ONE of Warrnambool’s favourite sons made a successful homecoming as VFL club Geelong slogged its way to victory against Coburg Sunday.
Simon Hogan, a former Blues junior, returned to Reid Oval to help the Cats run away from the Tigers, 10.21 (81) to 5.5 (35), on a chopped-up playing surface.
The AFL-listed ball-carrier had a modest day as he continued the road back from injury, but he was pleased to catch up with familiar faces at the club.
“First game back here in about six years. It’s nice nothing’s changed around the place,” Hogan said post-match.
“It reminds me of playing my junior footy here. It’s good to come home and see a few people and play on the ground I trained and played on every week.
“I remember not being too worried about the mud (but) I’ve been used to playing on some pretty good grounds lately. The Reid has always been a great oval but that muddy patch in the middle makes it hard.”
Geelong was ultimately a comfortable victor in front of about 800 people, but had to rely on a wind-assisted 6.9 to 0.0 final term to get it over the line.
But the third quarter, when Matthew Knights’ men outscored Coburg 2.3 to 1.1 against the gale — which included a goal to former Koroit footballer Dominic Gleeson — laid the foundation for the late rush.
Forward-turned-defender Mitch Brown took at least five marks to repel the Tigers during the period and was best on ground.
But he had support from Colac’s Jonathan Simpkin and Shannon Byrnes — two small, rugged onballers who relished the conditions.
Dawson Simpson was also important as the dominant ruckman against Angus Graham, Andrew Browne and Tom Derickx and helped the Cats to win the clearances 45-30.
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Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 03/07/2012 09:42