Central Coast Mariners are the new A-League front-runners after beating Adelaide 2-1 in Saturday night’s top-of-the-table clash in Gosford.

Nick Montgomery scored the winner 14 minutes from fulltime as the Mariners finished off the come-from-behind win to make it a perfect four from four at home this season.

The win leapfrogs the Mariners into first place on the ladder with 20 points ahead of the Reds with 19.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold paid credit to the spirit of his side.

“You go down 1-0 against the run of play in tough conditions, against an in-form side and come away with the win, that just shows the character of the side,” he said.

“We have to be honest though, we were very sloppy in the final third … we should have won by more.”

The Mariners had the better of the early running and made debutant Reds goalkeeper Paul Izzo work for his first A-League pay cheque.

Izzo, rated by observers amongst the best young goalkeepers Australia has produced, was forced to save three Mariners shots in the first 15 minutes.

He repelled a Michael McGlinchey strike in the fourth minute and then efforts from Daniel McBreen in the 12th and 15th minutes.

Both sides contributed to an entertaining contest in the sweltering conditions despite missing their most influential playmakers, with Tomas Rogic on Socceroos duty and Dario Vidosic injured.

Despite the home side’s early flurry of shots on goal, it was the Reds who struck first through Bruce Djite – with the home side wasting a number of opportunities with two shots flying into the scoreboard at the southern end of the ground.

The Mariners finally had something to show for their domination in the shadows of halftime when Josh Rose blasted a left-foot shot past Izzo in the 45th minute for his sixth A-League goal.

The stifling heat slowed the pace after the break, the Mariners finally taking the lead when Mitchell Duke crossed to Montgomery who made no mistake.

Adelaide coach John Kosmina said he was disappointed his side didn’t come away with the win.

“We probably let three points get away, we had a good opportunity to take control of the game,” Kosmina said.

“We will probably look back and say this is one we let get away.”

All week Melbourne Victory have been shaken, and ultimately they stirred to give new coach Ange Postecoglou his first win in charge of the A-League club on Friday evening.

The Victory came from behind to beat arch-rivals Adelaide United two-one at Etihad Stadium, ending the Reds’ unbeaten start to the season.

Trailing to a Dario Vidosic penalty immediately after 49 minutes, the Victory equalised by way of a robust Mark Milligan header a few minutes later on.

Then New Zealand global Marco Rojas scored the winner in the 67th minute right after punishing some comical Adelaide defending.

The win comes following a tumultuous 6 days in which the Victory have been embarrassed five- by Postecoglou’s outdated club Brisbane Roar, striker Danny Allsopp retired on Thursday, and the new coach wielded the axe with five adjustments to his starting side.

He put his faith in returning internationals Archie Thompson, Milligan and Rojas and dumped goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas and import midfielder Jonathan Bru.

His decision to pair Milligan and Billy Celeski in central midfield immediately gave the Victory more purpose and form in a first half in which the two sides had their odds.

The finest fell to Adelaide attacker Jeronimo, but he shot broad on 43 minutes when one particular-on-one particular with goalkeeper Tando Velaphi.

But the Reds have been in front 4 minutes following halftime when Celeski needlessly handled the ball in the box, gifting Vidosic a spot-kick he coolly slotted house.

The Victory levelled issues up when Milligan, who only returned from Socceroos duty on Thursday morning, powered property a header from a Gui Finkler corner.

Then Adelaide defender Nigel Boogaard was caught in limbo, pushing an Archie Thompson centre towards the crossbar.

Rojas pounced on the loose ball but hit the bar, before eventually finishing the rebound.

Milligan was the outstanding player on the pitch – placing in a tireless shift breaking down and creating attacks with regularity, as nicely as his essential objective.

Postecoglou was pleased with his side’s improved overall performance, believing want was the important to the Victory finding all 3 points.

“The very first two weeks we weren’t established, we weren’t resilient, most likely the wish wasn’t as fantastic as it should be,” Postecoglou explained.

