Geelong had started the 2013 AFL season strongly with another hard fought Easter Monday win over Hawthorn, when their attention turned to a blockbuster clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium in Round 2. 

Looking to respond after a disappointing end to their 2012 campaign, the Cats had the opportunity to build on their strong start to the year while also hoping to regain ascendancy over the Kangaroos, after falling to them at the same venue nearly 12 months earlier. 

The Scott brothers were set to go head to head in the coaches box for just the third time, and perhaps the most bizarre factor on the day was the open roof at Marvel Stadium with the game starting under glorious sunshine in Melbourne. 

07:31

Time Cat-Sule | Dramatic Finish In "Roofgate" Classic

The Roof was open, Lindsay Thomas was causing havoc and the Cats had hung on 3 seperate times as North threatened to blow the game wide open. Throw back to this classic under the lid as Geelong fought back late to pinch the wins.

What was not so bright however was the Cats start to the match, North Melbourne shot out of the blocks with a seven goal opening term to leave Geelong 19 points adrift at quarter time. 

Josh Caddy provided the top highlight from the opening stanza as he soared over the top of his opponent to take a mark of the year contender, while Tom Hawkins chipped in with two late majors to keep the Cats within striking distance early. 

Things got even more dire for Chris Scott and his side after the first break, the Kangaroos piling on five goals to one in an impressive 20 minute burst to open up a game high 41 point lead, Allen Christensen booting two goals of his own in the second term to at least pull the Cats back within 35 points at half time. 

Across the entire history of the Geelong Football Club, only twice had the Cats pegged back a half time deficit of 35 points or more and gone on to win the game, but Chris Scott's men certainly were not going to die wondering on this particular afternoon.  

Allen Christensen kicked his third major of the afternoon to get the ball rolling in the third term, Steven Motlop followed suit shortly after then James Podsiadly and Tom Lonergan hit the scoreboard, all of a sudden the Cats had pulled within 10 points just 10 minutes into the second half. 

Despite the immense momentum shift however, North Melbourne were able to steady and respond with three unanswered goals to pull away once again, Geelong back to a 26 point deficit at the 20 minute mark of the third term. 

But in this classic match full of ebbs and flows, there was another twist as Paul Chapman and Tom Hawkins split the big sticks to close the margin, before Mitch Duncan landed a telling blow on the three quarter time siren and in the blink of an eye, Geelong were back within nine points at the final break. 

This Titanic struggle was set for an epic grandstand finish, and then the most remarkable thing happened.......

The heavens opened, with the roof unlocked at Marvel Stadium. 

What had been a free flowing, high scoring contest in Melbourne instantly turned into an arm wrestle with contested footy the priority, as both teams struggled to adapt to the new conditions. 

Josh Caddy kicked a goal at the 10 minute mark of the final term to put the Cats in front for the first time in the match, but it was sandwiched between seven minor scores as Geelong wasted numerous chances to put the game away. 

It came back to bite them as Daniel Wells put the Kangaroos back in front with time ticking down, more missed opportunities for the Cats leaving them adrift inside the final minute of the match.

Then came the big moment. 

Jimmy Bartel won a crucial contest from a stoppage inside forward 50, drawing a free kick for a push in the back before a North Melbourne defender hacked the ball away after the umpire had blown his whistle, tacking on a 50 metre penalty which took Bartel to the goal line. 

The champion midfielder popped it through, the Cats hit the front with less than 30 seconds left and then did enough to shut the game down from there, hanging on to secure a famous victory over the Kangaroos. 

Joel Selwood would ultimately receive the three Brownlow votes, Christensen and Hawkins lead the way up forward with three goals apiece, while Paul Chapman and Steven Motlop were heavily influential throughout the afternoon. 

2013 Round 2 – Geelong v North Melbourne @ Marvel Stadium

GEELONG CATS              4.0      6.4      13.8     16.16    (112)
NORTH MELBOURNE     7.1     12.3     15.5      17.6     (108)

GOALS: Christensen, Hawkins 3, Chapman, Motlop 2, Selwood, Bartel, Duncan, Caddy, Podsiadly, Lonergan 1

DISPOSALS: Selwood 26, Kelly 25, Chapman 23, Motlop, Corey, Enright 22

BROWNLOW VOTES: Joel Selwood (3), Andrew Swallow (2), Lindsay Thomas (1)

CROWD: 34,152 @ Marvel Stadium

GEELONG STARTING 22
1. Mitch Brown
2. Billie Smedts
3. Jimmy Bartel
4. Andrew Mackie
5. Travis Varcoe
7. Harry Taylor
9. James Kelly
11. Joel Corey
12. Trent West
13. Tom Lonergan
14. Joel Selwood
19. Taylor Hunt
22. Mitch Duncan
23. Josh Caddy
26. Tom Hawkins
27. Mathew Stokes
28. Allen Christensen
31. James Podsiadly
32. Steven Motlop
35. Paul Chapman
44. Corey Enright
46. Mark Blicavs