 - Hudson/Quartermain/Walls, PAL)
Round 15 - Geelong Cats (111) @ (115) Essendon Bombers - In arguably the game of the season, Essendon ended Geelong's 13 game unbeaten streak, using a suffocating defense and a strong kicking game to take the win. A week after losing by 65 points to Hawthorn, the Bombers looked a different team, posting a 52-37 lead at the half then holding off a spirited Cats comeback in the 4th quarter to seal the victory. The Bombers were led by Angus Monfries (3 goals), Heath Hocking (25 disposals and 13 tackles) and Paddy Ryder (15 possessions and 24 hit-outs). The Cats were led by Paul Chapman (1 goal, 29 touches, 6 tackles), Steve Johnson (3 goals) and Allen Christensen (2 goals) but were missing Joel Selwood (Suspension). The game was also the first meeting between Bombers assistant coach Mark Thompson and the team he coached to 2 Grand Final wins (10, 2 Discs, CH10 - Quartermain/Lane/Darcy/Lloyd, PAL)
Round 16 - Geelong Cats (88) @ (96) West Coast Eagles - In a raucous Paterson Stadium, the Eagles stunned the Cats with a 1st half goal explosion then held on to take the win. The Eagles led by 35 points at half time after kicking 11 goals in the 1st half. But Geelong roared back to within 10 points in the 2nd half before the Eagles sealed the win with a late goal. The heroes for West Coast were Andrew Embley (32 possessions, 1 goal), Daniel Kerr (24 possessions) and Matt Priddis (29 possessions). Geelong were led by Steve Johnson (2 goals) and captain Cameron Ling (31 possessions, 1 goal) who had a great game in defeat (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - Cometti/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Round 17 - Geelong Cats (133) @ (104) Brisbane Lions - Geelong ended their 2 game losing streak with a tight win at the Gabba. Both teams were evenly matched throughout but the game turned in the 3rd quarter when Brisbane lost their top 2 forwards, Jonathan Brown and Mitch Clark, after a clash of heads and arms while going for a mark. Geelong capitalised with a big 4th quarter, out-scoring the Lions 7 goals to 2. The stars for Geelong were James Podsiadly (career best 8 goals), Jimmy Bartel (32 disposals, 1 goal), Tom Hawkins (3 goals) and Allen Christensen (25 touches, 2 goals). The top players for Brisbane were Pearce Hanley (30 disposals) and Todd Banfield (4 goals) (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - McAvaney/Cometti/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Round 18 - Adelaide Crows (24) @ (127) St.Kilda Saints - On Friday Night Football, the Saints put a beating on the Crows, holding them to a club-record-low in points scored. The Saints were never in trouble in the game, building on a 62-17 lead at the half with 4 more goals in the 3rd quarter and 5 more in the final quarter. The star for the Saints was small forward Stephen Milne who kicked 8 goals and he was supported by Adam Schneider (5 goals), captain Nick Riewoldt (3 goals) + Brendon Goddard (30 disposals) and Nick Dal Santo (31 disposals) who helped the Saints to 326 uncontested possessions. The Crows featured Graham Johncock who was playing in his 200th game. 3 days after the game, Crows head-coach Neil Craig resigned (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - Cometti/McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Round 19 - Melbourne Demons (47) @ (233) Geelong Cats - The Cats demolished the Demons in a one-sided affair at Skilled Stadium, with their 233 points the 4th highest in VFL/AFL history. The Cats had 14 players score goals, led by Steve Johnson (7), Tom Hawkins (5) and Cameron Mooney (5) in his 1st game back from injury. The Cats out-played the Demons on disposals too, with 510 to only 282, with Joel Selwood leading the way with 43 (10, Official DVD, FOX - Russell/Dunstall/Shaw/Pickering, PAL)
Round 22 - Western Bulldogs (157) @ (97) Port Adelaide Power - The Bulldogs ended their 4 game losing streak with a dominating win against the Power. The Bulldogs jumped out of the gate and led 63-6 after the 1st quarter with debutant Jason Tutt (4 goals, 26 disposals) having a great start to his career, scoring 3 goals with his 1st 3 kicks. The Bulldogs led 99-25 at the half but the Power fought back in the 2nd half to make the score respectable, even if the result wasn't in doubt. The Bulldogs also featured Captain Matthew Boyd (39 disposals, 3 goals) and forward Barry Hall (6 goals). The Power featured John Butcher (6 goals) in his 2nd career game and defender Jackson Trengove (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - Cometti/McAvaney/Harley, PAL)
