Geelong have kept their season alive after a thrilling 12-point win over premiership fancy Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
Needing to win to stay in the hunt for the finals, the reigning premiers rode their luck in the final stages with a late umpiring decision playing a massive part in the victory.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: The crucial free kick late in the game.
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Leading by six points with six minutes remaining, Gryan Miers won a free kick in the forward pocket when Connor Rozee was penalised for holding the ball.
The young Power star immediately protested, claiming he got a handball away, and was lucky not give away a 50m penalty for dissent.
But on close inspection of the replay, it appeared to be the right call.
“I don’t know that he made contact. I think it’s the right call,” Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy said.
Miers gathered his composure and drilled a brilliant set shot to put the Cats up by 12 points and effectively seal the result.
“I’ve seen worse disposals than that allowed this year from Connor Rozzee,” Hamish McLachlan added.
Miers was instrumental in the victory with another five goal assists as he continues his record pace, while Ollie Henry kicked a career-high four goals.
It put the Cats back into the top eight on percentage ahead of Carlton, who have a game in hand.
Off-season recruit Henry starred early, with four goals to his name by the opening minutes of the second quarter, while Miers (24 disposals) finished with two majors.
Experienced guns Isaac Smith (22 disposals, one goal) and Patrick Dangerfield (20, one) were also influential and key defensive pair Tom Stewart and Esava Ratugolea stood up in defence.
Port Adelaide’s fourth straight defeat left their top-two spot in jeopardy and came amid a raft of injuries and illnesses.
The Power made six forced changes, with Jeremy Finlayson and Miles Bergman (both illness) late withdrawals before losing Trent McKenzie to a knee injury in the opening 10 minutes.
It got worse when Todd Marshall, crucial in the absence of fellow tall forwards Finlayson and Charlie Dixon (foot) and Finlayson, jogged off before quarter-time after hitting his head on the ground in a diving attempt to mark.
Power officials had come under intense scrutiny over their botched management of Aliir Aliir’s concussion protocols and took no risks with Marshall, sending him downstairs for further assessment.
Marshall was cleared to return and kicked a pair of important goals from strong marks either side of three-quarter time.