The Bendigo Bank Cats steamrolled their way to a fourth successive win at Casey Fields on Saturday.
A Geelong side that included a combined 547 games of AFL experience to Casey’s 74 was far too strong and classy, winning every quarter in an 81 point obliteration of their opposition.
Steven King’s efforts was a highlight of the day, imposing himself on the contest early with some clever ruck work, and registered the first major of the day. His work rate was excellent, running from both ends of the ground and providing consistent second efforts.
The match also saw football journeyman Phil Read make his VFL debut for the Cats. His start to the season was delayed by four weeks due to a suspension carried over from last year’s grand final. Eighteeen year-old James McTaggart also played his first VFL game after being a valuable member of the Geelong Falcons TAC Cup side last year.
The slippery conditions on a hard surface gave reason for spectators to expect a more even contest, but that was far from what transpired. Coach Leigh Tudor heavily rotated his side’s midfield in the first term including Stokes, Reid, captain James Byrne and the highly impressive Jason Davenport.
Tudor urged his charges at the break to use their first option more often and to break the Casey flood through the corridor. No one carried out these orders better than Max Rooke, who started to do what he does best – take courageous marks in the opposition’s 50 and rebound with poise. His second quarter was simply outstanding, racking up 12 possessions and providing great drive off half-back.
A clever snap from Shannon Byrnes pushed the lead out to 36 points, but Shane Birss was able to answer for the Scorpions, posting their first goal of the day nine minutes into the second term. Tudor opted to use King at full forward while the promising Trent West showed further signs of improvement in the ruck.
Geelong’s brilliant young midfield brigade starring Brent Prismall with 23 first half possessions before leaving the field as he was an emergency for the AFL clash the following day.
The Cats dominated the first half, using the ball a staggering 199 times, yet only took a 38 point lead into the main break. The home side was given some hope after a Troy Makepeace tackle lead to the first goal of the second half, but this only seemed to sting Geelong into action. Tudor’s preferred style of quick and direct football was implemented, and three goals in as many minutes came as a result, killing off any hope of a Scorpion comeback.
Prismall may have been the best player afield in the first half, but man-of-the-match Stokes took that mantle in the second, collecting 32 possessions and booting two goals in the process. His vision and work rate was exceptional, but his ability to deliver to a target under pressure was the aspect of his game that was most impressive.
Geelong’s superior height and body strength forced Casey to kick short from the start, resulting in countless errors. They especially struggled from their kick-ins, where any failure to hit a target was exposed by a Cats forward line hell-bent on applying pressure.
It was the four-quarter effort the coach had demanded, and best on ground Stokes was relieved to get the four points.
The high-flying Cats face a trip to the home of their sponsor this Sunday when they take on the struggling Bombers.
Casey Scorpions 0.3 3.3 8.4 11.6 (72)
Geelong 4.9 8.11 17.15 22.21 (153)
Goals: Byrnes 4, Gardiner 3, Grima 3, McGuane 2, King 2, Stokes 2, Prismall 2, Spencer, Djerrkura, Hunt, Gamble
Best: Byrnes, Stokes, Gardiner, King, Rooke, J Hunt
