After reaching the 1992 grand final, which it lost to West Coast by 28 points, Geelong had missed the 1993 finals on percentage. North Melbourne meanwhile had enjoyed a solid first season under Denis Pagan (pictured below, left) in 1993, qualifying for the finals for the first time since 1987, only to wilt worryingly under pressure when it mattered.
The 1994 season had seen both the Cats and 'Roos achieve 13 wins from 22 home and away matches, with the Kangas finishing one place higher on the ladder thanks to a superior percentage. The consensus was that, whereas the 'Roos had toughened up appreciably on their 1993 incarnation, Geelong remained a trifle suspect when confronted by finals type pressure, and for this reason, despite the fact that Geelong had beaten the 'Roos in each of the teams' home and away meetings during the '94 season, it was North Melbourne which was narrowly favoured to win on this occasion.
With the 2 sides having (statistically) the best attacking divisions in the competition, a high scoring affair was expected, with North's Wayne Carey and Geelong's Gary Ablett being earmarked as the potential match winners for their respective sides. Both Carey and Ablett would, as it turned out, have significant impacts on the game, but not in quite the way expected.
1st Quarter
2 mins - After a frenetic opening couple of minutes during which courage, resolve and brute force have been very much to the fore, and clean possession of the ball at a premium, Cory McKernan's high kick from just outside the 50 metre arc travels goalwards some 20 metres to where Wayne Carey, who appears to have been the only player concentrating on the ball rather than an opponent, marks comfortably on his chest. His low spearing drop punt never deviates as it precisely bisects the centre of the goals.
4 mins - The McKernan-Carey show takes centre stage once again as the former's probing kick from right centre wing is collected on the first bounce by the latter who, after wheeling 'round onto his left foot, deliberately stabs the ball low so as to avoid the desperate lunge of McGrath, and watches in delight as it tumbles through the vacant goal square and over the goal line for full points.
5 mins - Shane Breuer collects the ball in the centre of the ground and is himself collected by Stevens - too high, in the opinion of the umpire, who awards the Geelong wingman a free kick, whereupon McKernan, arriving late on the scene, foolishly concedes a 50 metre penalty after clumsily endeavouring to prevent the Cat player from playing on. Brought to within 40 metres from goal on no appreciable angle Breuer has little difficulty in converting.
6 mins - Under intense pressure at centre half back Mark Bairstow (pictured right) off loads a blind handball which is promptly gathered up by Wayne Carey. Undaunted by the fact that he appears to be completely encircled by Geelong defenders, the North champion crashes goalwards before stabbing a low kick towards the goal square where Allison, unmarked, has plenty of time to collect and run almost to the goal line before firing home.
10 mins -Peter Riccardi on left centre wing for the Cats finds Mansfield 30 metres directly downfield. Mansfield's high left foot kick reaches the front edge of the goal square where a pack has formed. Craig Sholl appears to have judged the flight of the ball better than anyone, but it skids off his hands to the rear of the pack where Brownless, who cannot believe his good fortune, has the easiest of jobs to snatch up the ball and trot into an open goal to bring up Geelong's 2nd.
18 mins - After some 8 minutes of sustained attacking pressure from North Melbourne has yielded only 3 points, Geelong respond with a classic counter punch. Collecting the ball in the centre of the ground, Bairstow finds Paul Couch with a deft hand pass, freeing the 1989 Brownlow Medallist to hurtle goalwards before off loading to Garry Hocking just outside Geelong's attacking 50. Hocking's kick reaches Gary Ablett some 15 metres from goal but the Cat legend is unable to hold the mark and the ball goes to ground deep in the right forward pocket where Tudor, in space, has time to collect, look up, spot Couch unmarked 20 metres from goal adjacent to the left goal post, and find him with unerring precision. Couch appears to run extraordinarily close to the man on the mark, but still manages to steer his kick through for full points.
