Western Bulldogs vs Geelong: AFL live scores, blog
Roar Guru By The Cattery, 25 May 2012 The Cattery is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, Geelong Cats, live blog, Western Bulldogs
137 Have your say
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The Bulldogs and the Cats sit outside the top 8 with four wins and four losses a piece. Join us at 7:50pm AEST for live commentary and score updates as each work to stay within touching distance of a finals berth.
It is unlikely that at the start of the season anyone would have predicted that these two teams would be equal on points after eight rounds, with Geelong in particular sitting outside the top 8.
The unwillingness of pundits to write off Geelong, including this pundit, means that Geelong will go into this game as favourites, but the Bulldogs have shown enough in the last few weeks to suggest that they are capable of an upset here.
It may surprise some to learn that the Bulldogs are second in the league for contested possessions, with midfielders Matty Boyd and Ryan Griffen in excellent form, backed up by sons of guns: Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.
Geelong has plenty of quality in the midfield as well, and the signs were good last week in a tight game against Collingwood that Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey are primed to get Geelong’s clearance stats back on an upward trend.
The real problem for much of the season for the Bulldogs has been that they have a low efficiency rate in converting inside 50s to goals, one of the lowest in the league.
The fact that they have had to rely on Daniel Giansircacusa as the leading forward for much of the season tells a story, although it has to be said that he has done reasonably well in that role.
With the underperforming Jarrad Grant and Liam Jones dropped this week, Bulldogs coach, Brendan McCartney, continues to work towards building a forward line with some tall options.
Jordan Roughead has been rushed back in as the second ruckman come key forward, a role that Ayce Cordy can also play, and they are both in the team.
Add Tory Dickson starting on the bench, and the quicker small options of Shaun Higgins and Luke Dahlhaus, and we get a forward line that might be able to capitalise on the extra ball the Bulldogs are capable of winning.
Geelong too has an important ‘in’ this week, with Matthew Scarlett a welcome addition to a Cats backline that has shown some frailty this season, for the first time in many years.
On paper, the Geelong backline looks good enough to cope with a Bulldogs forward line which, while improving, remains experimental and aimed more at future development.
Nothing experimental about the Geelong forward line, with the Tomahawk (Tom Hawkins), and the J-Pod (James Podsiadly) in the top seven goalkickers in the league.
Bulldogs full back, Brian Lake, has returned to his peak performances of two or three seasons ago, and he will get the job in the last line of defence, while the second tall marking option will be guarded by the inexperienced Mark Austin.
While I can see the Bulldogs getting an advantage in the ruck through Will Minson and Jordan Roughead, and perhaps winning the clearances, I think Geelong is better placed in its forward line than the Bulldogs are, who are up against a very experienced defensive unit.
On top of that, it’s hard to imagine Geelong being as profligate as they were in the second half last week against Collingwood.
The Bulldogs will stay with Geelong until the last quarter, but a shorter break following a trip to energy-sapping Darwin means Geelong will hold out for a 12 point win.
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The Crowd Says (137) | Page 1 of Comments
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- AFL, Geelong Cats, live blog, Western Bulldogs
10:25pm
The Cattery said | 10:25pm | Report comment
That’s it for me, thanks for joining me, enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope your team wins.
10:24pm
The Cattery said | 10:24pm | Report comment
FT
WB 11.9 (75) Gee 14.11 (95)
Geelong got the first 3 goals of the match, and pretty much held a 2 or 3 goal lead consistently for the remainder of the match.
Dogs surged a few times, especially in the middle of that last quarter, when they scored 3 goals in 4 minutes and looked likely to run over the top of the cats, but they held firm, and in the end had that bit of extra class and ultimately were able to conjure easy goals when they needed them.
Dogs were competitive all night, did well in the clearances and contested footy, were able to spot up targets as well inside 50, but in that second half, missed a few vital set shots.
Cats were a bit too good for the dogs tonight, Stevie J best on ground, picked up possessions all over the park,and whenever dogs were getting a bit too close, he would lift the team by doing something special.
10:23pm
GrantS said | 10:23pm | Report comment
Well done by the Cats !
Imagine what the Doggies could do if they had a forward line !
10:20pm
The Cattery said | 10:20pm | Report comment
Q4
31 min
WB 11.9 Gee 14.11
sting out of the game gone now, dogs gave it their best shot, but they’re going to fall short
10:19pm
The Cattery said | 10:19pm | Report comment
Q4
30 min
WB 11.9 Gee 14.11
Stevie J, kicks the footy on the volley off the pack, went way out on the full, but worth a go!
10:18pm
The Cattery said | 10:18pm | Report comment
Q4
29 min
WB 11.9 Gee 14.11
cats straight down the guts, create the loose man, pods over the top, runs into the open goal, and that’s the game!
