GEELONG has maintained its buffer at the top of the AFL ladder after downing a gallant Adelaide 14.12 (96) to 10.9 (69) at GMHBA
THIS was a case of the best team in the competition asserting its dominance and proving again why it's the best team in the competition.
Geelong entered its Friday night encounter with Adelaide a game clear on top of the ladder, but it was the Crows that looked the better side early.
WHEN WE WIN, YOU WIN
Twice Adelaide opened up early leads and appeared capable of pulling off what would have been quite the upset, but they were reeled in on both occasions by the ladder leaders.
Other teams might have panicked when the margin stretched to 20 early in the second quarter after Hugh Greenwood clunked a pack mark and slotted the goal, in what was a highly entertaining affair between two of the top teams at GMHBA Stadium.
From there though, the Cats took control of the contest in a professional display at their fortress, eventually pulling away to win by 27 points, 14.12 (96) to 10.9 (69).
Adelaide had been on top through the middle, with Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad, exerting their influence and Reilly O'Brien taking control in the ruck, while up forward, Taylor Walker looked dangerous on Blicavs.
Geelong made moves to solve those problems. Jake Kolodjashnij went to the Crows co-captain and put the clamps on him.
Blicavs was deployed further afield to battle O'Brien and was a major reason the Cats rectified their woes.
The decision to have Cats captain Joel Selwood go inside the contest proved to be inspired as he and Tim Kelly combined to give their side plenty through the midfield, and they were significant in turning the tide.
Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield was unflinching with his attack on the footy late in the second quarter and that was to his detriment, going back for a marking contest and hurting his left hip in an incident that eventually forced him from the ground.
The Brownlow medallist didn't come back on to the field with the rest of his teammates after half-time, but with play seconds away from resuming, he returned to the bench, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Dangerfield spent the rest of the night stationed in attack, but errant kicking meant he didn't contribute anywhere close to the lofty levels expected of him.
The score review system, which has come under plenty of controversy, was again under the spotlight, overturning a left-foot snap from Kelly that initially appeared to bounce through before replays suggested the football brushed the flag stationed at the back of the goalpost.
There was plenty of classy finishing throughout the contest. Paul Seedsman was outstanding twice, first in booting the opening goal of the game from 60m.
That was impressive enough, but his effort to covert with Selwood on his hammer after a couple of bounces from a tight angle in the third was simply delightful.
Gryan Miers produced similarly well for his team, once by snatching a loose ball and snapping it on his left, and then breaking a tackle and roosting one from long range.
Having been dropped three times this season, Bryce Gibbs collected 13 disposals playing as an onballer in an uninspiring performance.
Mitch Duncan and Cam Guthrie were important for Geelong, as was gun youngster Jordan Clark, whose poise, clean skills and willingness to attack the footy, both in the air and on the ground, gave more reason to think he will stand up when the Cats are competing in September.
MEDICAL ROOM
Geelong: Patrick Dangerfield was crunched in a marking contest by Daniel Talia and came off the ground a couple of minutes later, seeming to complain about a left hip issue, but he came back on. Luke Dahlhaus looked sore as he jogged off late in the third term but returned to the field.
Adelaide: Key forward Taylor Walker hurt an elbow but played the game out.
NEXT UP
There's always a huge build-up for the Showdown and that will certainly be the case leading in to the Crows coming up against fierce crosstown rival Port Adelaide next Saturday at Adelaide Oval. Then later that night, Geelong will head to Marvel Stadium to take on the Western Bulldogs.
GEELONG 4.1 7.6 11.9 14.12 (96)
ADELAIDE 5.4 7.5 9.7 10.9 (69)
GOALS
Geelong: Ablett 2, Hawkins 2, Kelly 2, Miers 2, Guthrie 2, Stanley, Clark, Duncan, Bews,
Adelaide: Himmelberg 2, Seedsman 2, Gallucci, Murphy, O'Brien, Greenwood, Walker, Smith
BEST
Geelong: Kelly, Selwood, Clark, Miers, Hawkins, Guthrie
Adelaide: Seedsman, M.Crouch, B.Crouch, Sloane, O'Brien
INJURIES
Geelong: Dangerfield (hip)
Adelaide: Walker (elbow)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Williamson, Mollison
Official crowd: 28,108 at GMHBA Stadium
