Flat-footed felines in

THERE is a simple reason why Geelong fans had thought they had seen all of this before.

Going into last night, the Cats had won two first quarters in their previous seven finals and, incidentally, went on to win both.

But in the five other games, Geelong conceded an average of 32.8 points in the opening term and was down an average margin of 20.6 at quarter-time.

Last night at the MCG it went goalless, conceded five at the opposite end of the ground and went into the first break 31 points in arrears.

For his own reasons Chris Scott consistently says he does not like to look back too far when making an assessment on patterns that those external to the club have observed.

That is his prerogative and he has been a successful coach.

But at some point two areas need to be fixed if this team is going to be able to compete in September: figure out how to play after a break and stop the opposition from blowing them out of the water when they get momentum early in games.

For its part, Melbourne should be given credit for doing what teams know works well against the Cats — applying pressure and maintaining the rage.

The opening term saw the Demons win the possession tally 87 to 68 but they won the tackle count comprehensively, doubling Geelong 22 to 11.

Their pressure factor of 211 was the fifth highest they have recorded all year and dwarfed LACHIE YOUNG’S VOTES the Cats, who registered 171, well down on their average of 182 this season.

As it happened Geelong had the first five inside-50s, but it failed to take a mark and it was Tom McDonald for Melbourne who kicked the opening goal.

The mostly Demon crowd rose almost as one as they landed the first blow for the night and minutes later Max Gawn had his team’s second when he drifted forward and marked unopposed.

Melbourne then went end to end and when James Harmes kicked its third, the alarm bells must surely have been ringing in the coach’s box and out on the ground that a familiar tale was being told.

Yet nothing changed until it was too late.

Ryan Abbott gave away a free 25m out from goal to Sam Weideman, who made it four in a row — all from turnovers — and while a free and 50m penalty against Patrick Dangerfield denied Geelong a certain goal, it was Weideman who once again who flew almost uncontested to mark in the dying seconds.

It ended another nightmare opening for the Cats that had everyone at the ground scratching their head.

Geelong won only four of the 10 games in the home-andaway season when it was behind at the first break and managed one of nine when it was down at halftime, so it must have known how crucial starting well was to its chances.

When it was in front at the first change it went on to win eight of 11 games and it won 12 of 13 matches when it was up at the main break.

But there was a familiarity about last night that cannot be overlooked.

Both sides had their chances in the third quarter to either get back in the game or extend the margin, but misses to seven players meant the Cats were not without a chance of stealing an improbable victory.

But Geelong’s night, and its season, was summed up when Nathan Jones scored the opening goal of the final term after Joel Selwood was pinged for holding the ball when he lost his footing.

It had been so close, but near enough was never going to be good enough.

Scott and the Cats will now have to go back to the drawing board because a list possessing this much talent just should not be finishing in eighth spot.

Geelong has blooded seven debutants, which is great for the future, and reached an 11th finals series in 12 years, a feat that should be applauded.

But it is hard to see 2018 as anything other than a failure.