Geelong Cats news, updates and stories ahead of round 20
The Cats blew the Bulldogs away in the third quarter as three small forwards stole centre stage from their bigger stars. And the forward mix has the Cats perfectly poised for finals.
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For years it was Tom Hawkins or bust.
Through home-ground dominance and a sturdy defence, Geelong built quality teams over the past decade that fell short time and time again in September.
And often it fell short if Hawkins couldn’t kick a big bag, with a one-dimensional attack found out by the best in the finals.
Clearly that was set for change last year when Jeremy Cameron wandered down past the Murray River and into Kardinia Park.
But as shown on Saturday night, the Cats now have possibly the most dangerous spread in its forward half in the league, and it is not just the Tom and Jerry show.
As the Cats put the foot down in the third quarter in a blistering eight-goal display, it was the other forwards who were lighting up GMHBA Stadium.
A revelation this year, Tyson Stengle’s class and workrate was on full display with another brilliant goal late in the third term.
The most skilful of players, Stengle created his chance with an unselfish chase down, forcing an error from Bulldog Mitch Hannan for Gyran Miers to pounce on.
As Miers handballed back in Stengle’s direction, he was still on the turf but the brilliant Cat leapt to his feet, sidestepped Dogs star Caleb Daniel and snapped truly to push the lead to 36 points and essentially kill the contest.
Earlier it was Miers and Brad Close who showed their wares.
Miers, who has now shrugged off the unfair criticisms he wears from some pockets of the Geelong fan base, has had an excellent month combining pressure with his ability to get up the ground and be an important link man.
He had a moment in the sun by kicking a set shot snap in the third quarter from so far in the pocket at the river end he may as well have been in Kardinia Pool.
Even Cats coach Chris Scott shook his head at Miers’ customary arc dragging him further away from the goals, only for his drop punt to hold the line.
The goal before Miers’ masterpiece came from Close, who somehow found enough space to saunter into the forward 50 and bang one through on the run.
It’s no surprise to the fans at GMHBA Stadium who saw the Cats forwards charging back up and down the field to burn off their opponents and find so much space, Scott believes the running power of his forwards is just as useful as their skills.
“One thing we have added to our team over a period of time is some guys who are not only dangerous ahead of the ball but they can really run, they are elite runners in the competition and they really help us on both sides of the ball,” he said.
Throwing in Isaac Smith, who is spending most of his time as a high half-forward this year, and young Max Holmes and Geelong has crafted the ideal modern attack.
Only Chris Fagan’s danger men up forward match the Cats attack around their two big threats.
Hawkins and Cameron have won games off their own boots this year and they may well do so come September.
It is so often the support players who can make the difference when it counts and when the serious stuff starts in four weeks time, Geelong now has the weapons to put a hole in any defence.
CEGLAR ‘NOT HANDIN THE POSITION BACK’ AFTER RUCK DEBUT
Debutant ruck Jonathon Ceglar is “not handing the position back” and is determined to be part of Geelong’s premiership push, leaving the Cats with a ruck conundrum a month out from finals.
Former Hawk Ceglar played his first AFL game in the hoops in Geelong’s resounding 28-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after coming back from three surgeries in his first year at the club.
He had 11 disposals and 18 hitouts, breaking even with Dogs in-form big man Tim English.
Stanley has had a hold on the No.1 ruck job at Geelong this year and could return from his knee injury as soon Saturday night against St Kilda, but Cats coach Chris Scott said he would like to get another look at Ceglar.
With three rounds to come before the finals, Geelong is considering playing both Ceglar and Stanley in the same side, but the most likely option is that only one of those two pairs with Mark Blicavs come September.
Ceglar, 31, said he wanted to keep hold of his spot in the team but he wouldn’t spend all his time getting caught up in selection.
The big man gave his performance against the Dogs “a tick” and said he would only get fitter from here, having played just three VFL games in 2022.
“I am not handing back the position but as an older player I am not one to dwell or worry about it because I think that is detrimental to how you play,” he said.
“I will just control what I have to control and the rest will work itself out.
“It is up to the coaches. I will keep doing what I am doing and that is what makes really good footy clubs.
“Coming from Hawthorn, that is why they were so successful, 32 (players) doesn’t fit into 22 really and that is what it is here and that is why the club has been so successful.”
While he didn’t play in any of Hawthorn’s hat-trick of flags last decade, Ceglar was on the list for each of them and he said the drive in the playing group at Geelong was reflective of those premiership Hawks.
“(The players) don’t need coaches to motivate them to high standards, our leaders do that and that is probably what sets really good teams apart from the rest,” he said.
CATS WEIGH UP PARFITT RETURN
A blockbuster clash with a red-hot Western Bulldogs side on Saturday is exactly “what we need” according to Geelong coach Chris Scott.
