FIVE OF THE BEST
CATS ON THE STATE OF ORIGIN STAGE
Geelong is no stranger to State of Origin epics, with four players in the squads for tomorrow’s bushfire relief clash. The Cats have always relished the chance to play for — or against — the Big V and have produced some memorable moments. JOSH BARNES looks back at five of the best STATE DUTIES LEAD TO UPSET
Looking through the history book at the 1963 season, one result in particular sticks out. Fitzroy battled all season and won just the one match — against eventual premier Geelong. In dour conditions at Brunswick Street Oval in Round 10, four goals from Gary Lazarus helped the Lions win 9.13
(67) to 3.13 (31). But the Cats put the loss down to State of Origin duties, with the Victorian side on a two-week tour west to Adelaide and Perth. Star Cats including Doug Wade and Alistair Lord were missing and coach Bob Davis was also on Victorian duties. However, that was offset somewhat as Fitzroy champion Kevin Murray was also with the state side. When the stars returned, the Cats would kick back into gear and only lose one game for the rest of the season before a comfortable grand final win.
ABLETT’S 1984 BREAKOUT
Drafted into Victoria’s squad for its match against Western Australia on the back of a five-goal haul from 30 touches against St Kilda just days before in Round 14 at Kardinia Park, Gary Ablett’s Victorian debut was remarkable. In his first season with Geelong — after just nine games with the Cats and 15 overall at VFL level — Ablett was unstoppable for Victoria at half forward and booted eight goals. The home side just pipped the Vics in one of the great State of Origin clashes, 21.16 (142) to 21.12 (138) in front of 42,500 people. Ablett finished the 1984 season well, before kicking 82 goals in the VFL the next year. The superstar would go on to captain Victoria in the memorable 1995 game that included Ted Whitten’s farewell lap and Tony Lockett starting forward alongside Ablett. Lockett booted seven goals as Victoria beat South Australia by 63 points. Ablett would play 11 matches for his state and kick 43 goals.
CATS POPULATE TRIBUTE MATCH
The last time active AFL players pulled on the Big V — in 2008 — Geelong led the way with seven players in blue under the stewardship of coach Mark Thompson. Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes, Joel Corey and Corey Enright would oppose the Vics in the Dream Team. Gary Ablett Jr was named in the squad but pulled out before the game due to injury. Steve Johnson (right) booted three for the home side and Corey had 23 touches for the Dream Team. Victoria won by 17 points.
BILLY AND POLLY REUNITE
After 101 games in six seasons with Geelong, Graham “Polly” Farmer returned to Western Australia at the end of the 1967 season. When Victoria came over to face the Farmer-led WA side, its captain was the ruckman’s famous roving partner from the Cats, Billy Goggin. “It was strange suddenly playing against him,” Goggin said. The Vics got home by nine points. Goggin would go on to coach the Big V several times.
BUDDHA LEADS VICS OFF
In what was the final genuine competitive State of Origin match in 1999 — only the 2008 exhibition has followed it — Geelong’s Garry “Buddha” Hocking (pictured) was handed the captaincy. “It is a great honour. I was a bit overawed when I was told because of the great names in the team,” Hocking said on being named captain. He was joined by teammate Peter Riccardi in the side. In miserable, wet and muddy conditions at the MCG, 26,063 people saw the home team defeat South Australia by 54 points. Young North Melbourne player Brent Harvey was named best-on-ground.