Robbo: Geelong’s lack of dare cost it dearly against the best defensive team in the AFL as blockbuster fizzles
It was billed as this season’s blockbuster but the battle of the contenders was a slaughter for three and a half quarters. And as good as Richmond was at strangling Geelong, the Cats strangled themselves, writes Mark Robinson.
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The battle of the contenders was a slaughter for three and half quarters on the Gold Coast.
The funny thing about football in 2020 is for half a quarter, Geelong looked threatening against Richmond.
But 10 minutes of football can’t win you a game, not even in these strange times.
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The Tigers are the competition’s best and most menacing team, the premiership favourites, a tag they’ve carried more than any team in the past four seasons.
This was as massive a statement from a team under a so-called off-field siege.
Late night, any of strippers, kebabs and punch ups were yesterday’s news. The only crime on Friday night was Richmond’s strangulation of Geelong and, suddenly, the Cats stand accused of strangling themselves, a criticism no doubt coming after a risk-averse game style failed to kick a winning score.
For three quarters, it was a case of no dare, no goals, no win.
The Cats kicked 1.4 in the first half, a solitary behind in the third quarter and three goals in the final quarter.
The Cats were the highest-scoring team this season and mustered just 31 points against what is the best defensive team in the competition.
The Tigers’ team defence is something to behold.
Led at the back by Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta was able to subdue Tom Hawkins and the smalls — Jayden Short, Liam Baker and Bachar Houli — mopped up plenty.
They were supported by a ravenous midfield that pressured and denied their opposition any real flow.
Sixty-three times Geelong departed its back half last night and scored only three times.
It is mind-boggling how one team could do that to another, especially a team of Geelong’s ability.
Richmond’s modus operandi is well known.
They tackle, pressure, smother, have numbers at contest, spoil, take intercept marks, share the ball, run and off the go.
“It was a very even performance,’’ coach Damien Hardwick said in the post-match.
“I thought we defended behind the ball very well.’’
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Of Grimes, Hardwick said: “He’s an incredible player.
“He’s been a formidable player for our football club on and off the field.’’
It was chaos in the extreme.
And when Richmond got it forward, Jack Riewoldt (four goals) and Dustin Martin were dangerous — Martin with his kicking, and Riewoldt with his marking.
Riewoldt’s game was always coming and there’s no denying his ability and record in big games.
He likes September.
Up the other end, Tom Hawkins was denied space and one-one-one contests.
He had only three.
Geelong’s halftime score of 1.4 was its second lowest halftime score of the season, behind its 1.3 (9) in Round 7 against Collingwood.
The Cats’ style of keeping possession simply didn’t turn into scores. Their 57 marks in the first half was their second most this year, behind their annihilation of Essendon the week before.
At halftime of that match, the Cats had kicked 12.3.
The third quarter was blitz Richmond.
The Tigers kicked 2.8 to one behind, and although the scoreboard didn’t register their dominance, their field game was overwhelming.
The first quarter was a strong indication the usually unflappable Cats were sloppy.
Mistakes not seen in recent weeks — such as missed targets coming out of defence — were too common.
Jack Henry missed two teammates, Lachie Fogarty another.
Hawkins was swamped early.
Grimes twice cut off balls directed at Hawkins and Vlastuin another.
Of Geelong’s six inside 50s, four were directed at Hawkins.
It was predictable, and has been for several matches, but this time the Tigers were able to combat it.
Not everything was hunky dory for the Tigers.
Tom Lynch tore a hamstring and will miss several weeks, but that injury seemingly propelled Riewoldt as the sole key forward.
Worse, Ivan Soldo hurt a knee and it’s likely to sideline him for the rest of the season.