Geelong has suffered a 53-point defeat in their opening Smithy’s VFL clash with Werribee at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

A Round One contest against last year’s runners up was always going to be a big challenge and that proved the case, going down 7.8 (50) to Werribee’s 16.7 (103).

CATS v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

It was Werribee to strike first kicking the first two of the game and owning the territory battle early in the first half.

Geelong, however, would fight back into the game after goals from first gamer Tobyn Murray and Kealan Bradtke would see the game all even.

The Cats stuck with Werribee for majority of the first half before two quick goals for the Tigers before the half time whistle saw the momentum heavily favour Werribee. 

“I thought we sort of hung in there, kept fighting and kept finding a way to stay in touch,” Geelong’s VFL coach Mark Corrigan said post-game.

“But ultimately, they matched us around the contest, out worked us outside of that and took their chances when they went forward.”

After a third quarter that saw Werribee score three goals to one, the flood gates opened in the last as the Tigers ran away with the victory scoring seven goals in the final quarter and winning by 53 points.

Geelong was never able to get anything going, failing to score back-to-back goals after the first quarter and struggled to get their hands on the footy losing the disposal total nearly 100.

Werribee came down the highway and brought the heat, laying 71 tackles and applying pressure all around the field, suffocating the Cats, resulting in turnovers.

A strong performance in the middle from Mitch Hardie, who finished with 29 disposals, seven tackles and seven clearances will help him build a case to play at the top level.

Ruckman Toby Conway was another important piece with 17 disposals, 37 hit outs and 6 clearances.

Murray and James Willis were Geelong's major goal kickers with two apiece. 

Geelong will be back at GMHBA Stadium next Saturday to host the Box Hill Hawks. 

VFL Round 1

Geelong  2.2   4.4  5.6  7.8 (50)
Werribee   4.1   6.4  9.6  16.7 (103)

Goals
Geelong: Willis, Murray 2, Neale, Knevitt, Bradtke
Werribee: Garoni 4, Thar, Grintell, Dahlhaus, Pinnuck, Paea, Johnson, Henderson, Hayes, Declase