Intro:

A trip for the West Coast Eagles down to the most miserable of hunting grounds at Kardinia Park to finish off their season played out as you’d expect.  The Eagles hadn’t had a win in Geelong since back in 2006, and have an average losing margin north of 60-points, in that time. They must just dread seeing this trip on their fixture every year when it’s released. The Eagles had also blown whatever goodwill they had generated through their competitive performances in 2024, last week with a dismal showing against a Carlton team that was more VFL than AFL.

The Cats needed a big win to boost their percentage to give themselves a chance at a top two finish and a home qualifying final. A win guaranteed at least fourth, but they surely wanted to give themselves every chance of finishing higher. The Cats just about had a top two finish sewn up at halftime last week against the Saints before they were put to sleep in the Lyon cage. GMHBA Stadium had also lost a little bit of its aura, with a few losses for the Cats there this season. A statement was needed,

The early Saturday afternoon fixture was usurped for the first fixture of the Saturday, thanks to some union hijinks on the apple isle. Nevertheless, Mother Nature had turned on an absolute pearler of a day. About 18-19 degrees and bright sunshine. In this Mongrel’s opinion, there is nothing better than daytime footy in pristine conditions.

Now let’s get into the stuff that mattered:

 

The Best Stuff

Geelong’s First Half

The first half of this game was clinical by Geelong. Total domination. The Eagles could barely get their hands on the ball and when they did, they were under constant pressure. Geelong looked in total control. Even with the Eagles sending a spare man back for a fair chunk of the half, it did not affect Geelongs ruthless efficiency going forward.

With the margin at 100 points at half time the Cats seemed like they had done enough to make up the percentage. Some people started talking about 150-200 points. And fair to them, the Cats are no stranger to inflicting such results on teams in Geelong. But it was all a bit too easy in the first half. Maybe it was a bit early for a party?

All this Mongrel knows is that this match was akin to the Simpsons episode where Homer becomes a Krusty and has a child crying saying “Stop. He’s already dead”.

 

West Coast’s Second half

With really nothing to play for but pride, the Eagles came out of half time already 100-points down. A lot of people would’ve assumed that they just go through the motions, tick things over, and just move on away from this loss and get stuck in to better times during their pre-season. However, the competitive juices of the Eagles go flowing and they finally had some of the ball go their way. Their midfield finally got going and their forwards got on the move and attacked the footy. It was a real shift. In the third quarter the Eagles actually outscored Geelong and pulled the margin down and away from the dreaded tiple digits.

 

Jeremy Cameron

Just an unreal performance from Cameron. No McGovern or Barrass for the Eagles and so they trot out Reuben Ginbey to keep Cameron down? The poor kid followed Cameron around helplessly as the Geelong spearhead did as he pleased in the first half. It wasn’t huge numbers for Cameron, but seven goals in a half of footy is a rare feat in the modern game. Cameron would fall agonisingly short of the 10-goal mark, but he had a day-out to remember.

 

The Crowd

This Mongrel just loved the energy of the crowd at GMHBA Stadium. Not a notable fixture, but the Geelong faithful put in a strong showing, with a smattering of Eagles fans in the mixture. The crowd was high energy, and likely providing a bit of guidance for the umpires given the free kick differential at times. But they too sensed their moments, such as every time Zach Tuohy touched the football. And especially after his goal. To hear the stadium clap along and dance to the Irish jig was a lot of fun.

 

The Cats Midfield

Geelong’s biggest weakness set the right tone in this match from the first minute and did not look back. Everyone knows the roles of Dangerfield and Stewart in the middle. But it was the other players rotating though there that were strong performers today. Players like Bowes, Bruhn, and Atkins, who are going to be the key players if Geelong is going to be competitive through the midfield in a big final. It’s not a deep bench at Geelong so if this group fails to stand up when it matters, then the Cats will be found wanting. However, produce a performance like today (particularly the first half) and Geelong may just be that sleeping giant that Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was talking about.

 

The Good Stuff

Ollie Henry

I put Ollie Henry in the good stuff, as he had a terrific day, but if you’re missing as many shots, if not more, than the ones you make, then you are not made of the best stuff. Still, an equal career high four goals and a great day in air marking the ball. Henry should take a lot of confidence out of this performance and may just hold Gary Rohan out of this Geelong team.

 

Rhys Stanley

Another solid outing for Stanley, who has been more than serviceable since returning to the side against Adelaide in round 21. 33 hit outs, plenty of them to advantage, 16 disposals and two goals. Produce something like that in finals and Geelong fans will worship at your feet upon retirement.

