Geelong laid 134 tackles in win over Western Bulldogs in huge response to bruise-free footy criticism

GEELONG has just 14 tackles in the first half against Essendon last week and doubled it in the first quarter alone against Western Bulldogs in a huge performance by the Cats to defeat the reigning premiers.

Geelong had 134 tackles for the game in an incredible performance. Picture: Michael Klein.

IF there was a betting market on tackles then you could have had the house, car, boat and bicycle on Geelong leading that statistic at quarter-time.

There was always going to be a reaction. There simply had to be. And if you could have had a side bet on which Geelong player delivered the first tackle then Joel Selwood would have been odds-on.

Just one more while we’ve dusted off the wallet. What price Patrick Dangerfield to dominate the opening term?

It would have been odds-on also.

In case you were in Antarctica and missed the stat of the week, Geelong only had 14 tackles in the first half last week against Essendon.

Their coach described it as disgraceful and for the next six days every commentator in town lined up to give them a whack.

Geelong had 134 tackles for the game in an incredible performance. Picture: Michael Klein.

It was impossible for the players not to react, particularly given Geelong were also unveiling their fancy new stand.

Everything screamed they’re going to come to play.

Well, that 14-tackle stat ... it was dead and buried halfway through the first quarter. At quarter-time Geelong had doubled it, leading the tackles 28-19.

Unfortunately for all that, the Cats still found themselves nine points down.

If you were a betting man again, then you’re next wager would be on Geelong having a let-down in the second quarter.

AS IT HAPPENED: ‘OUR BACKS WERE AGAINST THE WALL’

The evidence of the previous three weeks would suggest you could throw up the holiday home to bet on that one.

Well, no holidays this year as the Cats proceeded to produce something that was simply unbelievable.

That same team that could barely lay a finger on opposition players in recent times had 43 tackles in the second quarter alone, making it an incredible 71 for the half which apparently was the third-best effort in history.

And surprise, surprise this new mindset resulted in a five-goal to zip blitz and a 26-point half-time lead.

Patrick Dangerfield was best on ground. Picture: Jay Town

Last week in the first half Dangerfield, Selwood and Mitch Duncan were a part of 12 Cats who didn’t lay a tackle.

On Friday night they combined for 20 while Scott Selwood, who was playing his first game for the year, led everyone with 10.

Remarkably the ball didn’t even go inside the Bulldogs forward 50m arc for 24 minutes of the term.

And nearly as remarkable while it was at the other end Harry Taylor kicked three goals.

The All-Australian defender hasn’t fired a shot all season as a forward but there was clearly something in the air on Friday night.

It was staggering the difference in Geelong but the only problem with all of this for the home side was the fact they were playing the reigning premiers.

The Bulldogs won a flag built on pressure and tackling. And in the third quarter they flicked the switch.

All the cylinders flicked into action with the result six unanswered goals and a nine point three-quarter time lead.

It would be a brave man to want to bet on what was going to happen next. The romantics would say the home side had some magic hidden away somewhere. And the smart punters would say the match-winning move would come from a tackle.

Tom Hawkins runs down Bob Murphy in a critical moment in the last quarter. Picture: Michael Klein.

In fact, there were two tackles 30 seconds apart which won Geelong this game.

At the nine-minute mark of the last quarter Tom Hawkins ran 20 metres to drag down Bob Murphy who was in his kicking motion when the big Cat got hold of him.

While you could argue the Dogs skipper got his foot to the ball, the man in the flouro green thought otherwise and Hawkins’ tackle was rewarded. The ball transferred down the Cats end where it ended in the arms of Dogs defender Marcus Adams.

He decided to play on for some reason and after ignoring a couple of options he froze, allowing Taylor to pounce.

The tackle stuck perfectly — just like they had all night. When the final siren sounded on a historic night for the Cats, the lead was 23 points and the tackle count was 134.

You couldn’t have bet on that.