Finishing equal first and with a 15-6-1 record things were looking good for Geelong. Behind the core midfield duo of Dangerfield and Selwood, Chris Scott’s men looked poised to give the 2017 premiership a real shake.
Fast forward just two weeks and this could not be further from the truth. After a dismal performance against third-placed Richmond in the second Qualifying final, the Cats now face a rampaging Sydney side.
A clash which sees them firm outsiders, with many already looking forward to an Adelaide versus Sydney preliminary final in seven days time. However despite this low patch of form and the overall dominance of the Swans, are people being too quick to judge this Geelong side as a guaranteed straight sets exit?
Undoubtedly one of the greatest teams of the modern era, Geelong have put together a truly remarkable ten-year stretch of football. Having only missed the finals once (coming ninth in 2015) and winning three premierships, it is amazing to think how this team has constantly found itself at the business end of the season.
However, since their last premiership in 2011 has not been a great a time for Chris Scott and his men, having only won two of their last nine appearances on the big stage. This has seen many question the core psyche of this club as it has become blatantly obvious this group cannot stand up in finals.
Last Friday night was an excellent example of this, as a much more determined and tougher Richmond side dismantled them in front of 95,000 people at the MCG.
Now coming up against perhaps the most finals hardened team in the competition, it seems as if this Cats side simply won’t be any much for the powerhouse that is the Sydney Swans. However, I am not so quick to judge as one thing Geelong have been able to do brilliantly over recent seasons is respond strongly when facing adversity.
Renowned for their excellent culture, the Cats have always been great at coming together and getting the job done when all else had doubted them. This has been evident on a number of occasions this season, as after a dismal performance against Essendon by which their endeavour and tackling pressure was questioned.
Scott’s men came out inspired and reeled off three straight wins against the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Adelaide, all games by which they bullied their opposition off the park with tackling pressure. This was particularly evident in the Western Bulldogs game, as the Cats made a startling jump from 40 tackles in Round 8 to 134 in Round 9.
After getting their season back on track in the middle section, the Cats again fell under intense scrutiny towards the latter end as injuries and suspensions to stars Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood saw them experience a dip in form. This was shown in their Round 20 clash against their Semi-Final opponents Sydney, as after a sloppy start they were simply outclassed by a much better side.
After suffering such a bruising defeat and losing their captain many saw them at great risk of losing to Richmond on their home turf the next week, as people questioned whether they would be able to even qualify for the top four.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Under large amounts of adversity, Geelong again managed to prevail as star swingman Harry Taylor played a BOG role on Richmond general Alex Rance to set up a famous victory for the club.
Although all of these games were at Simonds Stadium and the stakes have risen much higher now we are in the finals, it would be foolish to simply write Geelong off after their history of overcoming harsh adversity.
It will still be very tough for Scott’s men to beat this rampaging Sydney side, they are almost a perfect football side. Barring their unfortunate 0-6 start to the season, only one team has managed to beat them in the past 17 weeks.
Although they finished top of the ladder last season, the 2017 version of the Swans is arguably better than in 2016 as I feel they are much more rounded football team.
With Lance Franklin in near career-best form, one of the best midfields in the competition, a solid defence and a game style renowned for standing up in big finals it is clear that it will take something special from these Geelong players to extend their season to Adelaide next Friday night.
However, after everything this side has been through over the past decade expect a fired up Geelong side to take the field tonight as they look to remedy a poor patch of form, a bad record against the Swans and a horrific recent finals history. It will definitely a tough battle at the MCG tomorrow night, with the result likely to be a lot closer than what pundits are currently predicting.
Cat
Roar Guru
Spot on except for that whole margin prediction business.
Miecqa
Roar Rookie
You were right Zac!
Zac Standish
Roar Guru
They looked G O N E last night....
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Mmmmmm
TC123
Guest
Have to agree the Hardwick factor is a cause for concern but if the players can completely ignore everything he tells them they're a chance
Freo As
Guest
Tigers are surely no chance. Hardwick? Finals? It'd be a turn up.
Chris
Guest
HISTORY HAS A HABIT OF REPEATING ITSELF. QUALIFYING FINAL LOSING TEAMS ARE BETTER THAN ELIMINATION FINAL WINNERS NEARLY ALWAYS..... I WAS SPOT ON BOYS.....
