CATS, GIANTS IN EPIC DRAW
GEELONG and Greater Western Sydney have battled to a dramatic AFL draw at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night, when Tom Hawkins’ after-the-siren point levelled the scores.
Hawkins had a chance to win the top-four showdown when he marked in the pocket but failed to steer his set shot through for a goal.
It meant the low-scoring thriller ended with the sides locked at 10.8 (68) apiece.
The first draw since 2015 doubled as the latest reminder of how even the season has been.
GWS retain top spot on the ladder, while the Cats remain third. The Cats, forced to make six changes and with three debutants in their side, led for most of the night despite the absence of inspirational skipper Joel Selwood. They enjoyed a 20-point buffer early in the fourth quarter.
It was a game-high margin but proved markedly insufficient as the Giants snapped out of their slumber, piling on the final three goals of the game. Key forward Jon Patton levelled the scores with a tick under seven minutes remaining when he slotted his fourth goal.
A rushed behind with four minutes to go meant GWS hit the front for the first time since the second term.
They looked set to hold onto the four premiership points until Heath Shaw’s clearing kick was ruled deliberate in the dying stages.
Hawkins got the better of opponent Phil Davis, grabbed a chest mark and set the stage for a grandstand finish.
However, the power forward couldn’t complete a boilover that looked to be on the cards for most of the contest.
Selwood was unable to recover from the concussion he suffered in the opening minute of the Cats’ taxing win over Fremantle last Sunday, while forward Daniel Menzel was ruled out when he was restricted during the warm-up.
First-gamers Zach Guthrie, Sam Simpson and Wylie Buzza all had their moments, with Buzza’s maiden goal
from beyond the 50m arc celebrated with particular gusto by his teammates.
The night was less memor- able for GWS debutant Jeremy Finlayson, who hurt his knee in the opening half and played no further part in the game.