Geelong’s VFL side has claimed a hard-fought win over Frankston on Sunday, defeating the Dolphins 14.15 (99) to 4.5 (29).

The Cats came into the match with one of their strongest sides of the year as 17 AFL listed players took the field.

The wet conditions made for a scrappy first term but it didn’t affect the Cats in front of goal as they kicked five straight.

Their accuracy wavered in the second term but the Cats maintained a 28-point lead at the main break.

Due to resting players and untimely injuries, the Cats were left with only one player on the bench for the second half.

Despite being undermanned, the Cats were defiant and still looked the better side, kicking nine second-half goals to run out with a convincing victory.

The 70-point win marks six consecutive victories for the VFL Cats, a feat which they had not achieved since 2013.

“We have matured as a group and can withstand a lot and we know what we’ve got to do in the heat of the battle at the right time and that is probably the difference from previous years,” Cats coach Shane O’Bree said after the match.

The Cats were dominant on the defensive end, restricting their opponents to four goals and a scoreless final term.

“Our structures were really good, we set up well with the conditions,” O’Bree said.

“It shows the maturity of the group that they can cope with different scenarios.”

Of the Cats’ defensive group, Lachie Henderson played a pivotal role with 28 disposals.

“(Henderson) was one of our better players today, he set up behind the ball, impacted in the air and his composure when he used the ball was really pleasing,” O’Bree said.

George Horlin-Smith was the dominant midfielder on the ground, racking up a game-high 42 disposals and 14 clearances to go with his two goals.

Jordan Keras was also a major ball-winner, collecting 39 possessions whilst racking up 10 tackles.

The Cats had a good spread of goalkickers but it was Stewart Crameri who stole the show, kicking five, all of which came in the second half.

Skipper Tom Atkins played his 50th VFL game in the hoops and racked up 30 possessions and eight tackles to be amongst the best players.

The VFL Cats will look to continue their winning form next week when they travel to Sandringham.

VFL Round 14
Bendigo Bank Cats 14.15 (99) def. Frankston Dolphins 4.5 (29)
Goals: Crameri 5, Gardner, Horlin-Smith 2, Buzza, Miers, Simpson, O’Connor, Keras
Best: Horlin-Smith, Henderson, Keras, Smith, Atkins, Crameri
Reports: Nil
Injuries: O’Connor (Back), Gregson (Foot) @ SkyBus Stadium, Frankston