FREMANTLE'S 2009 season has come to a disappointing end with the visitors going down to Geelong by 40 points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

In wet, windy and slippery conditions, the Cats’ bigger-bodies proved too strong for Mark Harvey’s young side, with the Cats cruising to September with a 14.10 (94) to 8.6 (54) victory.

Like Fremantle’s trip to Geelong last season, the match was spiteful at times as the men in purple served up a physical contest.

But the Cats’ class edge proved decisive, with several of Geelong’s stars hitting form ahead of next week’s qualifying final.

Fremantle had few winners, although no-one could question its intensity.

Captain Matthew Pavlich (19 touches) was among his side’s best, while ruckman Aaron Sandilands (17 disposals and 33 hit-outs), defender Paul Duffield and midfielder Paul Hasleby all tried hard.

But, despite their best efforts Geelong, led by prolific defenders Darren Milburn (36 possessions) and Matthew Scarlett (34) ensured there was never any serious challenge.

A scuffle on half-time between the majority of the players on the ground typified Freo’s attack on the ball, although Geelong clearly thought their opposition were a little too aggressive at times.

Tom Harley and his opposite number Pavlich exchanged words as players left the field at the main break, with the Cats skipper seemingly displeased with how Fremantle was approaching its final encounter of the season.

It was evident pre-match the match was going to be a hard slog for both sides, with persistent drizzle ensuring heavy conditions.

Kicking into the breeze in the first term, Fremantle made its intentions clear with several players engaging in some push-and-shove in the opening minutes.

Hayden Ballantyne, playing at half-forward and in the thick of the early jostling, received two free kicks in the opening minutes before an umpire was able to throw the ball up in the middle.

However, as was the case for many of his team’s shots at goal during the day, he was unable to make the distance from around the 50m mark.

There were few highlights for Fremantle in the opening half, although Pavlich did put his team in front eight minutes into the game when he booted his team’s first.

But that was almost as good as it got in the opening half for the visitors, who couldn’t penetrate Geelong’s back six with any fluidity.

Steven Dodd was trying to wear Geelong star Gary Ablett like a glove and niggle him at every opportunity, although the Brownlow Medal favourite was generally a step ahead of his opponent and finished with 35 possessions and a goal.

By quarter-time Geelong led by 23 points and it only got worse for Fremantle in the second term.

Whenever Fremanlte went forward the brick wall of Scarlett and Milburn was there for Geelong.

There was just 40 seconds left in the quarter when Stephen Hill soccered one through to register his team’s first score for the term and his team’s second goal.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Geelong had booted four for the term to extend the margin to 43 points at the main break and effectively end the contest.

Sandilands continued to work his hardest in the second half while Kepler Bradley offered something across half forward.

Fremantle actually outscored Geelong 3.2 to 2.3 in the third term as the home side went into preservation mode after the break.

As a result, the margin was cut to 38 points at the last change but the game completely fizzled out in the final term.

Neither side seemed particularly interested as Geelong’s defence and midfielders continued to rack up the stats.

Duffield booted a nice goal to cap his day, but the final siren couldn’t come quick enough for either team.

Geelong 5.1 9.3 11.6 14.10 (94)
Fremantle 1.2 2.2 5.4     8.6 (54)

GOALS
Geelong:
Hawkins 3, Gamble 2, Hogan 2, Mooney 2, Ablett, Byrnes, Corey, Rooke, Wojcinski
Fremantle: Ballantyne, Bradley, Broughton, Tarrant, Headland, Hill, Mayne, Pavlich

BEST
Geelong:
Scarlett, Milburn, Ablett, Bartel, Hogan, Enright, Corey
Fremantle: Pavlich, Sandilands, Duffield, Hasleby, DeBoer

INJURIES
Geelong:
David Wojcinski (ankle), Max Rooke (quad)
Fremantle: Nil

Reports: Steven Dodd (Fremantle) reported for charging Gary Ablett (Geelong) in the second quarter by umpire Findlay.

Umpires: Nicholls, Schmitt, Findlay
Official crowd: 18,196 at Skilled Stadium