The Geelong Cats celebrated their milestone men with a 25-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, but the comfortable victory wasn’t the result of any lack of effort by the Bulldogs.
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Coming into this match having lost five senior players to injury when teams were named, the Bulldogs were hit even harder during the match, as Tom Liberatore (ankle) and Jackson Macrae (hamstring) both saw their nights end early.
Despite those disadvantages, the Bulldogs really took it up to the Cats. They were just a single point behind them at quarter time and a goal behind at the half.
The Dogs even had a short burst during the third quarter where they were dominating the play and could have jumped into a significant lead – unfortunately, they managed just six behinds and no goals from that quarter, allowing Geelong to slip out to an advantage that they wouldn’t be able to run down.
The Cats performed consistently well throughout the night and their accurate kicking on goal, finishing with 16.7, proved to be the difference in a match where both sides had the same number of scoring shots.
Jimmy Bartel in his 300th game and Corey Enright, breaking the games record for the club, were well-honored by their teammates, something the club would’ve been glad to see after coughing up a heartbreaking loss to Melbourne in Enright’s 300th last year.
Bulldogs players and officials including some former Geelong teammates now on the Dogs’ coaching staff and injured Dogs skipper Bob Murphy lined up alongside the Cats players in a guard of honour to see the two legends of the game off after the match ended.
One very positive note from the Bulldogs, Tom Boyd played arguably the best game of his short career to date, hopefully silencing a few criticisms. Three goals and a handy contributor in brief spurts in the ruck, he has a future.
The Cats now sit at second on the ladder but, of course, with eight games still to come this week that could fluctuate a bit. In their four remaining games they have no more top eight opponents and so have a chance to really finish off the year strongly.
The Dogs on the other hand are seventh and may be overtaken by North Melbourne this weekend, if the Roos win tomorrow night by a sizeable margin. Coincidentally, the Roos are their opponents next week. They’ll be sweating on the fitness of Liberatore and Macrae, along with some of their other outs, ahead of that crucial clash.
Final score
Geelong 16.7.103
Western Bulldogs 11.12.78
The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
3: Rhys Stanley – played largely as a forward with Zac Smith taking the lion’s share of the ruckwork and that set-up worked out splendidly with Stanley booting five goals straight. Cats would love to see more of that in September.
2: Patrick Dangerfield – 33 touches, 17 contested possessions, six clearances, ten inside 50s and three goals without a blemish – yeah, this guy is pretty good at footy.
1: Steven Motlop – 21 touches of the footy and three goals is exactly the kind of performance the Cats want to get out of this guy more consistently. A star when at his best. Two goal assists also.
mattyb
Guest
IHP,they are very kind words,thank you. As a doggies man I also enjoy your posts along with Dougies,berrlins and PaulW. Having followed our magnificent club for over 40 years this is easily the best young list I believe we have ever had. I was also very vocal at the beginning of the year that it is also the deepest and in some ways we have shown that this year. I'm very proud of our club and thankful towards them that they give me great joy and I don't have to do that much in return. I will be continuing to talk about our club in the very positive fashion I believe they deserve. Go Doggies,woof woof.
Paul W
Guest
And have Brisbane, Collingwood, and Freo been competitive despite their injuries ? No, but the Dogs have continued to be so. The other sides in the 8 injuries just don't compare to ours. Losing around 2 players per week and often in game has made for a horrendous season. Six ACLs in two years, one of the worst broken leg injuries we've ever seen. lengthy absences to key players in JJ, Dahlhaus, Wood, Adams, McLean, Clay Smith, Campbell, Suckling and now Libba and MacRae.
I hate pies
Guest
Matty, "his area of expertise is law and communism"; that's gold! As a doggies man I always enjoy your posts, and this is one of the best. Interestingly, the dogs game plan is like communism in the footy field; maybe Peter's reach has gone a step too far? Although, if he lands Hurley I'll be happy with the intrusion.
D Fitz
Roar Rookie
Don't let them get at you matyb. Who among those lot lost their captain in the early rounds for the rest of the season.
mattyb
Guest
Well roll me over and call me Britney,what a post. Hyperbole? The Dogs are missing over half their first choice side,five first choice defenders missing including their inspirational captain,the only first choice defender playing,Wood, has also missed a large chunk of the season,this on top of the injuries that have been a constant since round two. Anyone who questions the bravery of this genuinely young list is living in denial. This side has hung on for dear life through enormous adversity and flourished. To deny the performance last night wasn't one of the most heroic performance imaginable is insane.
me too
Guest
God, the hyperbole coming out of the Doggies camp. Brisbane, Collingwood, and Freo have had far worse seasons injury wise - all season. The Giants and North have had similar injury problems, and the Hawks and Swans close as well. That comparison is in both numbers and quality. Admirable team and i love how they go about it, but overhyped to buggery by their supporters. The bravest and best team in the league? Seriously? They'll finish about were they belong - fringe of top four -likely 6th again. Not as good as the top four teams in the comp and results have proved it. But they're young and will improve and should be a real contender next year. They will have competition next year from other young teams - GWS obviously, the Saints, Collingwood, and Melbourne. Then we have Adelaide, the Swans, Geelong, and the ageless Hawks. Won't be easy, but they have something special about them.
