'Efficient mercilessly': Cats flexing muscles, hands checking the brutal reality of Blues

“An eighteen year old 200cm lock defender was hit by a gun lock assailant, I’m not sure how often that’s good for them,” Scott said. “We’re not saying it was a beautiful plan that came together, but almost all the credit has to go to Sam himself. He was an overnight success which took him three years.”

Voss said there was no quick fix for the Blues, who are aiming to make their first series final since 2013. Injured stars Marc Pittonet and Mitch McGovern were back in the VFL on Saturday but Voss said the club would take a cautious approach to selection with the pair, who had spent months on the sidelines.

The club are careful to force their return, having seen Jacob Weitering struggle to regain his form in his two return games after six weeks out.

“How we integrate players back into the team is actually also important,” said Voss. “He must not have found his rhythm yet.”

After beating Melbourne at their Geelong stronghold last week, the Cats reproduced the stuff where they had to get the job done to deliver a second flag under Scott.

Having been exhausted in the previous final campaign, the Cats have benefited from spreading the load throughout the season. Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Rohan, Jack Henry and Stewart are among some of the key players who have missed part of the campaign.

It was a sign from Scott’s training that Stewart’s absence was not felt by the Cats against the final contenders.

If any team could capitalize on the loss of the Cats defense general, it would be the Blues with Charlie Curnow and McKay’s twin towers.

Harry McKay flew in for a sign.Credit:Getty Images

The Cats midfield, led by Joel Selwood and Cam Guthrie, beat the Blues in their own game. They set the tone in the first quarter, flexing their muscles in the clearances, and although the Blues won the number of balls contested and had more balls, they gained little territory.

Mark Blicavs beat Patrick Cripps, leaving the Blues captain to just 17 touches.

Their back line was almost impenetrable in the last three quarters when they conceded just four goals.

Joel Selwood is handled by George Hewett.Credit:AFL Photo

Tom De Koning lost the sibling battle but was able to walk away with his head held high after a commendable performance in the fray.

The Blues’ best period of play came after they absorbed the Cats’ quick start to dictate the tempo of the game briefly.

Their midfield was given a taste of their own medicine with only Sam Walsh making an impact in the game.

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Curnow set for a big night with three goals early in the second quarter but have been starving for decent delivery from then on.

THE LOST LOVE

It’s been six years since Zach Tuohy swapped the monogram for the hoop, but Blues fans have old memories – and selective memories – of booing the Irishman every time he touched the ball. Tuohy made sure they left the ground hoarse, racking up 24 releases in a quiet performance at half-back. Perhaps the navy staunch supporters were a little harsh on Tuohy, who played a solid 120 games for the club but left after receiving what he described as an “insulting” contract offer from the Blues. In a complicated trade deal, the Blues used the option to secure Caleb Marchbank, whose career has been marred by injury.

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CRAZY CAT

Sam Menegola will miss the Cats trip to Port Adelaide after suffering a concussion. The Cats midfielder was injured after hitting the ground with his head in a tackle from Will Hayes in the first quarter. That meant Jed Bews, who was managing his workload, ended up playing more games than Cats had planned. Hayes’ mid-season signing, in his first full game for his new club, is likely to come under the watchful eye of match reviewers.

GEELONG 3.4 7.6 10.8 12.13 (85)
CARLTON 4.1 5.1 6.3 8.7 (55)
TARGET
Geelong: Cameron 3, Hawkins 2, Holmes 2, Stingle, 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.
INJURY
Geelong: Manage (concussion).
crowd – 68,208 at MCG.

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