Geelong began their second quarter with a renewed attitude and played wet weather football to storm back into the contest with six goals to one in the second quarter – an almost complete reversal of the first quarter when the Lions kicked eight straight goals.
Patrick Dangerfield was outstanding, kicking two goals and lifting his team via his fanaticism at the contest. They surged the ball forward out of the middle, and they also ran the ball from deep in defence to their forward 50 with overlap run.
Will Ashcroft was the steadying influence for the Lions, his efforts around stoppage halting the Cats’ momentum. His teammates joined in laying a club-high 27 tackles for the quarter, but the Cats managed to use the ball more efficiently by foot than they did in the first quarter and controlled territory.
The Cats are within striking distance now, but it’s one thing to draw close and another thing to hit the front. The degree of difficulty remains high.
Max Holmes, who went down into the rooms just before the break, is undergoing a fitness test on the ground.