Cats in cruise control
GEELONG continued to flex its muscles in a dominant 66point victory to all but dash Essendon’s finals hopes.
The 17.6 (108) to 5.12 (42) victory was the Cats’ sixth-straight win and sets up an enticing Friday night blockbuster against Richmond in what could play out for a spot in the top four.
The Bombers’ finals chances took an absolute beating as their season sunk to a new low. But the Cats put on a sublime performance from the get-go, running out to a 75point score at halftime — the highest midgame total of the season.
Such was their first-half performance, Essendon coach John Worsfold said the Bombers simply had to “learn from this and step up to the fight”.
But the Cats never took their foot off the pedal, with Sam Menegola starring with 30 disposals, eight clearances and three score assists.
The loss has all but ruined Essendon’s chances of making this year’s finals.
When you start bringing mathematics into the equation to try to make the top eight, you know your season isn’t going well.
They sit six points outside the Giants — who are in eighth spot — and another win to the Pies and GWS will make it near impossible for Essendon to claim a finals berth.
“They just a look a step behind, the Bombers,” former Essendon star Jobe Watson told Channel 7 commentary. “They just look a little lethargic.”
Their floundering firstquarter efforts have cost them dearly this season, with Sunday becoming their eighth straight game of not kicking more than one goal in the opening term.
Just to add to their woes, Irving Mosquito suffered a serious leg injury in the third quarter and will be in doubt for their next match.
The Cats put on one of the most clinical performances in all areas of the field but their goalkicking was sublime.
They led by 30 after the first quarter and that lead stretched out to 59 by halftime as they posted the biggest halftime score of the season.
They also became the first club to boot six goals in both the first and second quarters.
Coleman Medal leader Tom Hawkins continued his dominance in front of goal, booting four majors to go 10 ahead in the tally count.
It was pointed out before the match that yesterday’s clash was a blast from the past for Aussie rules.
Back in 1952, these clubs met at Brisbane’s Ekka showground turf in a bid to sell the game north of the border.
Essendon was a 69-point winner that time, with John Coleman booting 13 goals.
The link came in the same week the AFL announced the 2020 grand final will be moved to the Gabba on October 24 — with part of the incentive being to grow the game in Queensland.