Classy Cats slide past brave Tigers
Ken Piesse | May 18, 2008 12:00am
UNDEFEATED Geelong is not on the verge of greatness - it is great. Eight wins this year, 12 on end and 27 out of 28 - it is a fabulous record.
Opposed by an improved Richmond team, determined to bury the ignominy of last year's back-to-back humiliations, the Cats took more than an hour to hit the front but, once ahead, motored away with the poise and purpose of a team destined for another Grand Final.
The rain and the cold conditions did not deter the Cats as they overpowered Richmond.
Geelong's third quarter, in particular, was reminiscent of their irresistible early-season bursts against Fremantle and the Swans.
Gary Ablett's return was pivotal.
Richmond had early answers for Joel Corey and Cameron Ling, but was powerless to stop the little champ, who finished with almost 30 possessions.
The Tigers were brave and in the first half had the best player afield - the indefatigable Matthew Richardson - before conceding 11 of 13 goals in mid-match.
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In front of almost 38,000 fans, an excellent crowd given the miserable conditions, the Cats shared the ball expertly with the unselfish work of Cameron Mooney a huge positive, after the All-Australian had struggled in recent weeks.
Needing to lift, the Cats had 15 scoring shots to four in a rampaging third quarter with Paul Chapman and Ling the catalysts. Corey also enjoyed more freedom running off half-back.
Ling had limped around the boundary at the half-time siren, a victim of friendly fire from captain Tom Harley, only to emerge rejuvenated after the break, kicking the first goal inside the first minute to lead the charge.
Richmond coach Terry Wallace conceded Geelong was still the team to beat, but said it had been a valuable learning experience for his young team.
Despite the unrelenting drizzle and slippery conditions, the athletic Richardson maintained his push for a Brownlow Medal, running from end to end.
He soon found himself being shadowed by Jimmy Bartel after he had overpowered Andrew Mackie and Darren Milburn.
He saved goals on the last line, created run around the wings and kicked an important early goal as the Tigers played with energy and purpose.
Chris Newman led a young defence ably, his field kicking a particular delight, one torpedo carrying almost to the centre square.
Far from being intimidated by the all-stars, it was Richmond which made the running, tackling and harassing, and creating contests all over the ground.
The Tigers stamped their intent from the opening minutes when 11th hour inclusion, the impressive 18-year-old Trent Cotchin, and Brett Deledio opened with the first two goals.
Goals were like gold in the first half, but the Cats gifted Richmond both their majors in the second quarter with 50m penalties.
Ablett and David Wojcinski were among the few winning Cats, but Corey and Ling were subdued.
But having trailed by seven points at quarter-time and a goal at half-time, Geelong drew level within the first 35 seconds of the third term and were never threatened again.
Despite being 20 points ahead after the first 45 minutes and winning the important contests in mid-field, the Tigers could not maintain momentum.
When the bigger-bodied Geelong players steadied, hopes of a boilover evaporated.
The Cats may have been without Brad Ottens, but Harry Taylor did some nice things down back, while Mark Blake continued to run and jump against Richmond's Big V ruckman Troy Simmonds.
Chapman and Ling each had 10 possessions in Geelong's matchwinning third quarter, Chapman kicking two of his four goals in his best performance of the season.
But Ablett was the powerhouse with his silky skills on show - one snapped goal in the third term -- a touch of genius.
From having only four or five touches in the first half, Corey finished with 22 in another consistent effort.
Geelong youngster Ryan Gamble was another to show out early.
The inside 50 stats so often tell the story and Geelong won 64-39, making most wonder how the Tigers managed to get so close.
First-gamer Cotchin was one of the few Tigers still able to involve himself in the one-sided last half.
He kicked several goals, including the first of the game, with his first kick in league football.
Afterwards Bartel, held to 22 touches, said opposing sides were going for broke early against the titleholders and the Cats were initially powerless to stop them.
"We're confident if we stick to our game plan that we can catch up quickly," he said.
"But we're also well aware that if we give starts like that they're going to close the door on us."
Geelong coach Mark Thompson shuffled those involved in last weekend's Big V game on and off the bench, realising that there are some big clashes ahead, including the Cats' blockbuster against Collingwood, again at the MCG, on Friday night.
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