MILESTONE man Jimmy Bartel has propelled Geelong to a 38-point win over a gallant Adelaide at Simonds Stadium on Thursday night.
The Crows hit the front early in the last quarter but the Cats responded with the final six goals of the match to claim an 18.11 (119) to 12.9 (81) win in Bartel's 250th match.
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was brilliant, shrugging off any concerns about a hamstring problem to lift the team while Bartel thrilled the home crowd in the second quarter with three goals. Bartel finished the night with four goals.
Adelaide was brave but buckled under the Cats' tackling pressure in the last quarter. Geelong also ramped up its rotations to turn what looked to be shaping up as a bob of the head finish into a runaway win.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said he was a little worried at three-quarter time and the players deserved credit for their efforts in the final quarter.
"For our guys to really grit their teeth and find a way was really encouraging, especially with some players that we can't be sure are Geelong players just yet," Scott said.
He said Lincoln McCarthy – in his second game for the club – Jared Rivers – in his second season at the club and Hamish McIntosh – in his second life as a footballer – all earned their horizontal stripes as Geelong players on the night.
"Hamish McIntosh probably became a Geelong player tonight. He's had to fight hard to earn the respect of his teammates," Scott said.
He did it, and I think Lincoln McCarthy did it. Little things like Jared Rivers' mark in the last quarter ... Rivs' a little bit more advanced than those other guys, but I think he's a player our guys love playing with."
The Crows would have lost no admirers with their performance, particularly after a bummer of a summer on the injury front.
This was a quality game reserved for the top end of town between two teams who should fight for finals spots.
The ball flung from end to end with Geelong's midfield generating its forays forward while Adelaide was able to rebound hard from deep in defence.
It was the usual suspects thriving for Geelong with Selwood, Steve Johnson and James Kelly providing the midfield drive while Bartel finished their good work up forward.
Bartel's three goals set the game alight in the second quarter. He found space inside 50 and showed that neither the summer or the passing of time had dimmed his skills.
His second goal was exceptional as he gathered the ball, laconically drifted on to his left foot – non-preferred it must be said – and guided the ball through the goals like a master lawn bowler on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Josh Caddy also lifted after quarter-time and kept battling despite receiving a cut above the eye that required seven stitches at half-time.
The Cats replaced George Horlin-Smith with Dawson Simpson before the match to accompany Hamish McIntosh. Geelong subbed Simpson late in the third quarter, with Mark Blicavs replacing him in what might become standard practice for the Cats.
Leading the charge for Adelaide were lower profile players Sam Kerridge, Matthew Wright and Matthew Jaensch, who took advantage of the Cats' focus on shutting down Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane to win the ball regularly.
Daniel Talia and Ben Rutten were an excellent defensive combination - spoiling, marking and distributing.
James Podsiadly did not have a great influence in his first game for Adelaide against his old club while Eddie Betts – who joined the Crows from Carlton – was cheeky and exciting at times but did not dominate.
However the Crows did enough to hang in there when Geelong threatened to break the game open late in the second quarter.
From midway through the third quarter they looked to be running the Cats down and when Dangerfield – who has the gait of an Olympic sprinter rather than a marathon runner – kicked a goal early in the final quarter they hit the lead.
But Sanderson said the Crows' final 20 minutes was disappointing after working so hard to be in a position to win the game.
"It felt like they swarmed us [with] their ability to pressure us at the contest. [It] was something we could not handle at times and the team that pressures the opposition the longest typically wins and Geelong pressured us for longer than we could pressure them tonight," Sanderson said.
Geelong has not built a record of two losses at the venue since 2007 on skill alone. It dug in and got the job done.
