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Young North star hospitalised as Geelong run riot in bloodbath outing

Geelong’s dominant start to the 2024 season reached destructive heights on Sunday as they tore North Melbourne to shreds at home.

Geelong's Jeremy Cameron and North Melbourne's Colby McKercher.
Geelong's Jeremy Cameron and North Melbourne's Colby McKercher.

Geelong has continued its undefeated start to 2024 — and its ominous recent record against North Melbourne — defeating the Kangaroos 21.13 (139) to 10.4 (64) on Sunday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats have now won 12 consecutive games against North Melbourne in a streak that stretches back to Round 12, 2016.

The Kangaroos, now 0-5, have now conceded at least 100 points in all five games they’ve played thus far this season.

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Superstar forward Jeremy Cameron starred for Chris Scott’s brigade, booting six goals to go along with 21 disposals, eight marks and 11 score involvements.

Tyson Stengle, Gryan Miers, Ollie Henry, Brad Close and Tanner Bruhn each registered eight score involvements of their own.

Geelong’s dominant victory moves it to second on the ladder behind GWS, with the pair of clubs now the only undefeated teams remaining in 2024.

The 3-2-1 ...

3. HOW GOOD CAN THE CATS BE?

North couldn’t keep up. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
North couldn’t keep up. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong opted to rest Tom Hawkins and didn’t rush Patrick Dangerfield’s return — and it turns out they didn’t need their star veterans as they ran out 75-point winners.

Without Hawkins in attack, Jeremy Cameron had a day out as he racked up a whopping 15 disposals, four goals and eight score involvements in the first half alone.

“It’s already a day out,” Fox Footy’s Brad Johnson said of Cameron’s work rate at half time.

“That’s what sets him apart from everyone else in the competition. He runs (the Roos) into the ground.

“North Melbourne are on their haunches because of how powerful he is.”

Cameron Mooney described Cameron’s first half as “phenomenal”.

“With (Hawkins) out, was he going to anchor himself to the goal square? The answer is no,” he said.

“He’s playing his natural game, getting up the ground and running his opponent into the ground.

“We’ve seen it a couple of times now when North defenders just couldn’t run back with him.

“He’s run into an open goal on a couple of occasions.”

Cameron finished his afternoon with a stuffed stat sheet: 21 disposals, six goals and 11 score involvements.

Brandan Parfitt was another to shine in a star’s absence as he took over in the midfield without Dangerfield.

Johnson said the looming selection headache was a good one for coach Chris Scott.

“The competition for spots at Geelong is going to become tight very quickly,” he said.

“That’s where it’s going to be tough for Parfitt, (Jack) Bowes… you just can’t play them all, unfortunately.”

Mooney said he was pleased to see plenty of talent coming through at the club.

“It’s taken 12 months for (their recruits) to settle into this team and this town, and we are just seeing the fruits of it in the first five weeks of this season.”

Geelong is now one of just two teams unbeaten this season, joining GWS at the top of the table.

2. TO BUMP OR NOT TO BUMP?

North Melbourne's Colby McKercher injures his ribs.
North Melbourne's Colby McKercher injures his ribs.

North Melbourne young gun Colby McKercher lasted less than a quarter at the Cattery on Sunday after a heavy collision with Geelong star Jeremy Cameron.

McKercher had attacked the footy at half-back when he made contact with Cameron coming in the other direction.

While Cameron came away rubbing his hip, McKercher made his way to the bench and later was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Fox Footy’s Cameron Mooney described the collision as a fair bump.

“It really was a flush hit from Jeremy Cameron,” he said.

“Two boys attacking the ball, (Cameron) turned his body at the right time and got his backside right into the ribcage.”

Commentator Dwayne Russell questioned if the turning of the body was the way to go given recent Match Review scrutiny.

“The turning of the body in contests is something that’s been discouraged a bit because you don’t want to put your backside into someone else’s head,” he said.

“To lead in front on.”

“It’s how we were all taught as kids,” Mooney responded.

“Does the AFL want to discourage the turning of your backside and go in head-first rather is the way they want you to go?” Russell questioned.

1. WHERE TO FOR NORTH?

North Melbourne was given AFL assistance at the end of last season after another luckless year.

But even with that help, the Roos remain winless in 2024 – with fears their year could be just as long as the last.

North started 2023 with back-to-back wins in promising signs under new coach Alastair Clarkson.

But Clarkson and the Roos haven’t been able to replicate that start.

“Tough year for the Kangaroos who are yet to have a win this season,” commentator Dwayne Russell said on Fox Footy.

“At least they started well last year (with two straight wins). It’s been a tough time.

“Guys like Eddie Ford playing today - 26 games for only one win … makes it tough for development.”

Three-time premiership winner Cameron Mooney forecast another “tough year” at Arden Street.

“It’s going to be a tough year as a key forward for North Melbourne.”

Debutant Tyler Sellers didn’t have a touch until late in the final term as he struggled to get near it, making just one tackle in three quarters of footy.

Originally published as Young North star hospitalised as Geelong run riot in bloodbath outing

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/afl/young-north-star-hospitalised-as-geelong-run-riot-in-bloodbath-outing/news-story/5366ea402f80836b83835330f63772fb