A LATE charge wasn’t enough to get Geelong over the line in its final VFL practice match before its season opener next week, suffering a 29-point loss to Casey Demons on Saturday.
Down by four goals going in to the final change, Geelong opened with two quick goals to get within 12 points of Casey out at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.
But the Demons wouldn’t be silenced, recording the final three majors of the game to cap the win.
“It was a really good hit out for our boys, just around the contest,” Geelong coach Shane O’Bree said post-match.
“They probably didn’t take their opportunities down forward. Overall I think we had more inside 50s and just missed a couple of sitters … and couldn’t get the momentum there.”
Lachie Henderson was arguably best on tground for Geelong in the opening half before being rested in part due to an upcoming five day turn around for the Cats’ AFL squad.
“His leadership, the way he sets us up behind the ball, his ability to read the play and his intercept marking… he’s just a stand out at this level,” O’Bree said of the defender.
“All the guys that are down there with him are just embracing it and learning a lot from him.
“As much as you want Hendo to play AFL, we’re making the most of it while he is back with us.”
Ryan Abbott was another who played limited minutes, coming off ahead of the final term after competing well against Demons’ ruck Braydon Preuss.
Geelong was spoilt for choice with its tall options, with Abbott, Darcy Fort, Wylie Buzza and Zac Smith squeezing into the side.
But it led itself to some issues early on, with a congested forward line marking it difficult for the Cats to score.
“First half I was a bit grumpy with them purely because they weren’t moving enough. Their defenders were dictating them too much,” O’Bree said.
Among Geelong’s VFL-listed players, Jordan Keras was the standout finishing with 18 disposals and 14 tackles.
O’Bree said he was happy with the Cats form ahead of Round 1 next week, specifying that wins were not the main priority in the pre-season.
“It’s about the chemistry and the development of the players. And I think every week we’ve got better,” he said.
“We’re ready to go against Richmond Round 1 next week.”
Twitter: @MegSaultry
CASEY DEMONS 4.1 6.3 9.7 12.7 (79)
GEELONG 2.2 4.5 5.7 7.9 (51)
Goals: Casey: Keilty 2, Gent 2, Smith 2, Wagner 2, Stretch, Munro, Chandler, Preuss
Geelong: Buzza 2, Rokahr, Abbott, Tarca, Parsons, Fort
