LIKE most of us, Joel Corey loves it when a good plan comes together.
The start of the critical last quarter in Thursday night’s season-opening win for the Cats against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium is a classic case.
With the Power having mounted a revival to reduce the margin from 37 points before half time to just three goals at the final change – and, more importantly, having snatched the game’s momentum in the process – it was crucial that Geelong bag the first goal.
At the centre square Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett and Corey set up to try and free Ablett running forward down the right flank. With some help from Mark Blake and Corey Enright coming in off the wing, it worked.
Ablett took two bounces and slotted a class goal at speed from 45 metres out. It was always unlikely the Cats would lose from that point.
“We set it up in the middle for that to happen,” Corey said after the match. “When you talk about it and plan it and then see it come to fruition, it brings a smile to your face. And of course whenever Gaz’s got the ball you know something’s going to happen with it.”
Earlier, during a brilliant first half, it looked like the Cats had just taken up where they’d left off in the 2007 Grand Final, which ended in a record 119-point drubbing.
All-Australian Corey was one of a class group of midfielders – think Bartel, Ablett, Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, James Kelly, Paul Chapman – who just kept getting the ball out of the middle despite roving to inexperienced rucks.
“It looks like it’s running smoothly but there’s a lot of hard work that goes into that,” Corey said.
“We pride ourselves on each individual in the side contributing, and also being able to play in a few different positions. That allows us to put a lot of blokes through the midfield and keep the pace in the game.
“We tired a little bit toward the end, and Port Adelaide played very well, so we were a bit lucky to get over the line. But having said that, I thought we played well.”
Corey was one who kept up the work rate as others tired, 17 of his 30 possessions coming in the second half. Throw in seven inside 50s and 11 tackles, and it was an outstanding first-up performance.
The consummate team man, Corey was more pleased for others.
“It’s great for blokes like Ryan Gamble and Trent West and Mark Blake to be able to come in and put in performances like they did,” Corey said.
“They (Blake and West) were up against two very experienced ruckmen, interstate, in a hostile environment. It’s great for them. Blakey’s got a little bit of experience now (34 games), but it was Westy’s first game.
“To get that under their belt they’ll be better for it and can go on next week and be better again. They’ve both got a lot of character and a heap of ability.”
The 152-game Corey was the star of the AFL’s season launch DVD, which featured him returning up the race to view the MCG one last time before leaving the ground that Grand Final night in late September.
But Corey’s head is now anywhere but there.
“I haven’t even seen it. To be perfectly honest, being out there tonight reminds you just how hard the game actually is. Premiership feelings are long gone at the moment," he said.
"It was a nice period, but we want to get some runs on the board this year, and we’re very happy with the way it’s started.”
No talk for the Cats then of dynasties or greater things ahead, like the Brisbane sides of 2001-2004?
“I’d love to tell you' 'yes it’s been discussed', but it just hasn’t,” the 26-year-old said. “The only thing we’ve talked about is coming to Port Adelaide and winning a game of football. And I guarantee you next week the only thing we’ll talk about is playing Essendon.”
Now that sounds like a plan.
