IF WE’VE learned it once, we’ve learned it a thousand times.
Geelong will seemingly never, ever, ever die.
After just one win in their past seven games, the Cats bounced back to defeat Essendon for the seventh consecutive time, securing a 45-point victory at the MCG. Geelong kicked five goals in the third term, leading to a final score of 16.9 (105) to 9.6 (60).
This result significantly weakens Essendon’s top-four aspirations while bolstering Geelong’s bid for yet another finals appearance.
The Country Game began with heavy rain, making the ball slippery, but it didn’t affect the scoring as the teams kicked seven consecutive majors. The conditions called for chest marks and long kicks, though the second half was mostly dry.
Sam De Koning took on the role of primary ruck, with Mark Blicavs in support, but Peter Wright proved too tall and powerful for Jack Henry in the first half. Wright received a steady supply from Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell, who dominated the midfield.
In the first half, the Bombers appeared more dangerous, consistently locking the ball inside their attacking 50. However, they couldn’t pull away from the Cats, who leveled the score with an impressive and opportunistic goal by Ollie Dempsey.
Unsurprisingly, Geelong looked at its best when their veterans stepped up – whether it was a drive out of defense by Mitch Duncan, a forward 50 hit by Patrick Dangerfield, or an intercept mark by newly minted inside midfielder Tom Stewart.
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett, held to just four disposals in the first term by Tom Atkins, started the second term in style with a snap goal, letting his Cats opponent know all about it.
The Cats fans grew louder as the team found their stride in the second half, scoring 4.2 from their first 10 entries of the third term. This included a controversial second goal for Ollie Dempsey after Jye Menzie was penalized for a deliberate rushed behind, along with a missed free kick to Sam Draper for an arm-chop inside 50.
Kyle Langford, who had been tightly marked by Zach Guthrie for most of the game, finally scored his first major halfway through the final term, breaking a run of six consecutive Geelong goals.
Ollie Dempsey was superb when the game was in the balance, running hard on the wing, while Jye Caldwell battled tirelessly for the Bombers.
Lawson Humphries, one of last year’s draft bolters picked from the WAFL reserves, looked at home on his debut, displaying promising signs off half-back for the Cats.
A backline becomes a midfield
Despite the looming presence of Peter Wright and the resting ruck of either Sam Draper or Todd Goldstein, Geelong continued to rely on Sam De Koning to contest the ball-ups in the middle. Tom Stewart, typically a half-back or wing player, joined De Koning as an inside midfielder. Stewart played a sweeping role, amassing 10 disposals by halftime before spending more time in defense in the second half.
Essendon’s decision to field a top-heavy side with two rucks and Nik Cox as the sub was an interesting choice given the weather conditions.
Deliberate or howler?
Years after the introduction of the deliberate rushed behind rule, many players still choose to keep the ball in play whenever possible – except for Jye Menzie. The young defender, perhaps within his rights, opted to run across the line, but Ollie Dempsey cleverly chased him down, catching the Bomber by surprise. The umpire ruled that Menzie was not under sufficient pressure, and Dempsey’s resulting goal extended the margin to 15 points midway through the third quarter.
Life without Tomahawk
With Tom Hawkins now sidelined due to a foot injury, it would be unexpected to see him continue into 2025. This opens the door for Shannon Neale to earn more playing time at the highest level. In Hawkins’ absence, Jeremy Cameron, who typically roams the field, positioned himself much closer to goal, almost in a traditional full-forward role. Meanwhile, Shannon Neale and Gary Rohan served as marking targets further afield.
GEELONG 3.2 6.4 11.6 16.9 (105)
ESSENDON 4.2 7.3 8.3 9.6 (60)
GOALS
Geelong: Stengle 3, Dempsey 2, Cameron 2, Rohan 2, Duncan, Neale, Holmes, Bowes, Blicavs, Close, Knevitt
Essendon: Stringer 2, Wright 2, Gresham, Merrett, Hind, Guelfi, Langford
BEST
Geelong: Dempsey, Bowes, Holmes, Tuohy, Rohan, Stewart
Essendon: Caldwell, Durham, Merrett, Martin, Guelfi
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Mark O’Connor (replaced Mitch Duncan in the fourth quarter)
Essendon: Nik Cox (replaced Harry Jones in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 54,698 at the MCG
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