By Chris Weaver
A five goal third term kicking with the aid of a northerly breeze helped Geelong defeat the Coburg Tigers by 17 points at Skilled Stadium.
Both sides entered this match with an even win-loss record, and trying to keep their hopes of September action alive.
It was the Cats who got the jump, full-forward James Podsiadly and lively flanker Brodie Moles each kicking two goals as Geelong took a 14 point lead into the first break.
Coburg endeavoured to tighten up at the stoppages during the second quarter, their defensive pressure and clever handpassing allowing them to win the ball consistently from the packs.
Shaggy haired youngster Ben Clifton and the tireless Nick Liddle impressed with their agility and balance, as they evaded numerous Geelong tackles.
Yet Geelong had little trouble retaking Coburg’s slim half-time lead, as goals to Jarrod Westwood, Podsiadly and Mitchell Cuthill during the opening six minutes of the third term opened up a 14 point gap.
Although kicking against the breeze, Coburg had their chances.
Nat Caruso missed twice in the space of a minute, a set shot from close range followed by a more difficult attempt with a snap shot on the left foot.
Another miss to rangy forward Cleve Hughes hurt the Tigers, leaving them the arduous task of turning around a 14 point deficit during the final stanza.
It was not to be, as goals to Podsiadly and the lithe Steven Motlop took the Cats to a 25 point lead.
Coburg continued to fight hard, veteran Joel Bowden winning plenty of possessions across half-back, only to let himself down with his execution – one errant kick out-of-bounds leading directly to Podsiadly’s fourth major.
Geelong’s forward-line pressure was exemplary, one last quarter chase and tackle from Westwood on young Coburg defender Murphy Ambrose emblematic of the Cats’ pleasingly aggressive approach.
The game was then effectively over when a 50 metre penalty for an encroachment over the mark led to Dan McKenna kicking from the top of the goal square.
It was an unfortunate mistake, yet one that illustrated how important unforced errors had been in deciding the outcome.
The Cats were effectively led by Podsiadly at full-forward, fed by some of the lesser lights on Geelong’s VFL list such as Westwood and Casey Tutungi.
The ruck duel was particularly engrossing, the Cats’ Mark Blake and Coburg’s Andrew Browne visible at many contests around the ground.
Coburg would have been encouraged too by the solid display by Graham Polak at centre half-back, the Western Australian taking further strides on his path back to fitness and form.
This however was a big loss for Coburg, who must now win three of their remaining five fixtures to be a chance for a finals finish.
For Geelong though, this was the day that a slick and focused side deserved their cream.
Geelong 4.5 4.7 9.11 12.17 (89)
| Coburg Tigers 2.3 5.6 7.9 10.12 (72)
GOALS:Geelong: Podsiadly 4 Moles 2 Tutungi Simpson McKenna Westwood Cuthill Motlop
Coburg Tigers: Clarke 2 Browne 2 Bowden Carnell Schulz Liddle Raines Hughes
BEST:Geelong: Podsiadly Donohue Blake Moles Laidler Tutungi
Coburg Tigers: Bowden Polak Clarke Pattison Clifton Brown
Last Modified on 21/07/2009 13:13