“Eighteen-year-old 200-cm key defenders who nail themselves with gun-key forwards, I’m not sure how often this suits them,” Scott said. “We’re not saying it’s a beautiful plan that’s been put together, but pretty much all the credit should go to Sam himself. It’s a hit of the night that took three years.”
Voss said there was no quick fix for the Blues, who aim to reach their first series of finals since 2013. Injured stars Marc Pittonet and Mitch McGovern resumed in the VFL on Saturday, but Voss said the club would take a prudent approach in the selection with the couple, who have spent months on the sidelines.
The club are wary of returning them quickly, having seen Jacob Weitering struggle to regain form in his two games after six weeks out.
“How we integrate the players back into the side is also important,” Voss said. “Surely he hasn’t found his rhythm yet.”
After beating Melbourne at their Geelong Fortress last week, the Cats reproduced the merchandise at the place where they will have to do the work to deliver a second flag under Scott.
Having grown tired of past finals campaigns, the Cats benefit from spreading the load during the season. Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Rohan, Jack Henry and Stewart are some of the key players who have missed parts of the campaign.
It’s a mark of Scott’s coaching ability that Stewart’s absence isn’t felt by the Cats against the final contenders.
If there was a team to take advantage of the Cats ’defensive general loss, then it was expected to be the Blues with their Charlie Curnow and McKay twin towers.
Harry McKay flies for a brand. Credit: Getty Images
The Cats midfield, led by Joel Selwood and Cam Guthrie, beat the Blues in their own game. They set the tone in the first quarter, flexing their muscle in the openings, and although the Blues won the contested ball count and had more ball they gained little territory.
Mark Blicavs subdued Patrick Cripps, limiting the Blues ’pattern to just 17 touches.
His bottom line was almost impenetrable in the last three quarters when they conceded just four goals.
Joel Selwood is approached by George Hewett. Credit: AFL Photos
Tom De Koning lost the battle of the brothers but was able to leave with his head held high after a laudable performance at the ruck.
The best period of the Blues ’game came after they had absorbed the Cats’ quick start to briefly dictate the pace of the match.
In the middle of the field they were given a taste of their own medicine, with only Sam Walsh influencing the game.
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Curnow was ready for a great night with three goals early in the second quarter, but from then on he was left without a decent delivery.
LOST LOVE
It’s been six years since Zach Tuohy changed the monogram for hoops, but Blues fans have long – and selective – memories of booing the Irishman every time he touched the ball. Tuohy made sure to leave the field with hoarse voices, collecting 24 discards in a compound performance through the midfield defense. Maybe the Navy Blues are a little tough with Tuohy, who played 120 solid games with the club but left after receiving what he described as an “insulting” contract offer from the Blues. In a complex trade deal, the Blues used the selection to secure Caleb Marchbank, whose career has been plagued by injury.
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CAT CONTEST
Sam Menegola will miss the Cats road trip to Port Adelaide after suffering a concussion. The Cats midfielder was injured after hitting his head on the ground with an Will Hayes entry in the first quarter. It meant that Jed Bews, who had his workload managed, ended up playing a lot more than the Cats would have anticipated. Mid-season recruit Hayes, in his first full game for his new club, is likely to be under the scrutiny of the match review officer.
GEELONG 3.4 7.6 10.8 12.13 (85) CARLTON 4.1 5.1 6.3 8.7 (55) GOLSGeelong: Cameron 3, Hawkins 2, Holmes 2, Stengle, Atkins, Guthrie, Stanley , Miers.Carlton: Curnow, Silva, De Koninghett, De Cripps, Hegni,, Motlop.BESTGeelong: Blicavs, Guthrie, De Koning, Tuohy, Duncan, Selwood.Carlton: Curnow, Walsh, Docherty, Fisher.LESIONSGeelm: Menegola cerebral) .CROWD – 68,208 to the MCG.
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