The Cats put in one their best performances of the season on Sunday recording a 29 point win against the Richmond aligned Coburg Tigers at Craigieburn.
Rookie listed player Ben Johnson (23 disposals, 10 marks, 4 tackles) was once again the main target up forward, booting 5 majors as the Cats stormed home 19-6-(120) to the Coburg Tigers 14-7-(91).
The Cats had winners on every line with AFL omission Simon Hogan recording a staggering 50 disposals (33 kicks, 17 handballs, 14 clearances) in the midfield, Jonathan Simpkin (31 disposals, 3 goals) Nathan Djerrkura (28 disposals, 7 clearances) and Daniel Menzel (15 disposals, 4 goals) all had a significant impact. Along with Hogan the Cats welcomed back Marcus Drum (eye, achilles) and Dawson Simpson (back) from injury but lost Mitchell Brown (shoulder) and Adam Varcoe (knee) for the remainder of the season.
The match was played in front of a healthy crowd in near perfect conditions at the newly developed Highgate Recreation Reserve - on a surface that resembled something similar to what you may find on the moon. The home side that had been depleted from the previous week’s match due to its AFL affiliate making 6 changes brought on by injuries and suspension.
After losing the toss the Cats came out firing in the opening term of the match. They dominated possession early and took advantage of their opportunities through accurate goal kicking. A wonderful defensive effort from Ryan Gamble set up the clever ‘Joffa” Simpkin for the first goal of the match. Coburg then had their fair share of forward entries only for the strong Cats defence - lead by Matthew Firman (15 disposals, 5 tackles), Tom Gillies (16 disposals, 5 spoils) and Jeremy Laidler (15 disposals, 8 marks) - to constantly force turnovers. Both sides had five scoring shots for the quarter, but it was the accurate Cats who held a 10 point lead at quarter time.
The Cats began the second term as they ended the first. The sparkling mid season form of Ben Johnson continued as he booted the first goal of the quarter and it appeared the dominant Cats were going to kick away in the second term. But then the Cats displayed some of the poor habits that have dogged the side all year. Poor discipline in the form of free kicks and 50 metre penalties handed Coburg 5 of their 6 goals for the quarter, while skill turnovers and a lack of team care were ever present. After looking the better side for much of the match the Cats went in at half time facing a 2 point deficit.
After some stern words from coach Dale Amos and his stable of assistants at half time a much more focused and determined Cats team came to play in the second half. The Cats played some breathtaking football throughout the premiership quarter with Taylor Hunt (21 disposals, 9 marks, 3 tackles), Mitchell Duncan (18 disposals) and the magical Stevie Motlop (17 disposals, 2 goals) leading the way. The Cats booted 5 goals to one for the quarter which paved the way for a 22 point 3 quarter time lead.
The Coburg Tigers kicked the first 2 goals of the final quarter to send a few nerves through the Cat camp before the side was able to steady and kick the next 3 goals. Ben Johnson put the icing on the cake with his 5th goal as the Cats outscored the Tigers 6 goals to 5 for the quarter on their way to recording a 29 point win.
The spirits were high and the club song was sung for the first time in 5 weeks with plenty of gusto in a packed Cats change room. A shoulder injury to VFL listed midfielder Ben Raidme and the report of Mitchell Duncan for tripping were the only negatives on an otherwise positive day for the Cats.
The Cats will have plenty to play for next week in what becomes a grudge match of monumental proportions against the Gold Coast Suns. The newly named Suns are coming off back to back wins against Bendigo Bombers and Sandringham and will be full of confidence against a Cats team that wears the embarrassment of handing the newest AFL franchise it’s first ever VFL win.
Former Geelong premiership forward Nathan Ablett and NRL convert Karmichael Hunt look set to lead the Suns at Skilled Stadium next Saturday with both players making an impact against the St Kilda aligned Sandringham last week.
The Cats look set to welcome back Joshua Cowan and Allen Christensen who were both rested against Coburg last weekend.
The match kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday at Skilled Stadium.
Geelong Cats 19-6-(120)
Coburg Tigers 14-7-(91)
Goals: B.Johnson 5, Menzel 4, Simpkin 3, Motlop, Vardy 2, T.Hunt, Simpson, Weston1
Best: Hogan, B.Johnson, Laidler, Djerrkura, West, Simpkin
Injuries: Raidme (shoulder)
Reports: Duncan (tripping)
