Published on Aug. 3, 2018 by Tom Naghten on Sportingnews.com
Geelong legend Gary Ablett missed a chance in the dying minutes to give the Cats a win over Richmond at the MCG on Friday night. The Tigers ran out three-point winners to notch up their 19th straight win at the venue, but the dual Brownlow medallist had a chance to steal the premiership points for Geelong.
Having been behind most of the game, Geelong kicked five goals to two in the final term to get within a kick.
As the ball entered Geelong’s forward 50 it fell to Tom Hawkins who found Ablett in space about 40 metres from goal on a tight but makable angle.
Unfortunately for the 34-year-old and his teammates, the kick slid to the right and Richmond were able to see out the final 90 seconds to claim the win and solidify top spot on the table.
The result was the closest any side has come to Damien Hardwick’s team during their record-breaking winning run at the the ‘G.
It was Geelong’s star-studded midfield who kept them within touching distance all night, Patrick Dangerfield, Tim Kelly and Joel Selwood all having huge games in the middle.
For Richmond, Jack Riewoldt kicked four goals, while Dustin Martin and Kane Lambert both had strong performances in the midfield.
The result sees Richmond two games clear at the top of the ladder, with West Coast a chance to get one back against Fremantle on Sunday.
Geelong are now in danger of dropping out of the eight should Sydney get over Collingwood on Saturday night.