Geelong Cats
61
Match Complete
Hawthorn
85
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 26:49 |  | M. Lewis | ||
| 25:16 |  | Rushed | ||
| T. Hawkins | | 18:58 | ||
| J. Parsons | | 15:34 | ||
| 7:43 | | T. O'Brien | ||
| 5:16 | | T. O'Brien | ||
| T. Hawkins | | 2:33 | ||
| J. Selwood | | 1:09 | ||
| 7.10 (52) | Third Quarter [+] | 10.11 (71) | ||
| Z. Tuohy | | 29:53 | ||
| G. Miers | | 27:08 | ||
| R. Stanley | | 26:27 | ||
| E. Ratugolea | | 24:31 | ||
| 22:37 | | L. Shiels | ||
| G. Ablett | | 20:23 | ||
| 15:39 | | J. Gunston | ||
| 14:27 | | Rushed | ||
| L. Dahlhaus | | 10:52 | ||
| G. Rohan | | 6:44 | ||
| 5.5 (35) | Second Quarter [+] | 8.10 (58) | ||
| 35:19 | | M. Lewis | ||
| M. Duncan | | 5:08 | ||
| 32:47 | | J. Worpel | ||
| 0:53 | | T. O'Brien | ||
| T. Hawkins | | 30:31 | ||
| 28:30 | | J. Gunston | ||
| 27:06 | | Rushed | ||
| 24:37 | | R. Henderson | ||
| 23:04 | | L. Shiels | ||
| 22:25 | | R. Henderson | ||
| 20:47 | | L. Breust | ||
| Rushed | | 19:08 | ||
| 15:00 | | B. Hardwick | ||
| J. Clark | | 12:23 | ||
| 9:41 | | C. Wingard | ||
| 8:22 | | C. Wingard | ||
| T. Kelly | | 7:14 | ||
| T. Hawkins | | 5:46 | ||
| 3:53 | | M. Lewis | ||
| 2.2 (14) | First Quarter [+] | 4.1 (25) | ||
| 26:31 | | O. Hanrahan | ||
| 25:50 | | O. Hanrahan | ||
| G. Miers | | 24:17 | ||
| 21:24 | | M. Lewis | ||
| 18:04 | | L. Shiels | ||
| G. Ablett | | 14:46 | ||
| J. Selwood | | 12:49 | ||
| 11:36 | | T. O'Brien | ||
| J. Clark | | 4:33 | ||
Match result:
Hawthorn have comprehensively beaten Geelong at the MCG by 24 points to celebrate Liam Shiels’ 200th game.
It was Alastair Clarkson at his best today, as the Hawks put on a tactical masterclass against the Cats and controlled the match from start to finish.
Their defensive structure gave Geelong little in terms of moving the ball forward from the back half and forced Chris Scott’s side to consistently kick the ball to dangerous contests.
From there, the Hawks moved the ball well and sneaked in behind the Geelong back six with ease, to capitalise on the chances they were given.
It was as obvious as the nose on your face yet apparently too difficult for Scott to combat, as he changed little throughout the afternoon.
The Cats’ stars had little impact, with Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Tim Kelly and Gary Ablett failing to prove decisive, instead it was Shiels and Mitchell Lewis who starred for the Hawks in the front half.
Ben McEvoy was outstanding in the ruck and Jaeger O’Meara was excellent through the middle of the field.
The Cats did have chances to tighten things up in the third quarter yet appalling set shots let them down, with three misses in two minutes holding them back.
Once again the question will be asked in regards to their play at the MCG. They seem to be able to manage the narrow confines of GMHBA Stadium yet once on the wide expanses of the MCG, struggle to control the game in their back half.
Final score
Geelong Cats 8.11.61
Hawthorn Hawks 12.13.85
Match preview:
Geelong and Hawthorn face off at the MCG in a must win clash for the Hawks. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:10pm (AEST).
No matter where the Cats and the Hawks sit on the AFL ladder, they normally find each others’ level when they meet in what has become one of the modern games greatest rivalries.
Jack Gunston comes back into the Hawthorn side for this match and the importance of that inclusion cannot be underestimated, with Alastair Clarkson’s men a chance to move to within just one win of the eight.
Off the back of two solid wins against Fremantle and Collingwood, the signs suggest that they will give Geelong a considerable run for their money, on a ground that suits the Hawks far more than their opponents.
If this match was being played down the highway in Geelong, the ladder leaders may be instilled as firm favourites to win.
The bookies may still believe that to be the case, however, the venue does provide a great leveller in the first of the Sunday matches of Round 18.
The Cats entered the round two games clear at the head of the ladder and with a side relatively unscathed by injury.
Recent losses to the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide have been concerning. Wins against St Kilda and Adelaide have allowed them to remain well clear of the gaggle of teams fighting for second place, yet Chris Scott will demand a strong performance today as the finals loom ever closer.
The midfield stars of the Cats are all there, however it is in the back half where they may have the deciding say in this match today.
Zach Tuohy, Tom Stewart and Harry Taylor have been superb for the Cats in 2019 and are potentially their greatest strength when playing at the narrow GMHBA Stadium.
