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Geelong coach Chris Scott has lauded the courageous nature of the Cats’ nine-point AFL triumph over Gold Coast, a victory achieved under extreme adversity.
With key forward Tom Hawkins missing the match due to family reasons and multiple premiership-winning stars Jimmy Bartel, Mathew Stokes and Tom Lonergan all suffering game-ending injuries, the Cats would have had every excuse to fold against a Suns outfit desperate to win for the first time under the stewardship of Rodney Eade.
But with skipper Joel Selwood leading the charge, the Cats kicked six straight goals in the third quarter and then held tough in the last to win for the first time in 2015, 16.9 (105) to 13.18 (96).
“Collectively we played very, very poorly, and we probably coached poorly in the first half as well, a lot of stuff was going wrong,” said Scott.
“But it was all turned around, and turned around under adversity as well – Hawkins going out, Bartel out of the game very early on, Stokes out of the game after that, Lonergan out of the game after that.
We’re a different side, we’ve got different players in there who haven’t played much footy, but as I said to the players post-game, it’s games like that that you can build cultures around.
“As I’ve said a few times during the week, I’m sick of hearing what Geelong used to be, we’re what we are now.
“The second half was something to build on.”
The Cats were down to one fit interchange player for all of the final term after Lonergan was stretchered off after being accidentally kneed in the head in a marking contest by Sam Day.
Twice the Suns got within three points, but the Cats were able to answer every challenge, finally sealing the result in the final minute with a long bomb from Mark Blicavs.
Fringe forward Josh Walker made the most of his late call-up as Hawkins’ replacement, booting a career-high four goals for Geelong.
Selwood was bested by opponent Michael Rischitelli in the first half, but was able to turn the tables when the match was on the line.
“I don’t reckon he’s driven by his own performance as much as he is taking his own teammates with him, the message is more to his teammates,” said Scott.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with this guy.”
Gold Coast were well served by key forward Tom Lynch (three goals), Rischitelli, Harley Bennell and Jack Martin.
But it was still a third straight loss for the Suns, who were playing without skipper Gary Ablett, out indefinitely with an ongoing shoulder problem.
“Sometimes you don’t play as well and you’ve got to take your chances, but today we did play very well and won a lot of the indicators,” said Eade of a match where his team had more scoring shots and inside 50s than the victors.
“But we just missed some shots that we shouldn’t have, at some stages.
“That was the only thing really.
“For the bulk of the day I was really pleased with their effort.”
Bartel was subbed out of Sunday’s match during the opening quarter with a knee injury, while Stokes injured his left ankle.
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