Cats resharpen claws as Dogs stumble again, Suns stun Crows

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Beware the reigning champion. There is still plenty of life in Geelong’s premiership defence after a victory full of character over the Western Bulldogs, whose premiership credentials took another dent on Saturday night.

The undermanned Cats are back in the eight after overwhelming the Bulldogs’ top-shelf midfield in a high-quality match between two clubs expected to feature in September.

Geelong defender Tom Stewart kicks a rare goal.Credit: Getty Images

Missing much of their first-choice midfield, the Cats ran over the Dogs in the second half to claim a 22-point win at Marvel Stadium in front of a crowd of 41,944.

This was a victory against the odds for the Cats, whom few gave a chance of winning after being outplayed by Greater Western Sydney at their Geelong fortress last week.

Their preparedness to take territory when they had the ball told in the final quarter when they gained ascendancy at the stoppage and control of the game.

Stewart, vying with Tim English for best-on-ground honours, kicked the vital first goal of the last term, and when Ollie Henry held his nerve the Cats’ lead stretched to a match-winning 17 points.

The Bulldogs have in the past two rounds blown a gilt-edged opportunity to break into the top four. When the numbers are crunched at the end of the year, this loss and that last week to Gold Coast may be the difference between a double chance and a scenic route to the cup.

Geelong’s Sam De Koning is tackled by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos

They blew one of the individual games of the season by English, who had 27 disposals with his 30 hitouts but could still be used more often. Often, he broke free from the scramble to be a short target but was overlooked.

After eight goals in a frenetic first half, the Dogs struggled in the second, burning increasingly rare chances as the blue and white walls closed.

Tom Stewart flies.Credit: Getty Images

Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Rory Lobb had little impact as a combination, and their small forwards also struggled to lock the ball in.

The Dogs have now lost 21 of their past 24 games against the Cats. Such a stat lends itself to the conclusion they are a bogey side. It’s also true the Cats have been a bogey side for many in their equalisation-defying run.

Seldom during this run would the Dogs have had as strong a chance to knock off the men in hoops, who had the midfield edge on paper – but not on grass.

English was one of the most influential players on the ground. Though he was matched for hitouts by Jonathon Ceglar, who was subbed out, his greater athleticism meant the Dogs had an extra player in general play.

He set up a goal for Adam Treloar with a strong mark, and was the catalyst for another, to Bailey Smith, with a centre clearance.

Chris Scott and Luke Beveridge are among the two best coaches in the league – and they gave each other much to think about.

The Dogs, as is their way, pushed an extra player at the ball to spark their game. In a fast game that showcased both teams’ skills, their slick hands and run troubled the Cats.

Geelong’s Gryan Miers is tackled by Bailey Dale.Credit: AFL Photos

The Dogs’ extra up the ground meant there was a spare behind the ball for Geelong. Unfortunately for the Dogs, he was Stewart, whose impact was as profound as English’s.

As long as there was enough pressure on the ball-carrier, Stewart came into play, any minor delay on the ball enough for him to see the cues and work the angles.

Stewart’s goal after an errant kick from Dogs defence for the first goal of last quarter – and his first of the year – was the cherry on top of an excellent 28 possessions and 10 marks.

The Dogs had eight of the leading nine possession-getters, but the Cats were more efficient. Jeremy Cameron was closer to the player at the start of the year than the one in a form trough of recent weeks, occasionally finding himself in the centre square to create chaos.

Tom Hawkins was a threat through his marking strength and smarts, the latter leading to a crumbing goal after his opponent Liam Jones committed to spoil an aerial contest where no forward was likely to mark.

Gary Rohan’s contribution was more than his stats sheet, his closing speed creating doubt in the Dogs half-backs when they thought they were clear.

James O’Donnell is mobbed after kicking his first AFL goal.Credit: Getty Images

TRELOAR’S FALSE ALARM

Coming back from a hamstring injury, Adam Treloar sent a shock through the Bulldogs camp when he headed into the rooms early in the first quarter, angrily throwing his mouthguard down the race. Fears that his night was done were not well-founded when Treloar reappeared after receiving treatment in the rooms. Sporting tape on his left calf, Treloar returned later in the quarter, even kicking a goal.

