GEELONG returned to Marvel Stadium for the first time in 678 days and registered a 21-point win against St Kilda on Friday night.
Here are some of the statistics that matter from Geelong’s Round 9 clash, presented by Deakin’s Centre for Sport Research.
Cam's The Complete Package…
You could mount a case that Cameron Guthrie is the best midfielder in the competition at the moment.
The reigning Carji Greeves Medallist produced another mammoth game against the Saints with a game-high 36 disposals, seven tackles and a goal in Geelong’s 21-point victory.
His ability to win the ball in the coalface is matched by his ability to break the lines and generate drive on the outside for the Cats.
When he isn’t helping generate attack, he is setting the standard with the pressure he applies on the opposition with 29 pressure acts on Friday night. Second to Brandan Parfitt.
“He has really evolved his game over the years,” Scott said post-game.
“There was a time there where we thought we should just try to turn him into one of the best half backs in the game, but the way he has developed as a midfielder - His running power now and he’s strong over the ball, he’s a pretty complete player so he has become a really important.”
Selwood Brothers Celebrate Milestone...
Joel Selwood’s 319th game of his career on Friday night against St Kilda saw he and brothers Adam (187 Games), Scott (169 Games) and Troy (75 Games) take their combined tally to 750 games.
They are just three games away from surpassing the record set by Essendon’s Daniher brothers (752 games comprising 313 games for Terry, 82 for Neale, 233 for Tony and 124 for Chris).
Not bad for the boys from Bendigo.
Narkle Provides The Spark Early...
Another Cat that that drew praise from coach Chris Scott post-game was Quinton Narkle.
Back in the side to play his first full game since Round 7 after coming on as the medical sub in the win against Richmond, Narkle slotted the opening goal of the game in the 11th minute of the first quarter.
Remarkably it was the first time this season that Geelong has kicked the opening goal of the game.
Narkle went on to have seven disposals and a goal in the first term to help provide a spark early in the contest.
Close A Class Act…
Brad Close is quickly establishing himself as an important member of Geelong’s forward mix after another eye-catching performance against St Kilda.
Close kicked two crucial goals for the Cats, including a snap from the boundary at a crucial time in the game.
He finished with 12 disposals, 6 score involvements and was rated in the top five best players on the ground according to Champion Data.
“He is important to us and he has got some attributes that we like.”
“He’s clear on his role and he has been well coached by Corey Enright.
“They’re developing something more than their individual attributes there is some nice synergy down there at the moment and he is certainly a part of that.”
Geelong’s Barometer…
Tom Stewart has now won 95 disposals more than his opponent this year.
In the first half against the Saints the classy rebounding Cat was held to just six disposals as he was required to play a slightly different role as Geelong went about trying to matchup against the Saints’ tall trio in attack in Rowan Marshall, Max King and Tim Membrey.
When Marshall went down, Stewart immediately asserted himself into the game with 12 touches in the third term alone to help the Cats wrestle back the momentum and set them on a winning trajectory.
He finished with 23 disposals (95.7% efficiency) and six rebound 50s to continue his impressive 2021 campaign.
