CATS END SEASON ON AT HIGH NOTE BELTING THE GIANTS; GREATS TOM LONERGAN AND ANDREW MACKIE TO RETIRE
Ben Jensen 26 August 2017

AFL 2017 ROUND 23: GEELONG CATS V GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS GEELONG put in a commanding performance dispatching GWS from the top three, reducing their percentage to below that of Richmond winning by 44 points in what turned out to be Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan's final games at Kardinia Park. The Giants kicked the opening goal of the match but the Cats soon answered back and led from the ninth minute onwards until the final siren. Leading by 14 points at quarter time this lead was cut to just 7 points at the main break after the Giants outscored the Cats two goals to one in the second term as the Cats struggled to score after Wylie Buzza kicked his only goal of the match in the seventh minute.

The Cats came out firing in the third quarter at one stage doubling the Giants' score, kicking a total of six goals to one for the term. Patrick Dangerfield was amazing as always, Sam Menegola continued his brilliant run of form and Mitch Duncan was also very solid in the midfield. Lesser lights and non-household names outside Geelong such as Jed Bews and Jordan Murdoch really stepped up playing perhaps their best games ever for the Cats, certainly the best of the season for Murdoch. Scott Selwood was quite able, Steve Motlop had a very good game without doing too much if anything wrong, Cam Guthrie was OK but faded out at stages.

Harry Taylor played down back all game, it was Lachie Henderson who snuck forward for a goal. All backmen played well, Bews, Taylor, Henderson, Zac Tuohy, Lonergan and Mackie all getting the better of their opponents although Jeremy Cameron was deadly when he got his chance. Tom Hawkins kicked two goals and setup a few others in his return from his silly self-inflicted two game suspension. Dan Menzel likewise was brilliant, kicking two and setting out countless others and SURELY earning a contract, and while they're at it they need to sign up Bews who is full of confidence and realising his potential. Mark Blicavs' return from injury couldn't have been better timed, playing his role all over the ground.

Lonergan and Mackie announced to a largely unaware playing group gathered in the centre circle after the game, then going on a farewell lap of honour thanking fans for their support over their decorated careers. James Parsons was off injured early in the match with an ankle, while three Giants players copped knees in the kidneys, two of them Toby Greene and 'Gavin' Hopper making their injury list. Greene really struggled after quarter time, but still got the ball and copped plenty of boos for his troubles. Callan Ward was a clear best for GWS.

The finals draw will be announced by the AFL tomorrow, the Cats more than likely facing the Tigers, although should the Tigers lose to the Saints it will be the Giants - whatever the outcome it seems fairly certain the match will be in Melbourne not Geelong. On a final note we tipped the Cats by 43 points, not far off the 44 point margin!

GEELONG: 5.3, 6.7, 12.11, 15.13 (103) DEFEATED
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: 3.1, 5.6, 6.7, 8.11 (59)

GOALS
GEELONG: Menegola 3, Menzel 2, Hawkins 2, Murdoch 2, Duncan, S.Selwood, Buzza, Motlop, Dangerfield, Henderson
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Cameron 3, Greene 3, Patton, Deledio

BEST
GEELONG: Dangerfield, Menegola, Duncan, Smith, S.Selwood, Hawkins, Murdoch, C.Guthrie
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Ward, Kelly, Greene, Deledio, Cameron

INJURIES
GEELONG: James Parsons (ankle)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Greene (ribs), Hopper (ribs)

CHANGES
GEELONG: Nil
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY: Nil

UMPIRES:
FIELD: Schmitt, Meredith, McInerney EM:
BOUNDARY:
GOAL:

CROWD: 30,087, Simonds Stadium, Geelong