19 mins - At the ensuing centre bounce John Barnes taps the ball to Bairstow who runs to the front edge of the centre square before being tackled. Bairstow just manages to squeeze out a handball before crashing to earth but Sholl intercepts and prods a tentative looking tumble punt forward some 30 metres where the ball comes off hands to Allison. Dancing around a succession of opponents the Kangaroo midfielder gets to within 48 metres from goal before sending a low, spearing kick straight through the centre of the goals.
25 mins - A fast leading John Longmire (shown left) marks Anthony Stevens' pass just inside the left half forward flank boundary, 40 metres from goal. Making light of the apparent difficulty of the kick, Longmire's shot splits the centre of the goals well above goal post height.
Wayne Schwass' behind right on the quarter time siren brings to an end a ruggedly frenetic opening term in which fluent play has been at a premium. Having dominated affairs almost totally the North camp will be somewhat disappointed to lead by a mere 18 points. The Cats have performed well only in patches, but have been kept in the game by a combination of stolid persistence in defence and uncustomary inaccuracy in front of goal by some of North's supposedly better players.
QUARTER TIME: North Melbourne 5.9 (39) - Geelong 3.3 (21)
2nd Quarter
8 mins - After dominating the opening exchanges of the 2nd quarter Geelong finally break through for a major score courtesy of Couch who kicks truly after intercepting Dean Laidley's (see right) attempted clearance at centre half back.
11 mins - Couch, who is bobbing up all over the ground, collects the ball just outside attacking 50 for Geelong and quickly feeds Garry Hocking with a handball. As Hocking gets boot to ball he is brought clattering to earth but his kick nevertheless travels to within 25 metres of goal, where Mensch and Fairley vigorously contest the mark. Mensch, who appears to have pole position, manages to wrap his hands around the ball but, owing to the stern attentions of his opponent, is unable to hold on to it. The umpire, however, rules that Fairley's 'attentions' have been illicit, and awards the the Cats man a free kick, from which, with his first disposal of the afternoon, he has no difficulty in bringing his side to within a single straight kick of their opponents.
12 mins - Mensch's second disposal of the afternoon produces precisely the same outcome as the first after he marks Shane Breuer's centre clearance 25 metres from goal, directly in front. The scores are now level.
13 mins - Breuer again effects the centre clearance which reaches Hickmott some 50 metres from goal. Hickmott's low trajectory pass is aimed at a fast leading Gary Ablett who, after jostling for position briefly with his opponent Mick Martyn, appears to dive headlong onto the turf in a dying swan impression that would do Nureyev proud. The umpire, however, perhaps feeling pity for Ablett who has yet to procure a single possession all match, is beguiled into awarding him charity a free kick, from which he spears the Cats into the lead for the first time in the match.
17 mins - Garry Hocking, who has been winning hard ball after hard ball since quarter time, fires a low centering kick towards the full forward position from half forward right. Judging the flight of the ball perfectly, Bill Brownless takes a comfortable grab a good 2 metres from his nearest opponent. His kick for goal from 25 metres out straight in front is straight as a die.
21 mins - Geelong suddenly seem to have players everywhere and the Kangaroos appear unable to retain possession for more than a few seconds. After winning the ball through sheer weight of numbers near the centre of the ground the Cats use a succession of quick handballs to free Pickering on the edge of the 50 metre arc. Pickering's thumping goal bound kick is helped on its way by Ablett's clever last minute shepherd of his opponent, Martyn, and the Geelong fans are in seventh heaven.
29 mins - After an absorbing 8 minute spell during which North Melbourne have thrown everything at Geelong, only to be repelled repeatedly by the likes of McGrath, Steven Hocking, Mansfield, Hinkley (pictured left) and O'Reilly it is the Cats who ultimately manage to break through for full points. McGrath near the centre circle unloads to Hickmott at half forward left whose booming kick travels to within 5 metres of goal, tumbles off the hands of the pack, and is gratefully collected by Ablett who has the simplest of tasks to turn 'round and prod the ball over the line for his second 'gimme' goal of the game.