10:17pm
The Cattery said | 10:17pm | Report comment
Q4
27 min
WB 11.9 Gee 13.11
cats doing enough now to slow it up, stop dogs from breaking free, forcing the footy out wide, another throw in, this time it’s just insde their fwd 50,
a ball up now still inside 50,
10:14pm
The Cattery said | 10:14pm | Report comment
Q4
26 min
WB 11.9 Gee 13.11
time running out for the dogs now, more than two kicks in it, time to run the footy through the middle,
10:13pm
The Cattery said | 10:13pm | Report comment
Q4
24 min
WB 11.9 Gee 13.11
Stringer finds Motlop in the clear, he spots up Stokes, at around 45m out, this would definitely put it past the dogs, comes in, one behind
10:12pm
The Cattery said | 10:12pm | Report comment
Q4
23 min
WB 11.9 Gee 13.10
on kick out, over the line by Stringer, so it will be a ball up at top of goal square for dogs,
Selwood with the clearance
10:11pm
The Cattery said | 10:11pm | Report comment
Q4
22 min
WB 11.9 Gee 13.10
dogs have used up so much energy staying close with the cats, it’s going to be a big ask for them to put in another surge, Jones smothers, eludes the tackle, poster!
10:10pm
The Cattery said | 10:10pm | Report comment
Q4
21 min
WB 11.8 Gee 13.10
quick hands, left snap from Skinner, poster!
10:09pm
The Cattery said | 10:09pm | Report comment
Q4
20 min
WB 11.7 Gee 13.10
pressure coming from cats, another turn from Stevie J, tomahawk taps on, finds Bartel, snaps, goals!
10:08pm
The Cattery said | 10:08pm | Report comment
Q4
19 min
WB 11.7 Gee 12.10
Motlop with 7 kicks, and 3 goals, dogs coaching staff would be dissapointed how they have left Motlop loose to kick such easy goals
blind turn from Stevie J! Motlop with quick snap, but hits the behind post
10:07pm
The Cattery said | 10:07pm | Report comment
Q4
18 min
WB 11.7 Gee 12.10
cats through the middle now, looking dangerous, crowd levels are up, and it’s Motlop again over the back of the pack!!
10:06pm
The Cattery said | 10:06pm | Report comment
Q4
17 min
WB 11.7 Gee 11.10
dogs just keep coming and coming, cats cannot relax here, they have not been able to put the dogs away all night
time in fwd line, dogs 67% to 33%
10:05pm
The Cattery said | 10:05pm | Report comment
Q4
16 min
WB 11.7 Gee 11.10
dogs with 3 goals in 4 min to keep the game well and truly alive,
dogs again out of the middle
10:04pm
The Cattery said | 10:04pm | Report comment
Q4
15 min
WB 11.7 Gee 11.10
so dogs with last two goals to stay in it,
from bounce, Murphy to Skinner, high, pack doesn’t touch it, bounces….through!!!
10:03pm
The Cattery said | 10:03pm | Report comment
Q4
14 min
WB 10.7 Gee 11.10
Dahlhause swoops on loose ball, quick hands to Higgins, and he drills it from 40m!
10:02pm
The Cattery said | 10:02pm | Report comment
Q4
13 min
WB 9.7 Gee 11.10
Gia now on 3 goals, he has scored them when the chance has been there,
10:01pm
The Cattery said | 10:01pm | Report comment
Q4
12 min
WB 9.7 Gee 11.10
Motlop wins the free by tackling Lake, tight against the boundary, and puts it out on the full!
Skinner to Gia, drills it!
10:00pm
The Cattery said | 10:00pm | Report comment
Q4
11 min
WB 8.7 Gee 11.10
cats skip away to a 21 pt lead, dogs might pay the price now for not scoring when they controlled the firstg 5 minutes of play
9:59pm
The Cattery said | 9:59pm | Report comment
Q4
10 min
WB 8.7 Gee 11.10
Griffen down the bottom of the pack, gives away free,
MOtlop onto loose ball, close in, gets an easy goal
9:58pm
The Cattery said | 9:58pm | Report comment
Q4
9 min
WB 8.7 Gee 10.10
good kick out from Murphy, finds Boyd between two cats, ball up on wing,
9:57pm
The Cattery said | 9:57pm | Report comment
Q4
7 min
WB 8.7 Gee 10.10
after all that attacking from dogs, yielded only two behinds, first time into their fwd 50, tomahawk gives cats a 14 pt margin
that’s very handy, Corey runs clear, and Chapman earns the free for high, he’s right on 50m, and this would just about put it beyond the dogs, good kick, poster!
