By Michael Whiting
Gold Coast SUNS once again matched 2011 premier Geelong for a half, but fell short after the Cats surged home in the NAB Cup on Friday night.
The Cats had to withstand a third quarter rally by the GC SUNS that reduced the lead from 34 points to 15 at the final change, but the 2011 premiers steadied to win 1.16.13 (118) to 1.8.12 (69).
Geelong bolted clear in the final quarter, kicking six goals to one.
The Cats came north with just seven players from last year's premiership win while the GC SUNS had a near full-strength team, but the class gap was still there.
Jimmy Bartel was sublime for the victors, kicking three goals, racking up 26 disposals and taking a number of trademark overhead grabs.
On the other side of the fence was fellow Brownlow medalist – and former Geelong teammate – Gary Ablett, who was in blistering form all night.
It was two brilliant individual goals from Ablett in the third quarter that kept his team in the contest.
He finished with 24 touches and appears in as good a form as at any stage in his career.
Young star Jaeger O’Meara again gave GC SUNS fans a glimpse into the future after coming on from the subs bench in the second-half.
O’Meara played up forward, kicked a great goal as the GC SUNS surged, and delighted fans from both clubs with his maturity.
He looks a ready-made star.
Geelong coach Chris Scott got plenty from his experienced players – Bartel, Harry Taylor and Joel Selwood were terrific – and also his youngsters, who swarmed all over the Suns when not in possession.
Cameron Guthrie was a terrier with his defensive pressure, while Steven Motlop again bobbed up with two goals.
It may have been a pre-season match but there was no lack of intensity with two huge collisions in the first quarter, including one between GC SUNS teammates.
In a bizarre incident, Dion Prestia took two bounces down the right wing when Campbell Brown's shepherd attempt went horribly wrong and they collided head-on.
Neither player was injured but it was amusing for the 5381 spectators.
Just minutes later GC SUNS defender Steven May produced an enormous shirt-front on Mitch Brown which left the Cat dazed for a few seconds.
GEELONG 0.4.3 0.9.6 0.11.10 1.16.13 (118)
GOLD COAST SUNS 1.2.2 1.3.6 1.7.10 1.8.12 (69)
GOALS
Geelong: Selwood (supergoal), Bartel 3, Hawkins 2, Motlop 2, Horlin-Smith 2, Hogan, Stringer, Shroder, West, Guthrie, Brown, Kersten
Gold Coast SUNS: Bock (supergoal), Bock 3, Ablett 2, O'Meara, Russell, Brown
BEST
Geelong: Bartel, Taylor, Hunt, Guthrie, Hogan, Horlin-Smith
Gold Coast SUNS: Ablett, Bock, Bennell, Iles, Warnock
INJURIES
Geelong: Mackie (finger)
Gold Coast SUNS: nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Kamolins, McInerney, Jeffery, Mitchell
Official crowd: 5381 at Metricon Stadium
