The Geelong Cats have moved to the top of the AFL ladder with a 57-point win over the Western Bulldogs, continuing to press their case as a premiership contender in 2016.
REPORT: DANGER AND THE CATS DOMINATE DOGS
Final score
Geelong 16.4.100
Bulldogs 5.13.43
The Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats will both be looking to consolidate their place in the all-important top four when they clash in the match of the round at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Cats are coming off an impressive 31-point win over the top placed Kangaroos last week, led by star recruit Patrick Dangerfield who finished with 48 possessions in one of the most impressive individual performances of recent times.
Along with captain Joel Selwood, the two midfield dynamos finished with 44 contested possessions between them. Up forward the Cats were well served by Daniel Menzel and Shane Kersten who kicked seven goals between them and helped ease the loss of power forward Tom Hawkins, who missed through suspension.
The Bulldogs are coming off a nail-biting three-point win last week over Port Adelaide, led by their young gun Marcus Bontempelli who finished with 29 disposals.
The win was even more meritorious when you consider the Dogs were missing four of their starting defenders in Bob Murphy, Marcus Adams, Jason Johannisen and Easton Wood plus they lost key midfielder Luke Dalhaus with a knee injury.
The Dogs will welcome back Adams back into the side, timely as he will asked to tackle Hawkins who returns from suspension for the Cats in what will be one of the key duels in the match.
This will be an exciting clash with talent all across the ground. The midfield will dictate who gains ascendancy and the Cats have been very pleased with the form of ruck recruit Zac Smith.
The former Sun has had an excellent past two weeks, matching Shane Mumford two weeks ago and having the better of Todd Goldstein last week, although Goldstein seem hampered. Smith with the help of Mark Blicavs will play a key role against the Dogs ruck duo of Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead and will decide who gains all important first use out of the middle.
Prediction
The Dogs will find it hard to score against a very organised Cats backline led by Harry Taylor. Dogs forward Jake Stringer struggled last week until he was thrown on a wing in the last quarter and kicked two crucial goals. The Dogs will need more from him and Jack Redpath who kicked four goals last week.
Menzel has been selected by the Cats but he may be in some doubt after rolling his ankle last week on Etihad’s astro turf.
Injuries to some key players for the Dogs may cost them in a close contest.
Cats by 12 points.
peter chrisp
Guest
What can i say The Cats were amazing now on top of the ladder hammering the lacklustre Bulldogs how far can The Cats go this year?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Danger is going to a new level we haven't seen before - perhaps even higher than Fyfe last year. Thanks for the call.
Cat
Roar Guru
Best part is, as good as Danger has been, he's making those around him better too. It's what Ablest at Gold Coast was just never able to do sadly.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Good prediction there at 3/4 time Rick. You should be happy, that was a tremendous performance. I've covered Cats on here last two weeks and Dangerfield has been just amazing.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT The Geelong Cats sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition after a dominant performance to defeat fellow top four contenders the Western Bulldogs by 57 points at Etihad Stadium. Led once again by a magnificent performance by midfield duo Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, the Cats set up their impressive victory in the first half where they outscored the Bulldogs by ten goals to one. Dangerfield produced a virtuoso best on ground for the second week in a row and followed up his 48 possession performance last week with 37 possessions, 19 of which were contested. He also laid some telling tackles and kicked the goal of the night when he kicked a goal from 55 metres out on the boundary. He was ably supported in the midfield by Selwood along with Jimmy Bartel, Motlop and Mitch Duncan as the Cats continually denied the Bulldogs the chance to use the corridor. The Cats defence was superb again and the Bulldogs struggled to get the ball past half forward in the first half. The Dogs badly lacked a focal point as the Cats defenders led by Harry Taylor and Corey Enright cleaned up at will. By half time the marks inside forward 50 was 14 to one in favour of the Cats. The Cats forwards also played their part, pressuring the Dogs defenders into making mistakes and forcing turnovers. Daniel Menzel kicked four to make it eight goals in the last two weeks. For the Bulldogs they would have been disappointed with the effort. Their only bright spot was the third quarter where, led by Lachie Hunter and Tom Liberatore they mounted a spirited fightback outscoring the Cats four goals to one to give themselves an outside chance in the last quarter. But once again led by Patrick Dangerfield the Cats re-asserted their dominance and quickly extinguished any chance of a comeback with the first two goals of the quarter. An outstanding all round performance by the Cats and one that could see them roar to premiership favouritism. FINAL SCORES GEELONG 16.4.100 BULLDOGS 5.13.43 VOTES 3. Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) - 85 possessions in last two weeks. Brilliant again tonight with 37 disposals, 19 contested, 9 clearances 2. Joel Selwood (Geel) - Along with Dangerfield played a huge part in setting this win up with a great first half. 1. Corey Enright (Geel) - 93% disposal efficiency and just cleaned up in the back half, rarely made a mistake.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
...and to think I was only out by 5 points too. Alright...who's next!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN at Etihad and a huge impressive win by the Cats by 57 points BULLDOGS 5 . 13 . 43 GEELONG 16 . 4 . 100
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Dangerfield again scoots away on the wing and kicks to Hawkins who marks again 30m out. Kicks around the corner for another GOAL. Century up for the Cats. BULLDOGS 5 . 13 . 43 GEELONG 16 . 4 . 100 Q4 1'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Danger to Murdoch who then finds Hawkins 30m out near the boundary. Good kick for another GOAL BULLDOGS 5 . 13 . 43 GEELONG 15 . 4 . 94 Q4 3'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Another excellent transition by the Cats, they move it forward,,,Dangerfield to Gregson to Menzel in the gola square and Menzel kicks his fourth of the night. BULLDOGS 5 . 13 . 43 GEELONG 14 . 4 . 88 Q4 5'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Caddy looked like he may have injured his knee, didn't look too good on the replay.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Game petering out, Cats playing keepings off
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Last 10 mins now and Cats well in control by 39 points
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Stringer receiving treatment on the bench
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Ball up in the Cats half forward...Dangerfield takes it on the boundary..runs to just outside 50...and kicks a magnificent GOAL!!! Wow! BULLDOGS 5 . 13 . 43 GEELONG 13 . 4 . 82 Q4 14'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Dangerfield back on the ground
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Daniel marks and breaks away at half forward..long to Picken who marks at 40m out. Lines up and kicks....to the left for a point BULLDOGS 5 . 13 . 43 GEELONG 12 . 4 . 76 Q4 15'
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Corked hip possibly for Dangerfield
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Cats dominating opening few minutes
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Dangerfield hobbling off