Arabic version: دانجرفيلد يقود جيلونغ لتجاوز كارلتون في نهائي الإقصاء بالدوري الأسترالي

According to ABC News, Geelong defeated Carlton by 33 points in an AFL elimination final at the MCG, ending the Blues’ season and sending the Cats to Perth for a semifinal against Fremantle.

Geelong won 14.23 (107) to 11.8 (74) after recovering from a 21-point deficit in the second term on Friday night. Carlton led early, but the Cats cut the margin to three points by half-time before kicking 10 goals to six after the break.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield led the way with five goals in his 378th AFL game. Playing exclusively forward, he finished with 21 disposals, 10 score involvements, 10 contested possessions, two clearances and 485 metres gained. Three of his goals came in the final quarter.

Cats coach Chris Scott said his side had been outplayed early but believed Geelong was dominant after quarter-time. He praised Dangerfield’s late impact, saying the captain was “just so impressive” and looked like himself at his best.

Shaun Mannagh had 25 possessions and six clearances for Geelong. The crowd of 96,680 was the biggest for an AFL match at the MCG this season. Carlton’s loss closed a campaign in which the club rebounded from a 1-9 start under permanent coach Josh Fraser, recording 12 wins, two losses and a draw before the final.

Fraser said Carlton struggled once Geelong’s stoppage and contest work lifted. He credited the players, staff and coaching group for the season, while saying the club did not want to be satisfied with finishing eighth.