Geelong yesterday ended their worst losing sequence for nearly two decades with an unconvicing 30-point home victory over the Richmond Tigers that moves them into the top four on the ladder at the halfway point of the regular AFL season.
Geelong, who lost four consecutive matches heading into yesterday’s must-win fixture including three wins on the bounce at home for the first time since 2006, were 29-points down and facing a monumental upset in the second quarter but recovered impressively after booting 14 second-half goals to overwhelm the understrength Tigers.
After their ageing list was written off in pre-season, Geelong answered their critics with seven straight wins at the start of the season and were installed as early premiership favourites before their recent demise.
Whilst third spot on the ladder appears impressive at first glance, Geelong now faces a season defining month of matches with a trip to face new premiership favourites, the Sydney Swans, next up followed by equally tough games against Carlton and Essendon after their bye.
Portlaoise veteran Zach Tuohy collected 9 disposals (5 kicks & 4 handballs) and 3 tackles in midfield.
Kerry defender Mark O’Connor finished with 15 disposals (10 kicks & 5 handballs), 3 marks, and 3 tackles.
Oisin Mullin chipped in with 12 disposals (9 kicks & 3 handballs), 7 marks, and 3 tackles in Geelong’s back six.
Also on Saturday, in-form Hawthorn continued their mid-season revival with an impressive 107-80 victory over the Adelaide Crows at the MCG.
After losing their five matches of the season, the Hawks have won five of their past seven to restore hope of playing finals football in September.
Sitting in 12th spot on the ladder with a 5-7 record for the season, Hawthorn are two wins outside of the top eight, but if they continue their resurgence, there is optimism that they could make the top eight.
The Crows in fourteenth spot with 4-7 record are staring down the barrel of a second consecutive season without playing finals.
Meath’s Conor Nash collected 18 disposals (8 kicks & 9 handballs), 2 marks, and 6 tackles in midfield.
Cork dual star Mark Keane tallied 17 disposals (13 kicks & 4 handballs) and 6 marks in the Crows defence.
With 12 rounds of the season remaining, the prospect of an Irish player featuring in this year’s Grand Final is far from guaranteed.
Only three wins separate Geelong in third on 32 points (4 points for a win & 2 points for a draw) from Hawthorn in twelfth on 20 points.
Zach Tuohy, Mark O’Connor, and Oisin Mullin are all in finals contention at this stage and former Derry underage footballer Callum Brown is also in the frame.
Brown has missed the last three matches of the season for the Greater Western Sydney Giants through suspension, but he is expected to return next week.
In Brown’s absence GWS on 28 points have slipped to seventh on the season ladder having lost three of their past four matches.
Conor McKenna’s Brisbane Lions in 13th spot have a 4-7 record for the season and are in danger of missing finals altogether.
Last year’s Grand Final runners-up have been the most disappointing team this year although season-ending ACL injuries to several key players have not helped.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr definitely won’t play finals with winless North Melbourne Kangaroos firmly rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
Since 1997, only two sides have won a premiership after finishing outside of the top four-Adelaide Crows in 1997 & Western Bulldogs in 2016-which underscores the magnitude of the task facing the AFL’s Irish contingent this year.