Geelong's Josh Caddy after an accidental kick to the head from teammate Joel Selwood. Picture: AFL Media
GEELONG 6.0 11.3 12.7 18.11 (119)
ADELAIDE 5.3 9.5 11.8 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Geelong: Bartel 4, Brown 3, Selwood 2 Duncan, Hawkins, McIntosh, Caddy, Simpson, Enright, Murdoch, Stokes, Johnson
Adelaide: Johnston 3, Betts 2, Dangerfield 2, Grigg, Smith, Jacobs, McKernan, Jaensch
BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Johnson, Kelly, Bartel, Mackie, Stokes, Caddy
Adelaide: Wright, Kerridge, Mackay, Grigg, Jacobs, Talia
INJURIES
Geelong: Caddy (cut head),
Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Mark Blicavs replaced Dawson Simpson in the third quarter
Adelaide: Jarryd Lyons replaced Brad Crouch in the third quarter
Reports: Lewis Johnston (Adelaide) for rough conduct on Steve Johnson (Geelong)
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Shane Stewart, Matthew Leppard
Official crowd: 23,622 at Simonds Stadium
There goes the final siren and Geelong have kicked 6 goals in the final quarter to run away from the Adelaide Crows and record a 38 point win. Bartel is acknowledged in game 250. Congratulations!
Jimmy Bartel gets the milestone game he well and truly deserves and the Cats are not done with yet. With this performance they confirm that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2014.
It has been a superb effort by the Cats who have run away from the Crows in the final quarter.
GOAL CATSSmiles all round for the Cats. Selwood can't take the mark in the marking contest but he recovers first and runs inside 50. He takes a bounce and ices the cake!
GOAL CATSHamish McIntosh runs into the open goal and draws in the opponent. Sensing the occasion he draws an opponent and handballs to Bartel who takes a bow and kicks his fourth.
The Cats looking like they have the four points in the bag with the intensity of the Crows dropping off somewhat.
BEHIND CROWSSloane keeps on keeping on and bursts through rugby league style. He fires in a tired looking shot at goal and he misses to the right.
GOAL CATSGeelong almost have a match winning lead here. The Courageous Caddy who is much better with a footy in his hand than a golf club marks strongly and kicks the goal. Cats on fire!
Geelong have kicked the last three goals of the game and lead by 20 points. We still have over ten minutes remaining and this is where the Crows have picked up at each quarter.
GOAL CATSTurnover in the middle. The Cats go straight down the guts where Brown collects, passes go and sends the footy straight over the goal umpire's hat! He has three goals!
BEHIND CATSThe Cats are lifting! They have started each quarter well and this is no exception. Taylor's long kick is touched off the boot.
It's not over yet. Don't go to the bathroom. Don't go and make that cuppa. There is plenty of footy to be played in this one.
GOAL CATSStokes roves off Brown before handballing back to Brown who kicks it around the corner for a goal. The Cats lead by 12 points.
BEHIND CATSBartel kicks long from the edge of the 50. His kick bounces and bounces and bounces, but it's to the wrong side of the big sticks.
GOAL CATSThe ball is pumped long to Stevie J and Kerridge tries to run across to effect the spoil, but he misses and keeps running. Johnson plays on and kicks the goal.
The Adelaide Crows have hit the front and lead by the barest of margins. Over to you, Geelong.
GOAL CROWSThe Crows are pushing big time. Here comes the Danger! Dangerfield that is! He takes off with the footy tucked under his arm and kicks a long, long, kick for a goal!
It's quite conceivable that the Cats could lose here tonight. The Crows are building and are hitting their targets.
The final quarter is underway and I am already on the edge of my seat. Can the Cats do it for Bartel in his 250th?
Three quarter time at Simonds Stadium with Geelong clinging on to a 5 point lead.
This one is hotting up and the kitchen is steaming. What a wonderful game of footy to entertain us on a Thursday night.
BEHIND CROWSBetts handballs to Wright who runs in and kicks for goal but he kicks it to the wrong area. Behind to the Crows.
BEHIND CROWSSloane is all alone. Hang on, a budding poet, I kid you not! Lets try it again. Sloane is by himself and runs to the edge of 50 and fires, but misses.
SUBSTITUTION CROWSAdelaide bring on Lyons and he takes the place of Crouch who goes on the couch. Or perhaps the pine.
BEHIND CATSGeelong surge forward once again. The ever reliable Selwood takes the footy and fires at goal, but he misses to the left.
GOAL CROWSTURNOVER. As the robot from Lost in Space would say. Danger, Danger. No, it's not Dangerfield, but it's Jaensch who bursts way and drills it through.
BEHIND CROWSEddie Betts does his best impersonation of a pick pocket and pinches the Sherrin. He runs into an open goal and tries to be too elegant and hits the post.
