AFL Gather Round Western Bulldogs v Geelong: All the analysis and fallout as the Cats hold on

The Bulldogs got within four points late in a frenetic final 10 minutes before Geelong did what they always do. So, who did we learn more about? Scott Gullan finds an answer.

Scott Gullan

@gullanHeraldSun

3 min read

April 6, 2024 - 10:24PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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The Mexican wave early in the last quarter may have seemed a tad premature, but maybe the Adelaide natives know a thing or two about Geelong.

All night they’d watched them continually do the right thing at the right time to keep their noses in front of the Western Bulldogs, so they figured that trend was going to continue.

Standing up and throwing their arms in the air, and then booing those who didn’t, kept them entertained until finally the football caught up and took their attention.

Somehow the Dogs got within four points late in a frenetic final 10 minutes before Geelong did what they always do, they found a way.

The frustration of the crowd mirrors what all Dogs supporters, and coach Luke Beveridge, must be feeling. There are so many questions which remain unanswered about this team although they are compiling a disappointing record which might tell the real story.

Against legitimate top four sides and premiership contenders – think Melbourne in Round 1 and Geelong last night – they come up short.

Aaron Naughton attempts a spectacular mark over Tom Stewart. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

There is so much about the Dogs which is intriguing.

The Land of the Giants forward set-up has the whole football captivated. How are they going to do it? Can it work? Is that a premiership model?

There were times during the first half where Beveridge went with Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in the forward line at the same time.

No scores and only two marks between them – both to Naughton but up on the wing – was the sum of the first 30 minutes of the game.

To start the second quarter, Beveridge benched Ugle-Hagan and went with Darcy coming out of the square. That had instant results with a strong lead straight up the ground, saw the youngster mark and then go back and slot the set shot from 45m.

The next goal of the game at the 10-minute mark came via a Ugle-Hagan lead with Naughton finding him on his chest.

Darcy got his second goal for the term after catching Tom Stewart in a strong tackle.

The problem was, while the giants were awakening, the Cats were doing what they’ve been doing for years, being consistently good across the board in most departments.

And then almost to take the mickey out of the Dogs move, Geelong coach Chris Scott went small in his forward half to start the third quarter.

He started Jeremy Cameron on a wing opposed to fourth-gamer Harvey Gallagher and put goal sneak Tyson Stengle to the goal square.

The crowd perform a Mexican wave on Saturday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Three minutes in, the move paid dividends when Cameron galloped across half-forward, gave off a handball and then received it back to snap an easy goal on the run.

Five minutes later, the Cats had two more – the second to Stengle courtesy of a fortunate goal line review – and the floodgates felt like they were starting to creak open.

Enter that man Darcy.

A big contested mark in the forward pocket resulted in his third goal, (How must Rory Lobb be feeling? Hang on, we’ll check TikTok later to find out).

Then when Cody Weightman kicked his second for the night a minute later the game had a pulse again.

What happened next is why Geelong is still a premiership threat. They found something when it was required, made no mistakes and forced their opponents into several and that’s how you win games of football.

Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle celebrate. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Ollie Henry had been quiet all night, he steps up and drills a set shot from the angle before Stengle explodes with two goals in two minutes.

While they got a scare in the final quarter, the Cats got the job done without minimal input from Tom Hawkins who was soundly beaten by Liam Jones, Stewart quieter than normal and were behind in most of the important statistical areas.

We really won’t know exactly where Geelong sits until the end of round 8. After playing North Melbourne at home next week, they face Brisbane in Brisbane and then Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG.

If they keep turning and doing the right things at the right time then, well, serious consideration needs to be given to the 2022 premier being a chance to win another one.