Heading to the MCG with my wife Marj on a miserable wet afternoon I find myself trying to conjure up ways my wounded Cats might somehow beat the mighty in-form Swans in a cut-throat semi-final.
I’ve got nothing.Marj, a happy Tiger supporter, says she hasn’t seen me so flat before a Geelong final for years. She’s not far off the mark.
Seven days earlier we’d witnessed the Tigers hand the Cats a good old-fashioned thrashing in front of a crowd in excess of 95,000. Noise-wise it seemed that 99.9 percent of these were vociferous Richmond supporters. It was a long night for us eerily quiet Cats fans. Not that we had much to cheer about.
Marj and I decide to enjoy a meal in the Long Room carvery before the game. As long term MCC members this is always a treat and tonight is no exception. The restaurant staff are excellent and I receive an extra serve of crackling with my pork. Things are starting to look up.
As we clink glasses to celebrate the recent arrival of our first grandchild, Joshua, Marj manages to convince me (sort of) that Geelong might be a chance. The glasses of Heathcote red also help. When our daughter sends us a photo of Josh at home draped in his Cats scarf my spirits lift further.
I get a reality check as we take our seats and see that Domsy Lonergan is out for the Cats and Rhys Stanley is in. Groan. Nothing against Rhys but who are we going to put on Buddy? Surely Harry Taylor has to go back.
Leafing through my Footy Record before the bounce I note that Geelong has never beaten the Swans in a final. My memory is a bit hazy on the 1914 and 1934 debacles, but the 2005 Nick Davis game and last year’s Preliminary Final shemozzle are seared into my brain.
I further note that the Swans have beaten Geelong comfortably in something like five of their last six encounters, the exception being the Adam Goodes comeback game at Kardinia Park a couple of years ago. I was proud of my club for more reasons than one that night.
As the teams line up Dangerfield is at full forward for the Cats, minded by Rampe. The Selwood brothers and Blicavs look as if they will do most of the heavy lifting against Swans champs Kennedy, Parker and Hannebery.
The game opens evenly enough but after a couple of minutes the Swans are away with a mark awarded to Reid, who kicks truly. Another quick goal to Sydney would see Cat supporter faces hitting palms all over the country. Fortunately it doesn’t happen.
In fact the ball is whisked down to the other end where Dangerfield marks strongly and goals. A minute or two later he is awarded a holding free and goals, the ball having been returned to him by the umpire after he missed a snap, looking for all the world like he’d played on. Maybe the gods are with us tonight.
Then again maybe not. A scramble in the Swans goal square sees the ball land at Kieren Jack’s feet and he taps it home truly. The game is tight but the Cats appear to be running hard and making everything a contest. When in possession they appear to be slowing the game down and using the ball intelligently. This is encouraging.
A mark and goal to Menegola, who drops into the hole at centre half forward while everyone is watching Dangerfield sees the Cats take a five point lead into quarter time. What a contrast to last year’s final!
The second quarter becomes a Dangerfield-Geelong attack fest. Duncan opens up with a goal following a rough 50 metre decision against Franklin, who hasn’t been sighted. Stanley kicks one from a strong mark, Dangerfield uses his body cleverly to draw an in-the-back free and goal. Duncan receives a handball from Hawkins and goals on the run from 40. Then Smith marks and goals.
Down the other end nothing is happening for Sydney. It’s tumbleweeds and crickets territory. Finally Buddy Franklin has a couple of set shots from 50 - to no avail. Clearly he’s not right. The bandage on his right leg looks enormous and probably indicates just how much trouble he’s in.
The play of the day occurs when young Cat Tom Stewart follows up a contested ball from the back pocket to the wing, putting in an enormous effort to finally nail Parker with a ferocious tackle. He isn’t rewarded with a free kick but has Geelong fans on their feet cheering.
Swans 300 game champ Jarrad McVeigh finally goals after a chip pass and mark. Dangerfield replies from a tightish angle after taking a leaping mark over Rampe who’s probably having his worst game of the year.
Cats by six (goals) at half time. Unbelievable!
Feeling the need to calm my soul I head to the MCC Library for a short period of True Detective style ‘sahlent reflection’.
The Library is a treasure. It’s an oasis of quiet in a pulsating, noisy MCG. The staff are wonderfully friendly and helpful and the displays and collections on the shelves are to die for. Seventh heaven for sports literature lovers.
Back to the game. Surely the Swans will put in a ferocious effort to claw back a few goals. Almost immediately though Menzel juggles a mark and goals from right on his limit at 50 metres. Cats by seven! The Swans then attack incessantly for around ten minutes but cannot buy a goal. A propeller kick by McVeigh grazes the post, a shot by Buddy is touched on the line and several other attempts are slightly wide or out on the full.
Sure enough, when the ball finally goes down the other end Motlop snaps a goal from 40 after some great lead-up work by Zach Guthrie. Like Parsons, Guthrie’s been promoted from Geelong’s rookie list and has thrived over a number of weeks while under intense pressure. The kid’s a keeper.
Steve Motlop is having one of his best games for the club. The mojo is back. This is exemplified when outnumbered two to one he puts in enormous first, second and third efforts to tackle Rowan, win a free and get the ball to Menzel for a goal. Sydney are gone. A late goal to Papley is answered by Menegola who snaps from 30 just before three quarter time.
The last quarter is a formality with Geelong tapping the ball around to maintain possession. Dangerfield has a run on the ball, Duncan is everywhere and Scott Selwood’s bandaged head is always near the contest, often at the bottom of packs. His brother has been fairly quiet but has still contributed well when required.
Blicavs has played on outstanding game to quell the brilliant, creative Josh Kennedy who, as always, has never given up. Hannebery, Jack, McVeigh and Heeney have tried hard but it just hasn’t been Sydney’s night.
After the game Jarrad McVeigh is chaired off the ground to a standing ovation from pretty well everybody at the venue. His 300 games have been exemplary. He is a role model for all and a true champion.
Marj and I repair back to the Long Room for a post-match celebratory. I’m thinking that whatever it was Chris Scott said to the players to motivate them for this game, it’s worked in spades. Talk about ‘once more unto the breach’ stuff. Henry V eat your heart out.
Marj is confident enough about the Tigers to mention the 1967 Grand Final. Although we didn’t know each other then we were both in the crowd to witness Richmond’s famous victory over the Cats. Could we have a rematch 50 years later? I advise caution. Both sides have huge Preliminary Finals to get through first.
Still, just imagine Tom Lonergan taking a match-saving mark on the last line of defence (a la Fred Swift) to ensure a Cats victory, by say 9 points to win the Premiership. Now wouldn’t that be sweet!
John Burke is a former statistician, motelier and tram conductor who still plays the odd game of squash. He enjoys classical music, lunching with friends, travel and Geelong premierships, not necessarily in that order. In 2017 he became a mature age grandpa.
GEELONG 3.1 9.4 13.4 15.8 (98)
SYDNEY 2.2 3.4 4.9 5.9 (39)
GOALS
Geelong: Dangerfield 4, Menzel 2, Menegola 2, Duncan 2, Stanley, Smith, Motlop, Hawkins, Blicavs
Sydney: Jack, McVeigh, Mills, Papley, Reid
BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Henderson, Menegola, Duncan, Motlop, Blicavs, Taylor
Sydney: Hannebery, Grundy, Lloyd, Jack, McVeigh
INJURIES
Geelong: Lonergan (food poisoning) replaced in selected side by Rhys Stanley, Tom Stewart (hamstring)
Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Nicholls, Meredith
Official crowd: 55,529 at the MCG