Geelong getting closer
WAS that a knockout blow?
Or perhaps a warning sign that Richmond can be chased down at the MCG?
It was every bit a title fight last night.
The undisputed champion up against the next challenger to the throne.
Geelong left a Friday night fixture busted and bruised, but far from disgraced after coming from a seemingly hopeless position to almost pinch victory.
With less than two minutes left, Gary Ablett had the chance to put Geelong in front with a shot from the pocket that he probably nails nine times out of 10.
Ablett had more time than he realised, but that is Richmond’s pressure in a nutshell. The kick went wide and, in a sliding doors moment, the Tigers stretched their record-breaking run of MCG wins to 19 and leave Geelong’s finals aspirations on the ropes.
It was the closest anyone has come to the Tigers in that streak, but it matters little for Geelong’s ladder position, other than the fact the Cats would fancy themselves next time around — if they get another crack this year.
Clinging to eighth on percentage going into last night’s blockbuster, the Cats could fall to ninth if Sydney defeats Collingwood tonight.
The greater concern for coach Chris Scott is the movement within the top eight.
By the end of the round, Geelong could be a game behind a cluster of teams fighting for fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth.
Their top-four hopes are almost dashed.
There were times when the Cats looked every bit a topfour side.
They were daring, took risks through the middle and challenged the Tigers at their own electrifying game. But it all came too late. Aside a stirring final five minutes — when the Cats almost clutched victory from the jaws of defeat with a flurry of goals — and a 15-minute patch in the second term — Richmond looked a class above.
They hunted and harassed the Cats, forced mistakes in tight and pounced.
Strangled and under siege, Geelong was sucked into the contest and over-possessed the ball.
It left the Tigers free and in oodles of space.
They ran in waves forward of the centre, outnumbered the opposition and left the Cats defence vulnerable. They were irresistible. It was a stark contrast for the Cats for most of the encounter. Too much was left to too few.
Apart from the usual suspects — Patrick Dangerfield (39 touches), Selwood (37) and Tim Kelly (36) — Geelong still came up short.
Ryan Abbott showed encouraging signs on debut, and while shaded in hitouts by the more experienced Toby Nankervis, the former GFL ruck booted two goals.
In red-hot form with two bags of seven in recent weeks, Tom Hawkins was well contained. Jack Henry looked more lively and Dan Menzel contributed three goals.
In defence, Jake Kolodjashnij had his colours lowered, albeit by a man in the form of his career in Jack Riewoldt, who kicked four majors.
Jamaine Jones (seven disposals), Jed Bews (nine), Jackson Thurlow (11) and Lachie Fogarty (11) had little impact on the game.
The silver lining for the Cats is the next three weeks.
Following a seasondefining clash against archrival Hawthorn on Saturday, the draw softens up with battles against Fremantle and Gold Coast (both at GMHBA Stadium).
Yet 2018 will be over if the Cats cannot topple the Hawks.