“Eighteen-year-old 200cm key defenders getting towelled up by gun key forwards,I’m not sure how often that’s good for them,” Scott said. “We’re not saying it’s a beautiful plan that’s come together but virtually all the credit should go to Sam himself. He’s an overnight success that took three years.”
Voss said there was no quick fix for the Blues,who are aiming to make their first finals series since 2013. Injured stars Marc Pittonet and Mitch McGovern resumed in the VFL on Saturday but Voss said the club would take a cautious approach at selection with the pair,who have spent months on the sidelines.
The club is wary of rushing them back,having seen Jacob Weitering battle to regain form in his two games back after six weeks out.
“How we integrate players back into the side actually is important as well,” Voss said. “He certainly hasn’t found his rhythm yet.”
After outplaying Melbourne at their Geelong fortress last week,the Cats reproduced the goods at the venue where they will have to get the job done to deliver a second flag under Scott.
Having tired in past finals campaigns,the Cats are benefiting from spreading the load through the season. Patrick Dangerfield,Gary Rohan,Jack Henry and Stewart are among several key players who have missed chunks of the campaign.
It is a mark of Scott’s coaching nous thatStewart’s absence is not being felt by the Cats against finals contenders.
If there was a team to capitalise on the loss of the Cats’ defensive general,then it was expected to be the Blues with their twin towers of Charlie Curnow and McKay.
Harry McKay flies for a mark.Credit:Getty Images
The Cats midfield,led by Joel Selwood and Cam Guthrie,beat the Blues at their own game. They set the tone in the first quarter,flexing their muscle at the clearances,and though the Blues won the contested ball count and had more of the ball they gained little territory.
Mark Blicavs subdued Patrick Cripps,limiting the Blues skipper to just 17 touches.
Their back line was close to impenetrable in the final three quarters when they conceded just four goals.
Joel Selwood is tackled by George Hewett.Credit:AFL Photos
Tom De Koning lost the battle of the brothers but could leave with his head held high after a commendable performance in the ruck.
The Blues’ best period of the game came after they absorbed the Cats’ fast start to briefly dictate the tempo of the game.
Their midfield was given a taste of their own medicine with only Sam Walsh making any impact on the game.
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Curnow was set for a big night with three goals by early in the second quarter but was starved of decent delivery from that point on.
LOST LOVE
It’s been six years since Zach Tuohy swapped the monogram for the hoops but Blues fans have long memories – and selective ones – booing the Irishman every time he touched the ball. Tuohy made sure they left the ground with hoarse voices,collecting 24 disposals in a composed performance across half-back. Perhaps the navy blue faithful are a little harsh on Tuohy,who played 120 solid games for the club but left after receiving what he described as an “insulting” contract offer from the Blues. In a complex trade deal,the Blues used the pick to secure Caleb Marchbank,whose career has been blighted by injury.
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CAT CONCUSSED
Sam Menegola will miss the Cats’ road trip to Port Adelaide after being subbed out with concussion. The Cats midfielder suffered the injury after hitting his head on the ground in a tackle from Will Hayes in the first quarter. It meant Jed Bews,who was having his workload managed,ended up playing a lot more of the game than the Cats would have planned. Mid-season recruit Hayes,in his first full game for his new club,is likely to come under the scrutiny of the match review officer.
GEELONG3.4 7.6 10.8 12.13 (85)
CARLTON4.1 5.1 6.3 8.7 (55)
GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 3,Hawkins 2,Holmes 2,Stengle,Atkins,Guthrie,Stanley,Miers.
Carlton: Curnow 3,Cripps,Silvagni,De Koning,Hewett,Motlop.
BEST
Geelong: Blicavs,Guthrie,De Koning,Tuohy,Duncan,Selwood.
Carlton: Curnow,Walsh,Docherty,Fisher.
INJURIES
Geelong: Menegola (concussion).
CROWD – 68,208 at the MCG.
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