The Bendigo Bank Cats have held off Williamstown to record a 12-point victory in their Round 13 VFL clash at Downer Oval on Saturday.
It was a hard-fought contest by both sides with Geelong coming out on top 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71).
After an evenly contested opening quarter with the Cats holding a slender five-point advantage at quarter time, Geelong piled on five goals to two in the second term to take a 23-point lead into half time.
Little separated the two sides in the premiership quarter with three goals apiece and nearly all the key statistical areas equal.
The Seagulls made a late surge in the final quarter with three goals before Charlie Constable stepped up to kick a massive goal late to seal an important win on the road for the Cats.
Constable was Geelong’s leading ball winner with 27 disposals, whilst Ben Jarvis was named best-on-ground for his eye-catching three-goal, 15 disposal and eight-mark performance in attack.
Other strong contributors for the Cats included Stefan Okunbor (22 disposals, 6 clearances) and Zach Guthrie (21 disposals, 5 marks).
A few familiar faces made a successful return from injury for the Bankers with Nathan Kreuger, Sam Simpson and Jordan Clark all taking the field.
Kreuger (17 disposals, 7 marks) was especially prolific down back with plenty of intercept possessions and spoils.
The 22-year-old is fast becoming one to watch for Cats fans and if he can stay healthy, he has all the signs of a capable senior defender in the making.
Kreuger was happy to be back in action for the Cats.
“I’ve had two weeks off which is not ideal for my game but it’s just great to be back,” Kreuger said.
“I blew up in the second half, I got beat a few times but that can happen with short kicks.”
“I’m happy to build on this game with my aggression and controlled attack.”
As a young player, Kreuger is still trying to find what works best for him as a defender.
“I’m trying to mix it up - I still don’t know what type of defender I want to be yet.”
“I’m just trialling things, there was a game where I had more spoils than I had possessions, whereas now I probably have more intercepts.
“I think if I can adjust to the game that’s there I can play to my strengths.”
The Bankers will now look ahead to their next match against Coburg at Piranha Park (time and date to be confirmed).
VFL Round 13
Geelong 3.1 8.3 11.5 12.11(83)
Williamstown 2.2 4.4 7.8 10.11 (71)
Goals: Jarvis (3), Jenkins (2), Clark, Constable, Stevens, Evans, Neale, McLachlan, Tate (1)
Best: Jarvis, Okunbor, Brownless, Kreuger, McLachlan, Guthrie
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Taheny (Hamstring)
At Downer Oval, Williamstown
