The VFL Cats have fought out a gritty eight-point win against Coburg on Sunday, to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The Cats were inspired by dominant performances from midfielders Jhye Clark and Jye Chalcraft, as they hung on late to record their third win of the year.

Geelong were unable to capitalise on their dominance in the opening quarter, finding themselves nine-points ahead at the first break despite controlling much of the play.

The Cats recorded 19 inside 50 entries to Coburg’s eight, but could only convert three goals from their nine scoring shots.

In his debut game wearing the blue and white hoops, Cats draftee Phoenix Foster produced an incredible opening term across half-forward. Foster recorded a game-high 12 disposals in the first quarter, to go with three contested marks and two goal assists in a promising start to his career at Geelong.

The second quarter played out similar to the first for Geelong, with the Cats on top around the ground but unable to make it count on the scoreboard, leading by just one-point at the main break.

Geelong recorded another 18 entries into their forward 50 during the second quarter, but were inaccurate in front of goal kicking just the six-behinds in the second term.

All the Stats: Geelong v Coburg

Jhye Clark was dominant in the opening half, racking up 20 disposals as he continues to be developed as an inside midfielder. Brandan Parfitt fought hard through the middle collecting 16 disposals and four clearances, while Jon Ceglar collected six clearances of his own in the opening half.

A brilliant crumbing goal from Matty Lloyd broke the drought for Geelong early in the third term, before Coburg found back-to-back goals of their own to lead by two-points at the final change.

Jye Chalcraft kicked truly early in the last term, to bring the deficit back to one-point before Hamish Lucas slotted another to give the Cats a seven-point buffer.

A brilliant intercept mark by Bailey Van De Heuvel deep in the last quarter, stopped a Coburg fast break before the Cats were able to lock down the game until the final siren.

Jhye Clark produced his best performance of the season, collecting 29-disposals through the middle as he continues to build form after an interrupted pre-season.

Ted Clohesy dominated forward of the football, collecting 26-disposals along with eight marks and a goal, to continue his impressive form in the opening half of the year.  

Brandon Parfitt collected 26 disposals in his return to the Geelong VFL team, while Jon Ceglar dominated the ruck battle with 22-disposals and nine clearances of his own.

For the VFL-listed players, Jye Chalcraft collected a game-high 32-disposals for the Cats, while Matty Lloyd picked up 21 and kicked two vital goals.

Geelong’s VFL team will face Southport next week, in what will be their first game at GMHBA Stadium for the 2023 season.

VFL Round 6

GEELONG            3.6       3.12        4.15           6.20       (56)
COBURG             2.3        4.4          6.5             7.6        (48)

GOALS:  Lloyd 3, Panuccio, Clohesy, Chalcraft 1

DISPOSALS: Chalcraft 32, Clark 29, Parfitt, Clohesy 26, Herbert 25