Who…. else loved Sam Menegola’s game?
Patty Dangerfield was outstanding in the middle for the Cats but honours for the Cats best could go to the understated Sam Menegola who combined sublime class with genuine toughness in the contest. He finished with 23 possessions (12 contested), eight marks, five i50s, five 1%ers and two goals. Perhaps his best act though was an incredible gut busting run from 50 metres away to spoil a Josh Jenkins mark in the goal square.
Look how far back Sam Menegola was before spoiling Josh Jenkins.
— AFL (@AFL) April 4, 2019
Tremendous effort from the @GeelongCats midfielder.#AFLCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/OsFPi8mrNB
What…. take your shots
They say good kicking is good football and the Cats took their chances when they needed to against the Crows and it was the rookies who set the tone. Tom Atkins and Jordan Clark both slotted first quarter set-shots with Clark’s bomb from 53m showing poise beyond his years. After taking the mark, teammate Harry Taylor was quick to get to his side and tell him to go back to take his shot. With the picturesque Adelaide Oval hill in the back ground he calmly slotted the long bomb to get the Cats going.
A big grab and a lovely finish from 55 metres!
— AFL (@AFL) April 4, 2019
Jordan Clark is just a joy to watch in his third game.#AFLCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/KLPlejmxEb
Where…. highest ever first quarter score at Adelaide Oval
One of the hardest trips in footy is to Adelaide Oval and taking the crowd out of the game is a necessity to keep the game under control. Not only did the Cats do that, they also recorded their highest ever first quarter score at the ground in nine games. Their score of 6.2 was also their highest in the first quarter of the season.
How…. did Gryan Miers do it?
He’s receiving cult hero status and Gryan Miers is definitely earning it. Whilst internally he’s pressure, defensive running and selfless efforts earn him plaudits, a couple of goals at Adelaide Oval will be sure to do the rounds on social media. After calmly slotting a shot from tight on the boundary in the first quarter he followed it up with an equally challenging running goal in the fourth. Whilst most players would have looked to snap at the goals on such tight angles, the self-confessed (hook foot) aimed straight between the big posts both times and didn’t look like missing.
Why…. did the Cats get the win?
To put it simply it was the work at the coal face. The Cats beat the Crows 148-115 in contested possessions and Rhys Stanley’s work in the air and on the ground level was outstanding and set up his teammates time and time again.