Geelong Cats vs Adelaide Crows highlights: AFL scores, blog

Match report Geelong have announced themselves as serious premiership contenders with a comfortable victory over Adelaide at Kardinia Park. The Cats started strongly, controlling most of the possession and territory in the first quarter, but were somewhat wasteful in front of goal, going into the first change with a nine point lead. They began to capitalise early in the second term, as the Adelaide defenders wilted somewhat under the weight of the inside 50s, and Geelong opened up a five goal lead by haltime The Crows were consistently on the back foot, and struggled to get any consistent possession together, but were able to do enough in attack to keep themselves at least somewhat within range. The visitors needed a big response in the third quarter to get back in the game, but it was Geelong who seemed to find yet another gear. Once again they kept the ball locked in their attacking area, and Adelaide simply couldn't seem to get it past half way against a confident and organised midfield performance from the Cats. Two late goals in the third term gave Adelaide a hypothetical sliver of hope, and when the Cats seemed to ease off a little in the final period the Crows were able to bring the margin back within four goals before the final siren. But that's just a mirage of competitiveness. Geelong looked a couple of levels above for at least the first three quarters of the game, and there wasn't a moment after the first change when the result looked like being anything but a substantial win for the home team. The Cats were superbly led by Joel Selwood, whose courage and intensity were peerless. He copped three knocks to the head putting his body on the line in the first half. Unfortunately the third such knock, just before half time, led to some ill considered reprisals by Tom Hawkins, that resulted in a jumper punch on Matt Crouch that will probably be the first MRP case under the new interpretations of striking. Patrick Dangerfield was as influential as ever, kicking 3 goals to go along with his 31 touches. His defensive work – often a little neglected among his many talents – was also first class with seven tackles. Andrew Mackie played an important sweeping role in the backline, finishing with 27 disposals. The Cats had good contributions from a number of forwards. Taylor played a true centre half forward's game with 8 marks and 2 goals, Hawkins had two roving goals, and Menzel kicked three. For the Crows, Crouch and Lever played well for four quarters, while Taylor Walker recovered well after a poor start to finish with 8 marks and 3 goals. The upshot of tonight's result is that the Cats join Adelaide on 8 wins and 3 losses, and they share the top of the ladder for the moment with Greater Western Sydney. While the Crows' might have a better percentage, it does look like the Cats will be taking much better form into the second half of the season, and given the quality of tonight's performance they should be regarded as very serious premiership chances. They'd almost be disappointed to have the bye next week, and not able to take this form further. Adelaide, considered flag favourites a month ago, have now had three significant losses in the past five games, with the odd two being thrashings against poor opposition. The Crows have a tough but very winnable game against the Saints in South Australia next week before the bye. They need to rediscover their best form before they drift down the ladder. Confidence can be important in a long season and Geelong will certainly take more of it from tonight than their opponents.

Joel Selwood must be one of the strongest men alive. He is helping chair big Tom Hawkins off the ground along with Taylor and looks completely unconcerned by the 110kg mass on his left shoulder, smiling and waving to the crowd.