Geelong runs rampant in grand final reprisal to thrash the Tigers at MCG

At some stage over the next week, an out-of-control Chinese space rocket will come crashing back to Earth, its destination disturbingly unknown.

One can only hope it lands with the grace of Richmond high-flyer Shai Bolton, who soared into the night sky at the MCG on Friday night against Geelong to take one of the game’s great marks.

The reigning premiers were rollicking early on against Geelong when the exciting midfielder leapt onto the shoulders of Cats ruckman Mark Blicavs for a true screamer.

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Shai Bolton, you beauty! So brilliant was the mark, it will feature on highlight reels for years to come.

But the elation surrounding Bolton’s elevation ultimately turned to deflation for Tigers fans as the Cats responded superbly to Richmond’s early onslaught to win 19.12 (126) to 9.9 (63) by 63 points.

Wearing black armbands in honour of Frank Costa, their beloved former president, the Cats produced a ripping tribute to the man who helped turn Geelong’s fortunes around.

Costa, who will receive a state funeral at Kardinia Park on Wednesday, would have loved the boldness of this performance against a rival that has caused his Cats the greatest of grief in recent finals series.

Richmond had run rampant early to lead by 18 points at quarter-time, with the Cats very much under siege.

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Dustin Martin was creative on his return from concussion _ and a trip to New Zealand to see his father _ as the Tigers looked to carry the form from last Friday’s defeat of the Western Bulldogs.

But while the scoreboard looked ugly for Geelong at the first change, the statistical breakdown suggested there may not have been as much between the premiership aspirants as the naked eye suggested.

The Cats worked into the match through the second term before unleashing a devastating eight goal to one burst in the third quarter to seize complete control of the match.

A fifth win from eight matches provided a demonstration that the off-season recruitment of Jeremy Cameron, Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith may well prove a masterstroke.

Combining for the first time, the creativity of the trio was a feature and clearly they will add to the Cats arsenal if they can remain healthy.

AFL: Only Tom Hawkins can take a big mark on the lead and nail a kick the goal from the boundary like this.

Higgins was important against the flow early before Cameron set the forward line alight in a dazzling display against a Richmond defence that, admittedly, was undermanned.

With the space of the MCG to roam, there is no doubt that the Coleman Medal partnership of Cameron and Tom Hawkins could prove dynamic.

This is in part due to Hawkins excellence in creating opportunities and space for his teammates to work, with his kicking to position superb throughout.

The combined for 10 goals, with Cameron kicking six. Gary Rohan revelled as the third target when booting five goals.

With Dylan Grimes and David Astbury absent in defence, and Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia missing in the midfield, the Tigers were always at risk of being vulnerable.

It is difficult to get a read on how the reigning premiers are truly faring given their personnel woes, but their form has been inconsistent, as the last month indicates.

They smashed St Kilda, were well beaten by Melbourne, but then rebounded to become the first team to beat the Bulldogs this year.

But after quarter-time on Friday, they dipped again and could be out of the eight by the end of the weekend.

Sports Reporter

Melbourne

Courtney Walsh is a sports writer for The Australian specialising in AFL and tennis. He received the ATP Tour Ron Bookman Award for Media Excellence in 2019. He has also written for the Herald Sun, mX and vario… Read more

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