Almost on the half time siren Garry Hocking spoils what had otherwise been a copybook 2nd quarter performance by missing a veritable 'sitter' from less than 25 metres out on the slightest of angles.
HALF TIME: Geelong 10.7 (67) - North Melbourne 5.13 (43)
3rd Quarter
6 mins - Deep in Geelong's left forward pocket, Couch gathers the ball amidst a surging pack of players and just has time to throw it onto his boot before being tackled. The ball tumbles to the front of the goal square where it bounces off Mick Martyn's shin to a kneeling Ian Fairley, whose quick fire handball back towards Martyn (shown below, right) is intercepted by Tudor. Evading Martyn's desperate lunge, Tudor kicks truly from 25 metres out on a sharp angle.
7 mins - From the ensuing centre bounce, Ishchenko pats the ball into the air and then collects it, before grubbing a kick forward barely 5 metres right into the path of Sholl. The lanky North wingman dashes on and kicks high toward centre half forward where Longmire has seemingly managed to out-maneuver O'Reilly, only for the Cat backman to force him off balance at the last moment. With the ball seemingly set to evade both players Longmire sticks his foot out, effectively trapping it soccer style. Recovering quickly, Longmire runs after the ball, which is now rolling out towards the right half forward flank region. Snatching the ball up, Longmire just manages to squeeze out a kick as O'Reilly throws him to the turf. The ball floats toward the goal square where Carey and McGrath are the only 2 players waiting. Using his superior body strength, Carey unbalances McGrath, and is able to mark easily. Before the Cat centre half back can regain his balance 'King Carey' has drilled the ball home from point blank range.
9 mins - From a ball up midway between right centre wing and half forward right for Geelong Handley thumps the ball some 20 metres forward to Brownless, who quickly feeds off by hand to Pickering. From just outside 50 Pickering's kick is inch perfect as it confers on the Cats the biggest lead of the match.
10 mins - The Kangaroos once again effect the quick reply as, from the ensuing centre bounce, Ishchenko palms the ball to Schwass, whose hurried tumble punt travels forward roughly 20 metres to Allison. The tigerish North on baller just has time to feed off to Blakey before being seized from behind, and Blakey has time to run on, steady, and carefully measure his kick which sails over the heads of the goal line pack for full points.
12 mins - North continue to put the Cats under pressure as Stevens' kick from half forward left sails high to the teeth of the goal square where Longmire seems well set to mark, only for O'Reilly to effect a somewhat dubious looking spoil from behind. Before the umpire can decide whether or not to blow, however, the loose ball is snatched up by Carey, and from less than 5 metres out directly in front the game's pre-eminent key position forward is never going to miss.
14 mins - After seeming to run straight into his opponent Dean Laidley, Geelong wingman Shane Breuer is awarded a somewhat controversial free kick less than 40 metres from goal on a 20 degree angle and makes no mistake.
15 mins - Yet again, North's response is immediate and telling, as Ishchenko once more finds Stevens with a tap from the centre bounce, and this time Stevens has time to measure his options before steering the ball straight down Carey's throat at centre half forward. If he feels any pressure, Carey gives no indication of it as he effortlessly notches his 5th major of the game. Geelong coach Malcolm Blight (pictured left) promptly benches Carey's opponent, Tim McGrath, and hands arguably the toughest job in football to Leigh Colbert.
16 mins - Blight's move is immediately called into question as Schwass' centre clearance travels to centre half forward where, despite having front position, Colbert is out-muscled by Carey, allowing the ball to elude them both and roll right into the path of an unmarked John Longmire. The 1990 Coleman Medallist has the easiest of tasks to run on into an open goal and bring his team emphatically back into the match.
20 mins - As Ablett and Martyn trundle half heartedly after the ball deep in the right forward pocket they jostle briefly with one another and simultaneously go to ground. Somewhat surprisingly, the umpire manages to pick out a free kick to Ablett who, while Martyn is vehemently protesting, quickly finds the unmarked Paul Couch (shown right) just 25 metres from goal, directly in front. A miss is never even remotely likely.
