The VFL Cats once again showed some very positive signs against a more mature and experienced opponent but failed to come away with the all important 4 points. After getting back within 13 points in the final quarter, the Cats finally went down 13-13-(91) to 18-14-(122) at the diminutive Trevor Barker Oval at Sandringham on Sunday.
After a promising display against premiership favourites Williamstown in Torquay last round, the Cats started in disappointing fashion and found themselves 42 points down at quarter time. Fortunately for the diehard fans that turned out, the Cats turned it around in the second quarter and looked the better side for much of the afternoon. The Cats got to within 25 points at half time and 21 at three quarter time before playing catch up became all too much.
It was the performance and continued improvement of the ‘junior’ AFL listed players that would have once again delighted all involved with the Cats. Allen Christensen (24 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 10 clearances) showed that he was intent on winning back his AFL spot with a fantastic performance around the ground.
Highly rated forward Mitch Brown (14 disposals, 9 marks) proved his comeback match was no fluke with a solid 5 goal performance in the familiar surroundings of the Sandringham venue. 2011 AFL debutant Cameron Guthrie (19 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles) was used all around the ground and seemed to have an impact wherever he roamed.
AFL omission Joshua Hunt (18 disposals, 6 clearances, 5 tackles) was another solid contributor and would be a strong chance of replacing his injured namesake against the Kangaroos next week.
Jonathan Simpkin (23 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles) played his best match for the year and would have won the points in the ‘Simpkin Family’ battle.
The margins in all four of the losses this season - 27 points, 28 points, 32 points and 31 points - demonstrate just how competitive the Cats have been this season and the young team believe their first win is just around the corner.
This week the Cats look set to welcome back late withdrawals West, Cowan, Burbury, Tutungi, Barham, ruckman Dawson Simpson, tall forward Ben Johnson and forgotten defender Marcus Drum who will be playing his first VFL match since Round 19 last year.
Another major positive this season has been the form of the new VFL listed recruits. Troy Selwood (21 disposals, 5 tackles) has stepped straight into the role of on-field leader for the young group, tall defender Andrew McLean (17 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal) was once again prominent down back before being moved forward in the second half. Former Sandringham player Mark Corrigan (27 disposals, 4 marks, 5 clearances) seemed to enjoy the opportunity of returning to TBO.
This week the Bendigo Bank Cats face the three-peat premiers North Ballarat in a curtain raiser at Skilled Stadium on Saturday. Despite winning the past three flags the North Melbourne aligned Roosters are struggling after losing a huge number of their premiership stars over the past 18 months such as AFL draftees Issac Smith (Hawthorn) Cameron Richardson (North Melbourne) and Steve Clifton (Greater Western Sydney). The Roosters loss to Collingwood by 1 point last week and will be out to record their second win of the season.
The match kicks off at 10.40am with the gates opening at 10.30am. With the new TV rights deal putting the future of curtain raisers at Skilled Stadium in some doubt, the club would encourage all fans to get there early and show how much the traditional pre-match lead up means to them.
Sandringham 18-14-(122)
Geelong Cats 13-13-(91)
Goals: Brown 5, Guthrie, Vardy 2 Schroder, Christensen, McLean, Raidme 1
Best: Christensen, Simpkin, Corrigan, J.Hunt, McLean, Guthrie.
