After winning their past two games the Cats came back to earth with a thud against the finals bound Bendigo Bombers at Windy Hill on Sunday afternoon. In what was a tight tussle for most of the day, the Essendon aligned Bombers ran out 30 point winners, 17-12-(114) to 11-18-(84).
Jonathan Simpkin (33 disposals, 8 clearances) continued his stellar form of season 2011 with another solid performance in the midfield. He was well supported by the VFL trio of Mark Corrigan (23 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals), Ben Raidme (26 disposals, 6 tackles) and former Collingwood winger Jaxson Barham (21 disposals). Cameron Mooney once again provided a focal point all day taking 11 marks and kicking 4 goals, 5 behinds.
A number of VFL listed players received a late call up after the second tier Cats lost Darren Milburn, Cameron Guthrie, Steven Motlop and Jack Weston in the 24 hours before the match. The Bombers were also dealt some selection blows losing David Myers (AFL), Scott Gumbleton (hamstring) and Mark Williams (retired).
In blustering conditions, the Cats continued their 2011 trend of starting slowly. Bendigo kicked 4 of the first 5 goals for the match with Bendigo forward Tory Dickson causing headaches for the Cats defenders. The ruck duel between Dawson Simpson (40 hitouts) and Tom Bellchambers was always going to be a key to the match and it lived up to all the hype. Bellchambers started well but the big Cat fought back strongly and got the Cats on top in the all important clearances. Two late goals to the Cats dragged the scoreboard back to a 15 point difference at the first change.
The second term began in better fashion for the visitors as they put through the first two goals of the term. Mooney kicked one and then unselfishly set up co-captain Troy Selwood for his first of the match. AFL omission Simon Hogan was beginning to make an impact around the ball and young gun Jordan Schroder was making his presence felt. Quick goals to former Williamstown spearhead Matthew Little and forgotten big man Jay Neagle pushed the margin back out to 14 points. A running goal to the long sleeved Jaxson Barham kept the Cats within striking distance. As the scoreboard tightened up, so did the contest around the football with both sides desperate for the four points. A late goal from Ben Johnson lifted the spirits of the Cats and put them just three points behind at half time.
The second half loomed as a half that would define the season of both teams. An early goal to Bombers forward Tory Dickson gave Bendigo the early momentum. Cameron Mooney was continuing to have an influence on the contest and his was able to out muscle and out work his inexperienced opponent on a number of occasions. Mooney’s third major for the game, reduced the margin to 7 points and then co-captain Matthew Firman made it a solitary point with a desperate goal from a minute long forward scrap. Two quick goals to Essendon rookie listed giant Josh Jenkins gave Bendigo some breathing space, before Mark Corrigan brought the three quarter time margin back to just 6 points with a superb goal on the run. Taylor Hunt had 10 tackles to three quarter time and was setting the tone for his teammates, while Jonathan Simpkin and Jesse Stringer were breaking the lines with run at every opportunity.
The VFL Cats had everything to play for in the final quarter - but failed to turn up at all. Apart from Ben Johnson’s brilliant intercept and goal in the opening minutes, it was all one way traffic.
The undermanned Bombers side outworked the Cats all over the ground and ran out easy 30 point winners. A corked thigh to Dawson Simpson added insult to injury and gave the Cats little control in the middle of the ground.
The slim chance the VFL Cats had of playing finals in 2011 is now all but dashed. The Cats will now be out to play for pride and finish off the season in style. This mission starts next week when the Cats host to the ‘Brendan Fevola-lead’ Casey Scorpions next Saturday morning in a curtain raiser to the AFL Round 19 Geelong Cats Vs Melbourne match. The match is one of 3 AFL curtain raiser matches to be played at Skilled in the final 4 VFL rounds of the year.
The curtain raiser match kicks off at 10.40am and provides a wonderful opportunity for Cats supporters to get along early and see what talent is on the fringe.
Bendigo Bombers 17-12-(114)
Geelong Cats 11-18-(84)
Goals: Mooney 4, Corrigan, B.Johnson 2, Firman, Selwood, Barham 1
Best: Simpkin, Raidme, Barham, Mooney, McLean, Corrigan
Injuries: D.Simpson (corked thigh)
