Geelong flexed its muscles in a 28-point win over the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium to celebrate Joel Selwood’s 350th game in style.
The Cats burst out eight goals to one in the third quarter in a scare message to the rest of the competition before winning, 14.10 (94) to 9.12 (66).
With it, Chris Scott’s side remain top of the AFL ladder with a 15-4 record, while the Dogs’ ninth-placed finals hopes took a hit, falling to 10- 9.
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There were no late changes for either side, with Brandan Parfitt (Geelong) and Lachlan McNeil (Western Bulldogs) named as medical replacements.
QUARTERLY MATCHES REPORT
first quarter
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan picked up right where he left off last week, scoring the first goal of the contest, while Jason Johannisen kicked the next to get the Dogs off to the ideal start.
Mark Blicavs went to Marcus Bontempelli with a soft tag to start the game, with the Cats benefiting from not following the star midfielder when he went forward, instead getting Tim English a kick behind the play.
But the Dogs had all the play in the first quarter behind a strong quarter from Bontempelli.
“It’s like he’s doing too much and he’s not doing either job effectively,” the Geelong great said of Blicavs on Channel 7.
Luke Beveridge’s side kicked the next two goals, with Channel 7’s Luke Darcy noting it was an “ideal start for the Western Bulldogs”.
Geelong got a goal back later in the quarter through Patrick Dangerfield and recovered in the period to create a couple more chances.
But it was the Dogs who owned the first term to take a 19-point lead at quarter-time, 4.3 (27) to 1.2 (8).
“They really caught Geelong off guard,” Lions big Jonathan Brown said at quarter-time. “Fix it around the contest and in the middle of the field. they have to start getting in front of the clearance and say, let’s go to work.
“Maybe they’re overwhelmed by the occasion (of Joel Selwood’s 350th game), it’s a massive occasion, the guy’s arguably Geelong’s best ever player. They’d like to send him off, so maybe they’re a bit adjusted”.
Second term
The Dogs continued their strong play in the second quarter, pressing hard as Ugle-Hagan booted their second goal to extend their lead to 26 points.
“A young man who takes chances,” Channel 7 caller Jason Bennett said of the former Pick 1.
The Cats looked to have some momentum midway through the second term after getting a great goal lane as Tyson Stengle found himself wide open on the half forward flank before finding Tom Hawkins open at full forward.
But Hawkins missed the reachable shot, which Bennett called “the missed goal of the year”.
Moments later Bontempelli was late with a clumsy booty on Mitch Duncan and nearly lifted him with his fist, with the Dogs skipper actually wearing himself out after landing awkwardly.
The Cats found life later in the term, scoring back-to-back goals through Brad Close and Isaac Smith as they generally dominated the overall game.
The Dogs took an 11-point lead into the half, 6.5 (41) to 4.6 (30).
third trimester
A fortuitous Geelong free kick helped Tyson Stengle score the first goal of the third quarter, while Hawkins kicked the next to see the hosts take their first lead of the night.
The Cats continued to press as Hawkins kicked the next goal from long range to extend their lead to seven points.
“Alarm bells are ringing in the Bulldogs coaching box, the league leaders are making their move,” Bennett said.
Cam Guthrie made it four goals in a row for the Cats after a late run, while Close added another as the home fans erupted.
“Cats are irresistible, (when they have) their tails up like that, you almost need a timeout. All of a sudden they seem like they can score at will,” Darcy said.
“Cats on fire…five unstoppable unanswered goals this quarter.”
Gryan Miers continued Geelong’s onslaught, nailing a hard seven-kick from the boundary line to make it six goals in a row.
“Real X factor,” Bennett said of Miers. “You could say the same about everyone involved in the build-up – Close, Stengle, Miers – a big contrast to their bigs. So many weapons in front of the Cats.”
Darcy added, “They’re raiding everywhere.”
It was all one-way traffic in the third third term in complete Geelong dominance, with Cameron and Stengle kicking two more goals.
Overall, the Cats averaged 23 percent of their 50 percent, but in the third period they reached 50 percent (eight goals 16 inside 50) in a surprising burst.
“That’s a powerful message,” Darcy said.
The Cats took a 36-point lead at three-quarter time, 12.8 (8o) to 6.8 (44).
Gary Rohan (concussion) was replaced at the final break by Brandan Parfitt.
fourth quarter
The Bulldogs had their chances early in the fourth quarter but couldn’t score, while the Cats went down the other end and made them pay with a breakaway goal from Cameron.
