Geelong Cats v Carlton Blues: All news, statistics and stories

Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij said the 30-point win against Carlton gave the defensive unit plenty of confidence as the Cats gear up for another finals series.

Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij said the 30-point win against Carlton gave the defensive unit plenty of confidence as the Cats gear up for another finals series.

After being tested early, Geelong ran out 12.13 (85) to 8.7 (55) victors against a Blues outfit that will be Geelong’s final game against current top-eight sides before September.

Kolodjashnij said it was exciting to see young Cats defenders consistently take on and win contests with Carlton’s powerful forward line.

“I thought Jack (Henry) and Sam (De Koning) did really good jobs on their big guys (Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay), with those quality forwards it is a bit of a team effort,” he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Sam De Koning of the Cats and Tom De Koning of the Blues shake hands after the 2022 AFL Round 18 match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“We like to chop out, mix and match when we have to, it’s definitely a collective effort for us but I thought those guys stood up really well.

“We don’t expect, and can’t expect, those guys to win every contest against such good forwards.”

Curnow kicked two of his three goals in the first quarter and looked dangerous forward of the ball, while De Koning kept McKay to just one behind from nine disposals.

Kolodjashnij said the game against Carlton would serve as a great platform for the side’s September preparations.

“It was a pretty big and loud crowd, they certainly brought a finals-like intensity to it both before and during the game,” he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Geelong Cats sing the team song during the 2022 AFL Round 18 match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Carlton is a really good quality opposition, but the boys stood up really well and we got the majority of what we wanted to out of the contest.

“There’s only five or six games left in the season before the big stuff starts, we’re relishing every opportunity that we get and games like this one is a great chance to put our best foot forward and keep the wave of momentum rolling.

Kolodjashnij recorded seven disposals (four contested, three intercept possessions), one mark and 12 pressure acts in a game spent mainly rotating between small forwards Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin.

While Motlop kicked one goal from his 11 disposals, Durdin was kept goalless from his nine touches in a quiet game.

The Cats will travel to Adelaide Oval next Saturday to face Port Adelaide.

Originally published as Geelong Cats v Carlton Blues: All news, statistics and stories