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AFL 2020, Round 8 | Geelong Cats win low scoring Fremantle Dockers clash in horrendous conditions

The Geelong Cats and Fremantle Dockers have narrowly avoided an unwanted AFL era record in terrible conditions in Perth.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
2 min read
July 28, 2020 - 8:38AM
They were truly awful conditions at Optus Stadium.
They were truly awful conditions at Optus Stadium.

The Geelong Cats and the Fremantle Dockers have played out one of the lowest scoring games in AFL history as the Cats won 6.12 (48) to 2.4 (16) in horrendous conditions at Optus Stadium.

At a rain drenched Optus Stadium, the match started brilliantly for debutant Brad Close, who took just 23 seconds to take his first mark before kicking his first AFL goal just over a minute into the game. He became the seventh fastest player to kick their first goal.

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It was an amazing start but it quickly became a slog as the rain got heavier and heavier throughout the opening half.

And as the rain pelted down, it only got harder with handling and kicking becoming increasingly difficult.

Just before the first quarter break, the Cats’ Jed Bews took a terrible shot at goal, shanking it across the field after completely miskicking it.

While the low scoring could still be blamed on the 16 minute quarters two of the three lowest scoring games of the AFL era have been this season. It comes after the Richmond Tigers win over the Sydney Swans in round six where only 60 points were scored between the teams, the second lowest scoring of the AFL era.

The Dockers were particularly hapless, taking until 12 minutes into the third quarter for the home side to get on the board.

It was a close one with the goal umpire seemingly calling a behind before it was reviewed and checked plenty of times before awarding the goal to Matt Taberner.

It was down, it was dirty and it was a hard slog in Perth.
It was down, it was dirty and it was a hard slog in Perth.

In an incredible performance in such a low scoring game in such difficult conditions, Cats forward Tom Hawkins kicked three goals as a constant menace for the Dockers.

The teams only equalled the lowest scoring game of the AFL era with 2:26 remaining in the game, which was 58 between the Brisbane Bears’ win over Footscray in 1996.

The Dockers only just passed their lowest ever score with a Caleb Serong goal with 1:02 left on the clock, only just dodging disaster.

If the side hadn’t claimed Serong’s goal, it would have been the lowest VFL/AFL score since 1961, as the Dockers would have eclipsed its lowest previous score of 1.7 (13) against the Crows in 2009.

Instead, the 2.4 (16) equalled the third lowest score of the AFL era set by the Carlton Blues in 1991, when they scored 1.10 (16) against the Footscray Bulldogs.

After the game, Cats start Mitch Duncan was possibly understated saying “it was a wet night”.

“It was perfect during the day, blue skies, a bit of wind, then about 6 o’clock, it did not stop,” he said. “It literally did not stop for the two hours we were playing out there. Greasy conditions, a bit of a hard slog, boys did well.”

The Dockers’ David Mundy handballs under pressure.
The Dockers’ David Mundy handballs under pressure.

Duncan starred with 26 disposals, 13 kicks and was arguably one of the best on ground.

Incredibly, there were 20,251 fans in the stands in a great turn out for how bad the conditions were.

But after another low scoring slog

Post-match, Cats coach Chris Scott said it was tough for everyone.

“It was hard work for both teams, a hard game to umpire too, it was one of those days,” he said. “It was hard for everyone, hard for the spectators, the viewers at home. I’d like it to be a better spectacle to watch but it was just one where the players had to hang in there.”

Originally published as AFL 2020, Round 8 | Geelong Cats win low scoring Fremantle Dockers clash in horrendous conditions

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2020-round-8-geelong-cats-win-low-scoring-fremantle-dockers-clash-in-horrendous-conditions/news-story/38e120e162e5f3ab36e2d9d3b52d5446