BEHIND CATSThe Crows defence under pressure with the ball off hands.
Guthrie has been on Dangerfield tonight and done a pretty good job.
GOAL CATSSelwood handballs inside to Stokes who is stoked to receive the ball and kicks the goal.
The stats sheet shows us that Stevie J has 20 disposals. He has started off 2014 with a bang.
Dangerfield has been blanketed all night by the Cats but we have already seen some glimpses of brilliance from the dangerous one.
GOAL CROWSJohnston takes it third in line and is paid the mark. His shot off a difficult angle is a beauty. He is a great kick.
SUBSTITUTION CATSBlicavs comes onto the field for the first time in 2014. He replaces Simpson.
Eddie Betts and Joel Selwood participate in a dance for two where they grab each other by the front of the jumper and wipe each other's chins with it. Or something like that.
The contest is well and truly on with contested footy the order of the third quarter.
The third quarter thus far has not been as open as the first two. One would suggest that both coaches were preaching the defence word at the main break.
BEHIND CATSSimpson brings it down to Steve Johnson who snaps but he misses to the left.
The third quarter is underway.
Halftime at Simonds Stadium with the Cats leading the Crows by 10 points. A thrilling second half awaits us after a cup of tea and a biscuit or three.
A frantic final minute of quarter two awaits. The Cats lead by 10 points. A goal either way tells such a different story heading into the break.
GOAL CROWSLewis Johnston is a wonderful kick. He takes the mark 39 metres out and the set shot at goal is sheer beauty with the kick of the ball. A bloke you'd want to kick for your life.
The Crows continue to be full of run as the clock ticks down to halftime.
The Cats have 9 multiple goal kickers. Caddy is in a bit of trouble after receiving a stray boot to the head from Selwood.
GOAL CATSBartel marks just outside 50. He has the wind at his back but he sees Enright bolting down the right and he kicks to him. Enright sucks in a few deep ones before kicking the goal.
The Crows have finished the first and second quarters in very strong fashion. They seem to have the legs to carry them through with the Cats slowing right down.
GOAL CROWSLewis Johnston comes out on a strong lead. He takes his time before sending the ball straight through the middle for a goal. Crows have kicked the last two goals.
BEHIND CATSThe Crows are party poopers! Bartel's rolling kick at goal is touched on the line just before it went through. Great call by the goal umpire.
GOAL CROWSEddie Betts is proving to be a valuable addition to the Crows. From nowhere he plucks out the pill and kicks the goal. He has 2 goals in his Adelaide debut.
The Crows their own worst enemy with ball handling a major weakness. Perhaps a little extra ball work won't go astray at training this week.
BEHIND CROWSScott Thompson marks and will line up a crucial kick for the Crows. Frustration is clear on his face with Chelsea Roffey signalling a behind after Thompson's wayward kick
The Crows need to crank it up here. Turn it on. Come to the party. You know what I mean. Another Geelong goal and there could be some up the creek without a paddle action.
BEHIND CATSThe Cats' lead has gone out to 22 points with Stokes missing to the right.
Jimmy Bartel has kicked three goals in the second quarter with the Cats piling on four unanswered goals.
GOAL CATSJohnson spots up Bartel, once again all alone! He gathers the footy and spins on a 5 cent coin. He then unloads with a bouncing goal! IT'S PARTY TIME! Bartel has brought his party tricks.
Back to the stats and Sam Kerridge has been impressive for the Crows with 12 disposals. Nobody will forget his match against North Melbourne last year.
BEHIND CROWSA rushed behind for the Crows with the shot at goal being punched through.
Time to check the stats sheet (or perhaps the stats screen) and it shows that Selwood is dominating. He has 11 touches.
GOAL CATSLonergan kicks long looking for Brown, but at the front of the pack enters Jimmy Bartel. The milestone man drags in the mark and the kick is a mere formality. GOAL!
Geelong have kicked the last two goals after the Crows had put four together and they lead by 10 points.
GOAL CATSThe Crows are dishing out donations in defence under enormous pressure. Murdoch takes the footy and shows some fancy footwork before snapping it through for a goal.
GOAL CATSHow on earth is Jimmy Bartel all on his own inside 50? Perhaps he hasn't applied the old roll on deodorant? He marks 40 metres out and kicks the goal to a standing ovation.
