The Geelong Cats proved to be too good for North Melbourne on Saturday night, downing the Roos by 31 points, with the talking point being a 48-disposal, 2-goal game from Patrick Dangerfield.
REPORT: DANGERFIELD LEADS CATS TO WIN
Final score
Geelong Cats 15.15.105
North Melbourne Kangaroos 12.2.74
It’s a match-of-the-round heavyweight clash between two of the top three teams when the Geelong Cats host the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Cats broke a two-game losing streak last week by defeating the Giants at home after surprise losses to the Pies and Blues. The Cats’ forward press applied tremendous pressure to the Giants’ defence, causing them to turn the ball over continuously.
The Cats dominated the inside 50 count 76-48 and the final margin of ten points was not a true reflection of their dominance. The Cats were led again by midfield dynamos Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield, both of whom were coming off flat recent performances.
They would have also been happy with the performance of former Suns ruckman Zac Smith who competed well against the Giants’ Shane Mumford.
Smith will have his hands full again when he has to take on North’s All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein who returns from injury. Majak Daw is unlucky to miss out after a good performance last week.
The Roos are coming off a huge 70-point win over the Tigers last week in Hobart a week after suffering their first loss of the season against the Swans. Led by Daniel Wells and Ben Cunnington, the Roos outplayed and outworked the lethargic Tigers winning the tackle count 94-58.
The Roos will need their tall forwards to play better against a stingy and well organised Cats defence. Drew Petrie and Ben Brown have struggled somewhat and need to lift. Along with Jarrad Waite, the three tall forwards have kicked only 15 goals between them in the last six weeks.
The Cats suffered a big blow during the week when key forward Tom Hawkins was suspended and Rhys Stanley and Shane Kersten will need to take up the reins in what looks a slightly undersized forward line.
Prediction
The midfield will be where this is won and lost with two of the league’s best midfields clashing. I think the Roos will just hold the edge.
North by 22 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:25pm (AEST).
Perry Bridge
Guest
Well - given the anticipation of a midfield battle - North were severely hamstrung with Swallow out early and Cunnington with his quad strapped heavily unable to run and Dal Santo with his abductor struggling to raise a gallop. There seriously were times when the Geelong mids seemed to be in a training drill run around witches hats. North surprised massively to be in front by 3 goals midway through the 2nd. Were still managing to force Geelong wide - it's not as if many of the Geelong misses were gimmes. North rebound generally caught Geelong out. If only for a fit midfield. Hard to get a read on this game. Geelong 30 scores to 14 so yes - lucky to be that close however there was also a reflection on forward structures and efficiency. So - would Hawkins straighten Geelong up that much? Tarrant was super for North so that was a factor. What did we learn? Probably not much. Perhaps as some newspaper commentators have indicated - North at very least 'retained' credibility. Now - next weeks - Geelong actually has a very interesting and testing 6 matches coming up - Doggies twice, Saints (which version will turn up) Swans, Dockers (regaining some mojo - may yet shape the 8) and the flying Crows. North have to cope with a fixturing rogering - successive 6 day breaks culminating in a trip to Adelaide taking on a team off the back of the Crows bye. Could the AFL have got this one any more wrong??
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Click here for the full match report from this game VOTES 3. Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) - no brainer here, just continually won the ball and used well. Work rate was extraordinary. Dominated like no player has for a long time. 2. Joel Selwood (Geel) - worked superbly with Dangerfield and they accounted for ahlf of Cats' clearances. 1. Shane Kersten (Geel) - could have given this vote to a number of Cats, Taylor, Menzel, Smith, but the Cats were struggling up forward until late in the second quarter when Kersten started to become influential. Kicked three in the third quarter onslaught and had a hand in a couple of others, including a clever tap to Menzel.
hal
Guest
Great win. 48 disposals to Dangerfield. We smashed them in the mid field. We are back on track after teo good wins against two top sides.
McHuge
Guest
"I know you don't like to talk up Geelong too much Lingy" That's ALL he likes to do!!!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN at Etihad and the Cats have run out winners by 31 points. GEEL 15 . 15 . 105 NTHM 12 . 2 . 74
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
44,045 attendance for tonight
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
North go forward...long kick finds Wood 25m out. He'll line up for his second. Kicks it through for a GOAL. GEEL 15 . 15 . 105 NTHM 12 . 2 . 74 Q4 1'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Menzel kicks it inside 50...Duncan tries to pass it off but is disposessed...ball falls free..Motlop kicks it out of mid air for an GOAL. Freak kick GEEL 15 . 15 . 105 NTHM 11 . 2 . 68 Q4 3'
hal
Guest
Motlop magic.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
4 miuntes left and the Cats doing it easily now by 31 points, 99-68
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Kersren combines with Ruggles...who passes to Duncan who gets the free 40m out....misses to the left GEEL 14 . 14 . 98 NTHM 11 . 2 . 68 Q4 7'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Atley looks like he has twisted his ankle...coming off
hal
Guest
Dangerfield started that play and he finished it off. Awesome running and he deserved that goal. 3 brownlow votes.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Dangerfield bursts from half back to start the attack...handballs to Motlop then keeps running to receive the pass by Motlop 40m out..amazing!! Then kicks the GOAL! GEEL 14 . 12 . 96 NTHM 11 . 2 . 68 Q4 11'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Oh Mullett turns it over deep in defence...Menzel great intercept and quickly snaps his fifth!! We're starting to see what this bloke is capable of. Mercurial performance this second half....actually the review has ruled touched! Well there you go. GEEL 13 . 12 . 90 NTHM 11 . 2 . 68 Q4 15'
hal
Guest
I agree Lou: Taylor is back to his best and of course Selwood is ever reliable as always.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Atley under pressure from Guthrie deep in defence throws it and Guthrie will line up from 30m out...acute angle...misses everthing
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Oh and lets not forget Selwood!!
hal
Guest
Not saying it is done and dusted yet but it is close to it after that Duncan goal.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Kersten smart handball to Blicavs...looks for Menzel who sneaks a clever pass to Duncan 30m out. Makes no mistake and first goal of the quarter to the Cats GEEL 13 . 11 . 89 NTHM 11 . 2 . 68 Q4 18'