The Geelong Cats defeated the Brisbane Lions by 60 points at the Gabba on Sunday.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Brisbane 10.9.69
Geelong 19.15.129
Two teams at the opposite ends of the ladder meet at the Gabba, as the Brisbane Lions host the Geelong Cats. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 3:20pm (AEST).
Let’s be honest. This probably won’t be a particularly close contest.
Geelong are getting to the business end of what has already been a very successful season. They sit in fourth and would expect to win both of their remaining games and ensure a double chance in the finals.
Brisbane on the other hand are only being kept off the bottom of the ladder by the suspension-afflicted Bombers. While they had a narrow win last week, large losses have been the norm this year even against modest opposition.
Putting the young Lions on the same field as the finals-bound Cats seems on the face of it to be a recipe for a somewhat uncompetitive game.
But there’s still genuine reason to be interested in this match.
Geelong would of course expect to win, but the margin of the win might be significant. They sit several percentage points behind each of the other top teams, but the sort of scores the Lions have conceded this year gives them a chance of making up a big chunk of that gap in just one afternoon.
Even if they can’t reach the other contenders on percentage, against an inexperienced backline their forwards will get a chance to run into some form before September.
Brisbane appear to be lurching towards the sad end of a disappointing era. This afternoon will be their last game in Queeensland of the season, and most likely the last home game for coach Justin Leppitsch, who has never really looked like getting the most out of this team.
One man definitely saying goodbye is veteran Daniel Merrett, who announced during the week that he’ll retire at the end of the season.
Mostly the Lions’ interest will be in how their young players fare today. They have blooded many players over the last few years but not many have demonstrated that they really belong at this level.
This afternoon another Lion cub makes his debut, with father-son selection Josh Clayton into the side.
The Lions have also added Tom Bell and Jackson Paine, with Michael Close out injured and Jarrad Jansen and Archie Smith omitted from the squad.
For the Cats, Jimmy Bartel and Josh Caddy have been left at home with minor issues, and Andrew Mackie and Darcy Lang come into the side.
Obviously you can’t go past Geelong for a prediction in this game. The two main questions will be how long the Lions can stay in touch for – about a half has been their maximum in most games this year – and how much of the percentage gap can the Cats make up on the teams around them.
TomC
Roar Guru
That's all from me. Thanks to Adelaide Docker and Cat for your thoughts. Much appreciated.
TomC
Roar Guru
Votes 3. Sam Menegola - Hard to believe this guy made his AFL debut less than a month ago. He did everything today, winning the ball at contests and working hard on the outside. His penetrating kicking into the forwardline gave every chance to his teammates. 33 possessions, 8 clearances and 8 inside 50s. 2. Steven Motlop - A real threat on the outside at contests, but especially effective when he pushed forward. His pace and class were too much for the Lions, and he repeatedly worked to create mismatches. He had 23 possessions and kicked five goals. 1. Patrick Dangerfield - The Brownlow favourite likely added to his tally today. He was typically busy with 28 touches, five tackles and six clearances, although maybe not quite as damaging as usual, kicking two goals four.
TomC
Roar Guru
Get in touch here: http://www.theroar.com.au/contact-us/ And the editor responsible for footy blogging will probably flick you an email. Obviously pretty late in the year, but definitely worth checking if there's anything free next week.