TC123
Guest
Starting to look like a possibility. I'm a tiger supporter as well so it would be the perfect final. Only half time but the Swans look doomed. Crying shame
Joe
Guest
Have you forgotten Geelong got smashed by Collingwood in the 2010 prelim? Compare that the 2011 GF against Collingwood. There were significant changes made by Chris Scott in 2011, especially defensively, or the Cats wouldn't have been even close to the flag. Scott also played A LOT of younger players that year. Also, getting within a goal of Hawthorn in the 2013 prelim is the last thing that should be called "flaky". That was one of the great finals of the last decade.
truetigerfan
Guest
Yeah you're right, not a bad footy side. Very good to be fair. Don't have the gears to go with the Swans though. Another demoralising straight sets exit for the Cats. Would love them to win though, and next week too. If the Tiges win next week a rematch would be awesome to show last week was no fluke. Carna Tigers!
truetigerfan
Guest
Would expect the Cats to continue making finals for the next couple of years at least. With little access to high draft picks they'll probably carry on in a similar way replacing retiring players with similar from other clubs. Problem is they lose a little bit every time they do this, will catch up eventually. Need to somehow stock up on decent picks. Their choice, either accept the challenge of a genuine rebuild or trade players for picks. Recycling year after year is no way to achieve a flag in their current situation in my opinion.
TC123
Guest
This time last week the Cats had the wood over Richmond, 12 straight wins I think it was. It meant nothing. Geelong in a tight one for me. You don't finish 2nd on the ladder(not 1st equal) by being a bad footy side.
AD
Guest
Exactly - 2nd.
anon
Roar Pro
Sydney are a much better to team than Richmond. Geelong were lucky to be in the game after not kicking a goal until 2 minutes before half time.
Connor
Guest
Ah, they did finish equal first, as the ladder is sorted by points, and Adelaide and geelong finished on the same number of points. However, percentage pushed the cats down to second, so yeah, they finished both equal first on points and 2nd overall
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Geelong made some fundamental momentum-sapping errors during the game last week, that were almost entirely of their own making. It could just be that they didn't come off the bye particularly well, while on the other side, the Tigers' enthusiasm allowed them to manufacture some momentum. If the Cats come with significantly greater efficiency when they have the ball this week and bring that pressure described above when they don't, they will be a very tough prospect for the Swans. The Swans seem to have the wood over the Cats though, so they're really up against it.
Mattyb
Guest
Truetigerfan,I tend to agree,and I think their level headed supporters think the same,and the more one eyed ones seem to be in a real state of panic,which tends to mean deep down they also realise it. How far gone do you think they are though? I can still see them making finals but continueing to be easily bundled out like is currently happening. Tonight will be pretty telling,a big loss will mean three finals thrashings in a row and that could have a big effect on confidence going forward.
truetigerfan
Guest
To answer the question posed . . . Nup. Cats are g-o-n-e, gone!
anon
Roar Pro
No, Geelong have often struggled to put away even mediocre teams at the 'G over the past few seasons. The build a strong win/loss percentage over tailoring their game plan and list management to capitalising on the unique dimensions of their home ground. Leaves them exposed on the MCG. In addition, they have been a flaky finals teams ever since Chris Scott seagulled that 2011 premiership with Thompson's players and game plan.
Chris
Guest
Gentlemen, I have been following the VFL and AFL for 55 of my 59 years of age. I do not believe that a side that had lost six consecutive matches before putting together a wonderful string of wins including last week's Eimination Final can continue to do the same to a team on the rebound. Moreover, the statistics for rebounding Qualifying Final losers is nothing short of astounding. Being a Victorian and a Maggie of the Johnston Street tradition, I believe that this match will be a memorable First Semi Final that will go down in the history books as one for the ages. The Swans won't throw in the towel, nor will Geelong sit down and get trampled on. The margin will be less than a goal and a time-on goal will decide the encounter. The cats by a whisker......Buddie to let his side down in a big one once again. I didn't like his cockiness and arrogance in the Arrival Lounge at Tullamarine. All does not bode well for the Swans. Bad omens a plenty.... Besides, teams with real football pedigrees stand up in these situations and Geelong's pedigree is much more vaunted than Sydney's. Adelaide or Dangerfield for the GF.....I am with KB.....A repeat of the 1967 looms highly likely.....