Dawn to Dark: All the likes and dislikes from Geelong Cats after Round 12

A worrying trend has emerged down at Kardinia Park. Plus, a Cat’s Rising Star stocks are rising, an overlooked Cat who can consider himself stiff and Geelong’s defining midfield move.

Geelong’s losing streak is over, but the toughest assignment in the competition awaits this weekend.

The Cats travel up to Sydney to face the Swans who are rightly flag favourites.

There were positives to take out from their win, but also some negatives after another slow start.

Here’s all the likes and dislikes from the Cattery.

LIKES

1. DEMPSEY RISING STAR?

Hours after Harley Reid’s sling tackle, Dempsey played the best game of his young career to date to strengthen his Rising Star credentials. Dempsey racked up 28 disposals, 13 contested possessions, three goals and 122 SuperCoach points – all career-highs- against Richmond. His first two goals in the space of three minutes on the stroke of halftime to kickstart Geelong’s resurgence. As a mid-forward Dempsey ranks elite for score assists and above average for disposals, contested possessions and marks, bearing in mind he also spends time on the wing – a position that often goes unrewarded. Then there are the qualities the stats don’t judge like his exceptional workrate, agility and brilliant leap. As it stands he is likely sitting on the podium behind St Kilda’s running machine Darcy Wilson, but he is right in the running to be Geelong’s first Rising Star winner since Joel Selwood.

Ollie Dempsey is right in contention for Rising Star. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

2. BOWES’ BEAUTY

Bowes was demoted to the substitute for the loss to GWS after managing just six effective disposals up in Darwin the previous week. I dare say he won’t be the sub for a while after his emphatic showing on Saturday night, which may go down as his most influential across his 109-games. The 26-year-old impacted offensively and defensively in a big way, notching a career-high nine clearances, 14 contested possessions (second best in career), 636 metres gained (second) and eight tackles (second). He also slotted a long-range goal in the third quarter and was pivotal to Geelong’s strong second half. Bowes has been there and abouts during his one-and-a-half seasons at the Cattery, but this performance showcased the potential of the former first-round pick. Let’s see if he can produce this kind of effort on a more consistent basis.

Jack Bowes played his best game as a Cat. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

3. HOLMES IN THE MIDFIELD

They may be 1-2 in the last three weeks, but the Max magnet move has been a big win from Chris Scott. The Cats coach feared robbing Peter to pay Paul taking the electrifying speedster out of defence, but Geelong’s midfield has looked so much more dynamic with Holmes in there. Holmes has spent 66 per cent of time in the midfield since round 10 compared to just eight per cent across the first nine rounds. The excitement machine has averaged 31 disposals, 665 metres gained, 11.7 ground ball gets and 5.7 clearances, rating elite for all five of those indicators. Geelong’s on-ball brigade performed a lot better, albeit against an inexperienced Richmond midfield. Tom Atkins has spent 32 per cent of the season in defence but moved back into the engine room with Jhye Clark and Mark Blicavs suspended. The tough midfielder won a team-high 15 contested possessions and 10 clearances to go with 11 tackles, while Tanner Bruhn (13 contested possessions and six clearances) also got his hands dirty.

DISLIKES

1. ANOTHER POOR FIRST HALF

First half lapses have left the Cats chasing their tail in their last three games at GMHBA Stadium. After trailing by 41 points to Port Adelaide at halftime and giving up -36 in the second quarter alone to GWS, the Cats found themselves 29 points down to Richmond nearing halftime. Geelong managed to kick five of the next six goals after that point to take the lead, which underlined the disparity between its best and worst. The Cats were -2 in contested possession, -6 clearance and even in inside 50s to halftime in the first half. The numbers were flipped on their head in the second half as the Cats dominated territory contest and territory with +25 contested possessions, +23 inside 50s and +13 contested possessions. If they bring that kind of first half against the Swans they will be blown off the map.

2. HARSH ON HARDIE

The result showed it was a danger game where selection calls can’t be risked. But it was the perfect opportunity to give Mitch Hardie his chance – even if it was just as the sub. And it wouldn’t have been a handout either. He has more than earnt his opportunity for a debut, rating elite for disposals, kicks, uncontested possessions, marks and score involvements, showing he is having genuine impact with his disposals and is excelling on the inside and outside. It’s hard to see him getting a look-in now with Patrick Dangerfield in contention to return, Mark Blicavs and Jhye Clark having served their suspension and Geelong’s midfielders stuffing the statsheet against Richmond.

Mitch Hardie is yet to make his debut. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

3. SELECTION DILEMMA

Geelong’s team has been a revolving door, which is the way Chris Scott likes it. He has said many times across the season that there is no set best 23, but picking the side for this week will be tricky – as it has been numerous times across the season. Veteran ruckman Rhys Stanley only played a half in the VFL as he built up match fitness from a minor knee injury, racking up 21 hitouts, 10 disposals and nine contested possessions. You would expect him to replace Toby Conway considering a match-up with Brodie Grundy looms large with Blicavs to support. Brandan Parfitt was unlucky to be omitted and tallied 34 disposals and 12 clearances in the twos, but does Jhye Clark have first dibs considering his performance against GWS was arguably his best to date? And do the Cats persist with the three-pronged tall forward line that has seen Shannon Neale grow in confidence? As you can see, selection is clear as mud.

Originally published as Dawn to Dark: All the likes and dislikes from Geelong Cats after Round 12