On the MCG today, the Hawks will look to use the wide expanses, possess the ball heavily and deny Geelong the same opportunity. It should be another classic encounter.
Prediction
The Cats have been wobbly of late and this might just be a final stand for the Hawks in 2019.
They can win today on a ground they play far better than Geelong and with the mastermind in the box, could very well construct a game plan that baffles Scott and his assistants.
Hawthorn by 8 points.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 1:10pm (AEST).
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
When: Saturday 21st July 2019, 1:10pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, AFL app
Betting: Geelong $1.40 Hawthorn $2.90
Geelong
B: Tuohy, Taylor, Bews
HB: Duncan, Blicavs, Stewart
C: Miers, Kelly, Dangerfield
HF: Dahlhaus, Ratugolea, Rohan
F: Ablett, Hawkins, Guthrie
FOLL: Stanley, O’Connor, J. Selwood
I/C: Clark, Atkins, Kolodjashnij, Parsons
EMG: Smith, Henry, S.Selwood, Simpson
Hawthorn
B: O’Brien, Frawley, Impey
HB: Burgoyne, Sicily, Hardwick
C: Scully, Worpel, Henderson
HF: Breust, Wingard, Puopolo
F: Hanrahan, Lewis, Gunson
FOLL: McEvoy, O’Meara, Shiels
I/C: Birchall, Stratton, Smith, Nash
EMG: Ceglar, Cousins, Howe, Minchington
Cat
Roar Guru
Good enough to still be sitting top of the ladder a game and percentage clear.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Ouch! So I guess being beaten by an average 10th placed outfit like Hawthorn says nothing about where the Cats are at? Maybe they aren't that good......
Cat
Roar Guru
Mine isn't a narrative. It's the truth no matter how you look at it. Sure the Cats form hasn't been great but I'd still rather have lost to the Hawks and sit on top of the ladder a game and percentage clear than be sitting in 10th with a losing record.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
That's one narrative, 3 consecutive losses is another.
Billbob
Roar Rookie
I don’t know ay.......I hope not tho
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I heard Rance was coming back for finals Billy boy?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I still rate the Cats highly . Don’t be fooled by July form. Chris Scott probably loading them up at training.
Cat
Roar Guru
Yeah, Cats have gone from top of the ladder 2 games and percentage clear to top of the ladder 1 game and percentage clear ... that is some 'plummet'.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Even Pie fans loved Richo. I did anyway.
Billbob
Roar Rookie
Yattuzzi where you at I need ya hand in raffling the feathers of these western Australians mate
Billbob
Roar Rookie
Peter where you at mate ???? U know I like raffling the feathers haha need some help too shut up these western Australians
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
There is a theory that the pies, wce and cats are overtraining in preparation for the finals. It would be nice but I am not convinced.
Dean
Guest
The hawks had a really good defensive zone which did not allow the Cats to play their natural game. I watched the replay last night and how the hawks were set up defensively stifled the Cats running game. Tuohy at half time said that they needed to take more risks but were struggling to break through the defensive set up. Saw glimmers of that in the third quarter but weren't able to capitalise on your momentum. I don't think the Hawks are a realistic finals contender but you never know. With one of our major playmakers down back going down l thought the Cats would eventually get a run on. Preserving energy atm or are they tired from the style of footy they have played this year?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Not worried about the Hawk. More concerned we are starting to play like Fremantle. Need to get back to the explosive attack that smashed your boys.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
You took my comment the wrong way. I was trying to say that the Cats did not take the game on. They we’re playing a careful game, the first half at least. I felt Scott tried to match Hawthorn style and failed (outcoached). Hawthorn were 12th I thought and not a realistic finalist. We played very disappointingly. I never said the Cats deserved to win. Didn’t see it as sour grapes just as an expression of Geelongs poor performance.
Dean
Guest
I was at the game too, Hawks changed their game plan and went through the corridor. They tried to move the ball on as much as possible which caught the Cats out a few times. Everyone sees the game different and l thought it was played at a better standard than you did. The Hawks forward line pressure was telling and really made the Cats backline second guess themselves a lot. Shiels was damaging as a tagger on Dangerfield and Kelly was kept very quiet in the second half. Cats probably need to look at Atkins, pressure has dropped off and not getting much of the ball. A few of your blokes looked a bit tired at stages particularly Dalhaus and Rohan.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes the Hawk controlled the game in the first half. The Cats did the second but didn’t make it stick. McEvoy played well around the ground and his rucking against Ratta was telling. But the game was very fremantlesque. It was not good football. It was a dirge. I was at the game and there was no atmosphere. Not like a normal Cats Hawks game. Good win for Hathorn. A fillip for a hard year. But I am not happy with Geelongs football even if we had won.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
No true Tigers’ supporter ever dissed Richo. He was one of the few shining lights during the dark ages.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Hawks were a four goal better team today. They have four hard games to come. and they lost to the Lions in Tasmania last season so they are not invincible down there. There is every chance you won't face them in the finals.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
ok . Good. Why were they dissing Richo?