Inaccurate kicking has cost the Bendigo Bank Cats a chance to consolidate top position on the VFL ladder, following their 15-point loss to Werribee on Saturday.
The Tigers had been in outstanding form, claiming their fourth consecutive scalp after their previous three victories came at an average of 96 points.
‘The VFL competition is very even, and every week is different due to the alignments and injuries teams have,’ Cats coach Leigh Tudor said post-match.
Small forward and ex-Cat Matthew Robbins was prominent for Werribee, kicking 4.4 for the day and applying great forward line pressure.
Geelong registered three of the first four goals for the game, but it was Werribee who played the superior football from then onwards, entering their forward 50 16 times to nine for the quarter. The Tigers also doubled the Cats’ tackle count throughout the game, displaying a stronger desire to win the contested ball around the ground.
A lack of forward line pressure and accountability through the midfield from Geelong saw the Tigers slam on five unanswered majors to lead at the first break by 20 points.
Captain James Byrne lead the way in the second term with a goal to break the drought, and the crowd was also heartened to see Rising Star nominee Joel Selwood return to the field after suffering a knock to the ribs. The young gun managed a game-high 33 possessions and seven hard ball gets, proof that he is a tough and classy performer.
The third quarter was by far the most disappointing for the Bendigo Bank Cats, who piled on a dreadful 0.8 to 3.5. The delivery into the forward line was at times atrocious, and even when it did improve, forwards Charlie Gardiner and Tom Hawkins were unable to convert. The 40-point margin at the final break proved too much for the home side to come back from.
When the match was on the line in the second and third quarters, Geelong kicked a staggering 11 straight behinds, some from very easy positions.
“Poor kicking has cost us in two out of our last three games, and we just weren’t able to create any scoreboard pressure when we kicked behinds,” Tudor explained.
“We will work on our kicking in from defence and zone setup during the week, also.”
Despite playing poor football for the vast majority of the game, Tudor was able to draw on some positives after the match.
“Brent Prismall did really well to collect his 24 disposals for the day despite being heavily tagged, and Joel Selwood’s in-and-under work was really good.
“Simon Hogan is getting more game time, and Playfair also worked his way into the game.”
Tim Callan and Victorian representative Jason Davenport also continued their good form in the midfield for the Cats, collecting 16 and 25 possessions respectively.
The Bendigo Bank Cats host bottom-placed Tasmania next Sunday in a curtain-raiser for Geelong’s AFL clash with the Brisbane Lions. They will welcome back the suspended Grima, and the injured Liam Bedford and Ryan Gamble.
Geelong: 3.4, 5.9, 5.17, 12.20 (92)
Werribee: 6.6, 9.10, 12.15, 15.17 (107)
Goal Kickers: S. Byrnes 2, H. Playfair 2, C. Gardiner 2, J. Byrne 2, N. Djerrkura 2, B. Prismall, J. Davenport
Best: J. Selwood, B. Prismall, T. Callan, C. Gardiner, S. Byrnes, H. Playfair