 

Harley Reid

Reid is such an interesting one. In the first half, Geelong appeared to just be too good for most of the Eagles players. They sidestepped them with ease and brutalised them around the ball. Even with this, Reid was one of the few who looked up for the fight. Charging right back at the Cats players. He got reward for his effort with two goals in the final quarter, following two exceptional marks.

 

The Eagles Forwards

Given limited opportunities in a hostile environment, against a team who knew they needed to limit their score, the West Coast forwards did their darndest to spoil the cats party. Players like Waterman, the previously mentioned Reid when he was down there, and lesser-known names like Dewar and Hutchison. They competed and scragged and when they were finally given an advantageous look at the footy, they capitalised. Particularly in that third quarter.

 

The Not So Good Stuff

Injuries

Only niggles, and potentially nothing to come of them in terms of finals impact, but Geelong long losing arguably their most important player and one of their star young defenders by halftime in the final round was the stuff of nightmares.

 

The Score Review

It seems too easy to have this one in here, but the review into the non-goal for Harley Reid in this match was comical. Reid swung his foot at a loose ball on the goal line and missed it twice. He didn’t miss it by much, but he missed it. The ball crossed the line and he had a look of frustration on his face signalling that he had not made contact. He did not celebrate. He did not give any indication of touching the ball.

However, it was close, so the goal umpire wanted to double-check to be sure, before giving the behind. That is fair enough. Maybe Reid just grazed it and didn’t realise?

BUT, for the score review to look at it what felt like about 20 times over the next three minutes was crazy. The very first replays clearly showed no definitive evidence to overrule the goal umpire. There was no clear connection between boot and ball. No change in the balls spin pattern or direction. How it took so long to confirm something blind Freddy could’ve told you in 10 seconds is astounding.

 

The Other Stuff

The Damn Internet

People who don’t go to Kardinia Park wouldn’t know, but the ground is a cellular black-whole. Think 2012 MCG levels. Where you struggle to get more than one bar at a time and have to enter a social media detox to attend a match there. It’s a blight on an otherwise fantastic venue. Even a temporary tower installed to boost reception during the season has done very little to change the situation. It’s amateur hour stuff.

Maybe another few million dollars in grant money could fix it? Maybe tag it on to the new scoreboard money in the state budget, or the $60 million the club wants to secure from the feds. There is sure to be money somewhere. There always is for “marginal seat stadium”.

 

The Wrap

West Coast

Well, what can you say? Another disappointing season for the Eagles is finally done and dusted. On a positive note, they have shown marked improvement, but going from 18th to 16th on the ladder is not something to be writing home about. Same with this game. Winning the second half by seven points is good, but I wouldn’t be walking too tall after losing the first by 100.

It should be an interesting off-season for the Eagles. Potentially one or two players interested in coming across to Perth, but also the possibility that Barrass may request a trade to the east coast.

How much improvement is really in the current playing group? Can they be like the 2023 Hawks? Or are they going to be closer to the current Adelaide team that continually threatens improvement but remains at a similar level? We will see. A new coach with a fresh voice may just be what the doctor ordered. Oh, and also no trips to Kardinia Park in 2025.

 

Geelong

Geelong did what need to be done in the first half and then coasted. But that second half was worrying. Even with Stewart and Humphries out, it is the second consecutive second-half fadeout against not-strong opposition. Cats fans should rightfully be nervous about the possibility of another fadeout in an important final in a few weeks’ time. Still, 93 points is 93 points and that is not a victory to scoff at. And sending off two champions at home in such a manner is always fitting. Geelong fans always appreciate a Kardinia Park love-in.

Selection issues also face the Cats heading into finals. Ollie Henry appears to play best when Gary Rohan is not in the team. Is there room enough for both of them? Possibly Rohan as the substitute?

Where to play Sam De Koning? The young gun is expected to be ready for the first week of finals. With Stanley playing well in the ruck spot, is there potential to re-anchor the defence with De Koning and allow Tom Stewart full reign through the midfield?

What about Tom Hawkins? Neale has been decent without being great. Hawkins is also expected to be declared fit to play. Does the huge amount of credits he has in the bank carry enough weight to bring him back into the team in the heat of finals?

What about Cam Guthrie? Barely sighted since winning a best and fairest in 2022, as arguably Geelongs best midfielder.

There are a lot of big decisions in front of Chris Scoot and the Geelong match committee over the next fortnight.

But that’s enough for this Mongrel.