9:55pm
The Cattery said | 9:55pm | Report comment
Q4
6 min
WB 8.7 Gee 10.9
dogs created the loose man down one side, but Mackie beat HIggins to ball, took it down the middle, Hunt with big kick forward, tomahawk can’t mark it, recovers first, long snap, goals!!
9:54pm
The Cattery said | 9:54pm | Report comment
Q4
5 min
WB 8.7 Gee 9.9
Jones with free in marking contest, HIggins front and square, high left foot snap, wild handball from cats, Stringer mops up, Stokes out wide, Lake cuts it off
9:53pm
The Cattery said | 9:53pm | Report comment
Q4
4 min
WB 8.7 Gee 9.9
Skinner drops what he should have, dogs now messing up some real opportunities for scoreboard pressure,
ball has been in dogs fwd half for 97% of quarter, for no goals!
9:52pm
The Cattery said | 9:52pm | Report comment
Q4
2 min
WB 8.7 Gee 9.9
Bartel caught with it, Hargrave lucky not to give free away for getting into his back
Cooney with loose ball get, spins round, Jones with another big mark, outside 50, goes long, Roughead gets another free for high! against Lonergan again who is having a bit of a dirty day, it’s an acute angle, he misses again
9:50pm
The Cattery said | 9:50pm | Report comment
Q4
1 min
WB 8.6 Gee 9.9
it’s Roughead earning the free, soon after start of quarter, but he misses again, could be telling, 3 set shots from around 30m missed by dogs in 2nd half, roughead has missed 2 of them
9:48pm
The Cattery said | 9:48pm | Report comment
stevie j with 27 disposals, he has been everyhwere
9:48pm
The Cattery said | 9:48pm | Report comment
dogs lead clearances 32 to 22, and that’s what is keeping them in the game
9:43pm
The Cattery said | 9:43pm | Report comment
3/4T
WB 8.5 (53) Gee 9.9 (63)
fairly even term, just when you thought cats had finally got control of the game, dogs came back with goals, 10 pt margin about right, Cats have been better around the ground all night, but dogs have scrapped hard in the clinches to stay in touch, also starting to find targets in forward 50, big quarter coming up
9:41pm
The Cattery said | 9:41pm | Report comment
Q3
25 min
WB 8.5 Gee 9.9
Skinner on for Veszpremi,
dogs with scrambling defence, strong tackling pressure in middle of the ground by both sides
9:40pm
The Cattery said | 9:40pm | Report comment
Q3
24 min
WB 8.5 Gee 9.9
good hands through the middle for dogs, Lake, Hargraves, eludes one, goes long, Jones with the big mark!!, 30m out, but misses!!
9:39pm
The Cattery said | 9:39pm | Report comment
Q3
23 min
WB 8.4 Gee 9.9
Murphy streaming through the middle – but no one home! has to back track, dogs picking moments when to have men forward and when not to, working so far tonight, Skinner is on, didn’t get who he replaced
9:38pm
The Cattery said | 9:38pm | Report comment
Q3
22 min
WB 8.4 Gee 9.9
Lake with strong spoil on tomahawk, West with free, long into goal square, dogs clear, Wallis to Jones, Austin with crumbs, Dickson, good mark to Scarlett
9:37pm
The Cattery said | 9:37pm | Report comment
Q3
21 min
WB 8.4 Gee 9.9
Griffen with tap on, Dahlhaus, back to Griffen, Picken, Gia atg bottom of pack, Higgins shanks the left foot snap
9:35pm
The Cattery said | 9:35pm | Report comment
Q3
18 min
WB 8.4 Gee 9.9
tomahawk with mark, he was against Veszpremi who didn’t have much of a chance against the bigger body, only 35m out, gets it!
9:34pm
The Cattery said | 9:34pm | Report comment
Q3
17 min
WB 8.4 Gee 8.9
Stevie J leads down the centre, finds West right on 50m, he can actually make the distance here, he’s going back, will start the run up about 80m from goal! taking his time, hooks it badly! right down Hargraves throat, he was so surprised it nearly knocked him over!
Gia with free and he spots up Dickson right on the boundary, way out wide, 45m out, would take a miracle kick from here, nearly bounced on the line, touched!
9:32pm
The Cattery said | 9:32pm | Report comment
Q3
16 min
WB 8.3 Gee 8.9
that was an important goal, after Chappy got those two quick ones, it was looking dangerous, dogs settled again, rode their luck for that goal, but made it count on the scoreboard
Libba with clearance, Mackie with def mark
9:31pm
The Cattery said | 9:31pm | Report comment
Q3
14 min
WB 8.3 Gee 8.9
Gia outbodied, gives free away for holding Hunt
Enright free through CHF,
Gia gets it on rebound and spots up HIggins about 30m in front, got it down low, slips catch, normally reliable shot, dogs need it, it’s there!
