CATS’ ROAD BLITZ
Inaccuracy only blemish in win
COMING off only a four-day break and the long trek from Perth to Brisbane, the Cats proved too good for the Roos, winning by 33 points at the Gabba last night.
AN inaccurate Geelong threw away a host of chances last night but straightened up in the second half to put away North Melbourne at the Gabba.
But Cats midfielder Cam Guthrie could come under scrutiny from the match review officer for a sling tackle on debutant Lachlan Hosie late in the game.
The Cats had control in the first half but failed to capitalise on its dominance, kicking six consecutive behinds to only lead by 18 points at half-time.
North Melbourne threatened late but never got close enough to mount a serious challenge.
Small forward Gryan Miers was the only reliable player in front of goal, kicking his fourth early in the third term to start a run of three consecutive majors and extend the lead to 37 points.
Miers’ performance was one of his best in his 35game career, slotting 4.0 to show why he is a player of promise as Geelong scored a 33-point win.
Jack Steven made an impression in his fifth match for his new club, gathering 21 touches, three clearances, laying four tackles, six inside 50s and gained 451m.
Steven had moments of his trademark burst and had more impact than any of his first four games in the blue and white hoops in an encouraging showing.
Even more pleasing for the Cats was that it was done without usual suspects Joel Selwood and Patrick
Dangerfield starring. Selwood made his return from a hamstring injury and did not have a kick in the first half and Dangerfield spent the night forward.
But the senior pair had some important touches in the final minutes to steady Geelong late in the final term when North Melbourne pushed for a comefrom-behind win.
Guthrie showed why he is a leading contender for the Carji Greeves Medal, and Sam Menegola continued his fine season. The Cats kicked 1.6 in the second quarter, and were leading disposals (+26), inside 50s (+7), contested possessions (+11), uncontested touches (+21) and marks (+6) at halftime but their inaccuracy invited a North Melbourne comeback.
Bailey Scott gave North Melbourne a chance with the first major of the final term, but a checkside from Tom Hawkins against the boundary ended the Kangaroos’ chances.
WITH its best player banished from the middle, a raft of changes and a short turnaround, Geelong had plenty of excuses to put in a lethargic performance against North Melbourne.
Instead, the Cats put together their most complete performance of the season.
Geelong has had better wins this year but the 33-point victory over North Melbourne was a showcase of how the Cats play at their best.
They dominated around the ball, winning the contested possession count by 19 and clearances by eight.
Beyond the stat sheet, the ball movement was crisp and the defence was quick to fold back and blanket a poor Kangaroos’ attack that battled while Ben Brown watched from the bench with a knee injury.
The missing ingredient was finishing.
Normally a strong point for Geelong, instead the winners blew multiple chances with Zach Tuohy and Mitch Duncan having moments they would rather take back in a second term in which the Cats kicked 1.6.
Thankfully, Gryan Miers brought some class to the Gabba with his four goals.
He was lively in the first half and an important goal in the third term ended a run of six consecutive behinds as Geelong wasted some of the best football it has played this season with poor conversion.
Miers was joined by a strong performance from Tom Hawkins, who could have walked away with a proper bag of goals but instead had to settle for kicking 3.2.
Patrick Dangerfield didn’t front up for a centre bounce until the final term as the Cats managed his body by sending him to full forward.
The move didn’t do wonders for Dangerfield, who kicked 0.2, but it certainly worked for the those who took his spot in the middle.
Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola both continued their excellent form and with more responsibility and opportunity, Lachie Fogarty and Jack Steven puffed out their chests and played their best games of the year.
In his first game of the year, Zach Guthrie was solid and drifted forward to kick the first goal of his career – and then doubled up in the final term.
Geelong ran with the same game plan in the ruck as last match, with Rhys Stanley in place of Esava Ratugolea and taking centre bounces before drifting forward as Mark Blicavs generally rucked around the ground.
Stanley missed chances to hit the scoreboard and Blicavs was solid, as the combination won more hit-outs and clearances than star Roo Todd Goldstein.
The ruck dominance was so pronounced Goldstein lined up on the wing to start the final term. The opposition wasn’t up for the fight for most of the night – with only Jy Simpkin, Jed Anderson and Robbie Tarrant performing well for the Roos – but the win was the tune up the Cats needed, as they won every quarter for the match.
Geelong now has two crucial matches to come against St Kilda and Port Adelaide.