26 mins - Just outside attacking 50 for the Cats, Pickering gets boot to ball under intense pressure and propels it forward some 30 metres. Mensch out jumps everyone in the assembled pack and punches the ball another 10 metres or so goalwards in the direction of Tudor. After trying without success to get the ball under control, Tudor flails out with his right boot and is overjoyed to watch it skid across the vacant goal square and over the goal line.
27 mins - The inevitable immediate riposte by North sees McKernan thump the ball forward 20 metres from the centre bounce, Allison reach it first and then tap it ahead of him before punching it out to Adrian McAdam, and McAdam hitting Carey on the chest at centre half forward with a perfectly weighted pass. Carey makes no mistake.
Andrew Wills adds 1 further behind to Geelong's tally moments before the three quarter time siren.
THREE QUARTER TIME: Geelong 15.9 (99) - North Melbourne 11.15 (81)
4th Quarter
3 mins - Geelong maneuver the ball from the centre of the ground towards right centre wing via the Hocking brothers and then McGrath, but McGrath is held up by Stevens, forcing the ball loose. Stevens is on to it in a flash and, given space by a shepherd from Allison, is able to run on, bouncing once, before centering the ball to Adrian McAdam at centre half forward, who marks comfortably on his chest before converting.
The ensuing 20 minutes or so see the teams engaged in a frenetic, untidy and occasionally spiteful contest which mostly occurs between the two 50 metre zones. The Kangaroos, with midfielders Stevens, Allison and Schwass (pictured left) particularly prominent, appear to be finishing the game marginally better than their opponents, but Geelong's half back line is standing firm.
22 mins - Carey and McGrath chase the ball out towards North's left half forward flank boundary. Carey reaches the ball first but instead of picking it up he elects to soccer it ahead of himself, momentarily nonplussing his opponent and giving him to time to snatch the ball up and despatch a tired looking grubber of a kick back in field towards centre half forward where it bounces off Allison's chest. Recovering quickly, Allison gathers up the ball, shrugs off an attempted tackle, and runs to within 10 metres of goal before firing gleefully home.
23 mins - North again win the centre clearance, this time through Stevens, who finds Rock in the clear just outside 50. Running on, Rock hoists a high kick towards the goal square which is marked, 10 metres from goal, by Longmire, who coolly restores North Melbourne's lead. The Kangaroos fans in the crowd are ecstatic, clearly believing that their team is home.
26 mins - Andrew Wills' running shot from just outside 50 veers away at the last moment for a minor score to Geelong.
28 mins - Archer's set shot from 50 metres out directly in front falls just short and John Barnes (pictured right) takes a towering defensive mark to relieve the pressure.
30 mins - Leigh Colbert, having marked midway between left centre wing and half forward right for the Cats, fires a quick kick off towards the forward pocket where Barnes, uncontested, drops a sitter. The loose ball is picked up by Tudor whose flaccid looking centering kick floats over North full back Mick Martyn's head straight into the hands of Gary Ablett. With just 2 seconds left on the clock, this is the first occasion in the match that Ablett has fully escaped from Martyn's clutches. With any score being enough to take Geelong through to the grand final, Ablett effortlessly steers the ball home from barely 20 metres out.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 16.13 (109); North Melbourne 14.19 (103)
The Cats have scored an improbable, against the odds victory that is a testimony to their tenacity and never-say-die attitude. For the 'Roos, defeat represents the first taste of a disappointment that they will experience once again in 1995, before finally breaking through for a premiership in 1996. Geelong would go on to lose the 1994 grand final to West Coast, and would lose again, this time to Carlton, the following year. Cats fans are still waiting to see their idols take that final step.
An examination of some of the key statistics from the match is quite illuminating. North won the ball out of the centre 19 times, compared to 12 by the Cats, and this helps explain why the 'Roos penetrated 50 72 times compared to Geelong's 45, and troubled the scorers 33 times compared to their opponent's 29. Perhaps even more telling, however, was the free kick count: 32 frees to the Cats, just 13 to North. Sometimes the gods smile on you, and it appears that this was one such occasion for Geelong.
