Geelong takes care of the Western Bulldogs to get season going

It took some time and a lot of effort but Geelong finally broke through against the Western Bulldogs. And this may just be the start of the resurgence.

Tom Stewart celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

For more than three quarters, Geelong kept flexing and flexing until finally breaking the shackles.

After three tough weeks and the mid-season bye in sight, the Cats were losing a grip on the season before Saturday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The win may not have the premiership defence completely back on track yet but there were signs of the Cats playing the Geelong way.

Gary Rohan celebrates. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

In a fantastic game that was a perfect advertisement for the frantic nature of footy under the roof at Marvel Stadium, the Cats pushed and pushed before finally getting through.

In a good game for half-backs, Tom Stewart’s vice-like grip on control of Geelong’s defence kept his team in charge, until he wandered forward himself to kick a huge goal to open the final term.

He was almost matched by the one-two punch at the other end as Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel kept powering the ball through the middle of the ground.

It was a brutal contest as Geelong’s undermanned midfield stepped up and while the lion-hearted Mark Blicavs and Tom Atkins couldn’t quite shade Tom Liberatore and his crew, they at least kept a middle ground.

The senior core of players who bore the brunt of an unusually public message from Chris Scott on Friday, urging his players to not be so passive, stood tall.

There were no niceties from the reigning premier, who were physical with Marcus Bontempelli early and ruthless in the game late.

Jeremy Cameron tries to reel in Caleb Daniel. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

As the game wound on, with Jeremy Cameron’s influence rising up the field, the Cats kept pushing.

There was nothing especially clean about the Cats, aside from Gryan Miers constantly dropping the ball on teammate’s chests with his pitching wedge kicks, but they kept pushing.

And that is what this season may ultimately be about for the Cats.

They sputtered through two losing streaks of three games and won’t be able to do so again to keep the premiership defence alive, yet they kept pushing.

The much-talked about injury list appears to be shortening and there was a sense of belief returning under the roof as the Dogs slowly fell further and further behind.

The draw is a nightmare for Geelong on the way home and a trip to face Port Adelaide after the bye will ramp up the pressure further.

Post match Scott almost flippantly said he would expect his team to win every game they had to, including the Power trip.

And there is no doubt this team will keep pushing and plan to leave those broken shackles behind.

Originally published as Geelong takes care of the Western Bulldogs to get season going