With the Geelong Football Club celebrating its 100 year partnership with Ford in 2025, this new article series will take a look back at the 100 most iconic moments from the Cats history.
The eight part series will be released over the remainder of the year and will cover milestone moments, heartwarming stories, the club's greatest successes on and off the field while celebrating the people that made it all happen.
Next up is the most exhilarating moments in the club's history, covering some of the most passionate and thrilling goals, marks and games that Geelong have produced.
12. Varcoe Sets the 'G Alight in the 2011 Grand Final
Chasing a third premiership in five years, Geelong squared off with Collingwood in the 2011 season decider in front of a packed house at the MCG, with tensions running high.
The Cats could not have dreamed of a better start; Brad Ottens flicked a handball to Joel Selwood, who fed another handball to Travis Varcoe. Varcoe surged inside 50 and nailed the finish...... all within the first 15 seconds of the match.
If that was not enough, Varcoe would add a second goal at the four minute mark and a third later in the game, playing a pivotal role as Geelong reached the pinnacle of football once again.
13. Cranston Blitzes the Dockers
Richelle "Rocky" Cranston wowed the crowd in Round 1 of 2020 with an incredible, athletic goal.
Cranston surged forward with a bounce, handballing to herself and evading a Fremantle defender, before finishing with precision on the run to submit a brilliant goal of the year contender.
The Cats were in their second season and despite going on to lose this particular game, senior players like Cranston helped to build a strong foundation that has allowed the Cats AFLW program to flourish today.
14. 'Cometh the Moment, Cometh the Man.... the Son of the Man'
Another nail-biter between Geelong and Collingwood in a final at the MCG, this one coming right at the start of the Cats dynasty in the 2007 Preliminary Final.
With eight minutes on the clock in the last quarter and less than a kick separating the two sides, Geelong set up for a stoppage inside their forward 50, setting into motion a play that would help change the course of the club's history.
A deft tap from Brad Ottens put the ball into the path of Gary Ablett Junior, the Little Master curling home a sensational kick to bring the Cats crowd to their feet, prompting an iconic line from Dennis Cometti in the commentary box.
It proved to be a vital moment with Geelong hanging on to win by five points, going on to break a 44-year premiership drought the following week and setting the Cats on a path to three premierships in five years.
15. High Flying Scheer Soars into Orbit
Chloe Scheer showed off her spectacular aerial ability with two incredible marking efforts.
Her first nomination came in 2022 against North Melbourne down in Tasmania, with Scheer bravely running back with the flight, bouncing off Jackie Parry and bringing down the Toyota AFLW Mark Of The Year for that season.
A year later against the Tigers, Scheer rose again to take a more traditional specky in Round 9, with her nomination not quite enough to clinch the mark of the year after Courtney Hodder's brilliant back with the flight effort.
16. Ablett Senior Pulls Down Mark of the Century
A famous mark that is etched into the minds of every Geelong supporter.
Late in the final quarter of a 1994 clash with Collingwood, Gary Ablett Senior touched the heavens as he sat launched himself onto the shoulder of Magpies defender, Gary Pert, reaching high with his left hand and pulling down a mind-blowing grab that sent the crowd and commentators into a frenzy.
It was later dubbed 'the mark of the century' and became one of the most iconic moments in the history of the Geelong Football Club, but also one of the greatest highlights in the history of the game itself.
17. As Perfect as Football Gets in 2011 Demolition of the Dees
Geelong were in the midst of another terrific campaign in 2011 when Melbourne came to town in Round 19, the Demons just a game outside the top eight and looking to cause an upset at Kardinia Park.
But not many could have predicted what would unfold on that Saturday late in July.
Playing some of the most incredible football ever seen, Geelong piled on 20 goals by half time and continued on after the main break, recording the club's second highest score (233) and the biggest win (186 points) on a remarkable afternoon at the Cattery.