Round 24 - Geelong Cats (149) @ (53) Collingwood Magpies - In their final game of the regular season, #2 Geelong dominated #1 Collingwood and gave them their worst loss since 2005. After a tight 1st quarter, Geelong scored 10 goals to 1 to take an 80-30 lead in at the break, then coasted home in the 2nd half to take the morale-boosting win. The top scorer for Geelong was Daniel Menzel (5 goals) and he was supported by Allen Christensen (3 goals), midfielder James Kelly (29 disposals) and Joel Selwood (21 possessions). Collingwood were led by Scott Pendlebury, who had a great 1st quarter but a quiet rest of the game, but were missing Nick Maxwell (injury) and Dale Thomas (suspension) (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - Cometti/McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Qualifying Final - Geelong Cats (98) v (67) Hawthorn Hawks - In the rain and wind at the MCG, Geelong used a strong 3rd quarter to pull away from the Hawks and book themselves a place in the Preliminary Final for the 5th straight year. The Cats were led by their big men, as James Podsiadly (3), Daniel Menzel (2), Tom Hawkins (2) and Brad Ottens (2) all had big games, with Hawkins arguably playing his best ever game for Geelong. The Big men also had support from James Kelly (23 possessions), Joel Selwood (20 possessions) and Paul Chapman (18 possessions). Hawthorn were led by Lance Franklin (4 goals) but he left the field injured in the 4th quarter. The only downer for the Cats was a season-ending injury to Menzel in the 2nd quarter (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - Cometti/McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Preliminary Final - Geelong Cats (117) v (69) West Coast Eagles - The Minor Premiership runners-up easily dispatched of the Eagles to reach their 4th Grand Final in 5 years. The Cats started fast, leading by 25 points at the half, and never looked in trouble for the rest of the game despite a brief comeback by the Eagles in the 3rd quarter. The stars for the Cats were James Podsiadly (3 goals), Joel Selwood (25 possessions), Andrew Mackie (27 touches) and Matthew Scarlett. The stand-out players for West Coast were Nic Naitanui (2 goals, 22 hit-outs, 18 disposals) and Josh Kennedy (3 goals) (10, Official DVD, 2 Discs, CH10 - Hudson/Quartermain/Walls, PAL)
Preliminary Final - Collingwood Magpies (68) v (65) Hawthorn Hawks - In arguably the Game of the Season, the Pies booked their place in their 2nd straight Grand Final with a comeback win against the Hawks. Hawthorn were the better team through 3 quarters and held a 17 point lead at the break but the Pies suddenly found their goal-kicking boots in the 4th quarter and won the game with a goal from Luke Ball with 2:49 left in the game. The stars for the Pies were Travis Cloke (3 goals), Dane Swan (1 goal, 32 possessions) and Scott Pendlebury (32 possessions). Hawthorn's stars were Cyril Rioli (1 goal), Lance Franklin (3 goals including a sensational goal that looked to have won the game) and Jordan Lewis (28 possessions, 8 tackles) (10, 2 Discs, CH7 - Cometti/McAvaney/Matthews/Harley, PAL)
Grand Final - Collingwood Magpies (81) v (119) Geelong Cats - The Cats ensured their legacy as one of the greatest teams of the modern era by beating the Minor Premiers to claim their 3rd title in 5 years. Both teams were evenly matched through 3 quarters but the Cats pulled away with a 3 goal final term and played great defense to keep the Pies to just single point scores. The heroes for Geelong were Tom Hawkins (3 goals), Joel Selwood (31 possessions), Steve Johnson (4 goals) and Jimmy Bartel (3 goals, 26 possessions), who also claimed the Norm Smith medal for man-of-the-match. Collingwood were led by captain Nick Maxwell and also featured Scott Pendlebury (33 possessions), Brownlow medallist Dane Swan (20 possessions), Andrew Krakouer (3 goals) and Travis Cloke (1 goal). After the game, Geelong captain Cameron Ling announced his retirement (10, 2 Discs, CH10 - Quartermain/Hudson/Darcy/Lloyd, PAL)
2 Hours : The Story of the 2011 Grand Final - A "Behind-the-Scenes" look back at the 2011 Grand Final between Geelong and Collingwood. Includes interviews with players and coaches from both teams + game action (8, Downloaded from the internet, 1 Disc, CH7, PAL)
International Rules - 1st Test - Ireland (80) @ (36) Australia - The annual cross-code international test between the Gallic football of Ireland and the Aussie Rules of Australia ended in a shock win for the Irish, as they handed the Aussies their worst loss in the series history. Led by AFL-er Tommy Walsh (3 overs) the Irish ran out to a 24 point lead at the half and coasted home in the 2nd half, with Leighton Glynn (1 goal, 2 overs) and Steven McDonnell (1 goal, 4 overs) both kicking 6-pointers. The Aussies were led by captain Brad Green (Melbourne) and also featured James Kelly (Geelong), Stephen Milne (St.Kilda), Angus Monfries (Essendon) and David Wojcinski (Geelong). Ireland featured Zach Tuohy (Portlaoise) (10, 1 Disc, CH10 - Quartermain/Hudson/Sheedy, PAL)
International Rules - 2nd Test - Ireland (50) @ (29) Australia - Ireland clinched the series with a big win at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Led by Leighton Glynn (1 goal, 1 over), Tommy Walsh (3 overs) and Steven McDonnell (3 overs) the Irish ran out to a 34-23 lead at the half and coasted home. The Aussies decided to go with a physical approach to the game and as a result started an all-in brawl in the 3rd quarter that saw Aussies Angus Monfries, Mark Nicoski and Robbie Gray sin-binned along with Finian Hanley and vice-captain Ciaran McKeever for the Irish. The Aussies were led by captain Brad Green (2 overs, four behinds) and also featured James Kelly. Ireland featured Zach Tuohy (Portlaoise) (10, 2 Discs, CH10 - Quartermain/Hudson/Sheedy, PAL)