CATS SHOW COURAGE AS TIGERS TRIUMPH
GEELONG gave everything they had out of the midfield in their AFL clash with premiers Richmond yesterday.
For almost 120 minutes, the Cats’ star-studded midfield dominated the ball out of the middle in a valiant attempt to win the territory battle.
But even with Geelong’s extraordinary win in the centre square – 18 centre clearances to six – the Tigers were still too good in defence and cleaner on the rebound.
They won 12.11 (83) to 9.11 (65) to chalk up their 16th straight victory at the MCG.
Geelong had the individual brilliance and Gary Ablett’s sizzling first half and Joel Selwood’s two incredible clutch set shot goals ensured they fought right to the end of this absorbing contest.
If fans didn’t work it out last year, these Tigers showed in the 18-point triumph yesterday that they just might be the ultimate team.
There is so much evenness through this Richmond group and Jack Riewoldt is playing as selflessly as ever as the sole key forward target.
There was one of the plays of the year from Daniel Rioli in his first game back since hurting his foot in last year’s stunning grand final win.
Rioli tracked the ball cleverly along the wing, laid a desperate tackle inside 50m and then goaled in the pressure-cooker last term.