The eyes of the footy world are on Adelaide – the city.
But they’re now on Geelong – the team.
The Cats came from 30 points down against a team that looked like they were going to run over them in the first half, to end up winning by 19 points.
The ability of Geelong to stay in the contest in the first half was uncanny. Over the past few years, I have written several times that the Cats, even when they’re getting beaten quite soundly, simply find a way to stay in the contest. It’s ridiculous in a way – they just scrounge a goal here, and a goal there, and suddenly, the team that has all the play is dominating everywhere except on the scoreboard.
The Crows were a better team in the first half – really, I rated them as a six-goal better side, given the way they were playing, but somehow, some way… the margin was just two goals. Classic Geelong, huh?
Actually, it wasn’t somehow, and it wasn’t some way. It was built on guts, determination, and the ability to keep going until the final siren that drew Geelong to within striking distance of the Crows. Two late ones to Bowes and Cameron brought it back to a very gettable two goals. Suddenly, the game was right in the balance, dominance be damned!
Imagine coming out, landing 11 on the chin of your opponent, and to finish the second round, they get off the canvas, give you a wink, throw a few back, and every bloody one of them lands? You’re back-peddaling, wondering what the hell happened?
That’s Geelong.
That’s what makes them a team to be reckoned with every year.
Let’s jump into The Mongrel’s Good, Bad, and Ugly from this one.
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