The Geelong Cats have overcome North Melbourne 111-91 at Simonds Stadium, with Tom Hawkins kicking four goals.
Tom Hawkins holds off Joel Tippett at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
THE beauty of this Geelong team is the sum of its moving parts.
It’s been a trait of its dominance in recent times and was on show again on Friday night with Cats coach Chris Scott throwing names around the magnet board to produce what in the end was a hard-fought 20-point victory.
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James Kelly and Jimmy Bartel to the middle of the ground, Joel Selwood forward, Travis Varcoe to half-back were just some of the moves which kick-started the Cats who were back to their breath-taking best in the opening half.
The margin was 35 points at the main break and hovered around that figure for most of the second half before the Roos surged, getting within 16 points with five minutes to play.
Jimmy Bartel left dazed after a collision with Luke McDonald. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
That may have been the result of the Cats having a six-day break after a trip to Perth but it certainly livened up the home crowd who had been sitting back smoking their pipes given the stunning play earlier in the evening.
The way Geelong started this game with their attitude and effort had statement written all over it.
After last week’s disappointing performance against Fremantle there were murmurs about where the Cats stood in the pecking order. Throw in the suspension of Stevie Johnson, a late betting plunge on the Roos and there was a whiff of an upset in the air.
Geelong Cats coach Chris Scott addresses the press following his side's impressive win over the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
That was squashed inside the opening 20 minutes with the Cats ball movement and work rate through the roof. The Roos basically couldn’t get their hands on the ball.
The uncontested possessions, handball receives and inside 50 count was slanted dramatically the home side’s way.
Kelly had 23 possessions to half-time, Bartel 17 while Steve Motlop was moving the best he has all season with Tom Hawkins a dominate power of strength with three goals.
Joel Selwood lays a tackle on Lachie Hanson. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
Everywhere you looked a Cat was on top. Jared Rivers was the dominant defender, Hamish McIntosh was prominent against his old team while Jordan Murdoch, Mathew Stokes and Varcoe were providing the leg speed.
None of North’s prime movers were having any impact. Nick Dal Santo and Andrew Swallow had just seven touches in the first half while Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell had both only touched it eight times.
The ability of Geelong players to slip into different roles is why they will again contend for the premiership.
North Melbourne Kangaroos coach Brad Scott addresses the press following his side's loss to Geelong.
Bartel and Kelly have spent most of this year filling gaps at either end of the ground.
What people may tend to forget is that Bartel won a Brownlow Medal as a midfielder and Kelly was an All-Australian midfielder in 2011.
With no Stevie J they were let loose in the middle of the ground and set up the Cats stunning 10-goal first-half.
Majak Daw palms off Mitch Duncan with ease. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
Many would have thought Kelly was a chance to play in the back pocket on the Roos most dangerous small forward Lindsay Thomas but instead second-gamer Jed Bews got thrown the task.
While Thomas kicked three opportunist goals, he only had 11 possessions so the youngster could hold his head high.
Bartel has played this season mainly as a roaming centre half-forward but he went into the guts with Selwood surprisingly starting in the forward pocket.
Jordan Murdoch gives Andrew Swallow the slip. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
It all worked a treat until the final term when North found their mojo. They kicked four goals in 15 minutes as Levi Greenwood and Ziebell got busy, Ryan Bastinac added some spunk coming on as the sub while Brent Harvey and Robin Nahas started to find space.
Joel Selwood outmarks Scott Thompson. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
But the man who had been the major thorn in their side all night set up the settling goal for the Cats.
Hawkins had been brilliant, rag-dolling the All-Australian full-back Scott Thompson on his way to 17 touches and 4.3 goals and his assist to Mark Blicavs snuffed out the Roos once and for all.
Geelong players queue up to congratulate Tom Hawkins. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
Luke McDonald and Jimmy Bartel collide. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
Joel Selwood tries to stop Michael Firrito. Source: Getty Images
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