Cats Media identified three points storylines to follow through the Cats’ 22-point win over Adelaide in round 11. Here’s how the played out:

 

Straight over the umpire’s hat

With 23 goals between the two sides, last Friday night’s blockbuster wasn’t exactly the top-of-the-table shoot out we had hoped for.

Much of this was to do with inaccuracy, as Geelong kicked 13.18 while Adelaide went 10.14, but it was the ability of the Cats to win contest first and set up behind the ball when required that was most telling.

The number one contested ball side in the AFL, the Crows lost that area 164-130. Averaging the second most inside 50’s in the AFL (60.2 per game), the Crows only managed 51 for the match. In fact, the Cats took the chocolates there too, winning the count by one.

Taylor Walker did manage three goals, while Jenkins and Lynch had two each and Eddie Betts just the lone major but all had little influence until Adelaide’s final term resurgence which flattered a relatively one-sided contest.

Tom Stewart continues to be outstanding in defence. (Photos: AFL Photos)

 

To tag or not to tag

One look at the stats sheet would suggest either Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield were left to their own devices against the Crows, or that both were simply too good even if they weren’t.

The same can’t be said for Rory Sloane.

By no means poor on the night, Sloane did receive attention from the in-form Scott Selwood and Mark Blicavs, though it was far from a hard tag. His 23 disposals were, however, the result of a relatively quiet outing in comparison to the lofty standards he’s set this year as one of the game’s best midfielders.

Scott Selwood, on the other hand, was one of the best players on the ground with 25 disposals, seven marks and 10 tackles. His brother Joel tallied 33 a game-high 35 disposals and kicked a goal, while Dangerfield had 33 disposals and three goals.

Scott Selwood has been a influential since making his return to the senior side. (Photo: AFL Photos)

 

The Tom Hawkins double-ton

The fallout from Tom Hawkins’ 200th game thus far has been focused on a second-quarter incident with Adelaide’s Matt Crouch. But the lasting memories will be of the 198cm, 110kg full forward running through the banner with baby daughter Arabella.

Kicking 2.2 for the night, Hawkins played his role as the Cats’ leading man in attack as his side ran out 22-point winners in his milestone match.

Tom Hawkins gives daughter a kiss ahead of his 200th match. (Photos: AFL Photos)