“We had been a lot more solid tonight. We have even now got a great deal of operate to do on our football.

“The boys handled it quite well tonight.

“We had been compact, we played out when we had it. When we didn’t, we didn’t get exposed.”

“We had been a good deal a lot more established in every little thing we did.”

Adelaide were greatest served by defender Anthony Golec and difficult-functioning midfielder Osama Malik.

Coach John Kosmina said he believed his side could have at least pinched a point, if not all three – lamenting Jeronimo’s squandered possibility just prior to halftime.

“You miss probabilities like that towards a team like Melbourne, normally you spend a price later on on and we did,” Kosmina mentioned.

Shane Watson imagined he had price Australia the game but he simply strapped on his superman cape and did the task with bat and ball as Australia scored a essential Planet Twenty20 win in excess of West Indies on Saturday night.

West Indies won the toss in the Group B clash at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium and chose to bat, posting the massive complete of eight-191 including half-centuries from Chris Gayle (54) and Marlon Samuels (50).

Watson, who grassed a difficult diving opportunity when Gayle was on 4, later on eliminated the master blaster caught and bowled and completed with two-29.

Mitchell Starc claimed three-35 but Australia’s hopes appeared slim chasing such a huge total.

Nonetheless, savage early batting from David Warner (28), Watson (41 not out) and Mike Hussey (28 not out) did the job.

A downpour halted perform about 10pm following Australia had raced to one-a hundred from 9.one overs, 17 runs ahead on the Duckworth/Lewis Technique for rain-affected matches.

Play was referred to as off half an hour later on.

Watson was named guy of the match for the 2nd consecutive game.

Australia, following beating Group B rivals Ireland last Wednesday, will perform 3 matches in the Super Eights stage, beginning against India on Friday.

Watson had his personal slice of luck when he was dropped on 28, heaving a mighty blow to the leg-side boundary in which Dwayne Smith dropped a head-large opportunity.

Watson said he had earlier worried about dropping Gayle for several overs until finally the left-hander was lastly dismissed.

“I was definitely feeling that ache until finally I was in a position to get him out but in the imply time he had accomplished a fair bit of damage and gave a good deal of momentum to the West Indian side,” Watson explained.

“That was extremely disappointing but to be capable to make up for it in some way with the bat specially, it in no way helps make it truly feel any far better but at least we were far more likelihood of winning the game anyway.”

Watson mentioned he was thrilled to see Smith fail to consider the catch and tipping the ball above the rope was a nice reward.

“There are turning moments in a game,” Watson stated.

“My dropped catch of Chris Gayle definitely turned it in the direction of the West Indies’ favour.

“However dropped catches can turn events. I was fortunate it was my turn when I was batting.”

Watson’s massive hitting was perfectly timed just prior to the downpour even though he stated his brisk scoring rate was basically primarily based on trying to hold up with the run-price essential chasing 192 to win.

“Up till it started out drizzling and I noticed all the ground employees operating to the addresses, that was the very first time I had any concept there was rain coming.”

Wayne Bennett believes Manly are taking part in the sort of rugby league that is excellent sufficient for them to become the very first club to win back-to-back titles in a united competition given that Brisbane last managed the feat below him in 1992-93.

Manly dismantled master coach Bennett’s Newcastle side 42-20 at Brookvale Oval on Sunday, operating in eight tries to four to leave the seven-time premiership-winning mentor in awe of the Sea Eagles’ performance.

Asked how very he rated them, Bennett explained: “Currently being asked that question now, and I was asked that the other day, and watching the movies of Manly, they are as great as anyone with their possible appropriate now, I think,” mentioned Bennett, who also won back-to-back titles with Brisbane in the Super League year of 1997 and then `98.

“They may have taken a bit of a hit here these days with some injuries, I am not sure.

“If they get rid of a lot of players, it will be as well difficult to get that proper before the season is above, so I don’t know that circumstance.

