Both teams had their run of momentum, but the experience of Geelong prevailed in a third quarter onslaught.
On just 10 points in the second quarter, and trailing by 22, the Cats were a lot closer than they should have been. Once the ball started bouncing their way, they made Brisbane pay, ultimately finishing 11.7.73 to 6.10.46 victors.
The Lions were left to rue what could have been, kicking four goals and an astounding eight behinds to the half.
The opening quarter was a low scoring affair, Brisbane leading 1.6.12 to 1.4.10. The main storyline two big blows to the Cats, Quinton Narkle and Mitch Duncan both ruled out for the remainder with Hamstring injuries.
The Lions owned most of the second quarter, led by their midfield duo of Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko. Cam Rayner opened the term’s scoring with his second of the match, followed by fellow small forward Charlie Cameron. None other than pin-up Lion Lachie Neale produced a magic dribbling goal from the pocket to stretch the lead to their match best of 22.
Lachie Neale was impressive but fought a losing cause
Sam Menegola and Tom Hawkins hit back before the half to kickstart the Geelong surge. The first two of nine unanswered goals, Menegola and Hawkins having plenty to say in the result along with the coveted trio of Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood.
After showing glimpses before the main break, we were treated to a whole new Geelong that simply commanded respect.
Banding together despite being down two rotations, Geelong put on 7.3.45 to Brisbane’s 0.1.1 in the third quarter – scoring over half their points for the match.
Gary Rohan and Tom Hawkins kicked two, Gary Ablett, Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Parfitt all chipped in with one. Dangerfield crafted nearly half of their third quarter goals and won four clearances, Ablett, Menegola and Selwood his right hand men, the latter also with four clearances for the quarter.
The Tom Hawkins Harris Andrews match up was a feature for the clash, Hawkins utilised his smarts to school the young yet highly praised fullback, finishing with three goals in an influential display.
In the final term the Lions showed spirit, coming closer to matching the Cats ramped up pressure and ground work, but the damage was done.
The contest petered out in the last, a Hugh McCluggage goal the final score and a deserving reward for braving an apparent shoulder injury, although nothing but a consolation.
Gryan Miers desperately evading a tackle
There were plenty of injury concerns late in the affair. Mitch Robinson was icing his quad, whilst Cam Rayner and Gary Rohan both left the field wounded.
The match was won in an explosive third quarter, Geelong blowing a shell shocked Brisbane out of the water after half time, and leapfrogging them into second place on the ladder as reward.
Sam Simpson impressed for the Cats in his first game since 2018, tallying a game high 27 disposals. Paddy was the Danger man however, finishing with 27 disposals, as well as amatch high numbers in both clearances and inside 50’s, eight and seven respectively. Sam Menegola and Lachie Neale also finishing with 26 disposals. Selwood notched 20 disposals to partner his six clearances.
Hawkins lead the goal kicking with three. Rohan, Ablett, Menegola and Brisbane’s Rayner finishing on two a piece.
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