Famous 1994 semi-final

Bairstow and 1989 Brownlow medallist Paul Couch”.

Into the team came veteran Tim Darcy, one-game rookie Aaron Lord and fringe player Sean Simpson.

Geelong fans would have been excused for packing their bags and heading home before the first bounce.

But most of them, and the rest of the 53,000 there, hadn’t reckoned on sheer mental and physical desire coupled with outstanding play. And all plotted by a match committee courageous enough not to risk injured players.

The result was that the Cats surprised everyone and controlled the match all day.

Victory – and the possible return of the three stars next week – lifted them into a preliminary final showdown against North Melbourne.

For Carlton, it was the end of 1994 – a shattering conclusion to a year that promised much, but delivered even less than last year.

Geelong showed desire, speed and spirit to outpoint Carlton. Its courage was everywhere, right down to two players on the bench injured during the game.

Strong contributors Peter Riccardi and Grant Tanner were forced to watch the emphatic last quarter from the sidelines.

Tanner set the early initiative for Geelong with a blistering opening quarter in the middle. He took on and beat Adrian Gleeson, winning 11 possessions in the first quarter.

Tanner’s influence was later dampened by Andrew McKay before he was injured in the third quarter. But the two men who stood defiant and dominant were John Barnes and Liam Pickering – both rejects from other clubs. — Sunday Herald Sun, September 18, 1994