“But undoubtedly their form – and I am not saying that since of today’s benefits, I’m saying it simply because of what I have witnessed over the last couple of weeks – they are taking part in the type of footy that wins when it matters.”

The loss signifies Newcastle encounter a challenging battle to make the finals with the Knights sitting 11th on the ladder and two factors outdoors the eight with two video games remaining.

If the Knights do miss out, it would mean Bennett won’t coach a team in the finals for the very first time because 1991.

The Sea Eagles’ win moved them to 32 points but left them in fourth spot on points differential behind South Sydney, with two video games remaining.

Souths suffered a 2nd consecutive loss when they went down twenty-seven to Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening.

But the Rabbitohs have a good run to the finals with video games against final-positioned Parramatta and Newcastle.

Canterbury, coached by Des Hasler who steered Manly to the 2011 title, skipped 4 clear of Melbourne in the race for the minor premiership with a controversial 23-22 win over Wests Tigers on Friday night.

Video referee Sean Hampstead is underneath mounting pressure right after he awarded a try to Bulldogs winger Jonathan Wright in the 74th moment despite a shepherd in the lead-up to the four-pointer.

Also on Friday, Melbourne continued their resurgence with a 19-18 win above Brisbane to give the Storm a third straight win which leaves them in 2nd area.

The Broncos are clinging to seventh location on 26 points after 4 consecutive losses and perform Manly at Brookvale following week.

Meanwhile Sydney Roosters veteran Anthony Minichiello faces a nervous wait to see if he is charged by the match critique committee immediately after he was sent off against Canberra.

Minichiello, who had by no means been sent off in his twelve seasons, caught Raiders fullback Josh Dugan higher in Saturday’s 24-20 loss to Canberra who remain an outdoors opportunity to make the finals.

Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah will have further scans to his fractured hand on Monday.

Farah suffered the injury generating a tackle early in further-time in Friday night’s loss to the Bulldogs.

With their NRL finals hopes on the line, Newcastle delivered on their pre-season promises with a medical 26-4 victory above Cronulla at Hunter Stadium on Monday evening.

Five-eighth Jarrod Mullen was the star of the display, opening the scoring in the 16th minute just before laying on 3 more to move the Knights into ninth spot on the ladder, just two behind the eighth-positioned Wests Tigers with 3 matches to perform.

The loss all but puts paid to the leading 4 hopes of Cronulla, who are in sixth on 27 factors and 3 points behind fourth-placed Manly.

Newcastle fullback Darius Boyd was the mastermind behind the opening converted try.

He drifted cross field before putting halfback Tyrone Roberts by means of a gaping hole, with the young halfback sending Mullen below the posts.

The 25-year-old then turned creator, hitting the afterburners to get on the outdoors of Cronulla halfback Jeff Robson before working 35 metres and setting up centre Dane Gagai to extend the lead to twelve- following 27 minutes.

Mullen got the second half underway completely for the residence side when a single of his cross-area kicks was snatched by Boyd who was ultimately awarded a advantage-of-the-doubt try out by video referee Rod Lawrence, delighting the crowd of 15,394.

Proving he wasn’t fairly done yet, Mullen once more split the Sharks flimsy defence out broad to set up winger Akuila Uate in the 71st moment, although Kevin Naiqama crossed in the final minute of the match to comprehensive the blowout.

The match took a spiteful twist mid-way via the second half when Cronulla 2nd-rower sparked a minor scuffle after dropping an elbow into a the Knights’ Roberts, lying susceptible on the ground.

The following set Knights prop Willie Mason was positioned on report for hitting Jeff Robson late and large.

It prompted a brief demonstrate of spirit from the visitors, who instantly spread the ball wide and crossed through winger John Williams to minimize the margin to 18-four, but it was never ever going to be sufficient.

Cronulla bench forward Wade Graham, in his 1st match back from a sternum injury, left the field in the second half immediately after aggravating the injury.

It is a notion which two months ago seemed totally farcical offered Newcastle’s standing on the ladder, but Wayne Bennett’s impressive streak of making the finals each and every year because 1992 could remain intact.