D Fitz
Roar Rookie
mattyb, Thank you for your response. Sounds bad management of those injuries. Think you should make your views known at the WB club.
mattyb
Guest
On a side note to last night's game I was staggered when BT informed us that the trainers were applying an ice pack to Libbas ankle to dry off the sweat so they could apply the sticky adhesive so he could return to the field only to be informed by Richo that usually it means the player will not be returning,why do you think they invented that piece of cloth more commonly referred to as a towel BT?
mattyb
Guest
D.Fritz,hello. I have no idea really but the club must do a thorough investigation over the pre season and Peter Gordon should keep his nose out of it as his area of expertise is law and communism rather than medical. Maybe it's the harder surface at the docklands? The dogs lost their fitness chief Cordy last year to the Gold coast,maybe this is a factor? Club doctor Gary Zimmerman has been at the club for a long time maybe he is to old school? I have for some time though had concerns over player welfare down at the club and I hope this becomes part of the investigation. Last year Clay Smith was injured only to be put back on the ground to rupture his ACL and only last week we saw the same thing happen with Redpath. Over the season Dahlhaus injured his medial and was put back on for a short period before again coming off then missing many weeks and the same occurred with Suckling with an injured ankle. Adams played on with an injured foot and has since yet to return,these player welfare issues concern me a great deal. Maybe it's bad luck but even if this is the case the issues I have raised above certainly don't help the situation. Like any review or investigation though it is important to have the right people do the investigation and the wrong people kept away,hopefully this is what occurs.
D Fitz
Roar Rookie
Mattyb, Why are all the injuries happening? Is it the WB game style or plan ? This riddle must be solved to progress next year.
Slane
Guest
For the first time ever I am jealous of the Doggies. An incredible amount of heart and such a young and talented list. If their list can stay healthy for any full season over the next 5 years they would have to be in with a chance for a flag. I wish my Tiges played with half the heart and mongrel the bulldogs have shown this season. I only hope that GWS doesn't end up robbing Bulldog fans of their long awaited, and much deserved, premiership
D Fitz
Roar Rookie
Mattyb, Why are all the injuries happening? Is it the WB game style or plan ? This riddle must be solved to progress.
mattyb
Guest
Giovanni,I think every single dogs fan will acknowledge our history at Kardinia Park is not good. Being a very working class club with working class values I believe the inbred country nature of the suburb/ground/crowd has always had a very unsettling feeling for both the players and fans alike. Next year will be huge for the doggies but we can still reach our goal of winning a final this year. If the wafer thin Geelong list is hitting top form though they are going to be even less of a threat this September than even I imagine.
Giovanni Torre
Guest
The Dogs record at KP is woeful - 14 wins... ever. But with half their players out - and with the Cats hitting top form last week - they threw the kitchen sink at them. 25 points a bit flattering to the home side. With a bit of luck the Dogs would be on target for a flag this season. Hopefully they have a better run with injuries in 2017.
mattyb
Guest
The Western Bulldogs once again proved they are not only the best side in the league but also the bravest. I'm sure all our supporters are extremely proud. Libba and Macrae can be added to the injury list now but the Dogs will continue to soldier on. Young Tom Boyd really played well tonight and I think he is developing rather well,he's going to be a great player,Dahl showed what a wonderful player he is and we have really missed him while he has been out and Bontempelli just oozes class and again showed that even at such a young age he is now the second best player in the league,to become the best will be a challenge as Fyfe is simply brilliant but I put nothing past this young dynamo. It's probably time to lower the bar and while the Dogs have spent most of the year as premiership favorites surely the injury toll is becoming an obstacle. My hopes are to now to win a final and set this genuinely young list up for next year. Unite and be proud doggie fans,our time is still coming and our club gives us immeasurable joy,even through these extremely unlucky times. Votes 5. Dahlhaus 4. Bontempelli 3. Boyd 2. Hunter 1. Liberatore
Jones
Guest
To good or a few lucky breaks! More like inbetween good to average.