Geelong’s VFL side has made light work of Frankston on Saturday, defeating the Dolphins 23.8 (146) to 7.3 (45).
After last week’s goalless opening term, the Cats came out with a point to prove and were relentless in attack, piling on six first quarter goals.
However, the Dolphins came out strongly and matched the level of intensity set by the home side, restricting the Bankers to a four-point quarter time lead.
The defensive pressure that was lacking in the first term became the focus after the break as the Cats kept the visitors scoreless in the second period to open up a 55-point margin.
The foot looked to have been taken off the pedal in the third quarter, but the cats regained their ruthlessness in the final term as they piled on seven goals to run out 101-point victors.
The Cats were able to create chances for a plethora of goals throughout the day but coach Shane O’Bree was most impressed with the defensive efforts of his side.
The Dolphins were held scoreless in the second and fourth quarters, which the coach believes was a result of observing their opponents last week.
“It was good that in the last three quarters the focus areas we went into the game with, we stuck to them and it showed on the scoreboard,” O’Bree said.
“Collingwood sort of taught us a lesson and we learnt a lot from it and today showed.
“When we do it as a collective we are very hard to play against.”
The Bankers had numerous players step up in the big win and there were many players on the cusp who pushed for an AFL recall.
Perennial ball winners Darcy Lang and George Horlin-Smith put their hands up for senior selection, compiling excellent individual performances.
“Their attitude has been great those two, I can’t fault them at all, they have areas of their game that they been working on and they will get their opportunity between now and finals time.”
Lang amassed a game-high 32 disposals and laid seven tackles whilst Horlin-Smith racked up 25 possessions and 13 clearances.
After a breakout performance last week, Wylie Buzza impressed again in his role as a tall utility, totalling 19 possessions and 11 hitouts.
The 20-year old has been improving drastically in recent weeks and O’Bree credits the time he spent recovering from injury as key to that improvement.
“Buzza is able to do what he can do for longer now with the injury and the break he had, its like he has had two preseasons in one year,” O’Bree said.
“He has been able to do a bit more footy education in that break as well and he is a good kid to coach.”
Another young Cat in strong form is rookie James Parsons who was once again amongst the best players.
Parsons totalled 22 possesions and five clearances along with laying seven tackles in a strong showing.
“(Parsons) has played inside mid a fair bit the last few weeks and he is getting used to that,” O’Bree said.
“Early on when we were getting beaten he was trying a few different things that weren’t working but he was able to change his game up and get involved.”
The Bankers will look to continue their strong form next week when they face Richmond.
VFL Round 18 – Bendigo Bank Cats 23.8 (146) def. Frankston Dolphins 7.3 (45)
Goals: House 4, Clark 3, Hayball 2, Kersten 2, Lucey 2, Lang, Buzza, Cunico, Horlin-Smith, Atkins, Haintz, Exell
Best: Stewart, House, Buzza, Parsons, Lang, Atkins
Injuries: Kersten (concussion)
Reports: Nil
@ Simonds Stadium, Geelong.