The master coach himself refused to be drawn on the probability of stealing seventh or eighth spot.

“You just want to be playing properly at this finish of the season and we’re doing that,” he mentioned.

“The rest of it offers us the finest possibility we’ve received.

“I’ve been in that numerous situations at this time of yr, I can tell you about each and every expertise.

“But the knowledge I appreciate most is (having) your teams playing effectively at the proper end of the season … and correct now we’re playing excellent football.

“Regardless of whether it is very good sufficient to get us there, I’m not positive.

“But I’m pleased to be in the position we’re in.”

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and captain Paul Gallen said Mullen’s kicking game was the distinction in the match, although Bennett and Knights’ skipper Danny Buderus praised his working and passing game – highlighting the No.6′s dominant all-round performance.

As for no matter whether the Sharks can make the finals Flanagan explained: “If we win another game we’ll be in there.

“If we win a couple far more, we’ll be close to that major four.”

South Sydney maintain marching on, moving into equal 2nd on the NRL ladder following Saturday night’s 36-14 win over St George Illawarra but face the prospect of losing superstar Greg Inglis to suspension.

The monster fullback, who also scored a consider in yet another powerhouse performance, was positioned on report just before halftime for a sickening shoulder charge on Dean Young that left the Dragons’ utility heavily concussed.

Young, who was taken from the field on a medicab and put in a precautionary neck brace, was levelled by the Queensland and Australian star after generating a break.

The hit sparked an all-in brawl and added an element of spite in a game in which the Rabbitohs continued to mount their case as one particular of the competitors favourites as winger Nathan Merritt finished with a hat-trick.

He had a double following just 26 minutes, with Souths selecting up right exactly where they left off in Monday night’s last-ditch victory over the Sydney Roosters.

Immediately after just two minutes, winger Andrew Everingham had crossed following extraordinary lead-up perform from 5-eighth John Sutton.

It was Everingham and Inglis who combined to give Souths the field position for Merritt’s very first try out, even though the star grubbered for himself to bag his second.

The Dragons had many possibilities to minimize the deficit but routinely came up short, most notably when centre Chase Stanley was ruled to have not grounded the ball by the video referee shortly before halftime.

They managed a minor effect on the scoreboard with winger Brett Morris finishing off crisp backline movements in the two halves although back-rower Ben Creagh steamed onto a flat pass late in the second.

The match was all but ended with a lot more than twenty minutes remaining when Inglis ripped by means of the Dragons defence on a 40-metre burst for a excellent solo try, but the Rabbitohs weren’t carried out yet.

Matt King muscled his way past Jason Nightingale for just his second try of the season, while Sutton capped off a fantastic person performance when he sliced via with ten minutes remaining.

The reduction continued the Dragons horrible record on the road in 2012, with the joint-venture club successful just after from 9 away video games this yr.

Dragons skipper Ben Hornby mentioned he was “not satisfied” with the Inglis large shot, while coach Steve Price tag compared it to the hit which rubbed back-rower Matt Prior out for 5 matches earlier this season.

In that incident, Prior was sent off and referred straight to the judiciary on a striking charge for elbowing North Queensland captain Johnathan Thurston in an equally ugly incident.

“He surely acquired him, he’s lucky he didn’t break his jaw,” Price mentioned.

“We copped a man (Prior) in North Queensland who received sent off and copped 5 weeks so we’ll have to leave that up to the match review (committee).”

Inglis indicated he wasn’t as well concerned about any looming penalty.

“Looking at the replay I didn’t think there was as well a lot in it … it truly is 1 of these issues, but we’ll wait and see,” he informed Fox Sports.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire praised Inglis’ barnstorming performance, but stated he couldn’t comment on the tackle itself as it was now a matter for the NRL match review panel.

“I considered he was great,” Maguire mentioned.

“The way he saved tries and turned up on the appropriate plays was excellent. With Greggy, he just credits the crew but he does some fantastic items for us.”

