Tigers v Cats, snippets

TURNING POINT: The Tigers led by six points at half-time, but Cameron Ling tied the scores with a tough snap from the boundary line early in the third quarter. Tigers forward Graham Polak had a chance to give his side the lead back with a simple shot from 25 metres out but he missed and from then on it was all Geelong. If Polak had kicked truly, the Tigers would have had the belief that they could match it for all four quarters.

CLASSIC GRAB: On a day not conducive to high marking, Chris Newman's one-handed grab in the second term was the pick. Cameron Mooney led up the middle of the ground with Newman on his hammer, but the Geelong forward was nudged under the ball. Newman jumped high, taking the stylish mark over Mooney with one hand that would have been a sensational grab even on a dry day.

STAR MAN: Paul Chapman booted four goals and collected 24 disposals in what was his best performance of 2008. The crafty half forward kicked three of his four goals during the third term with the game in the balance, right when Geelong needed someone to stand up and be counted.

ABSOLUTE SHOCKER: Troy Simmonds enter the match as one of the in-form ruckman of the competition. However, Geelong duo Mark Blake and Shane Mumford outclassed the Tigers big man for the majority of the match and won the hitout count 44-15.

WHAT A GOAL: It won't win goal of the year, but Brett Deledio's snap in the opening term was one of the strangest goals seen at the MCG for some time. Pressed in on the boundary line, Deledio kicked a hopeful snap over his shoulder which Matthew Scarlett – who was standing on his own in the goal square – seemed to have covered. However, the ball bounced as high as a Brett Lee bouncer, well over Scarlett’s head and through for an amazing goal.

UNSUNG HERO: Ryan Gamble didn't play in last year's premiership with Geelong, but he is fast becoming one of the Cats most important players in 2008. The crumbing forward kicked two goals late in the second term that kept his side in touch at half-time. As the season progresses, Gamble is only going to become a more important part of what is already a well polished Geelong side.