9:29pm
The Cattery said | 9:29pm | Report comment
Q3
13 min
WB 7.3 Gee 8.9
Murphy mopped up in the middle after kick out, dahlhaus, long shot falls short
gets another chance, smothered!
game has sped up last 2 min!
9:27pm
The Cattery said | 9:27pm | Report comment
Q3
12 min
WB 7.3 Gee 8.9
another stoppage in dogs fwd 50, Minson gets the clearance, and Roughead marks on chest, in front of his oponent, 25m out, pretty much straight in front, poster!! that hurts
9:26pm
The Cattery said | 9:26pm | Report comment
Q3
10 min
WB 7.2 Gee 8.9
so cats with 2 goals in 2 minutes, they’ve woken up from their slumber, dogs must be careful here
hard ball get from Cross, quick hands, great work there, dogs hug boundary, just inside 50m now, Enright wrapped up
9:25pm
The Cattery said | 9:25pm | Report comment
Q3
9 min
WB 7.2 Gee 8.9
so both teams trading goals early on, and that handball from tomahawk was clearly a throw!!
Mackie in the middle, and Chappy takes mark in square, 2 metres out, easy goal coming up, goal
9:23pm
The Cattery said | 9:23pm | Report comment
Q3
8 min
WB 7.2 Gee 7.9
tomahawk over the top, find Chappy, running shot, bounces through!!
9:23pm
The Cattery said | 9:23pm | Report comment
Q3
7 min
WB 7.2 Gee 6.9
Cooney goes for a run, Jones on the lead, marks, outside 50m, throw in, cooney again, tackled, ball up
9:22pm
The Cattery said | 9:22pm | Report comment
Q3
6 min
WB 7.2 Gee 6.9
Geelong slow it down now in the middle, tomahawk on the lead, to Stevei J, tries to spot up Chappy, cut off!!
9:21pm
The Cattery said | 9:21pm | Report comment
Q3
4 min
WB 7.2 Gee 6.9
so dogs within a point, and all of a sudden, Geelong’s position in the game not looking as assured, tight ruck contest, Selwood wrapped up by Cooney, Libba with clearnace on second attempt, throw in, next to dogs behind post, dangerous here, Dahlhaus gets it out, Hargrave with snap, on the full
9:19pm
The Cattery said | 9:19pm | Report comment
Q3
3 min
WB 7.2 Gee 6.9
LIbba nails Duncan, holding the ball! he’s only 20m out, nails it!!
9:19pm
The Cattery said | 9:19pm | Report comment
Q3
3 min
WB 6.2 Gee 6.9
Cooney to Murphy, great kick outer side, and Dickson with the contested mark just inside 50m! Dickson from 45m, hits behind post, not a good shot from the dogs forward
9:17pm
The Cattery said | 9:17pm | Report comment
Q3
2 min
WB 6.2 Gee 6.9
Stokes has it now, just inside 50, accepted pass from Corey, well within range, goes for pass to Stevie J, Murphy spoils!!
9:16pm
The Cattery said | 9:16pm | Report comment
Q3
1 min
WB 6.2 Gee 6.9
Geelong with take away, Gia caught holding the ball, Lake spoils on tomahawk, Dahlhause goes for a run
9:15pm
The Cattery said | 9:15pm | Report comment
Almost ready to start 3rd quarter, let’s see if dogs can stay close
we’re off
9:15pm
The Cattery said | 9:15pm | Report comment
players back out on the ground
Chris Scott just mentioned that cats have the disposal efficiency to set up scoring opportunities, just not hurting dogs on the scoreboard
while cats lead kicks and marks, dogs have a huge 35 more handballs over cats, and that’s reflected in the close in work they are doing well in
9:13pm
The Cattery said | 9:13pm | Report comment
although dogs are relying heavily on forcing stoppages to set up chances near goal, and have snapped a few directly from stoppages, two goals that quarter came from marks inside 50m
for cats, tomahawk and Stevie J look dangerous
9:10pm
The Cattery said | 9:10pm | Report comment
dogs kicked 3 of last 4 goals, and came just when it looked like cats were setting themselves up to cruise to a victory
9:09pm
The Cattery said | 9:09pm | Report comment
Enright and Stevie J leading DT points
in fact cats take up top 5 spots before we get to Wallis with goal and 17 disposals, shows perhaps a more even spread of contributions coming from dogs, and some cats players getting some easy uncontested possessions
Pods, Guthrie and LOnergan make up bottom 3
9:07pm
The Cattery said | 9:07pm | Report comment
Cats have had 7 inside 50s more than dogs, lead by 7 pts
8:59pm
The Cattery said | 8:59pm | Report comment
HT
WB 6.2 (38) Gee 6.9 (45)
so dogs scored the last two goals of the quarter to go into the main break only 7 pts behind,
Geelong have looked the better side all night, but the dogs have hung in there with some good scrapping, winning the clearnances, and grabbing goals from stoppages near goal, two goals also came from marks inside 50m
Gia has 2 goals
for the cats, Stevie J absolutely dominated the first 20 min of the quarter, but thereafter, dogs got a bit more of it
Motlop and Hawkings scored goals that quarter
Geelong have huge lead in marks, are cleaner with the ball when they have it, finding the loose man better, but dogs are winning the contested possessions by 19, they are seeking out the stoppages at every opportunity and tyring to win the ball back thorugh clearances
great contest so far!