TomC
Roar Guru
Match report Geelong took full advantage of Brisbane's defensive frailties in the first quarter, picking apart the Lions' backline with ease to rack up a six goal lead by quarter time, and at that stage it looked like a genuine percentage booster was on the cards. But the 4th placed team started the second quarter more slowly, and the Lions took advantage to make up a large chunk of that gap with six goals to two, as the visitors began to look a little rattled with Brisbane gaining in confidence. After the main break though normal service resumed. Geelong re-established their ascendancy in the midfield, but even more so in the backline, where the Lions simply couldn't find a target. At the other end, the Cats perhaps weren't as efficient as they would have liked, but still pushed their lead out with five goals to one to comfortably ice the game. The final quarter was similar to the third: the Lion cubs tried their best but were clearly outclassed. Geelong pushed the margin out to an even ten goals by the final siren. A very decent win, but not the blowout the Cats needed to improve their chances of a home final. Still, Geelong would have to be satisfied with the quality of their football, particularly after half time. The Lions were much more determined this afternoon than in most of their games this year, and at times really took it up to their opponents. There was a lot of genuine quality in the Cats forward movements, particularly from Motlop who kicked five goals, and Menegola who set up a number of scoring opportunities as well as winning a lot of contested ball. Patrick Dangerfield was, as usual, a big presence in the midfield and forwardline, but was a little wasteful in front of goal, finishing with two goals and four behinds. This result puts the Cats in third heading into the last round, and assuming results go to form that's probably where they'll end up, with a trip to Adelaide the most likely first week matchup. Obviously that's a much taller order than today's game, but they'd be pretty happy with their form at the moment, and just as importantly they come away from the game with no injuries, and Bartel and Caddy likely to come back into the side ahead of September. Despite losing by a big margin, Brisbane would probably be fairly content with their performance as well. Typically they've been all too easy to beat this season, but at least today their opponents had to play pretty good footy to get the result. It seems as though time is running out on Justin Leppitsch's senior coaching career, but this display wouldn't do his chances too much harm, especially given the way his team responded after a poor first quarter. They'd be pleased with the output of Cutler and Andrews, two of their younger players who were very much among their best today.
TomC
Roar Guru
Don't ever change, Gene.
TomC
Roar Guru
A couple of former teammates of Merrett's in the Geelong coaching staff, and they come out to congratulate him on his career. Good to see.
Cat
Roar Guru
Typical second quarter pea hearted effort cost the Cats a real chance to catch up on percentage. Oh well, maybe Eagles will surprise third week in a row and defeat Adelaide.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
No worries, I always feel like some comments would make it more interesting for you! And yeah I wouldn't mind having a go, just have no clue how to organise it!
TomC
Roar Guru
Not a good mistake to make with the edit function not working.
TomC
Roar Guru
Well, that's obviously wrong. Brisbane Lions 10.9.69 Geelong Cats 19.15.129
Cat
Roar Guru
Just out of curiosity where was McCarthys prior opportunity on the holding the ball call? Didn't even take a half step before being tackled
TomC
Roar Guru
Full time Brisbane Lions 19.15.129 Geelong Cats 10.9.69
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL GEELONG Final seconds of this game, and Enright punches the ball forward, and finds Motlop unmarked about 40m from goal. Motlop from straight in front kicks his fifth goal as the siren sounds.
TomC
Roar Guru
The Lions may trail by 54 points, but they're not letting this one blow out. Still working hard. A relatively admirable performance at the end of a dirty season.
TomC
Roar Guru
Silly free kick from Enright, taking out Hipwood as he was reaching up to take the mark. Hipwood hasn't had much joy today, but he'll shoot from 40m out. He sprays it left for a behind. 2 minutes left in the game.
TomC
Roar Guru
Merrett under pressure in the backline as Geelong go forward. I'd really like to see Merrett spend the final five minutes in the forwardline. There's nothing to play for, and surely he deserves the chance at a goal in his last game in front of these home fans.
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL BRISBANE The Lions have numbers forward now, and Hipwood marks from Mathieson's long kick. Hipwood shows some presence of mind to handball off to his captain, who kicks the goal from the square. Brisbane 68 Geelong 122
TomC
Roar Guru
Possibly back next week. Thanks heaps for your comments, AD, it's always good to have someone to bounce off. You should have a crack at a blog yourself. It's a good way to stay involved with a game.
TomC
Roar Guru
GOAL GEELONG Plenty of space now for the Cats. Martin manages to get back to take an intercepting mark, but its turned over as Mayes handballs to Cutler under pressure, who is tackled by Duncan. Motlop roves the spilled ball to kick through a straightforward goal. Brisbane 62 Geelong 122
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Woah, hey again Tom. I had to drive somewhere and now I've logged back in on my phone to see, as expected I guess, Geelong way on top. Thanks for your call, matey! You've done a great job as usual! I suppose you'll be back next weekend for more live blogs??