In what is becoming a common trend, Geelong has again sent a powerful message, producing a dominant performance against Casey Scorpions last Sunday as Kane Hunkin reports.
It was another statement of intent from the ladder leaders, which moves the Cats’ current winning streak to eight with their 66-point win over the Scorpions.
In a similar manner to their last start win against Sandringham, the damage was done after quarter-time – Geelong kicking 15 goals to four.
With Jesse Hogan asserting himself early with two goals, the Scorpions looked ominous. Boasting an earlier season win against the Cats, Casey took a lead into the first change. Daniel Nicholson sparked the home side, accumulating 13 of his 29 possessions in the first quarter. The three-point margin was perhaps misleading as key misses from the home side, coupled with accurate Cats kicking keeping the contest close.
Geelong put distance on the scoreboard in the second term, kicking all six goals of the quarter to take a 35-point lead into the second half.
A trademark goal from Paul Chapman in the third quarter was indicative of the momentum. Despite dour conditions, Geelong looked the more polished side as they extinguished a three-goal run from the Scorpions, with four late majors.
Geelong would go on to win by 66-points.
Mark Corrigan (24 possessions, one goal) and Shane Kersten (five goals) were the notables for the victors in an otherwise typically even contribution.
Geelong coach Matthew Knights provided a neat overview after the game.
“Casey has probably had stronger line-ups through the year to be fair. I thought it was probably one of our stronger line-ups for the year. We were pleased to win. We came here today, Casey’s home ground, [and in] tough conditions to win by that margin was significant,” Knights said.
Shane Kersten has kicked six and five goals respectively in his two games back. Knights touched on the second-year player’s development.
“More than anything, his [Kersten’s] second and third efforts when the ball hits the ground is what we’ve been most pleased with in the last two weeks. We know he kicks well for goal and takes good marks, but we’re really after that defensive pressure from him.”
Concurrent to the win, the return of Paul Chapman (17 possessions, one goal) and Allen Christensen (16 possessions, one goal) was important.
Chapman was enthused by his return when speaking post-match.
“[The most important thing] was just getting through. Casey are a good team too so they were hard at the footy and that’s probably what I needed as well. I got through so it’s a big tick and we had a good win,” Chapman said.
Additionally, Chapman noted the benefits of playing with the younger players on the list.
“I think they’re learning the right way and they want to learn, and they want to be good players. Whenever anyone speaks they listen and that’s the most exciting thing for me [is] that they want to be better. They want to make their own destiny at the Geelong Football Club.”
Following the weekend’s results Geelong will again play a ‘first versus second ‘ match when they take on Williamstown at Burbank Oval next Sunday. Casey travels to Frankston to take on the Dolphins also on Sunday.
Geelong 19.11.125 def Casey Scorpions 8.11.59
Last Modified on 05/08/2013 10:30