‘THEY MADE US LOOK SILLY’
GEELONG star Isaac Smith says Melbourne will be “very hard to beat” in the grand final in two weeks’ time after his side’s incredible 83-point preliminary final loss.
Smith was one of the better players for the Cats on what was an otherwise poor night, with the former Hawk finishing with 26 disposals, five marks and 471 metres gained.
It was to no avail though as the Demons kicked 10 goals to one after halftime to record an astonishing victory.
Smith was blunt in his assessment of the performance, saying Melbourne made Geelong look silly.
“We just have to stick together and only one team can win it so you just have to keep giving yourself opportunities and it just gives you a bit more hunger and drive over summer for next year,” Smith said.
“But it was a tough one because they absolutely monstered us and made us look silly, to be honest. It was pretty tough from five minutes into the third quarter and they just made us look silly.
“We couldn’t get control of the game at all at any stage so good luck to them, they are going to be very hard to beat in two weeks’ time.
“I don’t think any of us played overly well to be honest and they just got us around the stoppages and then also got us on transition and turnover as well.
“It felt like everywhere the ball went they had an extra two or three players, so credit to them.”
Smith will return to Geelong in the coming days to be reunited with his family, who he has been away from since the end of the season.
He said there would be several Cats players and staff who would now look to pay back their families, who have carried the load on the home front in the absence of their partners.
“It has been difficult just on a personal note when you have a little one at home and a wife at home and it is always footy first, which is unfair on them a hell of a lot of the time,” Smith said.
“A lot of guys have had to do it but a lot of the staff have got a lot of kids at home and their partners have taken on a huge load. We have been very fortunate to get the opportunity to do what we love and have the support
from home, but now it is probably our turn over the next couple of months to carry the load at home a bit.”