1993 had been a tale of two halves for Geelong, stumbling out of the blocks early in the season before storming home down the stretch to give themselves a chance at reaching September action. 

From Round 17 to Round 21, the Cats were giant killers as they took down four consecutive Finals-bound teams, including a 94-point win over second placed North Melbourne and an 82-point triumph over a top of the table Hawthorn team. 

It all boiled down to the final round of the season, as Geelong headed to the W.A.C.A for a date with the reigning premiers, taking on West Coast who were also sitting in the top four with one game to go. 

The match loomed as a pivotal one for the Cats, who entered the last game of the home and away season just one spot outside of Finals, with only percentage separating them and the sixth placed Adelaide Crows. 

08:21

Time Cat-Sule | Clutch Cats Outlast Eagles In The West

The Star-Studded Eagles were in fine form but the Cats kicked 6 goals in the last quarter to beat West Coast by 20 points!

With everything to play for, Geelong started strongly in the opening quarter and booted five goals, but West Coast were able to find four majors of their own to keep the Cats lead to just five points at the first break. 

The tension was evident everywhere you looked during the Friday night showdown, with Cats fans packed into Geelong's social club to watch all the action, while coach Malcolm Blight bizarrely opted to stand on a table to get a better vantage point. 

Another exciting quarter of action unfolded in the second term, Gary Ablett made his presence felt with two majors but it was the Eagles that gained the ascendancy, taking a narrow one point lead into half time. 

With their season on the line in a monumental half of football, Ablett once again had an impact as he booted an early goal in the third quarter, Barry Stoneham following suit shortly after as it looked like momentum was turning in favour of the Cats. 

But it was never going to be that easy against the reigning premiers, as West Coast responded to the challenge and found another string of goals to extend their lead to nine points at three quarter time. 

So in a match that meant so much to both teams, it came down to the last quarter in a finish that was fitting of the occasion. 

Barry Stoneham got the ball rolling for Geelong in the final term, converting a brilliant set-shot finish from tight on the boundary to pull the Cats back within a kick. 

Billy Brownless slotted an opportunity soon after to put Geelong in front, Leigh Tudor launched home a beautiful finish on the run and Gary Ablett hit the scoreboard once again, the Cats all of a sudden had a stranglehold on the match. 

Ablett and Stoneham each booted another major to land decisive blows, a six-goal final term helping Geelong capture a phenomenal 20-point win over the Eagles to keep their Finals hopes alive. 

Mark Bairstow would eventually receive the three votes on Brownlow night, collecting 37 disposals and a goal in a dominant display, while John Barnes (21 disposals, 36 hit-outs) and Steve Hocking (26 disposals) would also feature in the votes. 

Up forward it was the spearhead combination of Ablett and Stoneham that did the damage, combining for nine goals as the Cats finished their home and away season on a positive note. 

Ultimately the result would not mean much as Adelaide went on to win their final game of the season, securing their spot in the 1993 Finals series and eliminating the Cats before September, but Geelong could hold their heads high after a sensational finish to the season.  

1993 Round 22 – West Coast v Geelong @ W.A.C.A

WEST COAST      4.3      8.7      12.11     14.12       (96)
GEELONG             5.2      8.6       11.8      17.14      (116)

GOALS: Ablett 5, Stoneham 4, Brownless, Tudor 2, Bairstow, Lynch, Riccardi, Steele 1

DISPOSALS: Bairstow 37, Couch 28, Tudor, Hocking 26, Stoneham 25

BROWNLOW VOTES: Mark Bairstow (3), John Barnes (2), Steve Hocking (1)

CROWD: 32,121 @ W.A.C.A

GEELONG STARTING 20
1. Steve Hocking
3. Mark Bairstow
5. Gary Ablett
6. John Barnes
7. Paul Couch
8. Robert Scott
11. Leigh Tudor
15. Peter Riccardi
16. Bill Brownless
20. Stephen O'Reilly
24. Trevor Poole
25. Darren Steele
26. Barry Stoneham
27. Andrew Bews
28. Tim Darcy
29. Ken Hinkley
33. Darren Forssman
35. Leigh Colbert
40. Paul Brown
43. Paul Lynch