Geelong’s VFL side has suffered its second consecutive loss on Saturday, falling to Collingwood 6.8 (44) to 8.16 (64), at Simonds Stadium.
It was a low scoring affair that saw the Magpies dictate the terms from the first bounce.
The visitors came out firing in the first term, kicking the first four goals of the match to set up an 18-point margin at the first break.
The Cats pressure was heightened in the second term to restrict the Magpies scoring, but turnovers were aplenty and the Cats could only manage a solitary goal for the term.
The Bankers’ inability to score continued into the second half, managing a mere behind in the third term as the Magpies jumped out to a five goal lead at the final break.
A late rally by the Cats with four consecutive goals gave the crowd hope but it was too little too late, as the Magpies ran out 20-point victors.
The low scoring affair, which saw the Cats kick only two goals up until three quarter time, was characterised by a poor week on the training track, according to coach Shane O’Bree.
“Our composure with the footy and our effort early on in the game was probably a replication of the way we trained,” O’Bree said.
“You’ve got to train harder and train better. I thought our standards during the week were poor and that replicated the first 20 minutes of the game.”
The Cats were able to get their hands on the ball, winning the disposal count but their poor disposal efficiency denied them chances on goal throughout the game.
In the absence of midfield general George Horlin-Smith, many young cats filled the void left by the ball magnet.
Billie Smedts was prolific playing as an inside midfielder, collecting a game-high 34 possessions whilst racking up four tackles and five marks.
“Billie’s game was really good with his work rate around the contest. He got his hand on it a lot and I thought his composure was really good too,” O’Bree said.
“He is heading in the right direction, when he gets an opportunity, we don’t know, but we have just got to keep exposing him to as many areas because he could be a really flexible player.”
Will Sexton also lifted and celebrated his birthday in style with an excellent performance in the midfield and across half back.
Sexton had 25 disposals, 15 by foot, eight clearances and seven rebound 50s in a strong outing for the inside midfielder.
Following a strong showing on Sam Grimley last week, Ryan Gardner again highlighted his potential as a key defender, keeping Collingwood forward Travis Cloke goalless.
“(Gardner) is up to the challenge and he played a really good game on Clokey today,” O’Bree said.
“He’s not out of his depth. It would fastrack (his development) playing on a good VFL forward in Grimley last week and Clokey has obviously got all the stats on the board of what he has done in his career.”
Despite Cloke’s 20 disposals and four, often comical, shots on goal, Gardner’s ability to quell his influence on the contest highlighted the maturity of the 18-year-old.
“They are some of the toughest forwards to play on and some of his one on one efforts to follow up and find a way to win it are fantastic,” O’Bree said.
Gardner was amongst the Cats’ best for a second consecutive week with 17 disposals and five rebound 50s.
The Cats will look to turn their form around next Sunday when they take on the Dolphins at Frankston Oval.
VFL Round 6 – Bendigo Bank Cats 6.8 (44) def. by Collingwood 8.16 (64)
Goals: Smedts, Murdoch, Vardy, Luxford, Paliouras, Cornell
Best: Smedts, Gardner, Stewart, Atkins, Sexton, Hickey
Injuries: Tudor (Ankle), Farrelly (Broken nose)
Reports: Nil @ Simonds Stadium, Geelong
