11.37pm on Sep 4, 2026‘We are up for it’: Dangerfield ready to take down FreoBy Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield says he is ready to back up from tonight’s match-winning efforts against Carlton to go again in Perth next week.Dangerfield has played 19 games in 2026 but also taken strategic rests throughout the campaign, and he said that was essential to making it to this point in the season.Cats star Patrick Dangerfield thanks fans after the win over Carlton.Getty ImagesWhen asked if he could back up next week in Perth, he paused to think.“It’s a good question. Picking your moments is a big one, you can’t be in for every one,” Dangerfield told Kayo Sports.11.33pm on Sep 4, 2026‘Our best player of the last three years’: Scott praises Holmes, Cats medical teamBy Cats coach Chris Scott spoke to the media post-game.On Shaun Mannagh’s and Gryan Miers’ impact:“Those guys are mainly forwards, but ‘Manners’ has certainly been pushing up more into the midfield. At stages, I keep thinking he is a really good wet-weather player, then I think he is a really good Marvel [Stadium] player, a good Geelong player, a good everywhere player. He’s really handy for us and Gry’s running power late in the game, as it opened up – he was really influential.Cats coach Chris Scott.AFL PhotosOn Mannagh looking sore late in the game:“I think it was just fatigue. If there was a problem, I would have heard about it.On Miers’ comeback from a complex knee injury and Geelong’s medical team:“We’ve had a couple of examples this year. Max Holmes is a perfect example, Jeremy Cameron is a good one as well, of why we have so much faith in our medical staff. They are a very, very high performing group of people. When you have faith in those people, it is very reassuring. It does take some mental strength, but when you have some doubts about the way you’ve been managed, that can compound a bit, but I don’t think we have any players who have those doubts.11.15pm on Sep 4, 2026‘We don’t want to live in mediocrity’: FraserBy Blues coach Josh Fraser spoke to the media post-game.On the loss:“There are some mixed emotions. I’m so proud of the work we put in to get to this point and that achievement is worth celebrating by this group, but there it is a stark reality that we have more work ahead of us.“That has been the message I’ve given every week. We know where are at. Tonight was disappointing, and we don’t want to be a club who lives in mediocrity.Blues coach Josh Fraser (right) with his side.Getty ImagesOn Geelong:“They outplayed us. They were far too good. They were more predictable than us, and too often tonight we didn’t stay as connected as we have been.10.41pm on Sep 4, 2026‘I have a few Demons at Optus’: Bailey Smith on his Perth missionBy Geelong star Bailey Smith spoke to Kayo Sports post-game.On the Blues:“The comp is in a good spot when they are up and running. I enjoyed watching their run this year. I’m glad we put it to an end, but I’m sure they will be a great side in the coming years.Cats superstar Bailey Smith.AFL PhotosOn Tom Stewart:“Watching him drop off [his man] each week, all we had to do as mids today was put enough pressure on. When they bomb it long, he will eat them all up.On Patrick Dangerfield:“What did he kick, five or six? He will tell me about it. He said he was going to turn it on tonight, [and] he always does. He takes the whole year off and then does shit like this. I love playing beside him, he’s the best. You can see what he can do at 36 – he’s just a battering ram.10.25pm on Sep 4, 2026Full-time statsBy 10.22pm on Sep 4, 2026FT: Geelong 14.23 (107) d Carlton 11.8 (74)By The thrilling, intoxicating, if unlikely Carlton ride is over. The wave that flowed through the second half of the season has crashed on the rocks of Geelong.After a strong start in which the Blues got out to a 21-point lead early in the second term, they were soberingly accounted for by the Cats, who overpowered them with the assuredness of a side that expects to win finals. They play finals like the Carlton teams used to – with the assumption that they will be there and that they will prevail.Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats celebrates after scoring a goal.Getty ImagesIf there was any doubt of the result when the Cats took a 23-point lead to three-quarter-time, two more Shannon Neale goals and three from Paddy Dangerfield settled it. It was the cue for many of the 96,680 who had sat in the drizzle of the MCG to head for the exits.10.14pm on Sep 4, 2026Mannagh limps offBy It’s not yet clear how he has hurt himself, but Shaun Mannagh has limped off and is being treated on the Cats behind.He’s been among the Cats’ best and was playing in the midfield so he could just be cramping.Shaun Mannagh celebrates a goal.AFL PhotosBut time will tell on that one.Bailey Smith had a shot for goal ruled out, due to it being touched.Cats 105, Blues 62 with six mins to play.10.08pm on Sep 4, 2026It’s official: The crowd is 96,680By What cracking crowd tonight, with 96,680 turning out at the MCG.That’s the second-biggest crowd these two clubs have played in front of, behind the 99,203 for the replay of a preliminary final in 1962.Dangerfield has left the ground, too. It’s a fair chance the Cats will put him on ice ahead of the trip to Perth.Cats 103, Blues 56 with eight mins to go.10.03pm on Sep 4, 2026Dangerfield boots his fifthBy Patrick Dangerfield turned past two Blues and sent a laser shot through the middle of the big sticks.He stood and just watched the ball sail through. That’s five cracking goals from the veteran champion. He’s been a difference maker tonight.Cats 99, Blues 56 with 11 mins to go in the match.9.58pm on Sep 4, 2026Dangerfield kicks back-to-back goalsBy Patrick Dangerfield has booted his third and fourth goals within a minute,The third was another snap over his shoulder in open play, the fourth from a set shot.“The tougher the conditions, the better he enjoys it,” Garry Lyon said on Kayo Sports.The Cats are romping away now.Cats 92, Blues 50 with 14 mins to go.1 of 5