TIGERS ROAR AS CATS WHIMPER
Ben Jensen 10 September 2017

AFL FINALS 2017 SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL: GEELONG CATS V RICHMOND TIGERS GEELONG was comprehensively dismantled by Richmond on Friday night at the MCG, despite on paper keeping pace with the Tigers who kicked inaccurately most of the night, defeated by 51 points. A seven goal to one final quarter by the Tigers blew the margin right out in stunning fashion, the Cats shell-shocked and unable to influence the game. In the first quarter the Tigers held the Cats goal-less but could only manage two goals themselves. The third term was another arm-wrestle with the Tigers kicking the only goal to the 26th minute- the Cats kicking their first and the final two goals of the term to go into half-time still well in the match.

When the Cats kicked the first goal of the second half it looked like they might have been about to make the Tigers pay for squandering at least half a dozen chances in front of goal, the Cats momentarily drawing level after scoring their fourth behind of the term. But the Tigers scored a behind a minute later (Riewoldt), and then kicked two goals in a row to boost the lead back out to double-figures. Tom Hawkins who had struggled to get a kick inside fifty all night, and inexplicably handballed the first chance he got off, kicked a long goal courtesy of a free kick to keep level with the Tigers in the quarter but Dion Prestia's goal just before three-quarter time had the mostly-Tigers crowd up and firing, the lead 13 points.

The final quarter saw Brownlow medal favourite Dustin Martin really step it up, he'd been good enough already but his play was something else now. He was also very unselfish, instead of going for 'millionaire' shots at goal he found teammates inside fifty and setup numerous goals. The Cats only managed their first goal of the quarter after the Tigers had kicked six in a row, through Harry Taylor. The Tigers weren't done yet though managing another two to push the margin out to over fifty points, going through to a preliminary final in emphatic style.

The Cats have been fixtured by the AFL to play another 'home' final at the MCG, this time against hoodoo side Sydney who we've struggled against at all venues in recent times to be fair. It's a bit rough for the fans though, the crowd will be nowhere near 95,000 this Friday night that's for sure. All eyes will be on what the selectors to do replace the likely outs Cameron Guthrie and Jake Kolodjashnij, will Dan Menzel be given a reprieve? We'd expect Jackson Thurlow or even Tom Ruggles to get a look-in and honestly beyond that have no idea. Win against the Swans, which will be tough, and the Cats earn a preliminary final in Adelaide against the Crows.

RICHMOND: 2.4, 3.7, 6.10, 13.13 (91) DEFEATED
GEELONG: 0.4, 2.4, 4.9, 5.10 (40)

GOALS
RICHMOND: Townsend 2, Caddy 2, Butler, Vlastuin, Edwards, Prestia, Grigg, Lambert, Castagna, Cotchin, Riewoldt
GEELONG: Motlop, Dangerfield, Parsons, Hawkins, Taylor

BEST
RICHMOND: Martin, Prestia, Rance, Cotchin, Vlastuin, Lambert
GEELONG: Duncan, Tuohy, Dangerfield, S.Selwood, Lonergan, Smith

INJURIES
RICHMOND: -
GEELONG: C.Guthrie (calf), Kolodjashnij (calf)

CHANGES
RICHMOND: Nil
GEELONG: Nil

UMPIRES:
FIELD: Stevic, Nicholls, McInerney EM: Williamson
BOUNDARY: LeFevre, Thomson, Doig, Haala
GOAL: Wilson, Williams EM: Palm

CROWD: 95,208, MCG, Melbourne