FIVE goals from Wylie Buzza and an impressive ruck display by Zac Smith has helped Geelong to its second win of the VFL season.
The Cats held off a fast-finishing Magpies outfit at GMHBA Stadium for a 10.8 (68) to 9.7 (61) victory to move to within one win of the top eight.
“Really important for the confidence of the group, we deserved to win that game. I thought we had massive control of the game in certain phases,” coach Shane O’Bree said.
“It has been good to fight (games) out until the end and we will keep learning from how to control those scenarios.”
Buzza, who had kicked five goals from his previous three games, kicked two goals in the second and third quarters, added his fifth in the final term.
“Today (Buzza) played his first full game for a while and he was dominant in the air and created a contest,” O’Bree said.
“He is the most experienced player in our forward line; he should be dominating most VFL games as a key forward.”
Smith, who has dropped to fourth in the Cats’ ruck pecking order behind Rhys Stanley, Ryan Abbott and Darcy Fort, had 48 hitouts, while also gathering 21 possessions.
Scott Selwood, Zach Guthrie and James Parsons were also among Geelong’s best, while defender Cal Mitchell and forward Dan Capiron (two goals) also made vital contributions.
The Cats host Coburg at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
GEELONG 2.0, 5.1, 9.3, 10.8 (68)
COLLINGWOOD 2.2, 5.3, 6.4, 9.7 (61)
Goals: Geelong: W. Buzza 5, D. Capiron 2, S. Simpson, B. Reid, J. Jones
Collingwood: C. Hustwaite, B. Sier, W. Kelly, A. Bosenavulagi, A. Gallucci, J. Daicos, A. Tohill, A. Zimmerman, T. Goldsack
Best: Geelong: Z. Smith, W. Buzza, S. Selwood, C. Mitchell, Z. Guthrie, J. Parsons
Collingwood: L. Howe, A. Woodward, B. Crocker, S. Glover, J. Daicos, C. Lane
