Bailey Smith was brilliant and Jeremy Cameron was back among the goals, as a primed Geelong prepared for a deep finals run by easing to a 39-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
The Cats rubber-stamped second spot on the ladder and head into September buoyed by having won six straight.
They have also had the luxury of resting or managing the minutes of their star players for weeks, this is the benefit of all but locking up the double chance months ago.
Bailey Smith of the Cats in action.Credit: AFL Photos
The Cats led by 63 points at half-time against the Tigers before easing their way through the second half.
Vice captain Tom Stewart may be looked at by the match review officer for an incident involving Maurice Rioli jnr, but any contact made appeared to be a glancing blow, and Rioli continued unencumbered.
He said the Cats were disappointed with their second half effort, but were now ready for September.
“Honestly, pretty disappointing … but we got the job done and we can now look to the finals,” Stewart told Fox Footy.
“The start of the year we won some really close games – that held us in good stead. Now, it’s the best time of the year. To finish top two again is a massive credit to our list.”
Speaking in his press conference after the game, Chris Scott offered a blunt assessment about the Stewart incident.
“I saw it – nothing in it,” he said.
“I thought Stewie had a great game, though. When the game was hot, he was clearly the best player on ground. It’s good to have your good players in form.
“We were pleased with the way we approached the game and set it up. I think we’ll come away thinking we are in pretty good shape.”
The Cats could not be better positioned to add to the four premierships they have enjoyed since 2007, including their 2022 success, further franking their standing as the best, or most consistent, club of the past two decades.
Scott said six weeks of games without facing a finals contender was not an issue.
“No, you couldn’t prove it even if you had a feeling it was an issue,” he said.
“It’s one of those things, if it goes well, it will look like proof that it wasn’t an issue. If it doesn’t, it will come up as an issue and no one will be able to prove it. I thought we played pretty well under pressure against the Swans who were pretty hot last week.”
Their opponents in a qualifying final won’t be known until the final game of the round is played between Brisbane and Hawthorn at the Gabba on Sunday night. If the Lions win, they will face the Cats. If the Hawks win, they are highly likely to meet the Cats.
The Cats did not face a top-eight team in a friendly run home to the finals, but maintained the intensity required to ensure there was no slip up in their transition-focused game plan.
AFL great Nathan Buckley said he was slightly concerned that the Cats had been given a soft draw over the past six weeks.
“Yes, but not as worried as I am happy that you are meeting September in really good shape physically, and the double chance really helps,” Buckley said in commentary on Fox Footy.
The Cats also have the least-injured list of any team left in the finals race, reinforced in that they have had a competition-high 21 players feature in every game. Only ruckman Toby Conway (foot) is on their official injury list.
“They are really well placed,” Buckley said.
In Smith and Max Holmes, the Cats have arguably the best midfield one-two punch in the competition. They did as they pleased against the Tigers. The dashing Smith had 34 disposals, including seven clearances, while Holmes, who was used, at times, in more of a defensive role, had 26 touches. Tackling machine Tom Atkins had 27.
Kamdyn McIntosh of the Tigers controls the ball.Credit: Getty Images
Coleman Medal leader Cameron, goalless against Sydney last weekend, responded with four goals, taking his season tally to 83. The Cats do not want distractions in September but, with Cameron in the hunt to become the first man since Lance Franklin in 2008 to bag a century of goals, they may have an unwanted spotlight to deal with.
Skipper Patrick Dangerfield spent most of the afternoon forward where he remains a bull.
Defensively, the Cats backed their zone – rather than going purely man to man – to get the job done.
The Tigers said goodbye to dual premiership player Kamdyn McIntosh, the veteran wingman playing his 212th and final game for the club – although he could play elsewhere next year.
Despite this heavy defeat, the Tigers exceeded public expectations this season, winning five games and unveiling No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor (11 games) in a year when their youth-focused rebuild gathered momentum.
This will continue next season with the Tigers to have picks No.2 and No.3 in the national draft, one care of a pick swap with North Melbourne last year.
The return of Josh Gibcus on Saturday for his first senior game in 527 days was welcomed, the young defender having managed only two senior games because of injury since a superb debut season in 2022.
Gibcus, understandably, was a touch off the pace, and was subbed off in the third term, the Tigers content with what they had seen.
In a season of development, youngsters Seth Campbell and Taj Cotton have shown they could be prime movers in a refreshed midfield alongside Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Dion Prestia, but the Tigers’ overall skill execution needs work.
Fullback Ben Miller had a superb season, and will be a key defensive plank for the next decade.
Star draftee Josh Smillie did not play a senior game because of injury, the latest setback a quad issue.
But the Tigers hope he can play a role in the VFL finals, using this as a springboard for season 2026.
