Sublime Geelong all but end AFL finals hopes for Essendon

Geelong continued to flex their premiership muscle in a dominant victory to all but dash Essendon’s finals hopes.

Sam Menegola of the Cats makes a handpass during the Round 16 AFL match against the Bombers. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong continued to flex their premiership muscle in a dominant victory to all but dash Essendon’s finals hopes.

The 17.6 (108) to 5.12 (42) victory was the Cats’ sixth-straight win and sets up an enticing Friday night blockbuster against Richmond in what could be a battle for a spot in the top four.

For the Bombers, their finals chances took an absolute beating as their season sunk to a new low.

The Cats put on a sublime performance from the get-go, putting on 75 points by halftime – the highest midgame total of the season.

Such was Geelong’s first-half performance, Essendon coach John Worsfold told his team they simply had to “learn from this and step up to the fight”.

But the Cats never took their foot off the pedal, with Sam Menegola starring with 30 disposals, eight clearances and three score assists.

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Essendon now looks unlikely to make the eight. When you start bringing mathematics into the equation to try and make the finals you know your season isn’t going well.

They sit six points below the Giants – who are in eighth spot – and another win to the Pies and GWS will make it near impossible for Essendon to claim a finals berth.

“They just look a step behind, the Bombers,” former Essendon captain Jobe Watson told the Seven Network in commentary. “They just look a little lethargic.”

Their floundering first quarter effort has cost them this season, with Sunday becoming their eighth straight game of not kicking more than one goal in the opening term.

Just to add to their woes, Irving Mosquito suffered a serious leg injury in the third quarter and will be in doubt for their next match.

The Cats put on one of the most clinical performances in all areas of the field, but their goal kicking was sublime.

They led by 30 after the first quarter and that lead stretched out to 59 by halftime.

They also became the first club of the season to boot six goals in both the first and second quarters.

North Melbourne’s 119 points over Adelaide earlier this year remains the biggest score of the year, but Geelong looked likely of beating that against Essendon.

Coleman Medal leader Tom Hawkins continued his dominance in front of goal, booting four goals and one behind to go 10 ahead.

The Cats are weighing up the possibility of bringing Joel Selwood back into the mix for the clash with Richmond as he continues to return from a knee injury.

Cats coach Chris Scott said it was set up to be a good contest between two powerhouse clubs.

“We‘ve got a lot of belief,” Scott said. “We‘re a good team but they’ve been the best in the competition for a long time and are hitting their stride at the moment, as far as I can see.

“I know it’ll be built up and will be good for our guys to be part of a game like that.

“Different to what we’re used to late in the season in Melbourne against the Tigers, but nonetheless it’s a great challenge.”

Scott admitted he was tempted to rest Selwood for another week as a precaution but was a little concerned about the team’s cohesion if left out for much longer.

“That’s one of the things we’ve been discussing with him,” he said.

“I place a high value on cohesion at this time of year so one of the questions is whether one game’s enough to make sure we’ve got that. He slots in pretty well.”

Geelong forward Gary Rohan is also set to be fit for Friday’s clash after pulling up sore with a tight glute during Sunday’s game.

Scott was confident his star player will be right to play, as will Zac Tuohy and ruckman Rhys Stanley.

“(Zac) was very keen to play tonight but just took a conservative approach so I’d say 99.9 per cent right (for Tigers) and Stanley 95 (per cent),” he said.

It was pointed out before the match that Sunday’s clash was a blast from the past for Aussie Rules. Back in 1952, both these clubs met at Brisbane’s Ekka showground turf in a bid to sell the game north of the border.

Essendon won by 69 points that evening.

Herald Sun