1. The Carlton jinx continues
Before Friday night's clash, Carlton's past 14 opponents had lost the week after playing the Blues. It's an unusual and largely unexplainable run that dates back to round 14 last year, but one that has been stretched after Geelong defeated Collingwood by 41 points. The Magpies entered the game as favourites after an impressive 75-point win over Carlton last Friday night. But Geelong's brilliant start – they kicked seven goals to one in the first term – put the Magpies behind the eight-ball all night. Their late recovery – Collingwood kicked six goals in the second half to the Cats' four – gave Chris Scott's side a scare, but they were able to withstand it.
2. Varcoe turns foe
Two-time Cats premiership player Travis Varcoe came up against his old team for the first time since crossing to Collingwood during last year's trade period. It won't be a game Varcoe reflects upon too fondly, nor will many Magpies. Varcoe was far from Collingwood's worst player in the heavy defeat (he gathered 18 disposals and seven tackles), but every player who leaves one club wants to perform the first time they come up against former teammates. Captain Scott Pendlebury and youngsters Adam Oxley, Tom Langdon and Taylor Adams helped pull the Magpies back to a closer margin after half-time.
3. Cowan's cruel run continues
Geelong's Josh Cowan personifies the side of football few see and even fewer want to experience. The 24-year-old last played for the Cats in round 18, 2011, before ongoing Achilles and hamstring injuries plagued his career. The gap between his third and fourth game was nearly 1400 days, and Cowan had to wait a little longer to get into the action on Friday night, when he started on the bench. Cowan helped set up a goal to Steven Motlop in his first foray forward, and he collected four disposals in the first 20 minutes. But that was where the good news ended. Late in the first term, Cowan was subbed out of the game with a right hamstring strain, in what was a bitter blow given his poor injury luck.
4. Gregson gold
All of the big names contributed in Geelong's blistering seven-goal first term, but alongside Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan was a small first-year forward more than pulling his weight. 18-year-old Cory Gregson kicked two smart goals in the opening term from seven disposals, and continues to add some classy finishing and speed to the Cats' forward mix. The 175cm South Australian was the Cats' second selection at last year's draft down the order at No.47, but has played every game this year, so credit again goes to list manager Stephen Wells, recruiter Michael McMahon and the club's scouting team for finding a promising player beyond the top 30. Gregson's 18 disposals and three goals should see him strongly considered for the round six NAB AFL Rising Star nomination
5. What does it mean?
Did everyone overrate Collingwood's early form this season? Were we too quick to write off the Cats as genuine top-four contenders? Cats coach Chris Scott said last week he was still trying to work out who the best sides in the competition were and where the Cats sat. Friday night's result perhaps further complicates things, given the Cats' slower start to the season and the Magpies' previously good form. The game proved how a team can be only a couple of notches off its best form to be pegged right back. The Pies made their run and got within 23 points when Jesse White kicked his second goal in the last term, but the Cats steadied and deserved their strong win.
