Fremantle Dockers narrowly avoid lowest score ever in loss to Geelong Cats
It was wet, it was rugged, it was slippery and the rain wouldn’t stop, but Geelong adapted better against a Fremantle Dockers side that needed a miraculous goal inside the last two minutes to avoid its lowest AFL score ever.
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Fremantle and the wet weather made it hard on everyone, but Geelong rose to the challenge and walked out of a drenched Optus Stadium with an important four points, winning a gruelling Monday night slog by 32 points.
With an undermanned and undersized defence, the plucky Dockers crowded the Cats’ forward line and prevented the match from ever opening up as the Cats won 6.12 (48) to 2.4 (16).
The loss for the Dockers was compounded by a hamstring injury to important midfielder Darcy Tucker, while star Michael Walters limped from the ground late with trainers.
Geelong adapted quickest to the conditions, with heavy rain bucketing down for the entire first half, allowing the Cats’ bigger bodies, including returning midfielder Mitch Duncan (26 disposals and one goal) to shine.
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Duncan stepped up as Patrick Dangerfield battled a hard tag from first-year Docker Caleb Serong, whose goal with one minute remaining helped the Dockers avoid kicking the lowest score in their history.
Duncan said with short turnarounds ahead for the Cats, the four points on a wet night were vital.
“It was perfect during the day, blue skies, bit of wind, but then about 6pm it just didn’t stop for the whole two hours we were playing out there,” Duncan said on Fox Footy.
“Greasy conditions, bit of a hard slog, boys did well.”
Lowest ever half time scores for FREM
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) July 27, 2020
0.1 (1) - 2009 R15 v adel
0.3 (3) - 2020 R08 v GEEL
David Mundy played in both games
So did Patrick Dangerfield
#AFLFreoCats @AFL
DOCKERS DROWN IN WET FIRST HALF
The first two quarters were a slog that saw Geelong kick only two goals yet lead by 18 points at the main break.
While dominating possession and field position, the Cats did themselves no favours, missing several gettable chances as they kicked nine straight behinds before returning midfielder Mitch Duncan broke the run.
Cats defender Jake Kolojashnij was among those to spray gettable shots on goal, leaving him without a career major after 98 games.
The Dockers would have loved to be handed such chances, but instead entered the main break with 0.3, just the second time they have gone into halftime goalless.
KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON EXCITING DEBUTANT
Mature-age Geelong rookie Brad Close waited years for his AFL chance, but it took just one minute on debut for his first career goal.
The small forward was hit up on the lead by teammate Gary Rohan and converted his set shot from 45m, making an instant impact in a game that quickly deteriorated.
With Luke Dahlhaus (ankle) and Gary Ablett (personal reasons) unavailable, Close has an opportunity to settle into the Cats’ forward line and looked comfortable at the top level.
Duncan hailed Close and other youngsters who came into the side.
“It was great to see Closey join the club, first kick, first goal... prestige club for him but it was great to see Closey get a chance, Charlie Constable, Lachie Fogarty,” he said.
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ULTIMATE TEST FOR TEAM DEFENCE
The Dockers unveiled a debutant of their own, Tobe Watson, although not in ideal circumstances.
The only recognised tall defender in Fremantle’s 22, Brennan Cox was withdrawn pre-game, handing the 190cm Watson his first game and leaving the Dockers scratching for a match-up on 198cm star Tom Hawkins.
They settled on 186cm halfback Luke Ryan, who has been forced to fill a key post in the absence of Alex Pearce (ankle), Joel Hamling (ankle) and Griffin Logue (toe).
Watson made a quick impact himself, running on at the eight-minute mark, taking an intercept mark and pumping the ball inside 50.
SELWOOD TO TAKE ON EAGLES?
Geelong coach Chris Scott is optimistic captain Joel Selwood will be available for Saturday night’s showdown with premiership favourites West Coast after just one match sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Cats will not receive any relief in the ruck against red hot big man Nic Naitanui, however, with Rhys Stanley (knee) and Darcy Fort (foot) both ruled out.
Geelong escaped a wet weather slog with no fresh injury concerns on Monday night as they prepare to enter a testing period that will include four matches in 14 days.
Scott said the Cats had a plan in place to manage their squad and a lengthy injury list, but could receive some welcome relief with Selwood’s rapid recovery.
“I’m optimistic actually,” the coach said after his team’s 32-point win.
“I know from the outside – and I would think this way as well if I didn’t see him train and speak to him every day – why wouldn’t you give him the extra week?
“But I think we’re thinking this might be the extra week.
“We play on Saturday and then the following Wednesday, so we’d need to be really sure. But it’s on the table.”
Scott said the Cats were taking a long view with midfielder Jack Steven, who could be rested several times through the congested period of the season.
After watching Brad Close make an impressive debut, and midfielder Charlie Constable take his opportunity, the coach said the Cats would continue to give young players opportunities.
“Hopefully we’re getting close to a few guys coming back. We know we’ll be missing a few for a period of time and neither of our ruckmen will be available this week,” he said.
“We won’t be shy about bringing some new faces into the team and I think most teams are thinking that way anyway.
“We talk about players missing a certain number of weeks, you can’t even think that way anymore, a week is two games almost in the next period for us.”
SCOREBOARD
FREMANTLE: 0.2 0.3 1.3 2.4 (16)
def by
GEELONG: 1.2 2.9 3.9 6.12 (48)
GOALS
Dockers: Taberner Serong
Cats: Hawkins 3 Close Duncan Menegola
BEST
Dockers: Brayshaw, Ryan, Serong, Walters, Mundy
Cats: Duncan, Tuohy, Taylor, Guthrie, Menegola, Blicavs, Hawkins
NATHAN SCHMOOK’S VOTES
3 — M Duncan (Geelong)
2 — Z Tuohy (Geelong)
1 — H Taylor (Geelong)
INJURIES
Dockers: Brennan Cox (hip), replaced in selected side by Tobe Watson, Darcy Tucker (hamstring)
Cats: TBC
REPORTS
Fremantle: Nil
Geelong: Nil