Price tag confirmed centre Matt Cooper is very likely to devote some time on the sidelines after he picked up a hamstring injury late in the match.

Collingwood are a superpower on the rise.

Geelong are a superpower in decline.

The Magpies’ convincing 31-stage AFL win over the premiers at the MCG on Saturday night could not have better illustrated the contrasting trajectories of final season’s two grand finalists in the 10 months because Geelong won the flag.

Collingwood, free-flowing and fluid, had been at the height of their powers to hold alive their top four hopes.

Geelong, disjointed and dishevelled, butchered the ball by hand, by foot, and all around goal as they slid to the edge of the prime eight trapdoor.

Collingwood forward Dale Thomas booted three goals in the 17.8 (110) to 10.19 (79) victory.

Midfielder Dayne Beams was among a number of Magpies who kicked two along with 37 disposals in a full team performance.

The Magpies started out with intent and on fire, unleashing a seven-aim very first quarter as they handled driving rain and the ball in difficult situations far far better to lead by 34 factors at quarter-time.

With Heath Shaw marauding at will from defence, midfielder Scott Pendlebury influential in his 1st match for six weeks and Dane Swan busy around the ball, the Magpies led by 46 factors at halftime.

Geelong booted the opening two targets of the third phrase to provide the briefest of sniffs of a comeback.

But four consecutive goals to the Magpies – Thomas’ 3rd amongst them – killed off any hope of that and seemingly any hope the Cats have the weaponry to win a fourth flag in 6 seasons.

Swan had 39 possessions and Pendlebury 36, although the damaging Shaw racked up 30 touches.

Steve Johnson was very easily Geelong’s best with 36 disposals and six tackles.

The Cats’ misery was compounded with midfielder Joel Corey reported in the 2nd quarter for a sling tackle on Collingwood’s Jarryd Blair.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley mentioned it was “critical” his side bounced back right after their uncharacteristic defeat by Carlton and was pleased with the style in which they did.

“Our tackling efficiency close to the ball was quite very good in the first quarter and it set us up,” Buckley said.

“I truly do feel it is vital (to bounce back in the manner Collingwood did). You are looking for the inspiration and the explanation to find that intensity all the time.

“Clearly following a poor functionality in which there’s query marks over your competitiveness and your intensity, it was important to bounce back pretty swiftly.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott lamented his side’s poor first quarter, but believed his team competed nicely for the remainder in spite of the defeat.

“To me it seemed like we didn’t manage the problems as properly as the opposition,” Scott explained.

“Our problems by way of the midfield translated into truly easy shots for them. When you’re five or 6 targets down on the scoreboard, it becomes a actual battle.

“I don’t assume we played properly early, but I thought we were pretty great for three quarters right after that. It’s clear that our degree proper across the game is not where we want it to be.”

Obtaining won the battle, NSW coach Ricky Stuart says the Blues now have to demonstrate they can win the war after Todd Carney stepped up to the plate to set up a State of Origin decider with a 16-12 win on Wednesday evening.

The Blues moved a single stage closer to ending Queensland’s record six-year dominance of the interstate traditional, Carney’s Origin second arriving right after a forgettable debut when he provided the spark which altered the program of the game.

Now Stuart says, the total team has to adjust the program of Origin history.

“These boys have shown they can win an Origin game, now we have to display we can win an Origin series,” Stuart stated.

“We have to show to ourselves far more than anyone else that we can win an Origin series.”

Central to that will be Carney, who was 1 of a lot of Blues heroes Robbie Farah coming up with a marathon 64 tackles and Greg Bird taking out guy of the match honours.

With his side given the benefit of a one particular-man advantage immediately after Cooper Cronk was sin-binned for denying the Blues 5-eighth an opportunity to score, Carney hit the go button to modify the match irrevocably.

Getting just booted a penalty to lock it up at six-all, Carney brushed by means of an Ashley Harrison tackle on his own 20 metre line just before locating Brett Stewart in support for his 2nd attempt of the night.

