Geelong’s premiership defence in jeopardy after disastrous loss to GWS Giants

Geelong’s premiership defence is on the edge of the cliff. After leaving the run too late against the Giants, the Cats are threatening to leave their overall season run too late.

Gryan Miers and the Cats let another one slip. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

A late rush in the final term wasn’t enough for Geelong against GWS Giants and the premiership defence is now teetering on the edge of the cliff.

If it took too long for the Cats to put the foot down on Saturday, it may be getting too late in the season for the reigning premier to get its beat up car back on the road.

For most of the game, the Cats were stuck in the mud as the Giants were simply the smarter, cleaner, better side in a trademark smash-and-grab seven-point stunner.

Mark O'Connor after the siren. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Over the years it has been Geelong that has played with a style and system, picking through opposition defences and forcing visiting coaches to tear their hair out.

But on this day, the Cats were limp and lifeless, caught up in long bombs forward and seemingly without any plan in attack.

Instead, it was Toby Greene’s genius that stood large.

Jake Riccardi enjoys the win. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

In the second term, GWS had 43 more uncontested possessions and were able to just win the ball and go forward with the ease Geelong couldn’t find.

There was no easy ball, no shrewd plans to take advantage of the star-studded attack, instead that was left for the visitors.

As Callan Ward and Tom Green took charge in the clinches, the Cats appeared to take a step back.

For much of the night, the home side put in one-armed efforts and fumbled chances to get moving.

Perhaps only debutant Oisin Mullin played with the dare and verve Geelong was missing.

Of course, Geelong teased it all in the second half of the final term.

Ollie Henry led a late charge. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Cats dominated out of the middle, with Tyson Stengle and Ollie Henry coming alive.

With the game almost out of reach, it was then the Cats switched into an attacking mode and swept the ball forward.

In the final stages, the reigning premier played with the desperation to score that was needed from the start.

Now sitting 5-6, Geelong’s top four hopes are virtually gone.

At Kardinia Park they will always believe they are a chance to win it all, even without the double chance, if they can get the cattle on the park at the right time.

The problem is, there may not be a right time if the season and the games keep slipping closer to the edge of that cliff.

Originally published as Geelong’s premiership defence in jeopardy after disastrous loss to GWS Giants