Geelong coach Chris Scott is refusing to hit the panic button regardless of a shock seven-point defeat to GWS placing one other dent in his facet’s AFL premiership defence.
The Giants celebrated captain Toby Greene’s 200-game milestone in fashion with a 12.9 (81) to 10.14 (74) victory on Saturday at GMHBA Stadium.
Greene kicked 4 first-half targets as Jake Riccardi and Brent Daniels mixed for 4 essential majors within the closing quarter to stave off the house facet’s late problem.
The outcome inflicted extra ache on injury-hit Geelong (5-6), who’ve now suffered three-straight losses for the second time this season.
Tall defender Esava Ratugolea is the Cats’ newest damage concern after being substituted off with a hamstring concern.
“It was a really frustrating night and we do feel like we are chasing our tail a little bit but I don’t feel like that’s a unique position within the competition at the moment,” Scott stated.
“We’re not hiding away from the fact that we’re not playing as well as we could but we think there are some pretty obvious reasons for that.
“We do not assume we’re within the place the place we have to throw out what we’re doing and begin once more.”
First-year GWS coach Adam Kingsley heaped praise on his players, who seized control of the contest when Greene kicked three majors in a 4.2 to 1.2 second quarter.
Kingsley lauded the pressure-packed style of game that he is desperate to make the Giants’ signature way of playing.
“If that may be the bar then that is going to show us into a very good crew,” he stated.
“Our problem is to repeatedly ship on that with a comparatively inexperienced group throughout the sphere surrounded by some actually skilled guys.”
Former GWS skippers Stephen Coniglo (26 disposals, seven clearances) and Callan Ward (19, seven) led from the front, while Lachie Keeffe limited Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins to one goal from 10 disposals.
Connor Idun also impressed in defence as Lachie Ash (26 touches) and Tom Green (28) gave important contributions in the middle.
Kieren Briggs had a big night in the ruck with 17 disposals, 34 hit-outs, eight clearances and a goal, which he celebrated with a tribute to a close friend who died during the week.
Daniels and Riccardi both finished with three goals, including two apiece in the last quarter.
The Cats trailed by 24 points at the nine-minute mark of the final term before Tyson Stengle and Oliver Henry combined with four of the next five majors, twice cutting the deficit to two points.
But Daniels’ last goal steadied the Giants, who hung on in a tight finish.
“I used to be simply so pleased with the blokes and their struggle,” Kingsley stated.
“Our strain and our skill to step into tackles was an actual characteristic of our sport.”
Ratugolea was one of Geelong’s best in the first half before limping from the field.
Tom Stewart (31 disposals) was the Cats’ most prolific ball-winner, with Mark Blicavs (22 touches, seven clearances) and Tom Atkins (20, six) also busy.
Jeremy Cameron matched Henry and Stengle with two targets.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
