The Geelong Cats have gotten their season back on track with a strong five-goal win over the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Geelong Cats 12.13.85
Adelaide Crows 7.13.55
All eyes will be on Geelong this Saturday night, as the Geelong Cats host the Adelaide Crows in the definitive AFL match of the round. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:20pm.
Geelong spent a portion of the season as premiership favourites, but a month of shaky football has seen them tumble out of the top four.
Two straight losses to the Saints and the Swans brought the doubters, and they did nothing to quiet them a week ago in Perth in an unimpressive narrow win over the Dockers. Patrick Dangerfield has been the star for the Cats, as he’s been a match-winner numerous times this year, and is almost unbackable as the Brownlow favourite.
In direct contrast, the Crows are the hottest team in football, and will most likely feel slighted by the fact they go in to this one as underdogs. They’ve strung together eight-straight wins, and sit comfortably inside the top four.
However, their last loss was to these Cats at Adelaide Oval, and it was a game that wasn’t as close as the scoreboard suggested. If they can score at the same rate they have been all season, the Cats will have a tough time stopping them.
The Cats have made two changes to the side that scraped past Fremantle, with Jed Bews and Jimmy Bartel coming into the side. They come in at the expense of Jordan Murdoch and Lachie Henderson, the latter of who as struggled with concussion issues.
The Crows will also make two changes, with Paul Seedsman and David Mackay both omitted from the side. Luke Brown and Rory Laird will both return to the senior side.
The match will be won and lost in the midfield, as these two sides have superstars peppered through that part of the ground. If the Crows can get on top, their forward line will have way too much for the Cats’ defence. However, if the Cats can dominate (and if Dangerfield can put in another three-vote performance), they’ll be very hard to beat in front of one of the best home crowds in the country.
Prediction: All good things must come to an end, and I think this may be the weekend where the Crows’ bubble bursts. The Cats have a massive home-field advantage, and they should ride that to a narrow victory
Cats by 9
Giddy
Guest
Here here. We don't even get live Perth games in Regional WA.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report MVP VOTING 3. Corey Enright: What a display from the "old-timer". 31 disposals, and seemed to repel any attack that came towards his general vicinity. A big reason why the Crows couldn't score tonight. 2. Jimmy Bartel: From one old fella to another. Bartel was rested last week, and he looked to have appreciated that rest with 34 touches and 9 clearances. A lot of his work came with the game in the balance during the first half. 1. Patrick Dangerfield: He wasn't in the running at three quarter time if I'm honest, but his numbers were once again too good to ignore. Led all comers with 36 touches, and combined that with 6 clearances and 6 tackles for a well-rounded performance.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME A big win for the Cats, as they get inside the Top 4 with a 30-point win over the Adelaide Crows. It was a tight first half, as the two sides traded goals for the majority of the period. Josh Jenkins kicked three goals for the Crows, as they trailed by a single point going into the second half. Then the Cats blew it open in the third quarter, as they kicked five goals to nothing in a game-winning display. Menzel and Hawkins got on top of their respective opponent's, as they both picked up four majors in the win. The fourth quarter was a bit of a non-event, as the Crows never really challenged. They will fall outside the Top 4 on the back of this loss, and they could face a tough task getting back in considering the quality of the sides above them. Thanks for joining me for this Saturday Night clash. The Saints got the better of the Bulldogs by 15-points in the other clash tonight, meaning the Bulldogs will also struggle to reclaim their Top 4 spot.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Great coaching & discipline tonight by the Cats. Bottom 4 teams should all watch this game: if you hold structure and have confidence in your coaches plan, winning usually follows. Crows not the best tonight, but I got the feeling they were made to look ordinary tonight. Probably the happiest I've been with my boys all year - great stuff! Thanks for the call Joel. GO CATS!
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
1' Selwood pinged for holding it on the wing, so the Cats will get one last chance. Now Rory Laird is caught in the midfield, but he's been given the benefit of the doubt. First gamer Menegola was fired up about that decision. Cats 12.13 85 Crows 7.13 55
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CROWS 2' This game has lost all its sting now. Cameron sends the ball inside 50, and Lynch gains possession. Crouch now has space, but he's missed with the snap. Matt Crouch has probably been the best in a beaten side. Cats 12.13 85 Crows 7.13 55
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
3' Dangerfield puts one into the fifth row of the grandstand, so the Crows will go forward. Enright reads it best again, as he repels the attack. Cats 12.13 85 Crows 7.12 54
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CATS 5' Great ball movement through the middle of the ground for the Cats, and it finishes with Duncan running to 50. He should goal from here, but the footy is touched on the line by Brodie Smith. Cats 12.13 85 Crows 7.12 54
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
7' Dangerfield tackled well by Lynch, but he still manages to go back in and win the hardball. Not his best night, but he's still had some good moments. The Cats are out now through Duncan. Cats 12.12 84 Crows 7.12 54
Paul D
Roar Guru
Bit of a junk time goal that one, Geelong easing back on the oars now
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CROWS 8' Tom Lynch reads it well of hands at half back, and the Crows will go coast-to-coast. Douglas still has some work to do inside 50, but his snap is off the top shelf. Charlie Cameron back on the ground here. Cats 12.12 84 Crows 7.12 54
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CATS 8' Tom Hawkins with a mark on the lead. His attempt at five will just slide across the face. Cats 12.12 84 Crows 6.12 48
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CATS 9' Hawkins has four!! He just gets rid of Hartigan before snapping a goal!! Much needed performance for the big man. Cats 12.11 83 Crows 6.12 48
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CATS 10' Dangerfield hacks the footy forward, and Brown is set upon immediately. Dangerfield waddling off the field with a knock to a tender area. Guthrie will miss from 40 out. Cats 11.11 77 Crows 6.12 48
Paul D
Roar Guru
Now Motlop hurts himself trying to ride in on menzels coattails. Really having a shocker tonight
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CATS 11' That'll just about do it!! Menzel with a soccer off the deck, and it just trickles through for a major. Cats 11.10 76 Crows 6.12 48
Paul D
Roar Guru
Cameron in real trouble there too, that looked really unpleasant
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
12' The Cats go inside 50, where Hawkins gets a clever tap away to Menzel. He handballs away to Motlop, who sells a nice bit of candy. He'll go with the outside of the boot, but he doesn't get it right at all. Now Charlie Cameron stays down with a knee injury. Doesn't look to bad on replay, but he was asking for attention as soon as he hit the ground. Cats 10.10 70 Crows 6.12 48
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CROWS 14' For those interested in the other game, Mitch Wallis has just suffered a sickening broken leg. Really bad news for the Bulldogs. Nakia Cockatoo misses a golden opportunity in our game. Cats 10.10 70 Crows 6.12 48
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CROWS 15' The Crows are dominating this final quarter so far, as Atkins squeezes one out of the pack. It's not straight. Cats 10.9 69 Crows 6.12 48