Geelong may not have come away with the victory, but players like Cam Guthrie were prolific once they got going. Photo: Geelong FC
Geelong has been beaten by Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Although the Cats tried their hardest, they were up against it early with the Demons getting out to a 30-point lead.
The Dees had a strong final term to snuff out the third quarter challenge.
When they worked their way back into the game in the third quarter, it was the midfield who were key in the revival.
Joel Selwood had 30 touches to be the most prolific for Geelong, while Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola, both unsighted early, both ended with 26.
Coach Chris Scott was especially impressed by Menegola, returning from a recent shoulder injury.
“Sam, coming off the shoulder injury, was probably a little slow to get going, but he’s a power runner and I thought he was really in the game late trying to help us win,” Scott said.
“Guthrie’s just been a super player for a very long time.
“We were beaten collectively, it’s not often we go into half-time, so far down in the contested ball, and the ground ball.
“Those guys were challenged a bit and I thought they responded well.”
MORE GEELONG NEWS
Selwood praises ‘exciting youngsters’ at Geelong
Mathew Stokes – Part One: The blessing in disguise
James Podsiadly – Star from the state league
With the loss to Melbourne, Geelong has squared the ledger at 2-2 after four games, the same win-loss ratio as 2020.
“I don’t like to look back too much,” Scott said.
“I don’t think we’re going that well, but I think we’re going better than this time last year.
“The upside is that we’re going better than this time last year. We struggled; we took a bit of time to hit our straps last year. And I’m not saying that’s the plan.
“The way that I’m looking at the footy at the moment, and have for some time, is that there aren’t many free games out there, if any.
“It’s hard work every week and if you allow yourself to be talked into the idea that you’re not going that well you can fall behind very quickly.”
“We’re disappointed in that [being 2-2] but not distraught.”
With key pillars becoming available for Geelong, Scott is entertaining the prospect of bringing back Jeremy Cameron, Gary Rohan and Patrick Dangerfield in the same week.
“If they’re available, I can’t see why they can’t come back in the same week,” he said.
“Our preference is to have the same seven forwards every single week.
“But I think they’re such good players that we’ll squeeze them in.”
Subscribe to our newsletter!
About Author
