Geelong coach Chris Scott had reasons to consider the way they lost to the Brisbane Lions in Patrick Dangerfield’s milestone match an outlier.
A full bottle of whiteout would not have hidden their many mistakes as they kicked poorly, missed shots at goal and were sloppy by hand. A full bottle of wine was a better option to help put such an uncharacteristic performance into perspective.
Will Ashcroft wasn’t the only Lions midfielder flexing his muscle.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
But the Cats must be concerned at the record of the Lions, the reigning premier who have now beaten Geelong three times at three different venues in their past 16 games.
This was the most comprehensive victory both in terms of the margin and the manner as the Lions deep midfield exposed Geelong’s high quality but still relatively threadbare – in comparison – set of midfielders.
The Lions won the first four centre clearances and led the inside 50 count 15-3 and kicked four goals before Geelong kicked a major.
In that time Lachie Neale, Cam Rayner, Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft and Josh Dunkley, took their turn at the centre bounce with Darcy Fort and Sam Day rucking. The Cats dynamic duo Bailey Smith and Max Holmes were joined by Tom Atkins, Mark O’Connor and Mark Blicavs with Rhys Stanley and Shannon Neale rucking.
It was no contest; they were thrashed, forcing Scott to push the half-forwards up to the contest making Geelong vulnerable when the ball spat out into space. He tried Patrick Dangerfield too, but that was a short-term solution to what shapes as a long-term problem.
“If they are not the best, and they probably are, then they are the deepest. Their first, second and third-year guys are guns, and it is not as if they are relying on them to be their first, second or third midfielders,” Scott said. “They are behind a Brownlow Medallist and another guy who might win it, just in their midfield, so they are going to be well served for a while yet, I reckon.”
