It will no doubt go down as one of the greatest games of the year, but the play that won Geelong the game agsinst Richmond nearly provided a moment that would have been among the highlights of the century, according to former North Melbourne star David King.
Geelong swingman Jack Henry kicked what would kick the final goal of the game with two minutes to go. It was off the back of a clearance from Tom Atkins and a snap from Tyson Stengle, with Henry leaping into the night to claim the crucial contested mark.
However, King joked that the ultimate game-winner had “got in the way” of one of the greatest moments the game could have ever seen.
“I want to you watch that last play again, that Henry mark,” he told SEN’s Whateley.
“I watch you to watch Jeremy Cameron. The centre bounce is won, he’s at 50, and he’s coming up at the ball. Tyson Stengle comes through at 100 miles an hour and gets the footy.
“Now Stengle does an arc then kicks the ball to the top of the goal square (and) Cameron runs (almost) 50 metres to almost take a Nick Riewoldt, Jonathon Brown-type mark.
“That would have been not just mark of the year (but even better). If he took this mark - in my opinion, Henry got in the way of one of the greatest highlights we would have ever had.
“Just have a look at the intent, this is something you can’t teach.”
Out of this world! Watch the moment Jumpin’ Jack won it late 👏#GeelongStrong #AFLCatsTigers pic.twitter.com/R7PKM6Fia9
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) June 25, 2022
Cameron finished with three goals, two contested marks and six score involvements as the Cats prevailed by three points in his 200th game.
Both teams will take positives out of the clash, and King suggested they’ll likely meet in September.
“Great game, either team could have won. Both coaches spoke brilliantly in the post-match (saying), ‘yep, that’s what they can do and this is what we can do and we’ll see you in ten weeks (in finals)’,” he added.
The result saw Geelong move into second on the ladder, while Richmond fell out of the top eight.