It was my day off and I was planning to mow the grass but the weather had other ideas. It was a cold, grey, rainy day in Geelong and only got worse as the day progressed. I would never not go to a Cats game because of bad weather but I had a feeling not all Geelong fans would share that attitude and, sure enough, Kardinia Park was well below capacity, the crowd total only just creeping above 20,000.
Predictably it was a scrappy error-affected game. The rain stopped for a while in the second quarter, only to return with a vengeance in the third term. It bucketed down and added hail to the mix but thankfully the worst of it passed quite quickly. Geelong dominated the first fifteen minutes but couldn’t convert that superiority into score on the board. They had nine inside 50s before the Crows even got past half way. Tom Stewart was the unlikely first goal-kicker and he was the Tom Stewart we all know and love for the rest of the game, patrolling across half back unimpeded as the plus-one General.
Bailey Smith racked up a mountain of possessions, repeatedly bursting out of the centre with blond hair flying and kicking long into forward fifty. He also applied ten tackles, the most for the game, and along with Tom Atkins and Gryan Miers, eight each, was instrumental in exerting maximum pressure on the Crows any time they got the ball. In fact, I would say that due to the low-scoring nature of the game, Geelong’s pressure was the deciding factor, especially in the last quarter. I watched the replay and noted our pressure rating hit 208 in the fourth term.
Geelong established a 12 point lead by quarter time and maintained a similar gap throughout the game. It was not a night for big key forwards, neither Cameron nor Neale kicked a goal but they made significant contributions to the game regardless. Jezza ventured up to the wing to get involved and Shannon won 15 hitouts from 35 ruck contests inside forward fifty. It was our small forwards who kicked the goals, Jack Martin leading the way with a game-high three and showing yet again what an astute pick up he was. My mate Scott loves him and more than once has “thanked” Carlton on the Cat Pack podcast for giving him to us for nothing. Shaun Mannagh was sharp around goal but the intense pressure and scrappiness of the game led to hurried half-chances not being converted. Ollie Dempsey also had opportunities he couldn’t quite grasp, continually materialising in the goal square, ghost-like with his white hair, jumping into and above packs but unable to hold a mark in the wet conditions. That was not the end of his story though. Geelong again dominated the last quarter, stung into action after Adelaide hit the lead for the only time in the fourth minute when Neal-Bullen goaled. From then on the ball lived in Geelong’s front half. Crow players were besieged whenever they got the ball, prevented from the rebound breakaways that had resulted in most of their goals earlier in the game. Our backline was solid throughout. Max Holmes, Bailey, Miers and Blicavs all carried or delivered the ball forward repeatedly and the small forwards applied the pressure inside forward fifty to create scoring opportunities. Finally the decisive moment came, scramble after scramble in the goal square until Ollie D managed to pick the ball up and snap over his shoulder for the goal that secured victory for the Cats.
Fifteen points up with 3-4 minutes to play we should have been safe but the Crows weren’t giving up and hit back with a long goal from Nick Murray to cut the lead to nine. That was still enough surely! Gryan Miers must enjoy creating unnecessary drama and stress for Cats’ fans because he decided from the next centre ball-up to turn backwards and kick the ball straight to an Adelaide player! #@$%! Next moment Tilthorpe was launching a long bomb that would have been a Crows’ goal but for two critical actions: Izaak Rankine tried to mark on the goal line rather than shepherd the ball through, which allowed Oisin Mullin to make a desperate spoil and punch the ball through for the final score of the night. The Cats controlled the ball for the final minute to snuff out Adelaide’s last chance, winning 68-60.
PS. I was right above the Tom Atkins lasso free kick and I can tell you honestly, without a word of a lie, it was definitely an Adelaide free! What goes around comes around, the Cats were on the losing end of several dodgy decisions from the umpys earlier in the game.
Best players: Bailey Smith, Gryan Miers, Max Holmes, Shaun Mannagh.
Honourable mentions to the three Ollies – Henry, Dempsey and Wiltshire, Jhye Clark and Jack Martin.
More from Marcus Holt Here
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
About Marcus Holt
Born in 61, alive in 63, first broken heart in 67, followed by 89, 92, 94, 95. There because of a minor miracle in 07. Back in 09 which cost me my job. Shared 11 with my youngest son. Shared 22 with my eldest. In my other life, late career change teacher, father of 4, Grandfather of 3 so far.
Your P.S. sums up the umpiring merry-go-round perfectly Marcus.