9:09pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 9:09pm | Report comment
Its a bad sign for Geelong if they cant put the Doggies away …
8:55pm
The Cattery said | 8:55pm | Report comment
Q2
29 min
WB 6.2 Gee 6.9
Roughead with mark on 50m, puts it up, and Gia on the end of it! siren goes! so Gia has a chance, from around 20m out, on the angle, very important kick, it’s there!!
8:54pm
The Cattery said | 8:54pm | Report comment
Q2
27 min
WB 5.2 Gee 6.9
once again, it’s all about the clearances for the dogs,
but this time they force the turnover with good tackling pressure, dogs get it back, Mackie passes to Chappy, just outside 50, called to play on, goes long, dogs force it over – but only just!!
8:52pm
The Cattery said | 8:52pm | Report comment
Q2
26 min
WB 5.2 Gee 6.8
quick transfer of play, throw in now in dogs half fwd area, Wallis with clearance, quick kick, and it dribbles through!
8:51pm
The Cattery said | 8:51pm | Report comment
Q2
25 min
WB 4.2 Gee 6.8
Hunt wiht another defensive mark, against Higgins, plays on, Higgins smothers it out!
8:50pm
The Cattery said | 8:50pm | Report comment
Q2
24 min
WB 4.2 Gee 6.8
cats go striaght down the guts, Stokes misses what he should have taken, throw in, Libba with clearnace, but only as far as Enright
can’t find pods, out for throw in
8:49pm
The Cattery said | 8:49pm | Report comment
Q2
23 min
WB 4.2 Gee 6.8
dogs into fwd 50, but Hunt there all alone for easy mark
8:49pm
The Cattery said | 8:49pm | Report comment
Q2
22 min
WB 4.2 Gee 6.8
so geelong keep the break, dogs gameplan is dependent on keeping scores low, if cats get away here, it’s to plan B
West with a long running shot straight out of the centre square, and hits the post!
8:47pm
The Cattery said | 8:47pm | Report comment
Q2
21 min
WB 4.2 Gee 6.7
free against Lake, holding on tomahawk, some jumper holding, so tomahawk will line it up from 35m, he gets it
8:46pm
The Cattery said | 8:46pm | Report comment
Q2
20 min
WB 4.2 Gee 5.7
Cross, Murphy, Sherman, Boyd, but Chapman mops up, touched, Corey breaks tackle, Stevie J eludes the tackle, plenty of pressure out there!
8:45pm
The Cattery said | 8:45pm | Report comment
Q2
19 min
WB 4.2 Gee 5.7
pack forms on dogs fwd 50, Cooney to Picken, thought he had it, but wrong side of the post! flying shot from inside 50
8:44pm
The Cattery said | 8:44pm | Report comment
Q2
17 min
WB 4.1 Gee 5.7
dogs hang on in there, cats definitely having more opportunities in front of goal, dogs have to take their limited chances to stay in it, quick hand through the middle, Lake storms through,l long kick into 50, clearing mark, Geelong create the loose man, Cross with big spoil in def 50, ball going from one end to the other quite quickly
8:43pm
The Cattery said | 8:43pm | Report comment
Q2
15 min
WB 4.1 Gee 5.7
kick out gets only as far as Enright in middle, but Austin marks his kick in def 50, Boyd, Pearce, the debutant, to Murphy, Dahlhaus goes for a run, into 50 and Jones takes a strong mark, with good body work coming from Minson, Jones will line it up from around the same spot where Griffen just missed – and it’s straight as a die!
8:41pm
The Cattery said | 8:41pm | Report comment
Q2
14 min
WB 3.1 Gee 5.7
crucial period for dogs here, having trouble breaking through, pods with mark outside 50, spots up Stevie J inside 50, and he has had a fantastic quarter, just misses
8:40pm
The Cattery said | 8:40pm | Report comment
Q2
13 min
WB 3.1 Gee 5.6
dogs win 2 on 2 on the wing, and Gia with the mark out wide, plays on, spots up Griffen, about 45m out, 45 degree angle, well within his range, hooks it, on the full
8:39pm
The Cattery said | 8:39pm | Report comment
Q2
12 min
WB 3.1 Gee 5.6
still a handy lead for the cats, no clean takeaway, Murphy slips at the crucial moment, Cross wins the free, bottom of the pack
8:37pm
The Cattery said | 8:37pm | Report comment
Q2
10 min
WB 3.1 Gee 5.6
Cats maintain the 3 goal break they’ve held for much of the match, Stevie J with 8 disposals this quarter
dogs with clearance from centre bounce, and it’s Dickson with the mark, on 40m, not much of an angle, usually reliable, and just sneaks it in!!
