Geelong crush sorry Giants to surge into eight

Geelong have surged back into the eight with a comprehensive 61-point thrashing of the undermanned Giants.

Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea marks against the Giants at GMHBA Stadium last night. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong surged back into the eight with a comprehensive 14.9 (93) to 4.8 (32) thrashing of the undermanned Giants at home last night.

Stung by a defeat when hosting the Swans last weekend, the Cats were dominant throughout in their most convincing performance of the season to date.

It was the Giants’ biggest defeat since a round-22 clash against the Swans in 2015. And for a significant period in the last quarter, they appeared on track to post their lowest-ever score.

Only an error by Tom Stewart, who was largely superb in a team completely on top, allowed Jeremy Finlayson to snare a late goal to avoid the record. But it will not shield the Giants from the embarrassment of posting their second-lowest score ever in a lamentable performance.

Although Geelong were without dual-Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett, it is indisputable the Giants medical ward is far busier. Their absentees included Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron, in-form veteran Brett Deledio, and other elite performers in Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Rory Lobb, Zac Williams and Tom Scully.

There was a further scare when Dylan Shiel came off in the third term and removed his boot after being trodden on.

The visitors’ depth was ruthlessly exposed but most concerning was their lack of endeavour in the third term after they had been competitive in the second.

The Giants remain third heading into the remainder of the week but they will slide as the round progresses and their percentage took a significant battering last night.

The next fortnight is potentially difficult, with West Coast likely to press for favouritism in a clash at Spotless Stadium next week, before the Giants face the Kangaroos in Hobart, where North Melbourne are rarely beaten.

GWS were under pressure from the opening minutes, with mistakes a regular feature.

One by veteran defender Heath Shaw when attempting to clear defence allowed Jackson Thurlow to kick the Cats’ third unanswered goal to start the match.

Sam Lloyd did snare a goal for the visitors but by the time lively spearhead Tom Hawkins kicked his second goal for the term just before the siren, the Cats led by 19 points at quarter-time.

Hawkins will be assessed after he was warned by the umpire not to touch him after giving away a free kick, although it is unlikely to earn him anything more than a fine.

Stewart Crameri, playing his first game for Geelong and 100th game overall, kicked a goal with his first kick for the Cats as the home side established a dominant lead just before the main break.

After being delisted at the end of last year, he was selected by the Cats to provide cover and could prove a handy recruit if he can find form and sustain fitness.