Cats were ‘cooked’

O’Bree says his side ran out of legs in three-point loss

GEELONG VFL coach Shane O’Bree says his side ran out of legs as Casey kicked five of the last six goals to nail the Cats by three points on Saturday.

Onballer George HorlinSmith suffered a shoulder injury early in the contest, leaving him off the ground for the rest of the game, before Jackson Thurlow was removed at half-time as cover for the AFL side.

It left the Cats with three on the bench, two less than the Demons, who stormed home from 28 points down midway through the third to hit the front with just 77 seconds to play.

“We were cooked, we ran out of legs in the end,” O’Bree said.

“The first three quarters were really pleasing, we just didn’t take full advantage of our opportunities, with the game under control and the ball in our half.

“The last quarter we were just under siege and out of legs.”

Captain Tom Atkins went close to single-handedly winning the game for Geelong, amassing 25 contested possessions, 31 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances, but the Cats were smashed 13-7 in clearances in the final halfhour.

O’Bree said that while Atkins probably remained hopeful of finding an AFL home in the off- season, it wasn’t front of mind for the St Joseph’s product.

“Tommy’s had a ripping couple of months. He’s worked into the season nicely,” O’Bree said.

“His ability in traffic at the moment, to win that critical contest and get out, he’s in really good form at the moment.

“Knowing Tom, it (an AFL dream) is probably on the back burner. He just wants to play the best VFL football he can and be the best leader he can at the moment.

“If he gets drafted or comes into AFL contention he’ll take that, but he’s just trying to be the best footballer and leader he can be at the moment.”

The Cats were out-tackled 88-54 but had 51 more disposals and six more inside-50s than the visitors.

O’Bree said he remained confident his side could have a say in September.

“I think the playing group and definitely the coaches should have a real belief they’re good enough to challenge anyone,” he said.

“Obviously Casey’s a top-two team, the No.1 defensive team, and we play the Tigers and a lot of teams in the top eight over the next four weeks.

“We probably should have been in front by more at threequarter time, but that’s history.”

Geelong will know more about Horlin-Smith’s AC joint injury today.