8:36pm
The Cattery said | 8:36pm | Report comment
Q2
9 min
WB 2.1 Gee 5.6
snap comes in from Hunt – and he nails it!
8:35pm
The Cattery said | 8:35pm | Report comment
Q2
8 min
WB 2.1 Gee 4.6
Griffen with clearance, dogs still doing well in the clearances, great contest between Scarlett and Gia, and the big cat wins!
8:34pm
The Cattery said | 8:34pm | Report comment
Q2
7 min
WB 2.1 Gee 4.6
Corey witih clearnace, tomahawk with mark out wide, outside 50, hugs boundary, Motlop goes for the impossible shot, across the face
8:33pm
The Cattery said | 8:33pm | Report comment
Q2
6 min
WB 2.1 Gee 4.5
some messy play last couple of minutes, plenty of turnovers
now it’s a free to cats, Hunt squares it, Stevie J again!, puts it into fwd 50, Wallis wins the free to relieve the defence
8:32pm
The Cattery said | 8:32pm | Report comment
Q2
5 min
WB 2.1 Gee 4.5
Murphy’s turn to go for a run, gives off to Roughead, and inexplicably went to give it back to Murphy but missed him by 3 metres!
8:31pm
The Cattery said | 8:31pm | Report comment
Q2
4 min
WB 2.1 Gee 4.5
now it’s Griffen who runs and kicks long, to hot spot, Dahlhaus puts in tackle, Stevie J again is there to clear, he’s almost playing like a sweeper!
and Stevie J again, racking up quick possessions there
8:30pm
The Cattery said | 8:30pm | Report comment
Q2
3 min
WB 2.1 Gee 4.5
dogs have done really well to almost even it up after Geelong started so assuredly
dogs with take away from middle, JOhnson involved in clearing it, wonderful running goal from Motlop, couple of bounces and let fly from 52 m
8:28pm
The Cattery said | 8:28pm | Report comment
Q2
2 min
WB 2.1 Gee 3.5
Cooney with long kick forward, but Gia and Higgins can’t work it out
couple of throw ins, poor clearnce, Gia, gets round one, and drills it!!
8:27pm
The Cattery said | 8:27pm | Report comment
Q2
1 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.5
we’re back, no score added to quarter time score
8:22pm
The Cattery said | 8:22pm | Report comment
QT
WB 1.1 (7) Gee 3.5 (23)
Geelong got three goals on the board relatively early in the quarter, did it with precision passing, at one point let the marks 18 to 3, two goals came from marks on 50m, dogs were able to work their way into it the game by winning the clearances, and eventually HIggins snapped their first directly from a stoppage
Mackie was good early with a goal and 7 disposals
Enright has been good down back, clearing runs, 9 disposals
West the dominant big man on the ground, and has a goal
Wallis good for dogs, 9 disposals
Higgins with their goal, and 8 disposals
8:19pm
The Cattery said | 8:19pm | Report comment
Q1
27 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.5
no score for a while, Bartel with mark on 51m, passes deep into pocket, off hands and out for throw in
8:17pm
The Cattery said | 8:17pm | Report comment
Q1
26 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.5
Cross had a chance then to snap, but went for the impossible pass, cut off
disposal efficiency
cats 72%
dogs 67%
8:16pm
The Cattery said | 8:16pm | Report comment
Q1
25 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.5
Picken cuts it off on the wing, and immediately tackled to the ground, it’s a hot footy these last few seconds, Stephenson works it into fwd 50, Murphy runs on to loose ball to clear, but it’s coming back
8:15pm
The Cattery said | 8:15pm | Report comment
Q1
24 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.5
dogs have settled last few minutes, have worked their way back into the game,
8:14pm
The Cattery said | 8:14pm | Report comment
Q1
23 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.5
dogs were able to take the ball down field from kick out, but stopped last line of defence, and they take it directly down the guts, Pods with a flying shot from 50, behind
8:13pm
The Cattery said | 8:13pm | Report comment
Q1
22 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.4
long set shot from Chappy, touched on the line
8:12pm
The Cattery said | 8:12pm | Report comment
Q1
21 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.3
the trick there was that dogs were able to trap it in fwd 50, force a few stoppages, stop cats from running out, and then dogs got the reward, and HIggins is a good set of hands to snap at goal
