Carlton Blues 12.7 (79) defeat Geelong Cats 11.11 (77) in AFL classic

Fans and commentators were in utter disbelief after an epic AFL contest for the ages went right down to the wire on Saturday night.

Blues survive in epic contest against the Cats

Carlton and Geelong played an all-time classic in a game that had it all.

The Blues burst out of the blocks in the opening half as they well and truly put the Cats to the sword by dominating them all over the park at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

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Geelong had no answers for the rampant Blues pressure and it looked like the contest was set to end comfortably with the visiting side recording their first win of the 2020 season.

Fans were stunned by what they had seen unfold in the opening half as the Blues made a premiership contender look out of sorts despite playing on their home ground.

The domination continued after the main break as the Blues stretched the lead out to 42 points in the third term before fading late and just hanging on in a thrilling 12.7 (79) to 11.11 (77) contest.

The entire momentum of the game flipped once the fourth quarter got underway as the Cats found their groove and flew home with a wet sail.

Carlton simply ran out of gas as the Cats surged toward goal over and over again, piling on five majors to get the margin back to within two points.

With the Blues defending desperately and under a minute left on the clock they needed a hero and it came from returning star Eddie Betts. A match-winning tackle in the middle of the ground was enough to seal the Blues’ first win in Geelong in 23 years.

Eddie Betts. Unbelievable. The goals and skillful touches in the first three quarters were nice, but the chase and tackle to seal it was special. What a player

— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) June 20, 2020

Eddie 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 #AFLCatsBlues

— Nat Edwards (@Nat_Edwards) June 20, 2020

What on earth is happening? #AFLCatsBlues

— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) June 20, 2020

It was the finish we needed after a horror day for AFL footy. EDDIEBETTS!!!!!!!

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) June 20, 2020

I am exhausted.

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) June 20, 2020

Eddie Betts makes life better

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) June 20, 2020

Rewind the tape, Eddie Betts’ last 48 seconds from the stoppage at CHB: Volley to keep it moving forward, pressure Taylor, nail Henry, chip wide (chews time), run hard forward, float into pocket for mark, siren, laugh off shanked kick. HUGE. #AFLCatsBlues

— Shayne Hope 📰 (@shayne_hope) June 20, 2020

I almost had a heart attack but my god that meant a lot. Proud blue bagger!! #boundbyblue #AFLCatsBlues

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) June 20, 2020

Geelong, however, will be left to rue what could have been with the team having several chances in the fourth quarter to steal the victory. On each occasion they messed up in a big way.

After a free kick 20 metres out was awarded, forward Gryan Miers decided to take the advantage and sent a low snap towards goal that was batted through for a behind by a Blues player.

Moments later superstar Gary Ablett missed a shot on goal he would make 99 times out of 100.

In the third quarter a Tom Hawkins shot on goal was stopped on the line by Cats teammate Esava Ratugolea for reasons unknown. It was a moment that left fans and commentators scratching their heads.

“This is extraordinary. Oh my goodness. That’s extraordinary,” Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

“I’ve seen people try to mark it and mess it up that way, but not double fisted from there.

“I can’t believe what I saw.”

Ratugolea denies Geelong a goal.. Not sure why. pic.twitter.com/NUcTiRsMZG

— Brayden Cocks (@brayden_cocks) June 20, 2020

WTF did Ratugolea just do? Can't believe I just saw that. #AFLCatsBlues

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) June 20, 2020

The win gives the Blues their first taste of victory in 2020.

Next weekend’s contest against Essendon remains up in the air following the bombshell news of Conor McKenna’s positive test on Saturday morning.

Geelong will aim to bounce back after a horrific three quarters against the Blues when they venture into the MCG for a battle against Melbourne.