Dawn to Dark: The likes and dislikes from the Cattery after round 10

After a hot start, Geelong is in a major slump — and it stretches further than its last three losses. And the numbers underline just how bad things are. See all the likes and dislikes.

Geelong’s strong defensive game has disappeared in recent weeks. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Three weeks is a long time in football.

Geelong loomed as a surprise flag fancy after seven straight wins to start the season, but it has come crashing down with three losses in a row.

And the Cats’ big issues were laid bare in their heavy loss to Gold Coast.

See all the likes and dislikes from the Cattery after round 10.

DISLIKES

1. DRAMATIC DEFENSIVE DECLINE

Geelong’s defence was the best in the competition after six rounds. Since then, the Cats have paled in comparison, conceding more points in the last month than in any four-game stretch of Chris Scott’s tenure. That’s not just their last three losses, but also their tight win over Carlton. Scott said in his post-match press conference that they have been off, but that would be putting it mildly. In the past month, only Richmond and North Melbourne — with one win between them — are worse off for points against (111), points against from turnovers, scores conceded per inside 50 and scores conceded from opposition chains. Gold Coast’s score of 164 was the highest score Geelong had conceded in 30 years. One of the hallmarks of their game early in the season, the leaky Cats will need to clean this area up fast, or they will plummet down the ladder.

2. MIDFIELD WOES

There are more alarming numbers in the midfield. The Cats are regularly beaten up around the ball — as they were last year — which has left their defence exposed. Geelong has given up 50.8 points per game from stoppages in the last month from stoppages – the second worst return under Chris Scott. It has been a problem for them all year, conceding 40 points per game from this source, and ranking in the bottom-three for contested possession and clearance differential. Geelong has seriously missed Patrick Dangerfield since he succumbed to another hamstring injury before halftime in round seven. It is concerning that there is still so much reliance on him when he just turned 34. Jack Bowes had 21 disposals but just five of those hit the target against his former side. Tanner Bruhn had the opposite problem, going at 90 per cent efficiency but managing just the 11 touches while playing primarily as an on-baller.

3. UNSTOPPABLE MIDS

Geelong’s inability to quell the influence of opposition midfielders is also a serious concern. They were torched by Zak Butters (34 disposals, seven clearances and a goal), Ollie Wines (33 disposals, nine clearances and a goal) and Jason Horne-Francis (26 disposals, seven clearances and a goal) and smashed by Noah Anderson (42 disposals and two goals) and Matt Rowell (35 disposals, 10 tackles, eight clearances, a goal) in the past fortnight. Earlier in the year, Tom Liberatore racked up a whopping 19 clearances and 35 disposals as Adam Treloar (37 disposals) and Marcus Bontempelli (35 disposals, seven clearances) also dominated in a narrow Cats win, while Matt Crouch (37 disposals, nine clearances), James Worpel (36 disposals, nine inside 50s, one goal) and Patrick Cripps (29 disposals, eight clearances and two goals) have also made light work of Geelong’s on-ballers. Tom Green awaits them in round 11, and the Cats should send Oisin Mullin – who did the job on Horne-Francis in the second half in round nine – or Mark O’Connor to the midfield bull to avoid another annihilation.

Toby Conway impressed up in Darwin. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

LIKES

1. TIME TO PLAY CONWAY

In unforeign conditions, Toby Conway was the shining light for the Cats. While his midfielders struggled to win first possession, Conway went on to rack up more contested possessions (18) and clearances (11) than any player on the ground. His opponent Ned Moyle was also in his fourth game, but the 206cm giant is certainly no slouch, and is AFL ready despite being stuck behind Jarrod Witts. Geelong was set on playing Conway before Witts was ruled out with injury, and he deserves a run of games. Having only played in rounds three, six and 10 while Rhys Stanley has been managed, Conway is averaging double the contested possessions and three times as many clearances per 100 minutes than Stanley. With another strong follow-up ruckman in Kieren Briggs coming, Conway should remain in the side.

2. SPARKLING STENGLE

The best form of Stengle’s sparkling season has come during Geelong’s losing streak, playing a lone hand up forward.

The lively goalkicker has slotted 9.1 in his last three appearances, including three against the Suns – two of those moments of brilliance.

Stengle said last week that his down year in 2023 was down to injury setbacks, and his season to date is eerily similar to his breakout first season with the Cats in 2022.

Geelong will hope his form continues, and he will be dangerous threat for a Greater Western Sydney side that has struggled defensively in recent weeks.

Having Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins to crumb at the feet of should help, too.

Originally published as Dawn to Dark: The likes and dislikes from the Cattery after round 10