GEELONGÂ
3.6Â Â Â 9.10Â Â Â 12.13 Â Â Â 13.18Â Â Â (96)
ADELAIDEÂ
2.3 Â Â Â 5.5 Â Â Â Â 7.9 Â Â Â 10.14Â Â Â (74)
GOALS - Geelong: Menzel 3, Dangerfield 3, Taylor 2, Hawkins 2, Parsons, J Selwood, Motlop.Â
Adelaide: Walker 3, Jenkins 2, Lynch 2, Otten, Cameron, Betts.Â
BEST - Geelong: J Selwood, Â Dangerfield, S Selwood, Mackie, Henderson, Tuohy, Taylor.
Adelaide: Lynch, M Crouch, Lever, Jenkins
UMPIRES Meredith, Kamolins, Harris.
CROWDÂ 30,468 at Simonds Stadium.Â
Three weeks ago, Geelong were hurtling towards a mini-crisis. They had lost three games in a row, all to sides outside the eight, and despite their strong start to the season, the doubters were again circling. Had Geelong actually improved on 2016? Could they stand up consistently away from Simonds Stadium? Were they too reliant on Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield?Â
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Three weeks later, those questions remain unanswered. But one thing we do know is that home is not only where the heart is, it's where the wins are. Geelong head to their bye on the back of wins against reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs; the team with the highest percentage in the AFL, Port Adelaide, and now ladder leaders Adelaide. The Cats are 8-3, well positioned for a tilt at a top-two finish and, with more good form and the AFL's blessing, a final at their glitzy fortress.
So can they consistently beat the best sides away from Geelong? We don't know, but away games in the next month against West Coast and Greater Western Sydney should give some indication. Are they too reliant on Selwood and Dangerfield? Possibly, but there are much worse problems to have.
On Friday night, it was the Crows' turn to feel the wrath of "Dangerwoods". The plural form is no mistake, because while captain Joel continues to enhance his lofty reputation as a champion, Geelong's resurgence has not only coincided with their return to the Cattery, but also the return of Joel's younger brother Scott. He ran with Adelaide's Brownlow Medal fancy Rory Sloane. The persistent Crow was far from his side's worst, but his impact was greatly diminished by the attention of the baby Selwood.
With Sloane occupied, Joel Selwood and Dangerfield's task became more straightforward. They had to beat the Crows' midfield brothers, Matt and Brad Crouch. Try as they might, the Crouches are a long way shy of the Cats superstars, both of whom shone in their own distinctive ways.
The late Jack Dyer should forever be known as football's "Captain Blood", but it would be an equally appropriate nickname for Selwood, because few if any modern players have shed as much claret for their cause than the skipper. Among many fearless Selwood moments on Friday night, the most memorable was when he thudded heavily onto the dewy turf not long before quarter-time after colliding with Crow Andy Otten in a marking contest. There were fears Selwood's night was over, but by the start of the second term his badly gashed scalp had been stitched up, and he was out there again winning the hardest of ball.
Selwood could only have been shaded for best afield honours by Dangerfield.Â
It is a credit to the Crows that they have been so good in the last year and a half, because they have done it after losing the game's best player. Dangerfield's dynamism, speed and skill were as always a pleasure to watch, except for those in the opposition camp, who once fondly called Dangerfield their own.
With "Dangerwoods" holding sway, Geelong dominated on the inside and outside, and the rest of the Cats puzzle pieces fell comfortably enough into place.Â
In his 200th game, Tom Hawkins was more effective as a crumber than as a traditional spearhead in what was a largely joyous milestone game that could be soured should the match review panel act on an apparent jumper punch on Matt Crouch in the second quarter. Harry Taylor and Daniel Menzel were both handy up forward as well, while in defence Andrew Mackie, Lachie Henderson and Zach Tuohy all provided valuable contributions, with Tuohy nullifying former teammate Eddie Betts.
Helped by some at-times wayward Geelong kicking for goal, Adelaide kept within striking distance for longer than they probably deserved. But by early in the third quarter it was clear the Crows weren't going to end their 14-year winless run at the venue, although they did earn back some respect with a final term flurry. Adelaide had few clear winners. Tom Lynch was dangerous up forward, Matt Crouch kept trying in the midfield, and Jake Lever was gutsy down back, although he too faces likely MRP scrutiny for an elbow to Selwood, and also had a late ankle complaint.
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