By Ethan James and Katie Bice
Young Cat Ollie Dempsey picked the pocket of North Melbourne to snare his first of three goals on Saturday and may have pinched the Rising Star award along with it.
An impressive display by Dempsey in Geelong’s 40-point win and a looming match review decision for Kangaroo George Wardlaw where the takeouts from a clinical victory by the Cats at Blundstone Arena.
Ollie Dempsey kicked three goals and gave the Cats some spark.Credit: Getty Images
The win puts Geelong’s top-four quest back on track after a heavy loss to the Western Bulldogs last week, with a run home that includes matches against Adelaide, Fremantle, St Kilda and West Coast.
The Cats had a slow start and some anxious moments from a surging Kangaroos outfit in the third quarter before securing a 16.10 (106) to 10.6 (66) result.
Tyson Stengle, who recently inked a five-year extension with the Cats, was pivotal with three goals in a match that is sure to capture the attention of All-Australian selectors.
Seventh on the ladder before the game, the win pushes Geelong to 12-7 for the season and 48 competition points, flanked by a stumbling Carlton, Fremantle and Brisbane.
Tyson Stengle celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images
Geelong coach Chris Scott said he still felt his side was building momentum in the run to finals.
“We still think, in a way, we are still building our season, we feel there’s still improvement and I think today continued that improvement,” he said.
Scott praised Stengle for stepping up when the team was under pressure and said Dempsey had developed faster than the club had hoped.
“He’s just got a real feel for the game, especially for a guy that hasn’t played much junior footy, his instincts are really, really good,” he said of the rookie. “He’s been a real win for us.
“He was dangerous and opportunistic around goal, but he’s been playing up the ground too and looking strong.”
North began strongly kicking the first three goals of the match before Dempsey snatched the ball from the grasp of Roos defender Aidan Corr on the goal line and booted through Geelong’s first.
Dempsey proved the master of innovation and eye-catching plays with 18 disposals including a soccered loose ball goal that put Geelong in front for the first time.
Wardlaw was penalised in the second quarter when he stuck his foot out to trip Shaun Mannagh, but luckily for the second-year Roo it is most likely to result in a fine, not a suspension, and would keep him in the rising star race.
Geelong looked to be marching away with the match before a surge in the third quarter, including two goals in a minute, by the second-last Kangaroos cut the margin to 10 points.
George Wardlaw may find himself in hot water after being penalised for tripping Shaun MannaghCredit: afl.com.au
Enter Stengle who booted the next two, steadied the Geelong ship and led them into three-quarter time with a 28 point lead.
From there the Cats just went on with the job, kicking five goals to three in the last term.
Tom Stewart was best on ground with 32 disposals and four clearances, throwing himself back when required but proving he’s every bit the professional midfielder when he spent time in the centre.
The Cats lost Gary Rohan to concussion after the forward collided heavily with Tom Powell. He will miss next weekend’s clash with Adelaide.
Tom Stewart was best on ground.Credit: Getty Images
Sam de Koning suffered a knock to the knee in the third quarter and limped from the field but was able to return, albeit putting on the tracksuit early and sitting out the last few minutes of the game.
For North Melbourne Harry Sheezel topped the possession list for the game with 36 and Nick Larkey gave them an option forward, kicking three goals.
Clarkson said his side worked hard to get back into the contest but would rue the last minute of the third quarter.
He said his side were getting plenty of the ball and would aim to finish off the season strongly.
“We’ve been really competitive over the second half of the year and we want to make sure we finish our season off well.”
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