The Cats travelled west for their round 13 clash with West Coast, but the four points went begging.
Cats Media identified four points of interest to follow. Here’s how the played out:
Post-bye blues
Unfortunately the Cats returned from their week off with a loss, as they have done after a bye on all but two occasions since 2011.
West Coast kicked away with seven goals to two in the first half before Geelong rallied to cut the margin to as little as 12 points late in the final term, but it was too little too late for the Cats – who now sit in third position with an 8-4 record.
Which West Coast out west?
It was the best West Coast, or at least the best for a month or more. A 36-point half time lead at home had more or less put the game to bed before a late Geelong resurgence cleaned up the score line, in a performance proving exactly why the trip west is a fearful one for interstate clubs.
Missing spearheads
Considering immediate replacement Rhys Stanley slightly bettered Tom Hawkins’ average output of 2.7 goals per game, it would be an easy mistake to make in thinking there was no a gaping hole left behind in the absence of no.26. But in terms of structure, Geelong’s forward line suffered significantly without its spearhead.
The Cats only scored 70 points last Thursday night, down some 32.8 from their season average. Of those used up forward, Daniel Menzel looked the most lively for his two goals, while Harry Taylor also chipped in with two. Geelong had just six goal kickers for the night.
As for West Coast, they too lacked potency without their man Josh Kennedy but saw Darling, Sheed and Jetta kick multiples. The Eagles finished up on 83 points which is relatively similar to their lowly 88 points per game.
Scooter’s second-home coming
Despite a promising start personally, it was a night to forget for Scott Selwood against his former club. With 10 disposals and eight disposals to his name, Selwood was forced from the field in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and will miss the next one to three weeks.