(Source: Full Points Footy)
The 1994 season had seen both the Cats and 'Roos achieve 13 wins from 22 home and away matches, with the Kangas finishing one place higher on the ladder thanks to a superior percentage. The consensus was that, whereas the 'Roos had toughened up appreciably on their 1993 incarnation, Geelong remained a trifle suspect when confronted by finals type pressure, and for this reason, despite the fact that Geelong had beaten the 'Roos in each of the teams' home and away meetings during the '94 season, it was North Melbourne which was narrowly favoured to win on this occasion.
With the 2 sides having (statistically) the best attacking divisions in the competition, a high scoring affair was expected, with North's Wayne Carey and Geelong's Gary Ablett being earmarked as the potential match winners for their respective sides. Both Carey and Ablett would, as it turned out, have significant impacts on the game, but not in quite the way expected.
1st Quarter
2 mins - After a frenetic opening couple of minutes during which courage, resolve and brute force have been very much to the fore, and clean possession of the ball at a premium, Cory McKernan's high kick from just outside the 50 metre arc travels goalwards some 20 metres to where Wayne Carey, who appears to have been the only player concentrating on the ball rather than an opponent, marks comfortably on his chest. His low spearing drop punt never deviates as it precisely bisects the centre of the goals.
4 mins - The McKernan-Carey show takes centre stage once again as the former's probing kick from right centre wing is collected on the first bounce by the latter who, after wheeling 'round onto his left foot, deliberately stabs the ball low so as to avoid the desperate lunge of McGrath, and watches in delight as it tumbles through the vacant goal square and over the goal line for full points.
5 mins - Shane Breuer collects the ball in the centre of the ground and is himself collected by Stevens - too high, in the opinion of the umpire, who awards the Geelong wingman a free kick, whereupon McKernan, arriving late on the scene, foolishly concedes a 50 metre penalty after clumsily endeavouring to prevent the Cat player from playing on. Brought to within 40 metres from goal on no appreciable angle Breuer has little difficulty in converting.
6 mins - Under intense pressure at centre half back Mark Bairstow (pictured right) off loads a blind handball which is promptly gathered up by Wayne Carey. Undaunted by the fact that he appears to be completely encircled by Geelong defenders, the North champion crashes goalwards before stabbing a low kick towards the goal square where Allison, unmarked, has plenty of time to collect and run almost to the goal line before firing home.
10 mins -Peter Riccardi on left centre wing for the Cats finds Mansfield 30 metres directly downfield. Mansfield's high left foot kick reaches the front edge of the goal square where a pack has formed. Craig Sholl appears to have judged the flight of the ball better than anyone, but it skids off his hands to the rear of the pack where Brownless, who cannot believe his good fortune, has the easiest of jobs to snatch up the ball and trot into an open goal to bring up Geelong's 2nd.
18 mins - After some 8 minutes of sustained attacking pressure from North Melbourne has yielded only 3 points, Geelong respond with a classic counter punch. Collecting the ball in the centre of the ground, Bairstow finds Paul Couch with a deft hand pass, freeing the 1989 Brownlow Medallist to hurtle goalwards before off loading to Garry Hocking just outside Geelong's attacking 50. Hocking's kick reaches Gary Ablett some 15 metres from goal but the Cat legend is unable to hold the mark and the ball goes to ground deep in the right forward pocket where Tudor, in space, has time to collect, look up, spot Couch unmarked 20 metres from goal adjacent to the left goal post, and find him with unerring precision. Couch appears to run extraordinarily close to the man on the mark, but still manages to steer his kick through for full points.
19 mins - At the ensuing centre bounce John Barnes taps the ball to Bairstow who runs to the front edge of the centre square before being tackled. Bairstow just manages to squeeze out a handball before crashing to earth but Sholl intercepts and prods a tentative looking tumble punt forward some 30 metres where the ball comes off hands to Allison. Dancing around a succession of opponents the Kangaroo midfielder gets to within 48 metres from goal before sending a low, spearing kick straight through the centre of the goals.