Steve Johnson finished with seven goals and 10 goal assists, Tom Hawkins and Cam Mooney combined for 10 majors, Joel Selwood racked up 43 disposals and numerous other records tumbled en route to a famous win.
18. Ottens Launches Skyward to Win Mark of the Year
Brad Ottens was a game changer for Geelong during their dominant era, but one thing that often gets overlooked was his aerial ability, as showcased here in 2006 against Sydney.
Midway through the final quarter at Accor Stadium, a long kick headed towards centre wing and Ottens launched himself over a pack of players, elevating off the shoulders of a Swans defender and clunking the footy at an incredible height.
After nearly hitting his head on the roof of the stadium, Ottens returned to Earth with the football still in his hands, ultimately winning the 2006 mark of the year award for his efforts.
19. Ablett Junior Defies Physics from the Pocket..... Twice
They say that lightning doesn't strike twice, but if your name is Gary Ablett, anything is possible.
In 2009 on a wet day at GMHBA Stadium, Ablett received the footy while charging toward the boundary line, fashioning a kick across his body that somehow split the big sticks from an impossible angle.
The second occasion came in different colours - during the Little Master's first game back at Kardinia Park - nailing a long, high finish from an identical spot to bring the house down once again.
20. Leaping Chapman puts the Cherry on Top in 2007
Geelong were well on their way to breaking a 44-year premiership drought in the 2007 Grand Final, opening up a 64-point lead early in the third quarter.
Paul Chapman had been instrumental kicking two goals in the first half and finding plenty of the footy, but the tough Cat had one more trick up his sleeve on the biggest stage of all.
A high kick came out of Geelong's defensive 50, Chapman launched himself onto the shoulders of Port Adelaide captain, Warren Tredrea and took one of the greatest marks in AFL Grand Final history.
It was a poetic moment that summed up the day for the Cats, as they cruised to their first premiership since 1963 with a thumping win over the Power.
21. Humphries Sinks the Crows with First Career Goal
Lawson Humphries burst onto the scene in 2024, drawing plenty of attention with a string of consistent performances after debuting against Essendon in Round 16.
The crowning moment of his inaugural season however came in the Round 21 game against Adelaide at Kardinia Park.
With Geelong down by a point late in the last quarter, Humphries drifted forward to assist and after a clever pass from Ollie Dempsey, swung onto his right boot to curl home his first AFL goal at a pivotal time in the match.
The Cats went on to win by five points and Humphries cemented his status as Geelong's new cult hero.
Ford 100 Moments - List To Date
Part One: Milestone Moments
1. Joel Selwood Becomes Longest-Serving Captain in V/AFL History
2. Geelong's First AFLW Game and Win in 2019
3. Gary Ablett Senior Reaches 1000 Goals
4. Cats Register Highest Score in a Match
5. Geelong's First Ever Women's Captain, Audrey Cope
6. Tom Hawkins Breaks Club Games Record
7. Cats Set Record for Longest Winning Streak in the 1950's
8. Maddie Boyd Kicks Geelong's First Goal in the AFLW
9. Chris Scott Surpasses Reg Hickey to Become Geelong's Longest-Serving Coach
10. Cats Farewell Trio of Premiership Legends in 2015
11. Selwood Sets the Record for Most Finals Appearances
Part Two: Exhilarating Moments
12. Varcoe Sets the 'G Alight in the 2011 Grand Final
13. Cranston Blitzes the Dockers
14. 'Cometh the Moment, Cometh the Man.... the Son of the Man'
15. High Flying Scheer Soars into Orbit
16. Ablett Senior Pulls Down Mark of the Century
17. As Perfect as Football Gets in 2011 Demolition of the Dees
18. Ottens' Launches Skyward to Win Mark of the Year
19. Ablett Junior Defies Logic from the Pocket..... Twice
20. Leaping Chapman puts the Cherry on Top in 2007
21. Humphries Sinks the Crows with First Career Goal
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as we continue to recap the top 100 moments in the Hoops.