Podsiadly still has not reappeared back onto the field after quarter time. He appeared to have injured his elbow and is still receiving medical attention.
BEHIND CATSMcCarthy with a hurried shot at goal brings up the Cats' first behind of the season. Until now the Cats have been 100% accurate for the entire 2014 season. Well, one quarter...
GOAL CROWSJacobs marks on the edge of the centre square and Kelly knocks the ball out of his hands. 50 METRE PENALTY! Jacobs slots it through from point blank range to put the Crows in front.
The second quarter is underway.
The siren sounds for quarter time with Geelong holding on to a shrinking three point lead.
With less than a minute until quarter time, both teams are desperate to not concede a late goal.
GOAL CROWSThe Crows have kicked the last three goals with McKernan marking on the lead. From 48 metres out he makes absolutely no mistake whatsoever. The Cats lead by 3 points.
GOAL CROWSPatrick Dangerfield you little beauty! Being pointed towards the boundary and under pressure, he throws it on the boot off almost an impossible angle and kicks the goal!
On the stats sheet Jimmy Bartel has 7 disposals. Who said he was getting old with game 250? The man is a legend but don't worry he won't be singing All of Me. That's a different legend.
Eddie Betts is no flash in the pan! He is out there ready to prove to the Blues that they ain't seen the best of him yet. He looks determined to succeed.
GOAL CROWSThe Crows run the ball up in Indian file like a relay. Three handballs down the field results in Eddie Betts running inside 50 and splitting the middle with a sublime running kick.
GOAL CATSSimpson is the target in the goal square but he can't take the mark. Like a good piece of toast he butters up, gathers the big red oval shaped ball and kicks the goal!
Mitch Brown has made an impressive start in his new role up forward, but his set shot on this occasion goes out on the full.
A big crowd is in attendance tonight with the Geelong faithful turning up for their first glimpse of AFL action this year.
BEHIND CATSPodsiadly is booed as he takes the mark on the lead. He should know what the breeze does, but the application says different. He misses to the left.
BEHIND CATSThe ball is punted long to the square and it's off hands and through for a behind.
GOAL CATSCaddy takes it from the ruck contest but he s brought down in the tackle then is paid the free kick. Caddy guides it through for Geelong's fifth.
Rory Sloane comes off with a blood rule. Not something to surprise anyone given he is a regular in the medical rooms.
GOAL CROWSThere are goals all over the joint with Brodie Smith unleashing a mammoth beast of a kick from outside 50. They're only worth 6 points but the Crows will take it. GOAL!
GOAL CATSHamish McIntosh take a bow! The big man gathers just inside 50 and kicks a goal with his first kick for the Cats and boy does he know it. High fives, bum slaps and hugs all around!
GOAL CROWSSome good ball movement by the Crows with McKernan finding Betts on the 50. The former Blue finds Grigg who kicks the perfect set shot. Crows on the board.
Hamish McIntosh is on the field for his first game in well over a season and he wins the hitout.
GOAL CATSGeelong get it out of the centre with Bartel marking from Varcoe. Bartel in his 250th match short passes to Hawkins who goes back and kicks the goal.
GOAL CATSTaylor can't take the mark but he recovers and handballs to Duncan and he kicks it along the ground for a goal. Cats off to a flying start.
BEHIND CROWSMcKernan juggles the mark 40 metres out but he misses his shot to the right.
GOAL CATSSelwood kicks it through traffic with Brown picking it up and snapping it around his shoulders for the Cats' first goal in 2014.
We are underway in Geelong for 2014. The ball is trapped under a pack of players and the umpire will throw it up.
Mark Blicavs is the substitute for the Cats with Jarryd Lyons donning the lime vest for the Crows.
For the Crows Eddie Betts and a chap by the name of James Podsiadly line up for the Crows. Interestingly Podsiadly lines up against his former side.
Hamish McIntosh plays his first match for Geelong tonight after a enduring a couple of frustrating injury riddled seasons. The Cats also have a late change with HorlinSmith replaced by Simpson.
Welcome to Simonds Stadium for Thursday Night Football live from Skilled Stadium. It's Geelong vs Adelaide.