25 mins - A fast leading John Longmire (shown left) marks Anthony Stevens' pass just inside the left half forward flank boundary, 40 metres from goal. Making light of the apparent difficulty of the kick, Longmire's shot splits the centre of the goals well above goal post height.
Wayne Schwass' behind right on the quarter time siren brings to an end a ruggedly frenetic opening term in which fluent play has been at a premium. Having dominated affairs almost totally the North camp will be somewhat disappointed to lead by a mere 18 points. The Cats have performed well only in patches, but have been kept in the game by a combination of stolid persistence in defence and uncustomary inaccuracy in front of goal by some of North's supposedly better players.
QUARTER TIME: North Melbourne 5.9 (39) - Geelong 3.3 (21)
2nd Quarter
8 mins - After dominating the opening exchanges of the 2nd quarter Geelong finally break through for a major score courtesy of Couch who kicks truly after intercepting Dean Laidley's (see right) attempted clearance at centre half back.
11 mins - Couch, who is bobbing up all over the ground, collects the ball just outside attacking 50 for Geelong and quickly feeds Garry Hocking with a handball. As Hocking gets boot to ball he is brought clattering to earth but his kick nevertheless travels to within 25 metres of goal, where Mensch and Fairley vigorously contest the mark. Mensch, who appears to have pole position, manages to wrap his hands around the ball but, owing to the stern attentions of his opponent, is unable to hold on to it. The umpire, however, rules that Fairley's 'attentions' have been illicit, and awards the the Cats man a free kick, from which, with his first disposal of the afternoon, he has no difficulty in bringing his side to within a single straight kick of their opponents.
12 mins - Mensch's second disposal of the afternoon produces precisely the same outcome as the first after he marks Shane Breuer's centre clearance 25 metres from goal, directly in front. The scores are now level.
13 mins - Breuer again effects the centre clearance which reaches Hickmott some 50 metres from goal. Hickmott's low trajectory pass is aimed at a fast leading Gary Ablett who, after jostling for position briefly with his opponent Mick Martyn, appears to dive headlong onto the turf in a dying swan impression that would do Nureyev proud. The umpire, however, perhaps feeling pity for Ablett who has yet to procure a single possession all match, is beguiled into awarding him charity a free kick, from which he spears the Cats into the lead for the first time in the match.
17 mins - Garry Hocking, who has been winning hard ball after hard ball since quarter time, fires a low centering kick towards the full forward position from half forward right. Judging the flight of the ball perfectly, Bill Brownless takes a comfortable grab a good 2 metres from his nearest opponent. His kick for goal from 25 metres out straight in front is straight as a die.
21 mins - Geelong suddenly seem to have players everywhere and the Kangaroos appear unable to retain possession for more than a few seconds. After winning the ball through sheer weight of numbers near the centre of the ground the Cats use a succession of quick handballs to free Pickering on the edge of the 50 metre arc. Pickering's thumping goal bound kick is helped on its way by Ablett's clever last minute shepherd of his opponent, Martyn, and the Geelong fans are in seventh heaven.
29 mins - After an absorbing 8 minute spell during which North Melbourne have thrown everything at Geelong, only to be repelled repeatedly by the likes of McGrath, Steven Hocking, Mansfield, Hinkley (pictured left) and O'Reilly it is the Cats who ultimately manage to break through for full points. McGrath near the centre circle unloads to Hickmott at half forward left whose booming kick travels to within 5 metres of goal, tumbles off the hands of the pack, and is gratefully collected by Ablett who has the simplest of tasks to turn 'round and prod the ball over the line for his second 'gimme' goal of the game.
Almost on the half time siren Garry Hocking spoils what had otherwise been a copybook 2nd quarter performance by missing a veritable 'sitter' from less than 25 metres out on the slightest of angles.
