THE already imposing beast is becoming more daunting each weekend. The reigning premiers aren’t simply reinforcing their tags as the “one’s to beat”, but perhaps enhancing it.
Geelong was at its brutal best last Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval, as Kane Hunkin writes.
The personnel is incidental, whatever the final make-up of the side, the Cats are in rare form approaching the final stretch of the 2013 home and away season.
An 85-point win in June against Port Melbourne was where the distance became evident and highly noticeable. Having rectified an earlier season loss to Collingwood in Round 14, Geelong obtained its biggest victory of the season, with a 117-point away win against Sandringham.
While the Zebras took a lead into the first change, Geelong, in windy conditions, would kick 22 goals to four thereafter to register win number 12 for the year.
A testament to the strength of the current list is Geelong’s ability to maintain continuity against a backdrop of changing players. With 2012 VFL premiership notables such as, George Horlin-Smith, Mitch Brown, Dawson Simpson, George Burbury, and Jed Bews either in the AFL or out injured, the Cats still continue to show a striking consistency.
Shane Kersten returned from a reasonable injury spell to kick six goals, while Josh Walker equally matched the individual goal tally with six majors respectively.
It was a milestone day for the VFL Cats, with stalwart Dom Gleeson playing his 175th VFL game, which earns the veteran VFL life membership. Geelong coach Matthew Knights was at pains to highlight the important contribution of Gleeson when speaking post-game.
“He [Gleeson] wants to go under the radar, but he is a spectacular player. For Werribee and now Geelong he has been a champion of the VFL,” Knights said.
The return of Shane Kersten [six goals] was decisive. Geelong now boasts a dangerous tall forward line, which also includes Josh Walker and Ryan Bathie.
“His [Kersten’s] accuracy is excellent. I was pleased with his defensive work [too]. It has been a frustrating period for Shane being a second year player and not being able to play [for parts of the year], but his comeback game was excellent,” Knights observed.
The weekends win sets up an anticipated game this Sunday as Geelong travel to Casey Fields to take on the Scorpions in a top of the table clash. Casey holds an early season away win against the Cats.
“Casey are second on the ladder – [it’s] one versus two next week. They got us earlier in the year at Geelong. We’ve got to make sure we can match up with [Jesse] Hogan and a few of those bigs down there that are playing good footy. Casey have been consistent all year, so it is going to be a good game next week,” Knights said.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 01/08/2013 13:16