Tempers flared later in the quarter after Jonathan Ceglar gave away a 50-yard penalty after taking down Cody Weightman late, leading to the Dogs’ first goal since the second season.
Beveridge’s side ended up winning the fourth quarter after finishing strongly with the last two goals, but this was Geelong’s night to celebrate as it remained a game clear in first place.
THE 3-2-1…
3. SELWOOD HITS MULTIPLE RECORDS ON MILESTONE NIGHT
Joel Selwood, take a bow.
An all-time legend not only of Geelong, but of the game in general, the Cats skipper broke multiple records on a special night where he became the club’s first player to reach 350 caps.
But the big win also saw the 34-year-old break the record for most wins as a captain in VFL/AFL history (160).
Selwood beat Essendon’s Dick Reynolds (159), Carlton’s Stephen Kernanhan (139) and John Nicholls (126), Brisbane’s Michael Voss (129) and North Melbourne’s Wayne Carey. (124)
He also became the player to reach 350 games in the shortest number of days (15 years, 120 days) ahead of Carlton legend Craig Bradley (15 years, 127 days).
“Football is a team game, but it’s played by people who put their own blood sweat and tears into the cause,” Pies legend Nathan Buckley said of Selwood on Fox Footy, while the skipper Cats was embraced by fans after the game in special scenes.
“And to be able to be recognized in this area on your own accord, without even your peers around, that’s pretty special.”
Selwood’s football CV stacks up against anyone, with three flags, six Australian jumpers, four bravest player of the year awards and three best and fairest.
The only thing that eludes him is being a premiership-winning skipper, a feat that probably gives him his best chance to capture the 2021 season with the top cats flying.
“What would completely end it from a leadership point of view would be captaining a prime minister,” said triple award-winning Lion Jonathan Brown.
“They’re in really good shape for that this year.”
Saints great Nick Riewoldt added: “He’s obviously hungry for it, that would be the carrot. That’s why he still pushes the pack as hard as he does.
“What a fantastic leader he has been.”
2. CATS’ ‘BRUTAL’ EIGHT-GOAL THIRD SENDS A ‘POWERFUL MESSAGE’
Well, that was scary.
A relentless Geelong kicked eight unanswered goals in an electrifying and decisive third quarter that was ultimately the difference on the night.
Channel 7’s Luke Darcy summed up the Cats’ dominant quarter perfectly, calling it a “powerful message”.
Geelong had a slow start on the night before clawing back their deficit in the second quarter, but it was the third quarter where they really exploded.
As well as kicking eight goals apiece, Geelong also dominated disposals (101-74), clearances (12-7) marks (35-25), inside 50s (18-8), contested possessions (35-28), and most importantly, the score (50-3).
The Cats broke out in the third quarter (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Tyson Stengle (two goals, eight disposals, four marks, two inside 50s) and Patrick Dangerfield (eight disposals, four contested possessions, two clearances) were particularly prolific during the blitz, with Bombers big man Jobe Watson telling Channel 7 that the latter “was led”. the position”.
“His intensity around the ball, he seems to have had real speed and burst out of the competition,” he said.
Indeed, it was total dominance and one-way traffic in a frightening statement to the rest of the league that shows why the Cats are the ladder leaders and Premiership favourites.
Geelong simply could do no wrong, kicking goal after goal to almost every part of the field in scenes of pandemonium at the Cattery among the fans as high praise was heaped on the pundits.
“The machine is humming,” said Channel 7 commentator Jason Bennett.
1. WHERE TO GO HERE FOR DOGS?
So where does this loss leave the Bulldogs?
Luke Beveridge’s side looked on early, bursting out of the blocks with four goals to one in the first quarter as a GMHBA Stadium boil looked to be on the cards.
And rivals had reason to be weary of the Dogs heading into September as we know how dangerous the club can be, coming into last year’s grand final from outside the top four and after beating Melbourne in the week past
But they may not feature in the finals now, with St Kilda taking the Dogs’ place in the top eight, despite the latter having a good percentage of 109.4.
They have a relatively friendly run at home, facing the Dockers (Marvel Stadium), GWS (Marvel Stadium) and Hawthorn (UTAS Stadium).
Now it’s all in front of the Dogs, with nothing less than a top eight finish, a huge failure given the expectations…