Match

Geelong Cats vs Carlton

Commentary / 26 May 2018

Pre Game

59:30
Welcome to GMHBA Stadium for the Geelong Cats v Carlton Round 10 clash.
59:33
Outs for Cats: H.Taylor, J.Thurlow, J.Parsons, Z.Smith, G.Horlin-Smith
59:34
Ins for Cats: E.Ratugolea, R.Stanley, J.Jones, B.Parfitt, A.Black
59:35
Outs for Blues: M.Murphy, J.Garlett, A.Mullett, N.Graham
59:36
Ins for Blues: J.Weitering, D.Cuningham, E.Curnow, C.Curnow
59:40
Don't forget to enter your tips for this match, you have until the bounce to make your selection.
00:00
Small forward Jamaine Jones will debut for Geelong tonight, their fifth debutant of the season. From the start of 2017 Geelong has now blooded 13 debutants, the most of any side.

Quarter 1

00:00
Q1 is now underway.
01:44
This is the Blues first match at GMHBA Stadium in over 20 years. Their last match at the venue was played back in 1997, where they lost by 28 points and Full-Back Team of the Century Stephen Silvagni topped the goal-kicking list with three.
03:18
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Jamaine Jones)
03:46
The first goal of the match comes through the debutant Jones who capitalises from a costly turnover deep in defence for the Blues. It has been a scrappy start, with five turnovers between the two sides in the opening four minutes.
06:13
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Gary Ablett)
06:21
Gary Ablett is endearing himself to the Geelong crowd, kicking his first goal at GMHBA Stadium for the club since departing for the Gold Coast at the end of 2010. The Cats have scored goals from their first two inside 50s.
07:33
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Jordan Murdoch)
09:36
The Cats remarkable efficiency in the forward-line continues, kicking three goals from their first three forward entries. Last week v Essendon, the Cats averaged a goal from 13.7 per cent of their forward entries.
10:45
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Stewart Crameri)
12:13
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
12:38
The Cats four goal lead has been on the back of an impressive 83 per cent kicking efficiency. The Blues are kicking at a poor 54 per cent, which is evident on the scoreboard with three of the Cats four goals being sourced from turnovers.
13:54
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Charlie Curnow)
15:56
The Blues are well on top in the clearances leading nine to three, including a domination at centre bounces where they lead clearances five to nil.
16:11
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Harry McKay)
20:26
The Blues are dominating possession, with every player registering at least one disposal. Conversely the Cats have five players yet to find the football. Carlton is ranked last for disposals in 2018.
25:31
Kade Simpson has been heavily involved in the resurgence of the Blues, leading the match in disposals with 10 to go with his 199 metres gained. This is just the second time this year that Simpson has won 10 or more disposals in a quarter.
29:31
The siren has sounded to end Q1.
29:32
The Blues responded well after conceding the first four goals of the match. Since the Cats last goal at the 11 minute mark, the Blues have lead inside 50s 10 to six and have kicked 2.1(13) whilst keeping the Cats scoreless.

Quarter 2

00:00
Q2 is now underway.
01:37
Tom Stewart is the number one interceptor for Geelong, averaging seven intercepts per game to go along with his 21 disposals per game. He has continued this form tonight, with three of his five intercepts coming in the form of a mark.
03:56
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Paddy Dow)
04:34
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Petrevski-Seton)
04:56
The Blues are controlling the territory battle early in the second quarter. They have won the first eight inside 50s and have enjoyed the play being inside their forward-half for the entirety of the quarter.
07:40
A break in play following a horrific ankle injury to Esava Ratugolea. He has been targeted inside 50 41 times this season, the second-most for the Cats. Geelong has retained possession 51.2 per cent of the time when he has been targeted inside 50.
07:53
Cats Interchange - Esava Ratugolea and is possibly out for the game.
09:55
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
10:14
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Patrick Kerr)
12:21
Carlton now has the first 10 inside 50s for the quarter, yet have been unable to capitalise on this dominance kicking just four behinds from these entries. They are ranked 14th for goals per inside 50 this year (20.8 per cent).
16:14
Rhys Stanley, an inclusion for the omitted Zac Smith this week, has just won his first disposal of the match after 42 minutes time on ground. He has evened the ruck contest though, with both he and Kreuzer winning three hitouts-to-advantage.
19:58
Tom Hawkins has just taken the first mark inside 50 of the match. 52 of Geelong's 110 goals this year have came following a mark, and the Cats average 10.3 marks inside 50 per match (ranked 10th).
21:16
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Rhys Stanley)
23:58
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Sam Menegola)
24:25
Geelong has kicked their first goal in 40 minutes of playing time through a Sam Menegola set shot. This was the Cats second goal sourced from a defensive midfield turnover.
27:02
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Patrick Dangerfield)
28:29
After conceding the first 12 inside 50s of the quarter, it is now Geelong who is controlling momentum. They have had the last eight forward 50 entries and in the last 10 minutes have enjoyed 85 per cent of the play in their forward-half of the ground.
28:50
Blues Interchange - Sam Kerridge off due to an injury.
29:32
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Stewart Crameri)
30:12
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
32:21
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Darcy Lang)
33:48
The siren has sounded to end Q2.
33:49
A low scoring quarter with the Cats kicking the only goal of the quarter despite having seven less inside 50s. The Blues kicked at a poor 20 per cent efficiency in their forward 50 that quarter, wasting several opportunities in front of goal.

