Geelong’s VFL side has overcome a gallant Northern Blues outfit, claiming a 14-point win on a wet day at Ikon Park.

In a game between two sides battling for top eight positions, the Cats finished on top in the 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58) win.

While the conditions worsened throughout the match, the first half was still not much of a spectacle.

Both sides missed chances on goal, with the Cats holding a two-goal lead at the main break.

It was an arm wrestle of a third term and the Blues managed to close the gap to five points at the final change.

It was in the final term where the conditions had the biggest impact with neither side seeming to be able to break the game open.

That was until VFL listed duo Luke Smith and Pat Dowling were able to convert and seal the game for the Cats in the low scoring affair.

The win is the Cats’ fifth from their last six and sees them remain inside the VFL’s top eight.


Coach Shane O’Bree was impressed with his side’s ability to play solid football in trying conditions.

“I thought our ability around the contest, to win, support and control the game from there, I thought from the start we did that well,” O’Bree said.

“Even with the conditions, we handled the ball really well.

“That’s (another) game where the conditions have been shocking, but the boys have come with the right attitude.”

Quinton Narkle made his return from a hamstring injury and impressed in limited game time with 19 disposals and five tackles.

“His ability to win the contest, take the contest on, find his gaps and use the ball well, that was Narks today,” O’Bree said.

“He played a really good game off a six-week spell.”

After hurting his shoulder last week, Lachie Henderson made a quick recovery and was one of the Cats’ top players in the match.

Henderson totalled 21 disposals with 18 coming by foot.

The Smiths (Zac and Luke) combined for five goals while Nathan Kreuger kicked two before his day was cut short with a concussion.

Scott Selwood was one of the Cats’ better midfielders on the day in a match that suited his skillset.

Selwood racked up 21 touches and nine tackles and led by example all day.

“Scooter has been working on his contest work a lot but also how he uses the ball away from it,” O’Bree said.

“I thought today in the conditions he still tried to implement that really well.”


James Parsons (26 disposals) and Sam Simpson (22) were also prolific for the Cats with their ability to break lines and set up attacks.

Ned Harris made his VFL debut and was impactful around the contest with six tackles in the scrappy affair.

The Cats will look to continue their solid form next week when they take on Box Hill.


VFL Round 13
Bendigo Bank Cats 10.12 (72) def. Northern Blues 8.10 (58)
Goals: L.Smith 3, Z.Smith, Kreuger 2, Selwood, Schlensog, Dowling
Best: Selwood, Henderson, Parsons, Simpson, L.Smith, Jarvis
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Abbott (Concussion), Kreuger (Concussion) @ Ikon Park