Geelong’s VFL side has suffered an elimination final loss against Port Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
The Cats kicked the opening two goals of the match through Wylie Buzza and Lachie Fogarty, but struggled to find the scoreboard for the rest of the afternoon in the 7.5 (47) to 12.15 (87) defeat.
Despite the low-scoring start to the game there was plenty of high-pressure football on display, as Geelong went into the main break trailing by just 7-points.
Charlie Constable had a busy opening half, amassing 24 disposals and playing an important role in the midfield.
Geelong dominated much of the play in the third quarter but couldn’t find reward for effort. Jordan Clark kicked Geelong’s only goal in his comeback from injury, but Port Melbourne edged their lead out to 17 points at three-quarter time.
Clark sat out the final quarter of the game after receiving a knock to his elbow in a marking contest in the opening quarter.
The floodgates opened for Port Melbourne in the final quarter as they booted five goals, ending Geelong’s finals campaign.
Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree said that Port Melbourne’s clean execution with the ball was the major difference between the two sides.
“Their pressure around the contest and ability to get it to a teammate versus ours was way better. We fumbled too much,” O’Bree said.
“We were clearly beaten around the contest and Port Melbourne were just too good.
“When we tackled them they still had the ability to get the ball to their teammates and go forward from there.”
Sam Simpson impressed for the Cats, laying 13 tackles and collecting 25 disposals to be named Geelong’s best.
“I thought he (Simpson) was really good all game, I thought his ability around the contest to take time and execute under pressure was good,” O’Bree said.
Ryan Abbott finished the game with a match-high 42 hit-outs, while Charlie Constable collected 35 disposals in other strong performances for Geelong.
“I thought Ryan Abbott in the ruck, he was really dangerous and his follow work was really good,” O’Bree said.
Despite the loss O’Bree was pleased with the development of his side’s younger players throughout the season.
“I think the majority of our first-year players are more advanced than in previous years and it probably shows in the way that they played,” he said.
“We played some really good team football and it showed the development of the young guys.”
VFL Elimination Final
Bendigo Bank Cats 7.5 (47) def by Port Melbourne 12.15 (87)
Goals: Buzza 2, Clark, Jarvis, Fogarty, Brownless, Fort
Best: Simpson, Constable, Abbott, Buzza, Jarvis, Henderson
Reports: Jarvis (rough conduct)
Injuries: Fogarty (ankle)
@ North Port Oval
