DUAL REPORTS HIT CATS HARD
GEELONG’S depth looks set to be dealt a blow, with George HorlinSmith and Jordan Murdoch both reported for dangerous tackles in the Cats’ VFL win over Essendon on Saturday night.
Murdoch was arguably the Cats’ best player in the 8.10 (58) to 4.6 (30) victory, collecting 21 touches and three goals, while HorlinSmith also pressed his case with 24 disposals, seven marks and four tackles.
The Cats are awaiting a review of the incidents before finding out the ramifications of the respective reports.
Horlin-Smith drove Essendon’s Nick Hind into the ground in the third term before Murdoch dumped Aaron Heppell into the centre square shortly after. Both were reported on the spot. “I understand why they were both reported,” coach Shane O’Bree said.
“I don’t know how it works with the impact and that side of things, but hopefully it’s just a fine. Knowing those guys personally, they’re not aggressive guys and they wouldn’t have meant to do it.
“It’s just the law now, with tackling you’ve got to be a bit more careful, but those two guys are definitely not the type to try and hurt people.”
Zac Smith (29 hit-outs, three marks) and Ryan Abbott (21 hit- outs, two marks) were both serviceable in slippery conditions, giving the Cats viable options to replace the injured Rhys Stanley next week at AFL level.
Dropped duo Jackson Thurlow (26 disposals) and Jordan Cunico (22 disposals) also put their hands up for a call-up in the 8.10 (58) to 4.6 (30) win that solidified Geelong’s place inside the top four.
Returning veteran Harry Taylor kicked one goal in a successful return to the VFL line-up, playing the match mostly at full forward.
While he finished with just eight touches, two marks and four tackles, Taylor commanded two defenders at times and was pivotal in directing traffic up forward.
“He got better as the game went on,” O’Bree said.
“I thought early on he was probably a fraction too far away and couldn’t get himself in the game.
“When he played a bit higher, he looked really dangerous and was in the contest. It was probably a good game to get through for Harry.”
The Cats will be out for a percentage booster on Sunday when they meet bottom-placed Coburg, after Richmond’s loss to Williamstown opened up the possibility of a top-two finish for Geelong. The Cats sit four points and 11 per cent behind the secondplaced Tigers, who have a bye this week, with a game in hand. JACKSON THURLOW Dropped from the AFL side, the midfielderdefender responded with a profound game in trying conditions, amassing a team-high 18 kicks to go with eight handballs and five marks. JORDAN MURDOCH Arguably best-on-ground. Playing mainly onball, he booted three goals to go with 21 touches, four marks, three tackles and three clearances, but was reported for a dangerous tackle late in the game. Typically busy game from ‘Horlo’, who had 24 disposals, seven marks, eight hardball gets, three clearances and a goal after copping a knock to the face early on. Was also reported for a dangerous tackle. Showcased his best in the second half, with 13 of his 22 touches coming after halftime. His ability to pick up the ball in the wet and deliver effectively was a highlight. A strong return after being dropped. A standard pressure game from Jones, who collected 18 disposals and four tackles to go with his one goal. Spent more time down back than usual in another step forward in his development, finishing with 17 touches and six marks. Played most of the night as the Cats’ No.1 ruckman — 29 hit outs, three marks and three tackles. Will be interesting to see which way the Cats go at AFL level with Rhys Stanley injured. GEELONG ESSENDON GEELONG: Goals: J. Murdoch 3, W. Buzza 2, J. Jones, G. Horlin-Smith, H. Taylor. C. Floyd, Z. Guthrie, G. Horlin-Smith, J. Thurlow, J. Murdoch, J. Cunico. L. Collins, M. Leuenberger, S. Draper, J. Houlahan. T. Mynott, A. Heppell, K. Mutch, S. Draper, N. Hind, M. Hartley