GEELONG has taken its first step towards atoning for last year's grand final loss with a clinical 35-point victory over Adelaide in their NAB Cup clash at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
The Cats, through the drive of a midfield mastered by Gary Ablett (23 possessions), Jimmy Bartel (30), Joel Selwood (24), Joel Corey (29) and Cameron Ling (24), were in control from the first bounce until the last – winning 1.17.8 (119) to 2.9.12 (84).
Ablett and Bartel started the game on the bench but had immediate impacts when introduced. Ablett's was more emphatic, winning contested possessions out of the centre before floating forward to kick three goals in as many minutes, including a super-goal.
Adelaide seemed overwhelmed at stages, though captain Simon Goodwin (29 possessions), Chris Knights (23) and defender Nathan Bock (23) tried hard to keep their side within reach.
Finding forward targets proved the Crows' biggest challenge but it was little trouble for the Cats as Ryan Gamble and Tom Lonergan opened their accounts.
The only first-quarter highlights for Adelaide were a clever snap from Tyson Edwards from its first entry inside 50 and a nine-pointer to Ivan Maric after he was awarded a free kick and a 50m penalty.
Geelong continued to exert its dominance in the opening minutes of the second term as Ablett kicked his fourth and laid the tackle that set up Gamble's second. Mathew Stokes soon followed.
Adelaide eventually hit back with a dash of its own class through a running Andrew McLeod, while youngster Taylor Walker showed glimpses of what he could become.
Matched against premiership defender Matthew Scarlett, the 18-year-old looked more than comfortable up forward, presenting well and kicking a goal from a set shot.
But a few Adelaide hearts skipped when he collided with Selwood and left the field clutching his knee.
Walker was substituted for James Sellar at half time and ran without trouble along the boundary before resting. Sellar, a first-round selection in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, looked OK with a couple of solid grabs but struggled to convert.
The Crows looked to lift a notch in the third term after early goals to Edwards and Trent Hentschel. Hentschel, who last played for the Crows in 2006, finished the most galvanising play for the Crows for the evening – his teammates coming from all over the ground to congratulate him.
But just when they had a bit of momentum, Geelong pounced. Lonergan's cut-off of an errant handball to feed Gamble was the Cats' 10th goal from an Adelaide turnover.
The two sides approached the final term sensing an inevitable result, but a couple of early goals to Scott Stevens and an awkward-looking super-goal to Nick Gill were some consolation for a pretty forgettable night.
Gamble (four goals), Lonergan (three) and Stokes (three) formed a dangerous combination that coped without Cameron Mooney and Steve Johnson. After spending three years on the fringe of Geelong's senior side, Gamble's performance suggested he'll push for more senior matches this year.
Shannon Byrnes showed his usual fleet of foot around the ground, Mark Blake dominated the ruck and Harry Taylor continued his impressive development alongside Scarlett.
In fact, the Cats' display was all the more resounding for their absentees. Skipper Tom Harley continues his recovery from knee surgery while Darren Milburn, Brad Ottens, Josh Hunt and David Wojcinski were also missing.
Adelaide was without Nathan van Berlo, Brett Burton and Ben Rutten.
The Cats will meet the winner of Sunday's clash between the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide while Adelaide joins the NAB Challenge circuit.
Geelong 1.5.3 1.11.4 1.15.5 1.17.8 (119)
Adelaide 1.1.2 11.5.3 1.7.6 2.9.12 (84)
GOALS
Geelong: Nine-point goals: Ablett Goals: Gamble 4, Stokes 3, Lonergan 3, Ablett 3, Selwood, Chapman, Hogan, Varcoe
Adelaide: Nine-point goals: Maric, Gill Goals: Edwards 2, Stevens 2, Hentschel, McLeod, Otten, Thompson, Walker
BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Gamble, Stokes, Bartel, Selwood, Taylor, Blake
Adelaide: Goodwin, Bock, Stevens, Knights, Edwards
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Adelaide: Walker (corked knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McCarthy, Hay, Wenn (inj), Avon
Crowd: 10,320 at Telstra Dome
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
