GEELONG has re-asserted itself as a premiership threat with a stunning 96-point victory over Collingwood in front of 85,705 fans at the MCG on Friday night.
After spotting the ladder leaders a 19-point start during the first quarter, the Cats played 33 minutes and 38 seconds of near-faultless football in a devastating second term, turning on a 10 goal to one blitz.
They took a 50-point lead into the half-time break and, with Collingwood offering little resistance, pressed on to claim a 22.17 (149) to 8.5 (53) victory.
Although neither side had anything other than bragging rights to play for with their week one finals opponents already decided, Chris Scott’s men will now enter the final month of the season full of confidence after beating the premiership favourites by their greatest ever margin.
The second-quarter stats told the story.
The Cats had 18 inside 50s to four, laid 27 tackles to 15, and had 32 more disposals, 15 more contested.
It was their best-ever quarter against the Magpies, and not for a long, long time has Mick Malthouse's super-organised team been so exposed.
Making a forgettable night even worse for Collingwood, full-back Chris Tarrant was subbed off in the third quarter after hurting his ankle, while Travis Cloke spent time in the rooms with a sore knee.
Influential players
Geelong had winners on every line.
Corey Enright and David Wojcinski were superb off half-back, Joel Selwood (21 possessions and 11 tackles) typically tough in the centre, and young forwards Daniel Menzel (five goals) and Allen Christensen (three goals) electric up forward.
Menzel in particular was outstanding, equally damaging as a marking target and at ground level as he booted a career-best haul.
Geelong's key backs Harry Taylor and Matthew Scarlett were also big winners, with Cloke held goalless and Chris Dawes managing only two goals, which was a team-high return.
Veteran Paul Chapman was another to impress, bagging three goals and collecting 28 disposals.
What it means
Geelong will approach next Friday night's clash with the rested and hungry Hawthorn absolutely flying.
Wobbles had been detected following last week's upset loss to the Sydney Swans, but Friday night was a reminder that Geelong's champion group can never be written off.
They're in this premiership race up to their whiskers.
Magic moments
Cats duo Tom Hawkins and Wojcinski brought the heavily outnumbered blue and white army to its feet with two towering marks within minutes of each other late in the first quarter.
First Hawkins set himself under a long kick into forward 50 by Menzel, getting a perfect ride from two Magpies opponents and pulling down a huge grab in the goalsquare.
Then just before the quarter-time siren, Wojcinski replied with an equally spectacular leap.
The dashing defender jumped on the shoulders of Collingwood's Alex Fasolo and launched himself upward, taking the ball mid-flight.
Turning point
Geelong had enough of the play early in the match, but was wasteful in front of goal.
Menzel missed from a left-foot snap, James Kelly hit the post, and Travis Varcoe couldn't finish off a terrific two-bounce run.
Finally, at the 25-minute mark and with five Cats behinds on the board, Menzel drilled a set shot from 30 metres.
Hawkins added another before the quarter-time siren after his big mark in the square, and the Cats had the platform for their remarkable second term.
Toyota AFL Dream Team highlight
Geelong: Chapman led all comers with 135 points.
Next week
Geelong: Hawthorn (MCG)
What the coach said
Chris Scott
“You can believe in signs and omens and form and all those sort of things, but I don't think that means very much at all. Even if we'd played poorly tonight, we'd still be going into the finals really comfortable with our preparation, knowing that our best football is good enough. Nothing's happened tonight to change that."
Quarter by quarter
First quarter
It was a quarter of wasted opportunities for Geelong, who had the ball inside their forward 50 on 17 occasions to Collingwood's 10. While the Magpies took their chances by kicking four straight goals, the Cats were inaccurate. Their first goal of the night came from James Podsiadly, who marked brilliantly in the goalsquare. However, seconds later, his goal was disallowed because of an interchange infringement by Paul Chapman. Scott Pendlebury was brilliant for the Pies with 16 possessions and a goal in the first term, while Dayne Beams had 14. The Cats kicked two late goals through Daniel Menzel and Tom Hawkins.
Second quarter
The Cats were simply awesome in the second quarter, kicking 10 goals to one. They cut Pendlebury and Beams out of the match, allowing the duo just five possessions for the term. The Cats won the inside 50s 18-4 and had seven different goalkickers. Allen Christensen was elusive up forward and booted three, while Menzel continued to be a strong presence by adding another two goals to his tally. James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Selwood became influential, while Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor dominated down back. Chris Dawes kicked the Magpies’ only goal for the quarter.
Third quarter
Geelong continued to control the tempo of the match, starting the term by kicking the first three goals. Menzel was the most prolific forward on the ground, adding another two goals in the term to have five by three quarter-time. The Magpies had injury concerns with Ben Johnson hampered by a knee, while Chris Tarrant had to be substituted out of the game after injuring his right ankle. Travis Cloke left the field for treatment on his knee.
Fourth quarter
With the result beyond doubt and both teams thinking about next week's qualifying finals, the match petered out. Geelong continued its procession with Travis Varcoe, Chapman, Podsiadly and Steve Johnson kicking the first four goals of the term to extend the lead to 90 points. Tyson Goldsack took a heavy knock and became the latest Collingwood player forced into the rooms for medical treatment. Alex Fasolo kicked the Magpies' only goal for the quarter, a fine finish from the forward pocket.
Geelong 2.5 12.8 16.15 22.17 (149)
Collingwood 4.0 5.0 7.2 8.5 (53)
GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 5, Christensen 3, Chapman 3, Hawkins 2, Varcoe 2, Podsiadly 2, Johnson 2, Duncan, Mackie, Wojcinski
Collingwood: Dawes 2, Krakouer, Pendlebury, Beams, Wood, Blair, Fasolo
BEST
Geelong: Menzel, Selwood, Wojcinski, Enright, Scarlett, Taylor, Christensen
Collingwood: Reid, Pendlebury, Beams, O'Brien
INJURIES
Geelong: Mathew Stokes (general soreness) replaced in the selected side by Shannon Byrnes
Collingwood: Ben Johnson (jarred left knee), Chris Tarrant (right ankle), Travis Cloke (left knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Harry Taylor replaced by Shannon Byrnes in the third quarter
Collingwood: Chris Tarrant (right ankle) replaced by Jarryd Blair in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Ryan, Mollison
Official crowd: 85,705 at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