Four minutes later it was 16-six to the Blues, Jarryd Hayne cleverly kicking the ball ahead immediately after being stripped by Johnathan Thurston to full a mesmerising spell for the house side.

“You do not get a lot of opportunities in Origin,” Stuart said.

“Just the pass to Brett Stewart was a hard talent.

“He took the line on a lot more tonight.”

Just as NSW did in Origin I when Michael Jennings was spelled for ten minutes, the Maroons paid dearly for Cronk’s binning, his choice to deny Carney a near particular 6 points instead becoming twelve by the time he returned.

Queensland captain Cameron Smith conceded Cronk’s stint off the area was pivotal.

“We struggled when Cooper got put in the sin-bin,” he explained.

“They scored two tries and we couldn’t recover … we had a great deal of area position in the 2nd half but unfortunately we could not get the win and which is one particular-all and we’ll go back to Brisbane for the decider.

Cronk did his finest to make amends with a brilliant kick-chase on his return which secured a repeat set for the Maroons, and then virtually like clockwork, Queensland started their late charge.

Two straight sets had been repelled by the Blues but a third was past them, Darius Boyd tapping back a Thurston bomb for Greg Inglis to stretch his Origin record tally to 14 tries.

It looked like the Maroons had broken NSW hearts when Brent Tate leapt highest to reel in a bomb in the corner, but just as he appeared set to fall over and score Jennings arrived to tap the ball out of his grasp.

The Blues had already had the life punched out of them on the stroke of halftime when immediately after a spirited opening stanza they went to the sheds trailing when Ben Hannant scored a minute prior to the break.

Stewart’s 25th-minute attempt appeared scant reward for NSW’s dominance of the opening period after Akuila Uate inexplicably allowed a bomb to bounce near his line and Boyd tapped back for Harrison to feed Hannant who dived over underneath the posts.

Having won the battle, NSW coach Ricky Stuart says the Blues now have to prove they can win the war after Todd Carney stepped up to the plate to set up a State of Origin decider with a 16-12 win on Wednesday night.

The Blues moved one step closer to ending Queensland’s record six-year dominance of the interstate classic, Carney’s Origin moment arriving after a forgettable debut when he provided the spark which changed the course of the game.

Now Stuart says, the entire team has to change the course of Origin history.

“These boys have shown they can win an Origin game, now we have to show we can win an Origin series,” Stuart said.

“We have to prove to ourselves more than anybody else that we can win an Origin series.”

Central to that will be Carney, who was one of many Blues heroes; Robbie Farah coming up with a marathon 64 tackles and Greg Bird taking out man of the match honours.

With his side given the benefit of a one-man advantage after Cooper Cronk was sin-binned for denying the Blues five-eighth an opportunity to score, Carney hit the go button to change the match irrevocably.

Having just booted a penalty to lock it up at 6-all, Carney brushed through an Ashley Harrison tackle on his own 20 metre line before finding Brett Stewart in support for his second try of the night.

Four minutes later it was 16-6 to the Blues, Jarryd Hayne cleverly kicking the ball ahead after being stripped by Johnathan Thurston to complete a mesmerising spell for the home side.

“You don’t get many opportunities in Origin,” Stuart said.

“Just the pass to Brett Stewart was a tough skill.

“He took the line on a lot more tonight.”

Just as NSW did in Origin I when Michael Jennings was spelled for ten minutes, the Maroons paid dearly for Cronk’s binning, his decision to deny Carney a near certain six points instead becoming 12 by the time he returned.

Queensland captain Cameron Smith conceded Cronk’s stint off the field was pivotal.

“We struggled when Cooper got put in the sin-bin,” he said.

“They scored two tries and we couldn’t recover … we had a lot of field position in the second half but unfortunately we couldn’t get the win and that’s one-all and we’ll go back to Brisbane for the decider.

