Rugby

With their defence and a commerce steal firing, the Cats lead the ladder. The following three weeks will inform us in the event that they actually should

April 24, 2024
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Has there ever been a crew extra “quietly” unbeaten and on prime of the ladder, like Geelong this yr? The Cats are a recreation and proportion away from second spot, however you wouldn’t understand it based mostly on the commentary surrounding the AFL over the primary seven rounds.

Sydney and GWS have captured probably the most notices as early premiership favourites, Carlton have made headlines, Port have proven their common capability to dazzle and disappoint, whereas final yr’s grand finalists Collingwood and Brisbane have largely been within the information for the improper causes.

Partly, the ridiculous stop-start nature of the season is accountable. 4 groups had performed two video games earlier than half the competitors had performed one. Sporadic bye rounds have been littered all through the early a part of the yr. It’s been exhausting to get a deal with on who sits the place.

Additionally, Geelong have performed 5 of the underside seven groups, on a ladder that lastly reveals us all golf equipment having performed an equal quantity of video games. The six groups the Cats have overwhelmed have gained solely 9 video games between them.

The following three weeks will inform us much more about the place Chris Scott’s males sit, taking over Carlton, Melbourne and Port Adelaide, all anticipated to be in premiership rivalry, or not less than a risk to be there on preliminary remaining weekend.

Geelong are little question a great facet, however they’re not 6-0 good. They’re but to place collectively a real 4 quarter efficiency, even towards weaker sides. What they’ve been capable of do is face up to some sturdy opposition pushes late in video games, and nonetheless gone onto safe victory. At numerous instances they had been challenged by St Kilda, Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs, and even Hawthorn to some extent.

Final yr, when ending twelfth, they had been dropping these video games.

As is normally the case, the Cats recreation is constructed round defence. They’ve an awesome mixture of hybrid gamers that may play tall or small, intercept, mark, play tight when want be, are efficient when the ball is on the bottom, and may run and rebound. Zach Guthrie actually turned a participant throughout 2022-23, and he’s gone to a different stage this yr.

The defence must be sturdy, as a result of Geelong are nonetheless getting effectively overwhelmed, and typically obliterated, in clearances. Patrick Dangerfield has missed three video games, and Cam Guthrie hasn’t performed but, so lots falls to these two. Tanner Bruhn has been cracking in exhausting, and it’s value remembering that he’s nonetheless solely 21, whereas Brandon Parfitt has recaptured some kind at simply the fitting time after two years within the wilderness the place he was typically the sub.

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Bruhn and Parfitt are good tips that could the Cats depth. Tom Atkins completed second in the most effective and fairest final yr, but has been squeezed out of the midfield as a result of emergence of these two. Jack Bowes and teenager Jhye Clark have been getting video games. The younger ruckman Toby Conway has been given a few appears to be like. Different kids like Connor O’Sullivan, Shannon Neale and Mitch Knevitt, have had minor gametime.

The forward-line is functioning very effectively, with out something significantly scintillating from Jeremy Cameron or Tom Hawkins. The latter hasn’t kicked a purpose in his final two video games, and whereas the previous had a time out towards North Melbourne, he’s been pushing additional upfield to be that hyperlink participant.

Ollie Henry will show to be one of many largest steals in commerce historical past, it’s fully unforgiveable that Collingwood let him go for decide 28. He’s been good for 2 objectives a recreation since he arrived final yr, and is the right rising younger tall as Cameron and Hawkins advance in years.

Oliver Henry of the Cats celebrates with fans during the round nine AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats at The Gabba, on April 20, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Oliver Henry of the Cats celebrates with followers throughout the spherical 9 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats at The Gabba, on April 20, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Picture by Albert Perez/AFL Images through Getty Pictures)

Ollie Dempsey has been a revelation, and whereas a really completely different participant to Gryan Miers, he does have comparable attributes in his work fee and good determination making. Tyson Stengle has been wanting extra like his All Australian kind from 2022, reasonably than the frustration of final season.

It’s straightforward sufficient to look good towards minnows like North Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda, or a facet that’s badly out-of-form like Adelaide, however the Geelong have used their smooth opening to the season to handle their crew, get gamers into kind, and get their confidence up.

The following part of their season begins now – earlier than Might is out, they’ll have performed Carlton and Melbourne on the MCG, hosted Port and GWS at GMHBA Stadium, and likewise been diverted as much as Darwin towards a tough Gold Coast outfit. We shouldn’t be stunned in the event that they nonetheless maintain onto prime spot by then.



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