HALF TIME: Geelong 10.7 (67) - North Melbourne 5.13 (43)
3rd Quarter
6 mins - Deep in Geelong's left forward pocket, Couch gathers the ball amidst a surging pack of players and just has time to throw it onto his boot before being tackled. The ball tumbles to the front of the goal square where it bounces off Mick Martyn's shin to a kneeling Ian Fairley, whose quick fire handball back towards Martyn (shown below, right) is intercepted by Tudor. Evading Martyn's desperate lunge, Tudor kicks truly from 25 metres out on a sharp angle.
7 mins - From the ensuing centre bounce, Ishchenko pats the ball into the air and then collects it, before grubbing a kick forward barely 5 metres right into the path of Sholl. The lanky North wingman dashes on and kicks high toward centre half forward where Longmire has seemingly managed to out-maneuver O'Reilly, only for the Cat backman to force him off balance at the last moment. With the ball seemingly set to evade both players Longmire sticks his foot out, effectively trapping it soccer style. Recovering quickly, Longmire runs after the ball, which is now rolling out towards the right half forward flank region. Snatching the ball up, Longmire just manages to squeeze out a kick as O'Reilly throws him to the turf. The ball floats toward the goal square where Carey and McGrath are the only 2 players waiting. Using his superior body strength, Carey unbalances McGrath, and is able to mark easily. Before the Cat centre half back can regain his balance 'King Carey' has drilled the ball home from point blank range.
9 mins - From a ball up midway between right centre wing and half forward right for Geelong Handley thumps the ball some 20 metres forward to Brownless, who quickly feeds off by hand to Pickering. From just outside 50 Pickering's kick is inch perfect as it confers on the Cats the biggest lead of the match.
10 mins - The Kangaroos once again effect the quick reply as, from the ensuing centre bounce, Ishchenko palms the ball to Schwass, whose hurried tumble punt travels forward roughly 20 metres to Allison. The tigerish North on baller just has time to feed off to Blakey before being seized from behind, and Blakey has time to run on, steady, and carefully measure his kick which sails over the heads of the goal line pack for full points.
12 mins - North continue to put the Cats under pressure as Stevens' kick from half forward left sails high to the teeth of the goal square where Longmire seems well set to mark, only for O'Reilly to effect a somewhat dubious looking spoil from behind. Before the umpire can decide whether or not to blow, however, the loose ball is snatched up by Carey, and from less than 5 metres out directly in front the game's pre-eminent key position forward is never going to miss.
14 mins - After seeming to run straight into his opponent Dean Laidley, Geelong wingman Shane Breuer is awarded a somewhat controversial free kick less than 40 metres from goal on a 20 degree angle and makes no mistake.
15 mins - Yet again, North's response is immediate and telling, as Ishchenko once more finds Stevens with a tap from the centre bounce, and this time Stevens has time to measure his options before steering the ball straight down Carey's throat at centre half forward. If he feels any pressure, Carey gives no indication of it as he effortlessly notches his 5th major of the game. Geelong coach Malcolm Blight (pictured left) promptly benches Carey's opponent, Tim McGrath, and hands arguably the toughest job in football to Leigh Colbert.
16 mins - Blight's move is immediately called into question as Schwass' centre clearance travels to centre half forward where, despite having front position, Colbert is out-muscled by Carey, allowing the ball to elude them both and roll right into the path of an unmarked John Longmire. The 1990 Coleman Medallist has the easiest of tasks to run on into an open goal and bring his team emphatically back into the match.
20 mins - As Ablett and Martyn trundle half heartedly after the ball deep in the right forward pocket they jostle briefly with one another and simultaneously go to ground. Somewhat surprisingly, the umpire manages to pick out a free kick to Ablett who, while Martyn is vehemently protesting, quickly finds the unmarked Paul Couch (shown right) just 25 metres from goal, directly in front. A miss is never even remotely likely.
