It was case of déjà vu for the Cats as they went down to Collingwood by 34 points for the third time this season (including one practice match) and made many of the same fundamental mistakes in the process. Emerging forward Daniel Menzel (14 disposals) kicked 3 mercurial goals while Steven Motlop (14 disposals) also booted 3 majors in his first game back from injury as the VFL Magpies ran away 18-9-(117) to the wayward Cats 12-11-(83).

Nathan Djerrkura (34 disposals, 11 clearances, 4 tackles), Mitchell Duncan (34 disposals, 3 clearances, 3 tackles), Jonathan Simpkin (31 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 goal) and defender Jeremy Laidler (22 disposals) were stand out performers on an otherwise bleak day at the Cattery. Crucial skill errors and continual turnovers resulting in opposition scoring shots were once again the story of the day for the young Cats who had a combined total of 111 AFL games experience to the 814 of the Collingwood side. At 24 years and 9 months, VFL skipper Matthew Firman was the oldest player selected in the Cats s22.

Saturday’s match was the first VFL Cats game telecast on the ABC for 2010 and therefore the first opportunity for many Cats fans to catch a glimpse of players such as Daniel Menzel, Joshua Cowan and Nathan Vardy. Fellow 2009 draftee Allen Christensen was a late withdrawal with general soreness while third year ruckman Dawson Simpson also missed with a back complaint. Tom Hawkins (foot), Steven Motlop (shoulder), Nathan Djerrkura (wrist) and Adam Varcoe (hand) were all returning from injury in the much anticipated fixture.

Just like the ABC telecast - the Cats appeared to miss the start of the match altogether. The 12th placed Cats could do little as the experienced 4th placed Magpies piled on 4 goals to none in the opening ten minutes of the contest. It was left to some brilliance from young stars Daniel Menzel and Mitch Duncan to keep the Cats in the contest. After a couple of late goals, the margin was back to 19 points at the first change.

The Cats desperately needed a fast start to the 2nd term after a rev up from a disappointed Dale Amos. However it was not to be, as bad turnovers repeatedly cost the Cats. A 3 goal quarter from Magpie forward Luke Rounds saw the margin bounce out to 42 points midway through the term before it was once again left to some magic from Daniel Menzel and the ever present Steven Motlop to put the Cats back within 30 points at the main break.

The third term was more of the same, as the classy and strong bodied Magpies dominated their Geelong opponents all over the ground. Positives for the Cats included the strong marking of Tom Hawkins and the tireless work and skill of VFL midfielder Jonathan Simpkin. Despite this much needed resistance, Collingwood were more prolific at hitting targets and taking advantage of their opportunites extending their lead to 47 points at three quarter time. Former Geelong Falcon Luke Rounds (12 disposals, 4 goals), Paul Medhurst (20 disposals, 2 goals), Josh Fraser (21 disposals, 6 marks, 15 hitouts)) and Jaxson Barham (17 disposals) all contributed strongly for the Magpies.

Final quarter consolation goals to the exciting Motlop, VFL listed Simpkin and first year rookie Ben Johnson (13 disposals 2 goals, 5 behinds) gave the scoreboard some respectability. Trent West (19 disposals, 34 hit outs) battled all day in the ruck against the more experienced combination of Josh Fraser and Cameron Wood (10 disposals, 11 hit outs).

The return of key forward Tom Hawkins comes at a crucial time as it gets to the business end of the AFL season. After the game Hawkins commented on his troublesome foot saying it got through the game unscathed. “It felt fine, no problems at the moment, just good to take a few marks and get back into it”.

In more good injury news the Cats look set to welcome back a number of players from injury next week. Marcus Drum (eye, achilles), Allen Christensen (soreness) and Dawson Simpson (back) will all be back in action.

The joy surrounding the return of so many players from injury was overshadowed on the weekend by the serious season ending injuries to the extremely talented young combination of Mitchell Brown (shoulder) and Adam Varcoe (knee). Brown was playing just his sixth match back after a badly broken leg had sidelined him for 18 months. Varcoe, the younger brother of AFL star Travis, was enjoying a fine season until his knee buckled from beneath him during a boundary line contest in the second quarter. Sadly it is the second major knee injury for Adam after he ruptured his ACL in 2008.

For the first time the Cats travel to the newly completed Highgate Recreation Reserve at Craigieburn next Sunday afternoon to take on the Coburg Tigers. The match kicks off at 2pm.

Williamstown 18-16-(124)
Geelong Cats 7-13-(55)
Goals: B.Johnson 3, Vardy 2, Menzel, Gamble 1
Best: Cowan, B.Johnson, T.Hunt, Gamble, Christensen, Menzel
Injuries: Laidler (late withdrawal - flu), Simpson (back)
Reports: Nil