It was the end of the premiership honeymoon period for Geelong last Saturday, as the Cats became the final side in 2013 to register a loss for the season as Kane Hunkin reports.
Unless you’re the 2011 Port Melbourne side, losing is never the exception but most commonly the established rule. Geelong proving they are not immune.
While there is now a blemish on the win/loss record, the deficiencies present in the defeat against Collingwood appear manageable and the positives still remain.
It was a role reversal at Victoria Park, Geelong, renowned this year for significant last quarters, could not hit the scoreboard with damaging momentum – kicking just two goals in the final term to be overrun by a solid Magpies outfit.
While Mitch Brown (four goals), donning the long sleeves, returned to the forward line and Shane Kersten (three goals) asserted influence, the Cats appeared uncharacteristically laboured.
Geelong coach Matthew Knights was typically pragmatic is his assessment of the game.
“We’ve had a really good start to the season, but I thought Collingwood to their credit played really good over the four quarters. They were really fierce in the contest. I thought all in all, we didn’t play as good as we would’ve liked, but Collingwood did play some pretty good footy today,” Knights said.
In an otherwise even game, it was the late quarter goals to Collingwood that proved decisive to the Cats’ fortunes. Three goals in the last five minutes of the first half matched by two late majors in the third term to the home side were telling.
Knights observed the impact, citing “concentration” as a factor.
“The end of the second quarter and [also] the end of the third they [Collingwood] managed to kick two or three goals in those periods. I think it was just a few concentration lapses on our behalf, not quite playing the quarter right out.”
Despite the loss, there were plenty of glass half-full type observations from the game. With regular VFL players out injured and/or currently playing in the AFL, Geelong was able to give experience to their younger core.
“We probably had a really fresh, new midfield today. Without Troy [Selwood] and Jordan Schroder going up and [Jesse] Stringer. We gave opportunities to [Brad] Hartman and [Dane] McFarlane and [Cam] Eardley in the midfield, and Tom Gribble [also].
“We were a bit younger around Dawson [Simpson] than we have been previously, but that will stand them in good stead later in the year when they have to go in there and play,” Knights said.
Geelong returns home to take on the Casey Scorpions, also coming off a loss, this Sunday.
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 23/05/2013 07:22