Geelong’s VFL side has suffered a second straight close loss in Saturday’s VFL encounter with Footscray, falling to the Bulldogs 8.12 (60) to 9.13 (67), at Whitten Oval. 

The Cats came into the match with an opportunity to overtake the seventh placed Bulldogs on the VFL ladder and set up their 2016 campaign. 

The 2014 premiers came out firing in the first term, kicking the first five goals of the match to put the Bankers on the back foot early, facing a 25-point deficit at the first break. 

Nothing came easy in the second term as both sides lifted their pressure and locked down their opposing forwards. One goal apiece for the quarter saw the Bulldogs hold their commanding lead at half time.

The third term saw the Cats play a more attacking brand of footy and the lead was trimmed back to 19 points at the final change. The quarter was soured by a head injury to Brant Haintz who did not return.

The Cats utilised a strong breeze in the final term to generate numerous scoring opportunities but their inaccuracy proved costly as they kicked 1.7 and fell agonisingly short of victory for the second straight week. 

The loss sees the Cats fall to three wins and five losses for the season and sets the Bankers with a tough task to resurrect their season.

Whilst the inaccuracy made it difficult for the Bankers to come back, Cats Coach Shane O’Bree was most disappointed with his side’s start to the match.

“Our first fifteen minutes was shocking, probably the worst part of a game we have played all year,” He said.

“The boys were a bit off and lethargic, whether it was last week’s game or the boys didn’t believe they could win today.”

For the home side, it was Will Minson and Lin Jong who had a big influence on the result with their work in and around the stoppages crucial to the result.

“Will has been a ruckman for a long time and he dominates VFL level and Lin Jong is a very good clearance player,” O’Bree said.

“We will keep teaching the boys how to play on those types of players because we will be facing them in the coming weeks.”

One week after his triumphant return to football, Mitch Clark put together another excellent performance, playing higher up the ground for the majority of the game. 

“(Mitch) had an amazing impact on the game, he got a lot of the ball by work rate and his ability to find a way to bring that ball to ground, he’s heading in the right direction.” 

Clark had the better of his matchup against Kieren Collins as the 28-year-old kicked one goal from 19 touches and registered six inside 50s.

At the other end of the ground, Ryan Gardner held Tom Boyd goalless as the Footscray key forward had minimal impact on the match. 

“Gards didn’t look out of place one-on-one against Boyd and keeping him goalless always looks good,” O’Bree said.

“(Gardner) is going really well and he wants the challenge each week to take the best forward.”

Midfielder Sam Menegola and defender Jake Edwards also continued their comeback tours and fought hard in the close loss.

Menegola led the way in the midfield for the Cats with 23 possessions, 13 of which were contested, five marks and four clearances.

Edwards was important in his role across half back and was amongst the Cats’ best. He had no trouble beating his man on most occasions and rebounded the ball with composure.

“(Jake) was pretty good down back, he didn’t get a lot of the ball but he set up well and positioned better,” O’Bree said.

VFL Stalwart Ben Raidme returned to the side after an extended stint on the sidelines and provided a wealth of leadership and experience to the Cats midfield.

“The leadership from Raids and his transisiton run, playing more as a wingman, he will build on that in weeks to come. 

“We know what Raids brings, he is a quality VFL player and one of our guys we lean on with his experience,” O’Bree said.

The Cats will look to get back on the winners list when they return to Simonds Stadium next week to take on Box Hill on Saturday. 

VFL – Bendigo Bank Cats 8.12 (60) def. by Footscray Bulldogs 9.13 (67)

Goals: Cornell 2, Hayball, Clark, Vardy, Parsons, Lucey, House

Best: Luxford, Clark, Edwards, McLachlan, Tsitas, Vardy

Injuries: Haintz (concussion)

Reports: Nil @ VU Whitten Oval, Footscray.