Even having won their past nine games, the Cats are still desperate to fine tune their form a month out from finals.
The Bulldogs powered past Melbourne last week in a shootout and Scott said that while this was “a really ordinary” time to face Luke Beveridge’s side as it fights to claim a spot in the top-eight, it would help the Cats push to September.
“The pattern with the Bulldogs over the years is there is an ordinary time to play them and a really ordinary time to play them and to us, this is one of those really ordinary times,” Scott said.
“Which is good for us at this time of the year because this is what we need.
“We need to keep working on our game and the best way to keep working on our game is to keep putting it up against really good teams.”
Cats skipper Joel Selwood said he was expecting a quick game at GMHBA Stadium, as his midfield cohort tackles Dogs stars Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore and Bailey Smith.
Superstar Marcus Bontempelli could be set for some attention from utility Mark Blicavs, with Scott flagging a tag was “an option”.
“Their game was impressive last week, they are a run-and-gun side, great around the footy,” Selwood said.
“We have gone in to having a look over them but to be honest it is about us right now and we have a few steps to take (as a team).”
Geelong was still weighing up how to ease Brandan Parfitt back onto the field after he was named an emergency for the Dogs clash.
The midfielder hasn’t played since round 12 due to a broken hand and Covid and could be used as the medical substitute, saved for Geelong’s VFL game against Coburg on Sunday or even brought into the starting 22 against the Dogs.
Sam Menegola was removed from Geelong’s squad on Friday afternoon after he has battled knee soreness this week, with Quinton Narkle added to the emergencies.
“ (Menegola) just didn’t come up (this week) so he is not playing this weekend and Parfitt, he will get some gametime this weekend no matter what,” Scott said.
“We haven’t quite landed exactly where that will fit with the starting-22 and the medi-sub.”
Scott said debut veteran ruck Jonathon Ceglar will have his chance to “put his hand up” for a spot in Geelong’s finals side as he replaces Rhys Stanley.
The knee injury Stanley picked up against Port Adelaide last week is less severe than first though and Scott left the door open for him to return next weekend against St Kilda.
Defender Zach Tuohy will miss Saturday’s game due to Covid protocols but it was likely the veteran was due a rest before the end of the season.
Despite back soreness last weekend, Patrick Dangerfield was declared as fine” by Scott.
CAMERON LING ABCKS IN CATS FLAG HOPES
Geelong premiership skipper Cameron Ling is “very, very bullish” about the Cats’ hopes of going all the way this year after their three most recent wins cemented their flag credentials.
As the Cats prepare to be tested again this weekend by an in-form Western Bulldogs side, Ling said the Geelong players “will be pretty clear” about the fact they need to lift for current captain Joel Selwood’s 350th game.
The last man to skipper Geelong to a premiership, in 2011, Ling has been impressed by three crucial weeks of wins that has catapulted the Cats to the top of the AFL ladder.
Geelong beat up reigning premier Melbourne around the clearances in a strong win in round 17, shut down Carlton’s dangerous attack in round 18 and answered the call by coming back from a seven-point deficit in a pulsating win on the road against Port Adelaide last weekend.
With Geelong now on a nine-game winning streak, Ling said he is trying to hold back his enthusiasm for the club winning it all for the first time since his own triumph 11 years ago.
“I am very, very bullish,” he said.
“I am starting to get a little bit too excited, I have got to hold myself back a bit.
“How even they are across the group, the way they are playing that style of football holds up. They have been tested the last three weeks and have come through in different ways.”
Upon his retirement after that 2011 flag, Ling handed the captaincy duties to Selwood and he said seeing his old teammate lift the cup in September “would bring the biggest smile to my face”.
A win over the Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night would help lock in a top-two finish for the Cats.
While some coaches across the AFL suggest players shouldn’t try harder in milestone matches, Ling said he expected the Cats to be desperate to celebrate Selwood’s 350th game, which will make him the first Geelong player ever to reach that figure.
Geelong has not lost any of the six times Selwood has played in a milestone match.
“I think certain milestones just carry a certain amount of weight,” Ling said.
“Joel is something incredible to all the people in the club and the players. This is one where you want to make sure he enjoys his night.
“I think his actions have always spoken louder than his words. I think when you play that (career highlights) video, the players will not be confused about what they need to do on Saturday night. It will be pretty clear.”
HAWKINS ‘ABSOLUTELY’ PLAYING ON IN 2023
Cats star Tom Hawkins has confirmed he will play on in 2023 as Geelong prepares to face an in-form Western Bulldogs outfit in skipper Joel Selwood’s 350th game.
The key forward is currently uncontracted past this season, but he has enjoyed impressive form in the twilight of his career with his 2021 tally of 62 goals his best since 2014.
Hawkins said he had not sat down with the club yet, but he was feeling eager about playing on.
“I’ve been lucky to be sound in mind and sound in body, and hopefully that may continue,” he said.
