It was a beautiful sunny Sunday arvo, and a big crowd gathered at Kardinia Park despite fears that it being Mothers Day might keep people away. My Mum is away in Adelaide so I was at the footy guilt-free. Behind me in the slow-moving queue was a father-son combo, the young one in a Giants jumper, his Dad in a Hawthorn scarf. I don’t know why he was there because he was not happy and complained about everything. My light-hearted banter was met with an angry comment about Neville Bruns in 1985. Good to see he wasn’t bitter and didn’t hold grudges!? The Cats’ line-up for the first four centre bounces was odd, Jeremy Cameron in the middle and Bailey Smith on the wing on the Moorabool St side. Considering the Giants’ incredible record at GMHBA it may have been wiser to put our dominant midfield recruit in the guts from the start. By the time GWS had kicked four goals and established the tone of the game the switch to normal operating systems was restored. GWS are a very quick, slick ball-moving team, and with our inexperienced backline struggling the Giants capitalised. Their prime weapon Jesse Hogan was outstanding and proved to be the difference in the end. GWS got out to a 24 point lead and I texted the boys “This looks bad”, before Danger and Mannagh goaled late in the quarter. Mannagh brought “The Himmelburg” down in flames with a great chase and the subsequent 50m penalty guaranteed a goal.
The rest of the game was almost goal for goal in a high quality contest. Max Holmes and Bailey Smith started winning centre clearances and our small forwards snapped crumbing goals. Jezza kicked two around the corner and Neale took a big mark and converted. But as good as the Cats looked, we could never get more than 4 points in front, the Giants were relentless, Tom Green was excellent, Toby Greene was Toby Greene, and Hogan just kept kicking goals. I admit to being surprised that we were in front by a point at half time, 9.8 to 9.7.
The pattern for the remainder of the game was: GWS goals and Geelong behinds. In the end, they kicked 7.2 to our 5.9 in the second half. Ollie Dempsey has a happy knack of getting himself deep into the forward fifty and snagged a couple of goals from clever marks. Pressure from Danger and slick hands between Ollie H. and Tom Atkins allowed Mannagh to dribble a goal from a tight angle. Geelong dominated in every area except the only one that really matters, the scoreboard. A couple of dodgy umpiring decisions got the crowd riled up but the loss was not the umps’ fault, it came down to poor kicking, pure and simple.
The last quarter saw a litany of missed opportunities to take the lead. Danger has become a much more reliable shot for goal this season so I was confident when he lined up 40 out on a slight angle. Darn! The pain was compounded when GWS forced a succession of handballs under pressure before turning the ball over and guess who finished the passage off with his seventh goal?? Tyson Stengle had a chance from a set shot directly in front from 40m and he too missed, although it did at least give the Cats a one point lead with under five minutes to go. It irked me that the crucial final goal for the Giants was kicked by Riccardi, a name that should not bring pain to an old Cat’s heart.
However, the moment that ultimately decided the game came in the 29th minute. SDK took a strong mark on the flank and kicked long to a surging pack where Blitz and Danger both laid claims to the mark, 35 out dead in front. The umpire insisted it was Blicavs’ mark so the responsibility fell on his broad shoulders to kick what would surely have been the winning goal. It looked good off the boot but faded badly to the left before banging into the post. The Giants clung on to win by 4 points, as they have in three of their five consecutive wins at KP. It was a close, exciting, high-scoring, high-quality game with a very deflating end.
If you want to hear more of our reactions and wrap-up of the game and the week in footy, look for The Cat Pack podcast on Spotify. “https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZdhBMs3Ylv6npehRdKer6%20” The Cat Pack
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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.
Really tough defeat that one Marcus, especially after the stirring victory over the pies.
Cameron’s had a disappointing year consistency wise.
And Shannon Nearly needs to hold a few more.
CAT BOYS – was at the game but thought the GWS team always looked like winning. They had a few out too.
Can’t fathom what the Cameron story is. Leaves us desperately short at CHF when he is on the wing. No one to kick it to who can mark at that line. As for Neale, he must be gold plated as he can take a mark but doesn’t. How he is in the side is a mystery but looking around there is no one else with his height. It’s frustrating.
Power this week and we might see our next recruit in action against us for the last time? Can’t give B.Smith enough praise as he is giving his all for the Pivots.
I KEEP FORGETTING IT IS ONLY A GAME.
Our next recruit can be seen later in the year I have just realised!
Thanks for the clarification Bob cause I couldn’t work out who you meant.
“Surely they’re not going after Boak again?” I thought.
I’m being patient with Neale, he’s only played 20 games and is getting better. Big blokes take longer they reckon.
And Bailey’s a ripper.
Always annoyed me that big blokes get FOREVER. to show some form. Small blokes get a month.
Cheer
Small Bloke.
LOL, as a big bloke I confirm we need all the time we can get!!
There’s a story about Caleb Daniel I need to write Dips.