How Geelong’s ‘surge footy’ kept the season above water

Staring down the barrel of a 6-8 record, Geelong got to work on a simple game plan in the final quarter against Melbourne. Here’s how it kept their season above water.

With the season on the line, Geelong switched into a simple “surge footy” mentality.

The Cats entered the final term on Thursday night seven points behind Melbourne, knowing a loss would send them spiralling to a 6-8 record and leave a body blow on their premiership defence.

Melbourne had owned the third quarter, having 33 more disposals and 12 more contested possessions, but Geelong went to work in the fourth quarter.

Zach Guthrie celebrates a massive last-quarter goal. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

With steady rain falling for an hour, the game turned simple, with the Cats focused on getting the ball going forward at all costs and winning the contest.

“We spoke about being able to adapt to the conditions,” forward Brad Close said.

“Even at three quarter-time we knew we could turn it our way and we got on a bit of a run and we were lucky we were able to hold on in the end.”

Close had a career-high 24 disposals but he put that down to the conditions, estimating half of them were kicks off the ground, just to get the ball going.

One of those toe pokes proved crucial in the powerful six goal third term for the Cats, with Close moving the ball on after an Ollie Henry tap forward, setting up a long-range Mitch Duncan goal.

Mark Blicavs booted a big goal. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Moments earlier, Tom Atkins began two goal chains by winning crucial ground balls in his back 50 and forcing the ball forward as the Cats ran in waves down the ground.

Chris Scott pulled one of his favourite coaching levers at the finals change, moving Duncan to half-forward, and the veteran had some crucial touches to get up scoring chains alongside his running goal.

Geelong owned the footy in the final quarter by having 20 more disposals to get the season back on track.

“We were playing a bit of surge footy, I think it does suit some of our players, we obviously have a quick forward half,” Close said.

“I like the ball moving quickly and not allowing the defence to get set.”

Brad Close on the ball. Picture: Michael Klein.

An added bonus for Geelong’s chances in that dominant final quarter was the parochial home crowd.

After losing last time out at GMHBA Stadium to the GWS Giants, the Geelong fans were in force in the final term.

“It (the crowd) is electric,” Close said.

“We always love playing at home, it is nice to have almost 100 per cent of the crowd on your side.

“It will be awesome when the (northern) stand is done and we get even more people on our side. We have some games to come down here on the run home so hopefully we can use it to our advantage.”

Sam De Koning reaches for a mark. Picture: Michael Klein.

Defender Sam De Koning also noticed the noise.

“Seeing the Cats fans getting up and about, there is nothing like it playing at GMHBA (Stadium) when we get a run on,” he said.

“It was good to see the crowd get into it and the boys playing well, that is kind of why we play.”

The Cats have clawed their way back to a 7-7 record and hit the easiest three week stretch of their difficult run home, with games against Sydney (SCG), North Melbourne (GMHBA Stadium) and Essendon (GMHBA Stadium) to come.

De Koning said the Cats were treating every game as a must-win and getting one over Melbourne was crucial.

“We obviously need a win, we don’t really highlight the magnitude of the game during the week, we just try and stay present,” he said.

“It was good to just go our and execute and win.

“We knew the scenario and the last quarter just needed to be won and we thought getting it forward was the best way to do it.”

Originally published as How Geelong’s ‘surge footy’ kept the season above water