Friday night’s 15-goal first quarter was not only the most breathtaking start to what was a much-anticipated contest, it was one for the record books. Geelong tweeted that it was just the 15th time two teams have scored seven or more goals in the first quarter of an AFL/VFL match. At the end of the term, which went for 35 minutes, featured 10 individual goalkickers and seven lead changes, the home side was in front by five points.
2. LRT MIA
Lewis Roberts-Thomson cut a glum figure on the Swans bench after a right knee injury in the second quarter forced him out of the match. The veteran kicked a goal in the second term and was working his way into the match before the injury. The injury gave substitute Mitch Morton an earlier-than-expected entry into the game.
3. Selwood shakes O’Keeffe
Although Ryan O'Keefe made sure a lot of Joel Selwood's possessions were under pressure, the Cats champion kept his team in the contest during a frenetic 15-goal first term and was involved in a number of critical passages of play during the match. The highlight was late in the third term, when Selwood flung himself at the contest in the middle of the ground to grab the footy before handballing it off to Taylor Hunt, whose low kick crossed the goal line just as the three-quarter time siren sounded.
4. Tom’s tale of two halves
Walking into the makeshift away team dressing rooms at half time, Cats forward Tom Hawkins had just one mark, one kick and two handballs. The 24-year-old had also given away two free kicks. Whatever took place during the long break must have fired Hawkins into action as he emerged in the third quarter as a different player, running at the footy with confidence and pulling down contested marks. With three goals, Hawkins finished as one of Geelong's best and was a key to the win.
5. And then there were four
The result leaves a quartet of teams unbeaten so far this season, with Essendon, Port Adelaide and Richmond still to play in round four. The Cats still have some way to go though before getting near their 14-game winning run to start their premiership-winning season in 2011.