Quarter 3

00:00
Q3 is now underway.
00:30
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Petrevski-Seton)
02:05
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Paddy Dow)
02:55
The third-quarter has been the best quarter for Geelong this year. They have kicked 31 goals in this term and conceded just 17, the equal-lowest amount of goals conceded by a team in this term.
04:36
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Patrick Kerr)
04:48
A brilliant drop punt set shot from a tight angle for Pat Kerr draws the Blues within six points. This is his first goal in his career, and Carlton's first goal since the 17th minute mark of the opening quarter.
06:12
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Tom Hawkins)
08:16
24.6 per cent of Carlton's scores this year have been sourced from their forward 50, the best percentage of any side this year. Tonight the Cats have restricted the Blues to just the two behinds launched from this zone.
10:06
Patrick Cripps has started the third quarter like an absolute bull, winning six disposals in the first 10 minutes as well as four contested possessions and a clearance. He is the number one contested possession winner on the ground with 15.
10:32
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Jordan Cunico)
12:35
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Brandan Parfitt)
14:37
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Rushed)
15:10
Geelong has conceded an average of just 61.8 points per match in their last month of football, the best result for any team defence in this time-frame. They have restricted the Blues to just 27 points so far, despite their 34 inside 50s.
20:11
Last week v Essendon, Geelong kicked just one goal sourced from a stoppage for the match - their worst result of the season and well down on their seasonal average of 4.4 goals. They have trumped this tonight, booting three goals from this source.
23:55
Patrick Dangerfield has an equal team-high four score involvements tonight to go with his seven inside 50s. Dangerfield now has 60 unique score involvements this season at an average of seven per match, the most score involvements of any Cat.
25:16
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Patrick Kerr)
28:14
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Sam Petrevski-Seton)
29:25
SCORE GOAL - Blues (David Cuningham)
30:20
The siren has sounded to end Q3.
30:21
Carlton's dogged persistence has kept them within touching distance of the Cats as they enter the final break. They have gone inside 50 29 times since quarter-time for an inaccurate 2.10 (22).

Quarter 4

00:00
Q4 is now underway.
02:22
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Patrick Dangerfield)
03:46
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Harry McKay)
04:25
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
04:55
Patrick Cripps is trying his utmost tonight, winning a massive 21 contested possessions, as well as an equal-match high six clearances. This is the 11th time in his five year career that Cripps has reached 20 contested possessions in a match.
05:22
Cats Interchange - Jed Bews off due to the blood rule.
08:31
Geelong has scored just 124 points from score launches within their forward 50 this season, the third-lowest total of any side this year. They have booted 20 points tonight from this zone, well up on their 13.7 average.
09:24
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
11:03
The Blues tackling average of 68.9 per match is the fourth-highest average of any side this season. They lead the tackling differential by eight tonight, with Petrevski-Seton leading the way with eight.
11:59
SCORE GOAL - Blues (Matthew Wright)
12:59
SCORE BEHIND - Blues (Rushed)
15:22
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Patrick Dangerfield)
15:39
Ed Curnow has had a career-best year, averaging career-highs in clearances (4.9), tackles (9.3), contested possessions (10.4) and disposals (26.8). He has continued this form tonight with 30 disposals and seven clearances tonight.
17:00
SCORE BEHIND - Cats (Rhys Stanley)
20:28
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Tom Hawkins)
20:51
Tim Kelly has been influential in the final quarter winning nine disposals, four contested possessions, and three clearances. Kelly only won five disposals in the first three quarters.
22:39
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Tom Hawkins)
24:17
Tom Hawkins has kicked two quick goals to extend the Cats lead to 22 points. his three goals tonight takes his season tally to 16 at an average of 2 per match (his lowest average since 2013).
27:19
SCORE GOAL - Cats (Sam Menegola)
29:21
The siren has sounded to end Q4.
29:22
After scoring a goal from just 13.9 per cent of their forward 50 entries last week, the Cats rectified this issue tonight scoring 11 goals from 47 inside 50s at 23.4 per cent efficiency. The Cats fought back to win clearances by four.