GEELONG has secured second spot on the ladder with a comprehensive 39-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The Cats led at every break to win easily over the 17th placed Tigers 14.19 (103) to 9.10 (64) in front of a crowd of 46,109.
It’s the Cats’ sixth win in a row and it ensures they have a home qualifying final and a double chance when the finals kick off in two weeks’ time.
Geelong will play either Hawthorn or Brisbane in the first week of finals, pending the result of Sunday night’s match between the two sides.
Cats spearhead Jeremy Cameron booted four goals and four behinds on his quest to win his second Coleman Medal. He is now on 83 goals for the season, a career-high for the four-time All-Australian.
The well-drilled Cats looked a class above their opponents, particularly with their entries inside 50, which were far more organised and methodical compared to the younger less experienced Tigers.
The run and carry from the Cats’ mids, in particular Max Holmes (26 disposals, 677m gained) and Bailey Smith (34 disposals, 10 inside 50s, 594m gained) provided their forwards with plenty of supply.
The ‘Dash Brothers’ were joined by local hero Tom Atkins (27 disposals, nine tackles) in his 150th game since joining the Cats from their VFL program back in 2019.
Geelong had eight individual goal kickers, putting together a string of nine unanswered goals from midway through the first quarter until the 20 minute mark of the third term.
Gryan Miers was the only injury scare, going down into the rooms in the second term for a HIA assessment after a head-high collision with Kamdyn McIntosh, but returned to the ground later in the quarter.
There were some positives for Richmond in its final match of the season.
The Tigers outscored Geelong in the final term, kicking five goals to the Cats’ one when the sting was well and truly out of the game.
Young defender Josh Gibcus made a successful return to the AFL, playing his first game in 527 days after a number of long-term injuries. Gibcus was subbed out tactically in the third quarter.
The Tigers’ combination of youth and experience continues to build, with Tim Taranto (27 disposals, seven clearances), Jacob Hopper (29, four) and Dion Prestia (28, two goals) leading the way.
Youngsters Sam Banks (30 disposals) and Tom Brown (20, one goal) both put together solid performances to finish what has arguably been their best seasons in yellow and black.
Tigers fans also said farewell to stalwart Kamdyn McIntosh, playing his last game for the club after two premierships and 213 games.
Stewart and Rioli clash late
In the dying seconds of Saturday’s game, there was an incident between Maurice Rioli and Tom Stewart where the Geelong defender made contact with Rioli’s head. The two were trying to gather a loose ball just outside the centre square, and while Rioli puts his head over the ball he connects with Stewart’s elbow. Both coaches played down the incident, but it is sure to be looked at by the Match Review Officer.
Atkins breaks record
Midfield bull Tom Atkins notched up more than one milestone in Saturday’s match. Along with his 150 games, Atkins broke the record for the most number of tackles laid in a season. Atkins surpassed Scott Selwood on 202 tackles, his nine tackles against Richmond making it 205 from his 23 games this season.
RICHMOND 2.2 2.3 4.6 9.10 (64)
GEELONG 6.7 11.12 13.17 14.19 (103)
GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 3, Campbell 2, Prestia 2, Mansell, Brown
Geelong: Cameron 4, Dangerfield 2, Stengle 2, Mannagh 2, Bowes, Stanley, Dempsey, Martin
BEST
Richmond: Taranto, Prestia, Hopper, Brown, Banks
Geelong: Smith, Holmes, Miers, Stewart, Cameron
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Geelong: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Luke Trainor (replaced Josh Gibcus in the third quarter)
Geelong: Mitch Knevitt (replaced Mark Blicavs in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 46,109 at the MCG
