1. Stevie J overtakes the King of Geelong
After being held goalless for two weeks, Steve Johnson joined former Cat Billy Brownless in third place on the club's all-time goalkicking list with his 441st major just 12 seconds after the opening bounce. He was soon alone in third place on the podium with his 442nd goal just seven minutes into the third quarter. Johnson received a standing ovation from Brownless, with the crowd roaring when the local favourite appeared on the scoreboard. The leading Cats' goalkicker of all-time is Gary Ablett, with 1021 goals for the club, just ahead of Doug Wade, who kicked 834 goals with the Cats before joining North Melbourne. The next best on Geelong's list behind Johnson is Tom Hawkins with 317 goals.
2. Low-key return for 'Bundy'
The 24-year-old left Geelong for personal reasons at the end of 2014 after 65 games and a premiership with the Cats. He did not expect to be welcomed at Simonds Stadium and the sight of former skipper Joel Selwood sidling up to him at the centre bounce would have made Christensen uncomfortable. However the booing was muted and the loudest noises were made when Christensen kicked two behinds from set shots in the second quarter. His former teammates did not do him any favours, ensuring he was tackled hard and often with James Kelly even rubbing his hand in Christensen's face early. The experience seemed to rattle the Lion, who finished the game with just 12 disposals.
Andrew Mackie consoles ex-Cat Allen Christensen after the game (AFL Photos)
3. Do the Lions need to take priority?
The Lions appeared beaten before the ball was bounced and had conceded a goal within 12 seconds. Admittedly they have few key position players but with a team that has good ruckmen in Stefan Martin and Matthew Leuenberger and midfield names such as Dayne Beams, Allen Christensen, Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff and Lewis Taylor, the Lions should look much more competitive than they did at Simonds Stadium. They did not play with cohesion or heart, and apart from a good performance from former skipper Jed Adcock, who kicked four goals, and the odd show of aggression from Dayne Zorko, they played like a dispirited bunch who can't wait for the season to finish. If they really need a priority pick, then the names just mentioned have been over-rated. The only bright light was their contested marking, taking eight marks with promising key position players Harris Andrews (three contested marks) and Jonathan Freeman (two) standing tall at times.
4. 'Pops' Kelly left bemused
Twice in the third quarter, Geelong veteran James Kelly was on the receiving end of questionable decisions relating to the distance the ball travelled before the mark was paid. In the first instance, Kelly marked a kick from Steve Motlop that looked to have travelled at least 15 metres. He conceded a free kick and then a 50-metre penalty much to the disgust of the crowd. Just 10 minutes later Kelly was gobsmacked when the umpire paid a mark to Rohan Bewick after the ball appeared to travel less than 10 metres. Such was his reaction, Kelly was lucky not to concede 50 metres again but Bewick went back and kicked the goal to rub salt into the veteran's wounds.
5. Walker heading for the sky
Josh Walker has lived in the shadows of his more illustrious teammates since he made his debut in round 16, 2012 having failed to cement his side in the team. However he made the game against the Lions one to remember kicking four goals before half-time, taking a spectacular mark, and ending the contest with five majors. Walker has played just 28 games for 31 goals and remains a hot and cold prospect to some extent. However he has never dropped his head, keeps presenting and at just 22 years old he has shown enough this year (15 goals in 11 games) to suggest he has the talent to carve out a solid future.
