1. After that effort coach Mark Harvey is in line for coach of the year
A Ryan Lester miskick and Paul Chapman's outstretched hands were the difference between an enormous win from the Lions. Up until half-time, Brisbane Lions caretaker coach Mark Harvey had only addressed his troops once at a break with them trailing. Since Harvey took over from the sacked Michael Voss, the Lions won two games, lost to the Cats by a point and played as though it believed it deserved to be in the final eight. Its first half effort was superb, pressuring Geelong and making them turn the ball over repeatedly. On the flipside the Cats have trailed at half-time at Simonds Stadium only once since Chris Scott took over at Geelong. That time was against the Sydney Swans in round 23, 2011 and the Cats went on to win the flag.
2. Finals may come to Geelong but natives didn't enjoy last hurrah
Whether you think it is fair or not, next week's qualifying final looks headed to Simonds Stadium. The Cats record at home is an impressive 42 wins from its past 43 games so the visiting Fremantle Dockers have a big task on their hands to win the final. Geelong did not request the game and its attitude has always been that it would be happy to play anytime and anywhere. It was an attitude the Dockers held up until the moment the possibility of a final being played at Geelong became a distinct probability. The one-point win was a heartstopper but Geelong finished second and has earned the right.
3. Harry Taylor is Geelong's most vital player in the finals series
With Tom Hawkins less than 100 percent fit due to a back injury, Taylor has the capacity to push forward whenever required to give the Cats another option. Scott hit that button late in the second quarter and pushed Taylor forward. He provided a marking target, but more importantly added some defensive pressure inside 50. Geelong has been happy with its defensive pressure even with Hawkins laying few tackles. Jimmy Bartel is more useful than a set of allen keys and he worked forward too at times, kicking a vital goal in the third quarter. Both have been defensive generals in the past month but the Cats depend on their versatility.
4. Selection dilemmas remain for the Cats, particularly in the ruck
Just when it looked as though the remarkable tale of Mark Blicavs was to take him into a final, he nearly knocked himself out when he landed after flying for a mark late in the game. Trent West had been recalled for one last look in the ruck, but on form Geelong would have recalled Nathan Vardy immediately and used Blivacs as a handy back-up. Blicavs impressed with his willingness to fight for the ball on the ground. Taylor Hunt replaced the injured Cameron Guthrie and had the tough job on Pearce Hanley and Jack Redden. He subdued Hanley but Guthrie remains the preferred option in defending the small forward. He also uses the ball better than Hunt. Paul Chapman and Josh Caddy look to have locked in a high half-forward position alongside the Cats band of runners.
5. Handball, handball, handball and handball
The Cats don't think it is an issue but in the past month Geelong has reverted to being handball happy. It tracked at about one kick for one handball throughout the game. Much of it was due to the pressure applied by the Brisbane Lions, but when handballing becomes a habit it is hard to break. With its kicking skills off the boil and its own tackling pressure down, Geelong looked ordinary at times. It had 165 kicks to 159 handballs and needs to lift its tackling pressure next week.
