AFL 2021 Geelong v Western Bulldogs: Gary Rohan kicks goal after the siren to claim win after the siren over Bulldogs

A Gary Rohan goal after the siren has handed Geelong a famous five-point victory over fellow premiership contender the Western Bulldogs at Kardinia Park on Friday night in what was a bruising affair.

With 32 seconds remaining, Isaac Smith spotted up Rohan by himself near the boundary line 45m out with the Cats trailing by a point.

The former Swan waited for the siren to sound and after his set shot initially looked off line, it swung back late to split the big sticks and send the 6583-strong COVID-restricted crowd into raptures.

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The game came at a big cost for both clubs, however, with Geelong’s Mitch Duncan subbed out of the game in the opening 15 minutes due to a right knee injury, and star Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton subbed out at half-time due to a rib injury.

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In an arm wrestle which featured 13 lead changes and eight instances of level scores, neither side were willing to give each other an inch.

The result was not the prettiest game of football from a skill level perspective, but it ensured a tense, nail-biting affair between two heavyweights, with the margin failing to exceed 11 points either way all game.

Geelong absolutely dominated play in the first quarter, with comfortable leads in disposals (128-88), marks (28-9) and contested possessions (51-38), but the Bulldogs absorbed the onslaught to ensure scores were level at quarter-time.

The Bulldogs started the second quarter well, cutting down Geelong’s uncontested marks, while gaining the ascendancy in contested possessions and clearances to open up an 11-point lead on the back of more fluid supply to their forward line.

AFL: Gary Rohan has delivered a win for Geelong with a brilliant goal after the siren against the Western Bulldogs.

The Cats’ response was swift, kicking three goals in a row, while preventing the Dogs from entering their forward 50 for 12 minutes, to take an eight-point half-time lead.

The see-sawing nature of the contest continued in the third period, with another four lead changes and the scores tying up a further four occasions, and goals from Esava Ratugolea and Jeremy Cameron either side of three-quarter time saw the Cats grab a six-point advantage.

The Bulldogs had the game at their mercy in the final term but were left to rue poor goalkicking with Anthony Scott, Marcus Bontempelli and Mitch Hannan all missing set shots.

STEWART EQUALS THE RECORD

Tom Stewart recovered from a very uncharacteristic turnover in the opening minutes, which directly led to the first goal of the game via Tom Liberatore, to play a sensational game in defence. He took 10 intercept marks, equalling the record, and also registered 27 disposals, 13 total marks and 15 total intercepts. His amazing effort midway through the third quarter to dive on the loose ball on the goal line before Bailey Smith was able to get a foot to it was ultimately also crucial.

BULLDOGS BRAVE, BUT FALL SHORT

Tom Liberatore (31), Marcus Bontempelli (30) and Jack Macrae (35) were immense for the Bulldogs, combining for 96 disposals, but their efforts were all ultimately in vain. Liberatore had a game-high 11 clearances and 20 contested possessions as well. The Cats finished with more disposals (404-354), marks (79-65) and contested possessions (156-141).

BRUCE’S OWN PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT REEL

In what was a largely scrappy, tight affair, Josh Bruce produced a couple of sensational highlights. At the 20-minute mark of the second quarter, he converted a magnificent set snap shot from 40m out on the boundary line after out-marking both Jake Kolodjashnij and Jack Henry. And then five minutes after half-time, he outdid himself as he made the most of Tom Stewart falling over before pouncing on the loose ball, running to 48m out on the boundary line and floating it home which was an effort Lance Franklin would’ve been proud of.

SMITH BACK TO HIS ROOTS

The game had a country footy feel late in the second term when Isaac Smith was forced to jump into the stands to retrieve the ball as it was in an unattended part of the ground. After collecting the pill, he raised it proudly to the crowd in the adjoining Reg Hickey stand who duly acknowledged him.

INJURY CARNAGE: STARS SUBBED OUT

Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton joined the list of casualties in his side’s blockbuster clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Naughton was hurt in a heavy clash of bodies with Geelong’s Jed Bews on the halftime siren and stayed down for some time.

He was subbed out at the main break in a huge blow for the Bulldogs, who found themselves trailing by eight points.

Fellow forward Mitch Wallis has come into the game as the medical substitute in what is his first match since Round 2.

Bulldogs defender Hayden Crozier, who hurt his left ankle in the dying stages of the second quarter, started the second half on the field.

Star Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan was subbed out in the first quarter in an early blow for the Cats.

