With second-placed Fremantle suffering a shock defeat to St Kilda and third-placed Hawthorn enjoying a bye, Geelong knew a victory on Saturday night would carry it into a lofty second on the AFL ladder. The Cats didn't have it all their own way against the combative home side, but they still did enough to eke out the win they required. Now sitting pretty with a 13-4 record following a seven-game winning streak, Geelong will enjoy a week off before facing another crunch game, North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Written off after their 110-point mauling against the Sydney Swans in round 11, the Cats cut it fine at Spotless Stadium, but they've won six of their past seven and manage to get the job done like a good team should.
2. Johnson shows his class
While Steve Johnson has not amasssed the 50 to 70 goals a season that he did earlier this decade, the veteran remains all class. The 31-year-old premiership player added his contribution to tonight's highlights reel late in second term when he beautifully roved a marking contest inside the 50m arc to gather the footy and snap truly on the run. The six-pointer, which came 40 seconds before the half-time siren, ensured the Cats not only headed into the sheds in front, but also with the momentum to run away with the contest after the long break. He finished with a game-high three goals.
3. Giants far from overawed against the Cats
Despite a large disparity in ladder positions each time they've met, the Giants don't take a backward step against the Cats. In their first ever match-up, in Geelong back in round 10, 2012, expectations of a one-sided hammering were replaced by a shock tied game at half-time before the home side eased to a 65-point victory. Then last year in Sydney, the Cats led by just eight points at halftime and 12 at the last change before again storming home for a 59-point victory. On Saturday night, GWS led by two goals in the second term and trailed by just three points at the main break. Geelong's lead reached 36 points, but the Giants came again, getting within seven points with less than three minutes on the clock. They fell just short, but it was an impressive effort and the Cats always know they're in for a fight every time they take on the AFL's youngest side.
4. Giants' four talls combine well
The crowd of 7,697 – the club's second-lowest attendance this year – saw the rare occasion where the Giants' quartet of big men - Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton, Adam Tomlinson and Tom Boyd – took the field together in the same side. All played a useful role and look set to play alongside each other for many years to come. Tomlinson and Patton each pulled down six marks in the opening half, while Boyd set up Rhys Palmer's second-term goal with a well-weighted pass and pulled down a clever one-handed mark in the goal-square in the final term.
5. GWS showcase Australia's multicultural diversity
Sport and culture mingled freely in the ground on Saturday night as the Giants played their part in acknowledging Australia's multicultural society. South Pacific dancers and indigenous performers took to the field before the bounce, while Irish dancers entertained the crowd - and an appreciative ABC Radio commentator Tadgh Kennelley - at the first break. Other activities included Chinese lion dancing that mingled with the Auskick kids at half-time, as well as an Arabic drumming workshop and Haka performances.
