In a stunning turnaround, Geelong have stormed back from a 40-point half time deficit to run out winners by 22 points against Essendon.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Geelong Cats 1.17.11.122
Essendon Bombers 2.12.10.100
In the penultimate game of the JLT Community Series the Geelong Cats will play host to the Essendon Bombers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:10pm (AEDT).
The Bombers nearly made it. Essendon were so close to starting the 2017 regular season without any more lingering questions about the infamous supplement saga.
Cue Mick Gatto and his interview with channel 9’s ‘The Footy Show’, in which he claimed that the club approached him in an official capacity during the height of the drug fiasco in 2014.
As if that wasn’t enough, the underworld figure also claimed controversial bio chemist Shane Charter told him he has proof the supplements he sourced for the club were ‘legal’.
Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner has rubbished these claims, but once again Essendon and its players – at least temporarily – have been dragged back into football’s darkest stories.
However, the one place of refuge for both players and fans alike has been the football field. It will be once again today, as the Cats and Bombers look for their first win of the pre-season.
That neither team has yet claimed a win in the JLT community series should be of little concern for both teams.
With Geelong expected to challenge for another top four berth in the 2017 season, their winless pre-season will hardly be top of the agenda at Kardinia Park, while John Worsfold will be using this last match to determine what mix of returning players will make the 22-man team for Round 1.
To that effect, both teams have picked near full strength squads to play at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
Essendon have made eight inclusions with Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis, Mark Baguley, Orazio Fantasia, Dyson Heppell, Patrick Ambrose, James Kelly and Matt Dea all back in.
Josh Green and Jordan Ridley are out due to injury, while Mason Redman, Dylan Clarke, Jake Long, Heath Hocking and Conor McKenna have missed selection.
After a narrow six-point loss to the Crows last week, Geelong have recalled champion defender Andrew Mackie and midfielder Cam Guthrie. Guthrie’s younger brother Zach will make way after playing in the first two pre-season games.
Prediction
Without a clear and settled team in place for Round 1, expect the effort and pressure from the Essendon players to be high.
With the quarters returning to the regular duration of 20 minutes plus time-on, today’s match will give both teams a better indication of which players will be ready to take the field in two weeks.
Essendon by 7 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:10pm (AEDT).
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
In a stunning turnaround, Geelong have stormed back from a 40-point half time deficit to run out winners by 22 points against Essendon. A nine goal (including one super goal) third quarter proved to be the catalyst for Geelong as the Cats completely flipped the script at half time, after the Bombers got off to a scintillating start. Led by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – who collected 18 disposals to go along with four goals – the Bombers started the match on a tear, with manic pressure and beautiful ball use through the corridor. Despite losing Matthew Leuenberger early in the first quarter due to a suspected hamstring strain, the Bombers midfield was still firing on all cylinders dominating the center clearances. In lieu of Leuenberge’s injury Shaun McKernan put a strong case forward for round 1 selection. Although McKernan lost the hit-out count to Zac Smith, the former Crow was influential in the ruck gathering 21 possessions while also kicking 3 goals (1 super goal). Heading into the half with a 40-point lead and the midfield and forward line working in prefect sync, John Worsfold would’ve been forgiven for assuming that his team had the game in the bag. However, after playing a half in which the Cats seemed lackadaisical and disinterested, led by captain Joel Selwood and Brownlow medalist Patrick Dangerfield the Cats mounted a furious comeback. With a 12-possession quarter, Selwood kick started the Cats into action turning the table on Essendon in the midfield. After barley troubling the statisticians, Tom Hawkins roared to life with all four of his goals coming in the third. Starting the fourth quarter with a seven-point lead, Essendon managed to level the scores at 98 apiece. However, the dam wall had truly broken for the Bombers as two late goals for Nakia Cockatoo sealed the game for Geelong.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Siren sounds. The Cats have turned a 40 point half time deficit into a 22 point win! That's a 10 goal turn around. So Geelong get a win in the JLT series with their last game. Dangerfield and Selwood were the standout players for the Cats with 70 disposals between them.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
They'll need him to if the Cats are to challenge the top teams. Too much is often left to Selwood and Dangerfield.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's unlucky, Daniher kicks a pretty decent drop punt from 50m out but it just fades to clatter into the post. BEHIND BOMBERS Geelong Cats 1.17.11 (122) Essendon Bombers 2.12.10 (100)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Begley gets the free for a high tackle 20m out. Can he slot the consolation goal? No he can't misses to the right. BEHIND BOMBERS Geelong Cats 1.17.11 (122) Essendon Bombers 2.12.9 (99)
MNEAL18
Roar Rookie
Might be a break out season for Cockatoo. Looks like he has developed over the summer. I am not a huge Geelong fan but I do like a few of the kids
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Another good leap, this time from Cockatoo who marks Lang's kick at the top of the goal square. What a second half for Geelong. GOAL CATS Geelong Cats 1.17.11 (122) Essendon Bombers 2.12.8 (98)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Yep they've just run out of gas. This is the first game they've played in over a year that have 20 minute quarters plus time on.
MNEAL18
Roar Rookie
The boys are struggling with cramp. Great mark McCarthy. like him
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Top mark from McCarthy who climbs over the top of Baguley! 20m out straight in front and that's game. GOAL CATS Geelong Cats 1.16.11 (116) Essendon Bombers 2.12.8 (98)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
5 and half minutes left. A Bombers comeback looks unlikely now, they seem to have run out of gas.
MNEAL18
Roar Rookie
Essendon experienced players are the ones making mistakes, a bit rusty
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Poor kick from Baguley kicking it straight to Murdoch 45m out straight in front. Murdoch capitalises on the gift from the Essendon defender. That could be game. GOAL CATS Geelong Cats 1.15.11 (110) Essendon Bombers 2.12.8 (98)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Good work from Menzel who puts the pressure on Baugley causing the defender to fumble and lose his feet. Menzel gathers the ball and slots it from 20m out. GOAL CATS Geelong Cats 1.14.11 (104) Essendon Bombers 2.12.8 (98)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Nine minutes remaining in an enthralling contest.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
What a superb kick from Goddard who finds Langford from the wing with a pin point 55m kick. Langford just misses to the near side to level the scores. BEHIND BOMBERS Geelong Cats 1.13.11 (98) Essendon Bombers 2.12.8 (98)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
McKernan kicks a clever goal, taking the ball out of the ruck contest and snapping over his head to get the Dons within 1 point. GOAL BOMBERS Geelong Cats 1.13.11 (98) Essendon Bombers 2.12.7 (97)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Tipungwuti is trying to spark the Bombers back into action with a run down tackle. Finds Fantasia 40m out on the boundary line from the resulting free kick. Fantasia just squeaks it in for a point. BEHIND BOMBERS Geelong Cats 1.13.11 (98) Essendon Bombers 2.11.7 (91)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Geelong have taken the corridor away from the Bombers after they used it to great effect in the first half.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Menzel marks 20m out from goal after a great run from Horlin-Smith sets up the shot at goal. Not a great shot though, bending the snap far too much. BEHIND CATS Geelong Cats 1.13.11 (98) Essendon Bombers 2.11.6 (90)