Geelong and Richmond have played out one of the games of the year on Saturday, with the lead changing three times in the final 20 minutes but landed in the favour of the Cats at the final siren.
It was a game with finals-like intensity, both teams fighting back when challenged, but Geelong found themselves on the right end of the ledger in the three-point win in front of 59,355 fans.
Despite the remarkable nature of the clash, Tom Stewart's crude hit that left Dion Prestia concussed in the first half will dominate headlines.
It was ugly scenes early in the first quarter as Prestia was captured clinging onto the trainer for support and took several minutes to depart the field.
It was an incident described by David King as “the biggest story of the weekend”, on Fox Footy, while Garry Lyon said: “It was a real average act from a player you’d least expect it to come from.”
Dion Prestia was helped from the ground by trainers following this incident.#AFLCatsTigers pic.twitter.com/RAUUMUrOdg
— AFL (@AFL) June 25, 2022
Given Geelong play Melbourne and Carlton in their next three weeks, Stewart’s brain fade could cost the Cats a top four spot.
Stewart looked unsettled for the remained of the clash, needing to be consoled by coach Chris Scott at quarter time, but was his side’s best player with 29 disposals and 745 metres gained.
The clash had shades of the 2020 Grand Final. A fast start by Geelong saw them more than double Richmond in inside 50s in the opening term (20-9) and jump out to a three-goal lead, but the Tigers slowly pegged it back to claim a narrow lead in the shadows of three quarter time.
The Grand Final two years ago saw Richmond lift again and run out convincing winners, but this time around the Cats would be the ones responding in the final quarter.
After Richmond kicked the first two goals of the last term, Geelong had the next six shots on goal, three resulting in majors to steal back the lead.
“They’ve sprung back to life the Cats, they’re taking risks again,” Melbourne AFLW captain Daisy Pearce told AFL Nation.
But it only took one straight kick from Maurice Rioli to steal it right back.
With just two minutes to play, it looked set to be another tight contest where Richmond would come out on top.
However, Jack Henry had other ideas. He plucked a big grab from the night sky to kick truly from 20 metres out before his side’s defence doing just enough to stand up under immense pressure in the 90 seconds.
A defender by nature, Henry was thrown forward in his first game back from injury and finished with two goals.
He was well supported by Jeremy Cameron (three goals) who played well in his 200th game, while Tyson Stengle also enhanced his credentials as recruit of the year with three majors.
Geelong regains their spot in the top four, however the Tigers have taken a significant hit. If Collingwood defeats GWS on Sunday, Hardwick’s men will find themselves out of the top eight.
FULL SCORE
Geelong: 5.2, 8.5, 9.8, 13.11. (89)
Richmond: 2.0, 5.3, 10.7, 13.8 (86)
GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 3, Stengle 3, Henry 2, Smith, Miers, Tuohy, Blicavs, Close
Richmond: Bolton 3, Lynch 3, Rioli 2, Martin, Baker, Edwards, Clarke, Ralphsmith,
BEST
Geelong: Duncan, Guthrie, De Koning, Stewart, Cameron
Richmond: Vlaustin, McIntosh, Nankervis, Baker, Short
INJURIES
Geelong: N/A
Richmond: Prestia (Concussion)