Cronk did his best to make amends with a brilliant kick-chase on his return which secured a repeat set for the Maroons, and then almost like clockwork, Queensland started their late charge.

Two straight sets were repelled by the Blues but a third was beyond them, Darius Boyd tapping back a Thurston bomb for Greg Inglis to stretch his Origin record tally to 14 tries.

It looked like the Maroons had broken NSW hearts when Brent Tate leapt highest to reel in a bomb in the corner, but just as he seemed set to fall over and score Jennings arrived to tap the ball out of his grasp.

The Blues had already had the life punched out of them on the stroke of halftime when after a spirited opening stanza they went to the sheds trailing when Ben Hannant scored a minute before the break.

Stewart’s 25th-minute try seemed scant reward for NSW’s dominance of the opening period after Akuila Uate inexplicably allowed a bomb to bounce near his line and Boyd tapped back for Harrison to feed Hannant who dived over under the posts.

Early-season premiership favourites Carlton slumped to their fourth loss in 5 AFL matches as they suffered a twelve-point defeat at the hands of Geelong in their round-11 clash on Friday night.

Defending premiers Geelong won 14.13 (97) to 11.19 (85) before a crowd of 47,632 at Etihad Stadium, growing the strain on Carlton coach Brett Ratten whose side’s grip on a leading-eight spot is searching shaky with a 6-five record.

Carlton’s Eddie Betts and Geelong’s Steven Motlop booted four targets every.

The Cats enhanced their record to 7-4 right after powerful-bodied midfielders Joel Selwood and Paul Chapman combined for 15 within-50 entries, 53 disposals and three ambitions.

Mitch Duncan, with 24 disposals and two targets, was an additional strong contributor and held Chris Judd for most of the game right up until the Blues skipper worked his way back into the game in the final phrase.

Important defender Michael Jamison held Geelong’s Tom Hawkins to one particular aim, even though running defender Bryce Gibbs had an entertaining duel with Cats’ star Steve Johnson who was aim-less.

The Blues dominated the opening phrase, kicking 4 targets to Geelong’s two, but by halftime Carlton’s advantage had shrunk to five factors.

Betts booted three initial-quarter ambitions before an additional goalsneak Motlop kicked 3 majors to preserve the Cats in touch at halftime.

Right after a quiet initial half, Hawkins helped spark the Cats who grabbed the lead for the very first time considering that the initial minute of the match.

Geelong outscored the Blues 5 objectives to 3 in the 3rd phrase to hold a six-point break at 3-quarter time and one more 4 goals to two in the final quarter kept the Cats in management.

Selwood, with ten possessions and a traditional captain’s objective, led Geelong’s 3rd-quarter revival.

With five minutes left in the game, Mathew Stokes place the Cats 19 points ahead with a goal from a cost-free kick and the Blues could only handle one particular a lot more objective, a determined snap from Judd, who lifted with a 10-possession final quarter.

Kade Simpson and Brock McLean shared the midfield load for the Blues with Judd.

James Podsiadly was a late withdrawal from Geelong’s selected side with a sore hip.

Carlton encounter a challenging trip to Perth to play ladder leaders West Coast subsequent Thursday evening while Geelong have a bye.

In spite of the loss, Ratten could see optimistic indicators.

“We have been a great deal far more bolder with the football, we took the game on and it was true arm-wrestle,” he mentioned.

“The wheel is turning for us as a group.”

The Blues had 30 scoring shots to Geelong’s 27 and had been wasteful in front of goal.

“To kick 2.9 in the final quarter, that harm us,” Ratten mentioned.

Robbie Warnock (hip tightness) was substituted off in the 3rd term and Ratten mentioned he hoped his in-form ruckman would be match to take on the Eagles.

Geelong coach Chris Scott praised Selwood’s performance and stated the Cats were bettering, despite the fact that they are nevertheless to uncover top gear.

“We’re nevertheless in contention. It may not be clicking completely, but we surely aren’t believing the unfavorable press out there about us,” he stated.