Geelong's late season purple patch has continued in steady fashion, with the Cats keeping their finals hopes alive courtesy of a hard-fought win against Collingwood at Skilled Stadium last Saturday as Kane Hunkin reports.
In their second consecutive AFL curtain-raiser, Geelong made it four wins from their last five starts to maintain an impressive form revival that sees the side contending for the final spot in the top eight. With both teams entering the game locked together at four wins apiece, the contest seemed destined for another tight tussle after Collingwood won the corresponding round seven encounter by four points.
Despite a forecast of wet and windy conditions, the game played out in sunny and still settings. Geelong, buoyed by a season defining 128-point win against the Casey Scorpions last round, again proved the early game-start provided no apparent issues.
The first half saw both Geelong and Collingwood trade goals, with neither side able to open up any considerable ascendency. A two point half-time lead to the Cats typified the tight contest.
Returning from injury, promising Geelong key-position prospect Nathan Vardy stamped his authority, staking a claim for VFL mark of the year honours with a third quarter (pictured), goal-square rise that resulted in an important goal.
The intent and desire of both teams never wavered throughout the day. This was a point highlighted in the last quarter when Cat Casey Tutungi and Magpie Kirk Ugle fiercely collided in a heavy attack on a neutral marking contest. Geelong though finished the stronger of the two sides to notch up win number five for the year with a 39 point victory.
After the game, Geelong coach Dale Amos stressed the importance of "consolidating" and continuing the recent run of good form.
"It was about consolidating. We felt like we played with pretty good method last week and it was about trying to replicate as much of that as we could and have the game look the way we wanted it to look. I thought [in] the second half we were much better at it," Amos said.
Additionally, the coach was at pains to highlight the significant contribution of the side's young players.
"The young guys are now starting to drive the group a little bit with their attitude and their enthusiasm for playing."
Through the return of ruck man Dawson Simpson (having missed last round after suffering a corked thigh in Geelong's round 17 loss to Bendigo), the Cats appeared to have more structure and continuity. Consequently, this afforded the home side the luxury of playing regular back man Andrew McLean up forward in the second half. Amos addressed this line-up flexibility in the rooms.
"At half-time we probably felt like we didn't have that extra marking target down there [forward 50] and we needed him [McLean] down there today. I thought his competing was really critical for our forward line," he said.
Geelong was well-served by Tom Gillies down back and Ben Johnson (three goals) up forward, while Jonathan Simpkin and George Burbury continued their recent consistent form.
Collingwood fought bravely across the four quarters however, inexperience inevitably took its toll on the less-seasoned Magpie bodies. Kris Pendlebury and Jack Bull (three goals) were among the best for the visitors.
Geelong now look to extract revenge on a Northern Bullants side keen to keep in touch with the top four when the two sides meet at Visy Park on Saturday. The game itself could determine Geelong's top eight fortunes. In comparison, Collingwood returns home to take on Bendigo, also to be played on Saturday.
Geelong 17.18.120 def Collingwood 12.9.81
Photo by Arj Giese
Last Modified on 08/08/2011 17:14