Geelong held on for a 12-point win over Collingwood at Simonds Stadium in round two of the Peter Jackson VFL. With both teams having the bye in round one, Geelong were hosting Collingwood for the third time in six weeks. But the two sides
bore little resemblance to those that represented the clubs in their two practice matches as Peter Shannahan reports.
Chris Tarrant, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham and Dayne Beams were among Collingwood’s AFL listed contingent. While Simon Hogan, Tom Gillies, Josh Cowan and Mitch Brown have all played at the highest level for Geelong, but the superior experience of their opponents was expected to be a significant factor.
It was Geelong captain Troy Selwood who set the tone early as the Cats skipper forced the ball forward from the first bounce and that’s where much of the first quarter was contested.
Mitch Brown booted Geelong’s first goal after a strong mark as his teammates continued to pump the ball inside fifty.
Josh Cowan marked a Collingwood kick-in and goaled then Jack Shannahan showed poise in traffic to kick the first of his three majors for the day.
A string of Geelong behinds was interrupted by Kirk Ugle’s first of the day which resulted from a fast break that caught Geelong’s defence out of position.
As Cat Gillies limped from the ground at the 19-minute mark, Cameron Wood (204cm), Jonathon Ceglar (204cm) and Jarrod Witts (208cm) were beginning to look dangerous when they pushed forward.
The Cats had 11 scoring shots in the first term and also turned the ball over inside forward fifty on numerous occasions so their 21-point lead could have been greater.
The second quarter began with Collingwood ruckman Wood winning the hit out to Wellingham to Beams to Ugle for a goal. Mitch Brown had a set shot from 30m but the tricky wind at the river end pushed the ball out on the full.
George Horlin-Smith followed suit a minute later before George Burbury popped one through the big sticks courtesy of a mark and 50-metre penalty against Magpie Tom Young.
Forward pressure was a feature as the Cats created goals to Dom Gleeson and Jordan Schroder.
A scuffle involving Collingwood pair Marley Williams and Trent Stubbs resulted in a free kick and two 50-metre penalties to Cam Eardley, who goaled from point blank range.
A quick centre clearance from Collingwood ended with a mark and goal to Witts, with the Cats taking a 29-point lead in to the main break.
Gleeson kicked two goals in the third term, including a miraculous banana from 45 metres out on the boundary line, while goals to Beams and Ceglar kept Collingwood in the game as the match developed into an arm-wrestle.
The margin remained at 29 points at three quarter time and Collingwood seemed to have any advantage provided by the gusty, freshening breeze.
Fatigue appeared to set in early in the last quarter and the skill level from both sides deteriorated noticeably.
The game almost came to a standstill as hard-running, full-ground presses were replaced by old-fashioned kick-and-mark football.
Poor conversion ultimately prevented Collingwood getting closer as they kicked 3.7 to 1.2 in a tense but ugly final stanza.
Wellingham did everything in his power to change the course of the game in the last quarter but he was out on his feet when Shannahan gave him the slip to take advantage of a Mitch Brown contest and kick the sealer.
Wellingham and Beams were busy at stoppages all day for the Pies but Geelong’s relentless pressure reduced their impact on the match.
Geelong defenders Ryan Bathie and Andrew McLean worked together to repel Collingwood attacks, while Magpies captain Kris Pendlebury marked any wayward kicks into Geelong’s forward line.
George Horlin-Smith may be the next young Cat to debut in the AFL after an impressive all-round performance and Kirk Ugle would have caught the attention of Collingwood selectors with his four goal contribution.
Former Werribee stalwart Gleeson capped off a great game for Geelong with three goals and Andrew Banjanin held his own against the Magpies ruckmen.
Collingwood host North Ballarat on Saturday in the round three ABC TV game, whilst Geelong play Williamstown at Torquay on Easter Sunday.
* Photo by Arj Giese
Last Modified on 03/04/2012 12:27