Karl Langdon: Geelong prove class rises above after dismantling Brisbane to make another grand final

A banner in the crowd on Friday night said it all: “2 Old, 2 Slow, 2 Good”.

Geelong were written-off by many experts heading into the season due purely to the age of their players.

How wrong those predictions have been as the Cats smashed Brisbane to book themselves a place in the grand final next Saturday.

The 30-plus brigade were the leading players in the match, headed by superstar Patrick Dangerfield, who got the night started with a magnificent goal from long range, and spearhead Tom Hawkins, who booted four but if not for missing some sitters could easily have had seven.

Then there was the contributions from Gary Rohan (two goals) and the ruck combination of Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs, who had nine score involvements.

Mitch Duncan and Zach Tuohy racked up the possessions and played their part in the demolition of Brisbane.

And Issac Smith, Cam Guthrie and Joel Selwood all had a roles of the Cats’ engine room.

The two 29-year-olds, Tom Stewart and Jeremy Cameron, were probably less influential in this game than what they have been numerous time this season, and that is a scary thought heading into the big dance.

Interestingly, the only casualty was youngster Max Holmes who looked to hurt his hamstring. While scans will determine his destiny, the Cats were hopeful after some work on his back that he might get up next week.

If he does miss it will reignite the old debate of all players who make a contribution being awarded a premiership medal.

Camera Icon Geelong’s only casualty was youngster Max Holmes who looked to hurt his hamstring. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

We have seen this story many times where a player gets injured and misses out. It happened in 2018 with Nic Naitanui and Brad Sheppard.

Holmes has been a very important player for Geelong, but guess what there is a host of others waiting in the wings.

While Mark O’Connor was injected into the game as the medical substitute, coach Chris Scott could yet turn to another 30-year-old if Holmes is ruled out.

There are two who were watching on from the grandstand that are ready to go, both desperate to end their careers with a premiership medal — Sam Menegola and Shaun Higgins.

Would it not be a fairytale with a bit of romance attached if one of there two were given the nod to play in the grand final.

It would be the game of their life and certainly for Higgins it will be his last.

Camera Icon Shaun Higgins is hoping for the fairy-tale finish. Credit: Robert Cianflone/via AFL Photos

We saw the fanfare around Marlion Pickett when he was picked by Damian Hardwick to play his first game for Richmond in the 2019 grand final as a 27-year-old straight out of the WAFL.

Experience counts and earning your stripes has been part of the mantra under Scott at Geelong.

They rarely throw dart when targeting players from other clubs. They know what they want and have had that uncanny knack of being able to get deals done.

Rohan, Stanley, Smith, Dangerfield, Tuohy, Menegola, Higgins all fit into the 30-plus category and they have all been recruited from other clubs. You can throw in Jeremy Cameron who turns 30 next season.

I must also mention the recruit of the year Tyson Stengle, who headed to Geelong from Adelaide. He is 23 and had enduring a couple of false start to his career before Geelong saw his attributes and took a chance. He has blossomed in their environment.

While clubs like West Coast and Fremantle have struggled to get their ageing stars such as Nic Naitanui and Nathan Fyfe on the park regularly, Geelong have a more pleasant issue of not being able to fit them all into one team.

It’s a good problem to have and now the moment is here for the Cats to dispel the myth that if you’re too old and considered too slow, you can’t win.