Geelong Cats

The Geelong Cats knock off the top-of-the-table Melbourne Demons to take top spot on the ladder and claim their seventh straight win.

It’s a privilege to play, and it’s a privilege to pull on the hoops, and we want to be the best. The positive for us is even though they got a few in a row, being able to track the ball in our forward half, it does take a lot out of defence when it keeps coming down there. Gryan played a key role in the forward line and Brad Close. They’re just, you know, guys contributing all over the ground, it’s really special. You’ve got to enjoy the wins that you get but then get back to preparation quickly and get ready for the next assault because the challenges keep coming for us. It’s seven on the bounce now in a very competitive season. Do you still have the drive to be the best? I think continuity at any stage in your career as you know, it’s so critical to a good performance, and it’s really hard to not train a huge amount and then expect to perform every week. Q: How long did it take you with the more attacking style that you seem to be playing with this year, how long did it take for the thought to go back safe to creep in? Q: There’s a lot of people who said you needed to lose a bit of weight. It was a big win to Geelong in the context of the top four. But we’ve got a licence and we give our players a licence to make a mistake. In principle, we are trying to challenge the opposition a bit more.”

But Guthrie's goal out of a stoppage and a long bomb from Duncan got the Cats home. Christian Petracca (21 disposals, three goals), Jack Viney (35 disposals, ...

But Geelong kicked the final three goals of the contest to seal a result that marked a 111-point turnaround from the two sides' previous meeting, in last year's preliminary final. The Cats dominated the third term and put a 23-point gap on their opponents by kicking the first three goals of the second half. But Guthrie's goal out of a stoppage and a long bomb from Duncan got the Cats home.

The 'brilliant' Cats change that tamed Demons star and turned flag race on its head.

So to manage them through the early part of quarters, I think gave them more energy when the whips were cracking late in quarters,” Hawks legend Jordan Lewis said. King said of Selwood being managed: “There’s a tactic there, isn’t there? The whole game looks like a Geelong game.” I thought Chris Scott had a fantastic night in the box.” “And then he can slingshot forward … he just goes to the right areas at the right times, playing that centre back role with a license.” “He is one of the best big men in the competition, as he likes to tell me when we’re having a quiet beer,” Smith said with a laugh to Fox Footy.

Huge midfield displays from Tom Atkins, Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie have helped Geelong throw another twist into the AFL premiership race with an ...

But Geelong kicked the final three goals of the contest to seal a result that marked a 111-point turnaround from the two sides' previous meeting, in last year's preliminary final. The Cats dominated the third term and put a 23-point gap on their opponents by kicking the first three goals of the second half. There were four lead changes in a high-intensity first quarter as the contest took on a finals-like feel from the outset.

In the end, with the game on the line and Melbourne coming home like a freight train, Geelong was able to steady booting the last three goals of the contest to ...

Both Dees defenders won the duel for much of the night (especially May who ended with 26 disposals and 735 metres gained), keeping Cameron goalless and Hawkins to only one goal (which was won from a stoppage), but the duo were still involved, especially late in the game, with their work around the ground. While Petracca was given extra attention by the likes of Tom Atkins and Mark Blicavs which impacted his overall disposal count, the Dees gun still found a way to stay impactful even with the tough matchups that came his way throughout the evening. Smith put together a vintage showing, ending with 22 disposals, seven marks and 382 metres gained - along with a sensational goal from outside 50 in the third term to cap it off. Instead of surging ahead and putting the game to bed, Geelong’s wastefulness in-front of goal kept Melbourne right in it, who gained the ascendancy thanks to the work of Jack Viney (35 disposals, nine inside 50s), Clayton Oliver (34 disposals, ten clearances) and Gawn (35 hitouts, six clearances) who levelled the contest in the middle. In the end, with the game on the line and Melbourne coming home like a freight train, Geelong was able to steady booting the last three goals of the contest to seal the 12.19 (81) to 9.9 (63) contest. Dangerfield's unheralded midfield partner in crime Tom Atkins (21 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances) continued to showcase why his move to midfield may be one of the masterstrokes of the season, while Mitch Duncan (32 disposals, 11 marks, 629 metres gained, two goals) and Cameron Guthrie (28 disposals, seven tackles, two goals) were enormous late.

Geelong has sent out a major warning to the rest of the AFL after a convincing win over Melbourne in a stark contrast to last year's finals match-up with ...

The win, Geelong's seventh straight, vaulted it above the reigning premiers on the top of the AFL ladder with a 12-4 record and a percentage of 136.1, just above Melbourne's 12-4 record with a percentage of 133.4. 9. (63) winners at GMHBA Stadium. 17. (89) to 9.