Duncan fell awkwardly in a marking contest early in the opening quarter and hurt his right knee.

He had the knee strapped but remained uncomfortable and was subbed out of the game midway through the opening quarter.

Medical substitute and fellow midfielder Shaun Higgins, who was originally listed as being out of the Geelong team ‘managed’, replaced Duncan.

Geelong forward Gary Rohan was assessed for concussion after a head clash with teammate Jeremy Cameron late in the first quarter, but was later cleared after serving a 20-minute period on the sidelines.

Bulldogs forward Toby McLean was also cleared of concussion after a collision with Tom Atkins early in the second quarter.

Duncan, 30, missed Round 11 with a concussion and sat out the first two rounds of the season following pre-season calf issues.

However, he had been one of Geelong’s most consistent performers in the first part of the season and had averaged 26.1 disposals and 7.9 score involvements this year.

The Cats had made one late change before the match with defender Lachie Henderson (hip) being replaced by Quinton Narkle.

The Western Bulldogs also made a late change, with Toby McLean replacing Stefan Martin.

It is McLean’s first match since Round 17 last year, with the midfielder having recovered from an ACL injury.

SCOREBOARD

CATS 1.4 6.6 9.10 12.11 (83)

BULLDOGS 1.4 5.5 9.8 11.12 (78)

LERNER’S BEST Cats: Stewart, Menegola, Selwood, Smith, Henry, Tuohy, Guthrie. Bulldogs: Liberatore, Bontempelli, Macrae, Gardner, Keath, Bruce, Daniel.

GOALS Cats: Cameron 2, Menegola 2, Rohan 2, Close, Hawkins, Dahlhaus, Parfitt, Ratugolea. Bulldogs: Bruce 3, Scott 2, Liberatore, Weightman, Johannisen, Bontempelli, Daniel.

INJURIES Cats: Duncan (right knee). Bulldogs: Naughton (ribs).

LATE CHANGES Lachie Henderson (hip) replaced in Geelong’s selected side by Quinton Narkle, Stefan Martin (shoulder) replaced in the Bulldogs’ selected side by Toby McLean.

UMPIRES Stephens, Gavine, Williamson

VENUE Kardinia Park

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 T.Stewart (Geel)

2 T.Liberatore (WB)

1 M.Bontempelli (WB)

Fringe Cat looking elsewhere as trio close in on deals

Jon Ralph

Geelong’s trio of free agents Joel Selwood, Cam Guthrie and Lachie Henderson are on track to sign new deals with the ageing premiership contender for 2022.

But Geelong first-round pick Jordan Clark is destined to explore a trade request that would likely see him end up at Fremantle next year if the Cats granted his wish.

West Australian Clark would be perfect fit at the Dockers given his speed and talent, especially if fellow first-round pick Adam Cerra decides to return to Melbourne from Fremantle.

Cerra is still debating his future after strong interest from Richmond and Carlton, with his teammates believing he is likely to return to Melbourne.

The Cats played 10 players 30 and over in their team against Port Adelaide as the club goes all-out for an elusive flag.

Captain Selwood is out of contract but both parties are in dialogue about his future with a deal expected to be sorted out in coming months.

Guthrie is an unrestricted free agent and in the hottest form of his career after winning last year’s best-and-fairest and being awarded an All Australian jumper.

He is managed by his father in a departure from usual convention but talks are progressing on a new multi-year for Guthrie, who turns 29 in August.

Guthrie’s brother Zach has played eight games so far this year and 28 across his five-season career with the Cats.

Henderson is not yet in contract talks but the Cats are open to him playing on again given his excellent form as a marking defender.

The future of Clark, the club’s No. 15 draft pick in the 2018 national draft, is much murkier.

It is expected he will attempt to move elsewhere but he is contracted at the Cats, with football boss Simon Lloyd telling the Herald Sun recently the club saw him as a long-term prospect.

He remained at Geelong despite trade interest last year, with captain Selwood mentoring him as he worked at his craft.

Clark was aware he would need to work hard for his opportunities given the Cats’ welter of elite midfielders.

But both Clark and Quinton Narkle have been shut-out of the senior side, with Narkle dropped for the clash against the Bulldogs.

He has 34 possessions against Gold Coast, 24 against Collingwood and was then the unused medical sub against Port Adelaide.

Fremantle are building an enviable list of young talent, but if Adam Cerra left the Dockers they would be desperate to secure ready-made players like Clark in return.

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