FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM SIZZLING SCG SHOW
GEELONG will saunter out of Sydney in good spirits riding a three-match winning streak. So what did we learn about the Cats and Lions during Thursday night’s tussle?
1. There weren’t any alarm bells ringing in the first month after the AFL restart, but Patrick Dangerfield certainly wasn’t flying. He and the Cats were confident he could still dominate games s like he did in his first years s with the club and he showed he can still be among the very best players in the game on Thursday night. Dangerfield’s 473m gained was the most on the ground and it was heartwarming for Cats fans ns to see that trademark acceleration away from stoppages return.
2. With Tim Kelly now a memory, Geelong carried some questions into 2020 in terms of its engine room. Joel Selwood has been industrious but the big improvers in the middle have been Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola, who are in the best form of their respective careers. With Quinton Narkle and Mitch Duncan on the sidelines early against Brisbane, Sam Simpson and Zach Tuohy took on more midfield minutes and were impressive. With Lachie Fogarty, Charlie Constable, Jordan Clark and James Parsons ready to go on the sidelines, Geelong appears well prepared for an expected rush of games. 3. Darcy Fort continues to grow in his role as the main man for the Cats with Rhys Stanley injured. The South Barwon product (above) wasn’t spectacular against the Lions but he won the ruck battle, claiming more clearances than the two Lions in Stefan Martin and Oscar McInerney. The big Cat followed the play well on the deck and was able to apply pressure around the contest. With Max Gawn,
Jarrod Witts, Martin and McInerney behind him, Fort now faces Brodie Grundy next week.
4. Heading into Round 6, it was perhaps a surprise to see Geelong at the top of the scoring list. On Thursday, the Cats attack looked deadly, particularly in the rampant third term. Tom Hawkins, Gary Rohan and Esava Ratugolea are all in good touch as marking targets, while Gary Ablett, Luke Dahlhaus and Gryan Miers are playing their roles at the feet. The Cats went inside-50 38 times, five fewer than the Lions, but had a robust 18 shots at goal.
5. Brisbane Lions entered Round 5 as the worst side in terms of accuracy and that trend only grew worse. Wasteful in front of goal in the first half, the Lions entered the main break having kicked 4.8 to the Cats’ 3.4 and without the big lead they probably deserved. Brisbane would only get four more shots for the match after having missed their run. So far this year the Lions have kicked 59.77, converting at 43 per cent.