26 mins - Just outside attacking 50 for the Cats, Pickering gets boot to ball under intense pressure and propels it forward some 30 metres. Mensch out jumps everyone in the assembled pack and punches the ball another 10 metres or so goalwards in the direction of Tudor. After trying without success to get the ball under control, Tudor flails out with his right boot and is overjoyed to watch it skid across the vacant goal square and over the goal line.
27 mins - The inevitable immediate riposte by North sees McKernan thump the ball forward 20 metres from the centre bounce, Allison reach it first and then tap it ahead of him before punching it out to Adrian McAdam, and McAdam hitting Carey on the chest at centre half forward with a perfectly weighted pass. Carey makes no mistake.
Andrew Wills adds 1 further behind to Geelong's tally moments before the three quarter time siren.
THREE QUARTER TIME: Geelong 15.9 (99) - North Melbourne 11.15 (81)
4th Quarter
3 mins - Geelong maneuver the ball from the centre of the ground towards right centre wing via the Hocking brothers and then McGrath, but McGrath is held up by Stevens, forcing the ball loose. Stevens is on to it in a flash and, given space by a shepherd from Allison, is able to run on, bouncing once, before centering the ball to Adrian McAdam at centre half forward, who marks comfortably on his chest before converting.
The ensuing 20 minutes or so see the teams engaged in a frenetic, untidy and occasionally spiteful contest which mostly occurs between the two 50 metre zones. The Kangaroos, with midfielders Stevens, Allison and Schwass (pictured left) particularly prominent, appear to be finishing the game marginally better than their opponents, but Geelong's half back line is standing firm.
22 mins - Carey and McGrath chase the ball out towards North's left half forward flank boundary. Carey reaches the ball first but instead of picking it up he elects to soccer it ahead of himself, momentarily nonplussing his opponent and giving him to time to snatch the ball up and despatch a tired looking grubber of a kick back in field towards centre half forward where it bounces off Allison's chest. Recovering quickly, Allison gathers up the ball, shrugs off an attempted tackle, and runs to within 10 metres of goal before firing gleefully home.
23 mins - North again win the centre clearance, this time through Stevens, who finds Rock in the clear just outside 50. Running on, Rock hoists a high kick towards the goal square which is marked, 10 metres from goal, by Longmire, who coolly restores North Melbourne's lead. The Kangaroos fans in the crowd are ecstatic, clearly believing that their team is home.
26 mins - Andrew Wills' running shot from just outside 50 veers away at the last moment for a minor score to Geelong.
28 mins - Archer's set shot from 50 metres out directly in front falls just short and John Barnes (pictured right) takes a towering defensive mark to relieve the pressure.
30 mins - Leigh Colbert, having marked midway between left centre wing and half forward right for the Cats, fires a quick kick off towards the forward pocket where Barnes, uncontested, drops a sitter. The loose ball is picked up by Tudor whose flaccid looking centering kick floats over North full back Mick Martyn's head straight into the hands of Gary Ablett. With just 2 seconds left on the clock, this is the first occasion in the match that Ablett has fully escaped from Martyn's clutches. With any score being enough to take Geelong through to the grand final, Ablett effortlessly steers the ball home from barely 20 metres out.
FINAL SCORE: Geelong 16.13 (109); North Melbourne 14.19 (103)
The Cats have scored an improbable, against the odds victory that is a testimony to their tenacity and never-say-die attitude. For the 'Roos, defeat represents the first taste of a disappointment that they will experience once again in 1995, before finally breaking through for a premiership in 1996. Geelong would go on to lose the 1994 grand final to West Coast, and would lose again, this time to Carlton, the following year. Cats fans are still waiting to see their idols take that final step.
An examination of some of the key statistics from the match is quite illuminating. North won the ball out of the centre 19 times, compared to 12 by the Cats, and this helps explain why the 'Roos penetrated 50 72 times compared to Geelong's 45, and troubled the scorers 33 times compared to their opponent's 29. Perhaps even more telling, however, was the free kick count: 32 frees to the Cats, just 13 to North. Sometimes the gods smile on you, and it appears that this was one such occasion for Geelong.
(Source: Full Points Footy)
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