A SCINTILLATING third quarter in which Geelong put on the afterburners set up a 56-point win over Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
The Cats returned to the winners’ list in impressive fashion, hammering the Blues 19.19 (133) to 12.5 (77) after some wayward kicking had earlier looked like it might prove costly.
Geelong’s third term killed off the contest, with the Cats returning to their best to kick 6.8 to Carlton’s 0.1 and stretch a 13-point lead to 56 at the final change.
Gary Ablett was brilliant as the midfield took charge, but there were plenty of positives for Geelong on the night.
Brad Ottens got through his first game of the season unscathed while Tom Lonergan – a late replacement for Cameron Mooney who withdrew with a sore shoulder – booted a couple of goals in his first match since suffering a horrific injury back in 2006.
The Cats had plenty of good players, with their little men particularly impressive.
Steve Johnson (five goals), after a couple of lean weeks, was superb in attack while Shannon Byrnes (three goals), Mathew Stokes (four goals) and Travis Varcoe were all lively.
Keen to make a statement after the shock 86-point drubbing by Collingwood last week, Mark Thompson’s men played with plenty of intent.
But it was the dominant third quarter that served a timely reminder to the rest of the competition that, when up and running, this Geelong team might still be the one to beat.
After the main change, everything seemed to click, as last year’s champs used the corridor efficiently at what must surely be becoming their favourite playground.
The two teams traded goals in the final term, with the Blues never threatening while Johnson further celebrated his return to form with a couple of snaps from his bag of party tricks.
Earlier, the Cats started brightly enough, although wasted opportunities in front of goal meant a five-point lead at the first break could and should have been far greater.
Still, Geelong looked dangerous enough going forward despite Mooney’s absence, with Johnson and Stokes livewires while Tom Hawkins, despite being a little too unselfish for his own good, was providing a target.
The Blues tried to open their forward half and when they could get it in quickly, gave Brendan Fevola every opportunity to impose himself on Matthew Scarlett.
The Cats seemed to be getting well on top early in the second term and also started finding their range on goal.
Ablett and Johnson were creating several chances for teammates with clever handballs but it was Stokes doing most of the damage on the scoreboard.
Thompson’s men had skipped away to a 16-point lead and when Joel Corey waltzed into goal they looked to be getting right away.
But Corey hit the post from 15m out and when Heath Scotland replied shortly after, the margin was back to less than two kicks.
The Blues soon opted for some ‘go-slow’ tactics for the remainder of the opening half in a bid to stem the bleeding.
While it worked momentarily, it could not halt the Geelong tidal wave that was to come.
Geelong now has just six days’ rest before making its way back to the same venue for a meeting with the always-competitive North Melbourne.
Geelong 2.7 7.10 13.18 19.19 (133)
Carlton 2.2 6.3 6.4 12.5 (77)
GOALS
Geelong: Johnson 5 Stokes 4 Byrnes 3 Lonergan 2 Rooke Milburn Mackie Bartel Varcoe
Carlton: Fevola 3 Betts 2 Gibbs 2 Judd Cloke Scotland Stevens Wiggins
BEST
Geelong: Johnson Ablett Corey Bartel Stokes Byrnes Milburn Scarlett
Carlton: Judd Carrazzo Armfield O’hAilpin Gibbs Stevens
INJURIES
Geelong: Mooney (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Lonergan.
Carlton: Paul Bower (AC joint)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Ryan, Avon
Official crowd: 46,231 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
