Cats claw into top six with topsy-turvy win over Pies

Anna Harrington |

Bailey Smith had 28 disposals as Geelong snapped Collingwood’s six-game winning streak.
Bailey Smith had 28 disposals as Geelong snapped Collingwood’s six-game winning streak.

Fast-starting Geelong have withstood a Collingwood surge to claim a 25-point win and climb into the AFL top six.

The Cats nabbed five goals to one in the first quarter and nine of the first 10 to set themselves up and led by as much as 49 early in the second term.

But Collingwood responded, kicking five goals on the spin to claw their way back into the game before Geelong settled to win 15.7 (97) to 10.12 (72) at the MCG and snap the Magpies’ six-game winning run.

Geelong tagger Oisin Mullin went to Magpies gun Nick Daicos while Cats star Bailey Smith (28 disposals) had Ed Allan for company

Daicos had 12 disposals in the opening term but few in attacking spaces, while the Cats dominated.

The Collingwood superstar grabbed his right foot after he attempted to kick the ball out of midair and landed awkwardly in the first quarter.

Nick Daicos of the Magpies
Nick Daicos had an injury scare in the opening term of the game. (Dylan Burns/AAP PHOTOS)

Daicos had his foot assessed and treated for several minutes but was able to play on and had 35 disposals, nine clearances and some pivotal moments.

Teammate Harry Perryman (left hamstring) was forced off in the second term while Jeremy Howe (arm) came off at three-quarter time.

Geelong’s Ollie Dempsey (29 disposals and two goals) was sensational, Tom Stewart (25 possessions) was influential, while James Worpel (10 clearances), Smith and Tom Atkins were all busy.

In Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield’s absence, forwards Ollie Henry (three goals), Shannon Neale (two) and Jay Polkinghorne (three) helped the Cats compile a winning score.

Bailey Smith of the Cats
Bailey Smith helped get Geelong over the line. (Dylan Burns/AAP PHOTOS)

Howe worked hard defensively along with Josh Daicos (33 disposals) and Isaac Quaynor, while Dan McStay (five goals) and Beau McCreery (two) gave the Magpies a spark.

Collingwood tested out a new pre-game routine where players ran out shortly before the bounce, the lights were turned off and the traditional team songs were removed.

But it was Geelong who seized the ascendancy, suffocating Collingwood defensively and picking off turnovers at will.

When Dempsey flew over Jack Crisp then kicked truly, it sent Geelong on their way.

Geelong led by 24 points at quarter-time and nudged out to a game-high 49-point lead in the second term.

But Collingwood stopped the rot, lifting their pressure and tightening up defensively.

Goals to Charlie West, Angus Anderson and McCreery cut the halftime deficit to 29 points.

At the start of the third quarter, Collingwood coach Craig McRae started Nick Daicos at half-forward and the dynamo was heavily involved in attacking plays as Collingwood cut the deficit to just 17 points at the final change.

But the Cats held their nerve to move to 12-8 for the season.

Geelong next host Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday while ninth-placed Collingwood (11-1-8) travel to face West Coast on Sunday.

AAP