in meantime, Geelong in attack, Stevie J tries to set something up, cleared, quick ball movement here,
8:11pm
The Cattery said | 8:11pm | Report comment
Q1
20 min
WB 1.1 Gee 3.3
Higgins snaps from the clearance, from 40m , it’s there! dogs first goal
8:10pm
The Cattery said | 8:10pm | Report comment
Q1
18 min
WB 0.1 Gee 3.3
dogs leading clearances, but cats holding firm in defence so far, and then breaking with a bit of ease, good run, accurate passing to players in space, Wallis to Boyd to Cooney, snaps with left, will be a throw in
8:08pm
The Cattery said | 8:08pm | Report comment
Q1
17 min
WB 0.1 Gee 3.3
free to Jones, tries to spot up Gia, up against two, no chance
8:07pm
The Cattery said | 8:07pm | Report comment
Q1
16 min
WB 0.1 Gee 3.3
Cats lead marks 18 to 3, tells the story, cats are controlling this game, dogs having trouble getting back, and are coughing it up very quickly when they do, signs good for the cats
Vezpremi takes mark on fwd 50, just on his range, he comes in, not a bad try, off line
8:06pm
The Cattery said | 8:06pm | Report comment
Q1
15 min
WB 0.0 Gee 3.3
Stevie J puts it in front of West, running into fwd 50, he makes it, like a rover, and with the outside of the foot he goals!!
8:05pm
The Cattery said | 8:05pm | Report comment
Q1
14 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.3
Bruce describes cats as a creative brick wall – about right so far
Cooney over runs it, back after a bit of time off
good tackle from Gia, Picken, Chapman tackles Gia over the line for throw in, dogs fwd 50
8:04pm
The Cattery said | 8:04pm | Report comment
Q1
13 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.3
Jones holds the mark this time, but puts it straight down Stephenson’s mouth, poor kick, Geelong defence holding very, very firm so far
8:03pm
The Cattery said | 8:03pm | Report comment
Q1
11 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.3
no continuity of possession for dogs so far, cats keeping the footy much better, have the score on the board
Minson with good smother, but West gets it back
Roughead with handball to Griffen,one bounce, goes long, cats clear through Scarlett, Duncan, spots up tomahawk, directly in front – and this is the pattern of the game emerging, tomahawk wil kick from 40m, swung round for a behind
8:01pm
The Cattery said | 8:01pm | Report comment
Q1
10 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.2
Hargrave gets if from Libba for clearance, Cooney, Enright mops up, Scarlett takes it near wing
8:00pm
The Cattery said | 8:00pm | Report comment
Q1
9 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.2
good period here for cats,
dogs having trouble getting the ball back, cats camped in the fwd pocket here
Libba leaves it behind, it wil be another ball up top of the 50m for cats
7:59pm
The Cattery said | 7:59pm | Report comment
Q1
8 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.2
so Geelong have settled the quickest, cleaner ball so far, marks in and around 50m, have come to play, signs are there
Mackie with a good pass, tomahawk plays for the free, throw in
7:58pm
The Cattery said | 7:58pm | Report comment
Q1
6 min
WB 0.0 Gee 2.2
Selwood marks the kick out, right on 50m – that’s a very good kick! goal!!
7:57pm
The Cattery said | 7:57pm | Report comment
Q1
6 min
WB 0.0 Gee 1.2
Vezpremi spins out of trouble in the back pocket position, doesn’t get far, and eventually Hargrave and MInson conspire to rush it
7:56pm
The Cattery said | 7:56pm | Report comment
Q1
6 min
WB 0.0 Gee 1.1
Cross too slow then, top of fwd 50,l locked up, from ball up, Boyd to Sherman, flying shot, Enright marks on the line, Geelong looking more composed early on
7:55pm
The Cattery said | 7:55pm | Report comment
Q1
5 min
WB 0.0 Gee 1.1
out of the ruck, Tomahawk off the ground, grazes the goal post!
7:55pm
The Cattery said | 7:55pm | Report comment
Q1
4 min
WB 0.0 Gee 1.0
Hunt strong in a couple of contests, off ground, deep in fwd pocket for Geelong, throw in,
West gets the tap, quick snap, across the face
7:53pm
The Cattery said | 7:53pm | Report comment
Q1
2 min
WB 0.0 Gee 1.0
Cats finally get out, and its Stokes with the mark right on 50m, plays on quickly, hands to Mackie, and puts it through!