“I enjoy playing football, I enjoy being around this place, I’m feeling great and hopefully I can just keep on playing a role within our system and at times that’s going to be a really important one but yeah, I’m enjoying my footy.
“I’ll be playing next year, absolutely, that’s certainly the plan.
“I know that there is, like anything when it comes to a player being out of contract I know there’s always chatter around what’s happening, I understand that being 34 it’s not as much a formality but I’m looking forward to doing that when I get the opportunity to.”
The key forward will spearhead an impressive forward line against the Western Bulldogs in round 20, with the Cats fourth in the competition for goals kicked this season.
Hawkins said the recruitment of the 2019 Coleman Medalist Jeremy Cameron, and the style of football Geelong was playing helped his form to continue in an impressive fashion.
“Where we’re at as a group at the moment is we’re collectively playing really well, but taking turns right across the board,” he said.
“We’re all getting an opportunity and the pleasing thing is when presented the opportunity we’re executing, so we feel like we’re going along okay.
“Jeremy is as talented a player that I’ve played with, and I’ve played with some wonderful players, but we’re all getting a look and an opportunity to be impactful on the scoreboard because of the way that our system down there is working.
“There’s no easy games in football, but they’re dangerous, we saw them on the weekend … they looked really slick,” he said.
“We’re going to need to be at our best, we saw them last year down here, they play the ground well so again a great challenge for us as we push forward into the latter half of the year.”
‘Dangerous’ forwards getting Close to full strength
GEELONG forward Brad Close has sent a warning to the rest of the AFL that the Cats attacking half has only just started to click as it prepares to face a leaky Western Bulldogs defence on Saturday night.
Easily forgotten after the frenetic finish to the game, Geelong played its most attractive two quarters of footy for the season in the first half against Port Adelaide last weekend, piling on 11 goals.
The Cats moved the ball from end-to-end at Adelaide Oval with ease, eventually finishing the game with 16 majors.
Defence has been the star of Geelong’s nine-game winning streak but the Cats attack delivered against Port Adelaide, breaking 100 points for just the second time of that nine-game run.
The only other time Geelong has broken 100 points since round 6 was against a dismal North Melbourne side in round 16.
While the Western Bulldogs got past reigning premier Melbourne on Saturday night, the Dogs still conceded 100 points, the third time in their past four games they have let in triple figures.
Close, who was on the end of one of Geelong’s gorgeous second-quarter attacking chains, said the forward six of himself, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Tyson Stengle, Gary Rohan and Gryan Miers had really begun to gel.
“I think we have got some really good connection going with us in the front six and the midfielders,” he said.
“Each week we play together we feel more comfortable and we have that connection building, I think we are walking in easier goals like the one I kicked.
“We are working hard up the ground to get that outnumber and once we get inside-50 it just feels so dangerous with the personnel down there.
“We have been able to get those closer shots to goal which means we can kick a good score without kicking 20 points.”
The Dogs clash at GMHBA Stadium will be the first of three games in the final month at home for Geelong.
Close said the Cats had a focus on making the most of the run home, to lock in a top-two spot and avoid travelling for a qualifying final.
Geelong has lost its last four qualifying finals, the most recent two coming on the road against Port Adelaide.
“We have a few games left and so we need to make the most of that playing at home and get a good run into the finals,” Close said.
“We have travelled in the past few years. We played Port at Port in the first final last year (and lost). It just shows the advantage of being at home.”
Stanley to miss extended period as ruck carousel hits Cattery
Geelong has received better-than-expected news on its ruck veteran, with Rhys Stanley avoiding a major knee injury against Port Adelaide.
The 178-game Cat was substituted out of the Cats’ 12-point victory against the Power, with scans confirming minor cartilage damage and some bone bruising.
Jonathon Ceglar looms as the likely replacement, in what would be his club debut in Saturday night’s blockbuster clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor confirmed the big man would miss the medium term.
“In some positive news, scans showed only a minor cartilage injury and some bone bruising,” he said.
“Rhys expected to be sidelined only in the medium term.”
Winger Sam Menegola is progressing well through the concussion protocols and is set to be a test for Saturday’s game against the Western Bulldogs.
Taylor said forward Francis Evans was also a chance to play after a knee injury soured a five-goal haul in the reserves.
“Francis is progressing well, following an MCL injury sustained in the VFL vs Casey Demons,” he said.
“Francis will be a test later this week to determine his availability.”
Meanwhile, young defender Flynn Kroeger will have surgery on his knee after a persistent injury has plagued his maiden AFL season.
“Flynn is having surgery on his knee this week in the hope of fixing a persistent injury that he has had for much of the season,” Taylor said.
“Flynn will undergo a specific reconditioning plan post his surgery that gives Flynn a great chance of completing a strong off-season program.”
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