The Cats double up against Port Adelaide
Published 21 October 2006
The Geelong Cats picked up the AFL Challenge Trophy, and in the process the double against the Port Adelaide Power this season, in front of a 12,000 strong Brit Oval crowd this afternoon.
The two sides met earlier in the year in round 15 of the AFL, with Geelong using their home advantage to good effect. The Cats came out on top at the Skilled Stadium on that occasion by 9.14 (68) to 8.10 (58), giving them the upper hand going into today’s match.
The build up to today’s AFL Challenge Trophy match gave everyone the impression that the encounter was going to be just as intense as round 15, and it did not disappoint. Starting at an extremely high tempo Geelong put together some flowing play to gather an early lead. 
Geelong claim a great 'speccie' on the way to victory The Cats then extended this lead, but as the rapid start began to take its toll, the Port Adelaide power started to win ball that they had previously not got near during the first 20 minutes.
The passionate following from the 12,000 strong crowd seemed to inject some more energy into the Power as their comeback threatened to overturn the Cats’ initial onslaught. However, it was Ryan Gamble, who was the eventual difference between the two sides, as he put together a string of brilliant plays in the midfield. The youngster, who at the age of 18 is in only his second match for the Cats, kicked four storming goals to help his side to get some breathing space.
It was Jimmy Bartel, who had earlier in the week given an Aussie Rules master class at the Brit Oval, and Gamble’s influence in the middle of the park that ended up proving too much for the young Power side. The pair seemed to have the bigger work engine as Geelong dominated the final quarter to finish with a comfortable lead and as such be crowned as the 2006 AFL Challenge Trophy Champions.
Congratulations to Jimmy Bartel who was awarded the TNT Man of the Match Award.
The Geelong Cats 13.10.88
The Port Adelaide Power 10.7.67
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