GEELONG 5.2 8.5 12.6 15.7 (97)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.4 8.7 10.12 10.15 (75)

GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 2, Hawkins 2, Rohan 2, Stengle, Close, Tuohy, Stewart, Blicavs, Bruhn, Knevitt, Miers, Henry
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Macrae, Naughton, Daniel, Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Lobb, Treloar, O’Donnell, Smith
BEST
Geelong: Stewart, Cameron, Miers, Tuohy, Blicavs
Western Bulldogs: English, Daniel, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Macrae
UMPIRES Nicholls, Broadbent, Fleer, Gianfagna
CROWD 41,944 at Marvel Stadium

Matt Rowell celebrates a goal for Gold Coast.Credit: Getty Images

Suns stun Crows with epic comeback

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Gold Coast have given their top-eight hopes a huge boost in Darwin, coming from 35 points down to knock off Adelaide in a brilliant win.

Five goals from Jack Lukosius and monstrous performances from star midfield duo Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell helped them turn what looked to be an underwhelming loss into a famous 16.16 (112) to 13.9 (87) triumph.

Nine consecutive goals through the second and third quarters saw them rattle the Crows, power forward Ben King kicking two including one from a huge contested grab to help them go 20 points ahead.

Adelaide fought back and even hit the front when Lachie Murphy kicked the final’s quarter’s opening goal, only for the Suns to once again surge and ice their fightback.

Izak Rankine was quite against his former club.Credit: AFL Photos

It sees the Suns square the ledger at 6-6 and they will end the weekend level on wins with eighth-placed Essendon as they again look to claim their maiden appearance in AFL finals.

Anderson and Rowell were absolutely instrumental, combining for a whopping 31 contested possessions and 18 clearances, with the latter delivering eight tackles.

Lukosius was the biggest beneficiary of their brilliance, equalling his career-high mark of five goals for a second straight match in a continuation of his breakout season.

It was a blow for Adelaide’s own finals bid and again highlighted their challenges outside of South Australia, now 1-4 on the road this campaign.

Five straight first-quarter goals had put them in the box seat, none better than a silky running effort from captain Jordan Dawson that punished lazy Suns defending.

A shocking set-shot miss from just 25 metres by Wil Powell summed up a lamentable opening stanza for the Suns, before smooth-moving Adelaide midfielder Wayne Milera danced around opponents to goal from 50m on the run for a 35-point lead.

But Suns young gun Bailey Humphrey wouldn’t let his side roll over, capping a three-goal run with a delightful snap to drag them back to 17 points down at half-time.

Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe and Levi Casboult compete in the ruck.Credit: AFL Photos

It completes a perfect two-game stand in Darwin, the Suns backing up last round’s upset result against the Western Bulldogs with another strong win.

The loss was soured further by a knee injury for gun Adelaide defender Tom Doedee, who didn’t return after a first-quarter incident.

Doedee strapped up his knee and went through a fitness test before heading down to the rooms and was spotted icing his wound on the bench after being substituted out.

Izak Rankine had a quiet night against his former club, giving away two free kicks and a 50-metre penalty before he touched the football and finished with 0.2.

GOLD COAST 2.4 5.5 11.10 16.16 (112)
ADELAIDE 6.1 8.4 11.6 13.9 (87)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lukosius 5, King 3, Humphrey 2, Casboult 2, Anderson 2, Jeffrey, Rowell
Adelaide: Fogarty 3, Walker 2, Keays 2, Rachele, Pedlar, Murphy, Dawson, Milera, O’Brien
BEST
Gold Coast: Lukosius, Anderson, Rowell, Witts
Adelaide: Fogarty, Laird, Dawson, Keays
UMPIRES Foot, Johanson, Rosebury, Williamson
CROWD 10,772 at TIO Stadium

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