7:52pm
The Cattery said | 7:52pm | Report comment
Q1
19 min to go
WB 0.0 Gee 0.0
cats with free in back pocket, trying to work their way out of defence
7:51pm
The Cattery said | 7:51pm | Report comment
we’re off
Libba with first kick of the night, Cooney keeps it in, Griffen, set up Vrezpemi, ball up inside dogs 50m
7:50pm
The Cattery said | 7:50pm | Report comment
bookends are keys tonight for respective sides: Lake and Scarlett
two skippers: Boyd and Selwood
7:50pm
The Cattery said | 7:50pm | Report comment
dogs looking for 5th win in 6 games to put them well and truly in the hunt for a finals spot
7:49pm
The Cattery said | 7:49pm | Report comment
Geelong going to the coventry end
7:49pm
The Cattery said | 7:49pm | Report comment
Selwood wins the toss
7:49pm
The Cattery said | 7:49pm | Report comment
Commentators referring to the Josh Hunt “incident”, of no consequence, if anything, he hit the ball extra hard first time
7:48pm
The Cattery said | 7:48pm | Report comment
a couple of minutes to first bounce
7:46pm
The Cattery said | 7:46pm | Report comment
Skinner and Simpkin the subs tonight
7:45pm
The Cattery said | 7:45pm | Report comment
Ayce Cordy a late omission for the dogs, replaced by Liam Jones, a 2nd chance for him
7:43pm
The Cattery said | 7:43pm | Report comment
dogs out
McCartney just gave interview
7:41pm
The Cattery said | 7:41pm | Report comment
10 min to go
cats out on the field, Chris Scott getting interviewed
such an important game this, there’s a log jam of teams directly above Geelong and the bulldogs, the loser will find it it hard to stay in touch with the top 8, and if it’s Geelong that loses tonight – their hopes of retaining the premiership cup worsen considerably
7:33pm
The Cattery said | 7:33pm | Report comment
Daniel Pearce has just been presented with his jumper out in the middle by his team mates.
6:41pm
GrantS said | 6:41pm | Report comment
I agree with your comments regarding Giansiracusa and the Doggies better hope he does not get injured.
Never the less I have stuck my neck out and gone for the Bulldogs by 5 points. I feel if a couple of their forwards can extract the digit then they should be able to get enough goals to win this. Having said that I would not be at all surprised if the Cats, a team I have admired for several years, decide to get their act together this evening and blow the Dogs out of the arena. (I hope not as I got very nice odds on the Bulldogs).
7:23pm
The Cattery said | 7:23pm | Report comment
GrantS
that’s the dilemma – a lot of the stats point towards a dogs victory – but everyone is thinking tonight is the night Geelong finally get their act together!
6:35pm
The Cattery said | 6:35pm | Report comment
Daniel Pearce, no. 20, is debuting for the bulldogs tonight.
He’s described as an athletic midfielder with a natural leap, 181cm, 19 yo.
Played basketball for the Bulleen Boomers.
Has footy smarts and clean ball handling.
6:33pm
The Cattery said | 6:33pm | Report comment
Jonathon Simpkin is debutin tonight for Geelong.
He’s come through the Geelong Falcons and has been elevated off the rookie list.
He’s a tough midfielder, 181 cm, 24 yo, won Geelong’s VFL B&F last season.
Handy around goals, has previously spent time on Sydney’s rookie list.
5:23pm
The Cattery said | 5:23pm | Report comment
Nice vid promoting tonight’s game:
https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23AFLDogsCats/slideshow/videos?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlSuhluc8U50
5:16pm
The Cattery said | 5:16pm | Report comment
SC confessions.
Tonight I have Lake and Boyd for the Dogs, and Stephenson of the cats is one of my emergencies.
5:12pm
The Cattery said | 5:12pm | Report comment
It might be dry under the roof, but it will be very cool.
5:03pm
The Cattery said | 5:03pm | Report comment
Daniel Pearce will debut for the dogs tonight; Jonathon Simpkin will debut for the Cats.
5:11pm
The Cattery said | 5:11pm | Report comment
The young pup is first in the rooms:
http://instagr.am/p/LCmI5UwykN/
4:51pm
The Cattery said | 4:51pm | Report comment
The Dogs are currently top 4 for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s. If they can improve their efficiency going forward, they are definitely in this match.
Geelong are bottom four for contested possessions.
But Geelong are overwhelming favourites with the bookies.
4:46pm
The Cattery said | 4:46pm | Report comment
Wet in Melbourne, MCG will be closing a few gates for tomorrow’s game – luckily we’re under the roof tonight.
4:42pm
The Cattery said | 4:42pm | Report comment
Interesting column from Robert Walls in today’s Age, about the aging Cats. Experts were quick to dismiss Geelong last year, before they won their third premiership in 5 years, and for this reason, experts have been very wary about writing off the cats so far this season. As Walls points out, some of the key indicators, like hard ball gets and contested possessions are way, way off what they have been in recent years, and this definitely keeps the door open for the dogs.