GWS has claimed a historic third consecutive win at GMHBA Stadium as Toby Greene dominated in his 200th game.
Coming into the game, GWS had remarkably won its last two games at GMHBA Stadium, the competition’s best continuous record. Geelong also hadn’t lost at home for over a year and hadn’t conceded more than 75 points at Kardinia Park since Round 23, 2021.
But no one told Adam Kingsley’s side the history they were up against, starting hot and desperately holding on in the final term as the Cats turned the screws. But the 12.9. (81) to 10.14 (74) win is the Giants’ fourth of the season and comes in the most-deserved fashion.
The clash finalises a day of major upsets in the AFL, with Hawthorn downing St Kilda and Fremantle fighting off Melbourne earlier in the day.
Plenty of the leadup into Saturday evening’s clash revolved around Greene and his milestone game and as he has so often, the GWS captain lived up to the moment booting four first-half goals.
Greene also finished with 21 touches, nine marks and seven score involvements.
As just the second Giant to reach the milestone, Greene is undoubtedly one of the club’s greatest ever players.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of concerns for the Cats. An injury crisis has engulfed the club, but 16 premiership players were still running around at GMHBA Oval, many of which had little say on the result.
The Cats will be fearful for Esava Ratugolea going forward after the key defender limped off with hamstring tightness in the third term.
Ratugolea has been a revelation in his first season as a full-time backman but could be helped by Geelong's bye in a fortnight's time.
Thankfully for Cats fans, Sam De Koning was playing his first game back and slotted onto Jesse Hogan in Ratugolea’s absence.
The GWS key forward went goalless, but was still in his side’s best in having plenty of say on the clash with 19 disposals, six marks and five inside 50s, along with a mark of the year contender in the dying minutes that saw the Giants eat even more time off the clock.
Remarkably, one of Geelong’s best in the first half was Irishman Oisin Mullin.
The 23-year-old was a bolter when picked to play just his fourth official game of footy and Chris Scott told reporters Mullin would be let loose against the Giants.
He wasn’t kidding. Mullin played with freedom and dare off half-back and pushing into the midfield and even racked up eight disposals alone in the second term.
Finishing with 15 touches, there’s little doubt Scott was justified in his selection in springing one of the biggest team surprises of the season.
But that will do the premiership coach little good, with his side failing to show enough heart earlier in the game and leaving themselves far too much to do late against a bottom four team.
The Cats will now have a battle in their next three weeks, taking on the Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Melbourne.
All three are at 50/50 games at best for the Cats. Just a fortnight ago, the competition was discussing Geelong as a premiership threat and bordering on a top four lock.
But a third straight loss for Scott’s side means Geelong could be out of the eight come the end of Round 11 and are going to have to beat some quality outfits to earn their way back in.
On the flip side, Saturday’s performance marks a reward for effort against the Giants, who have been in all but one game this year.
Only against Collingwood has Kingsley’s side been beaten by more than 21 points, yet they were on a three-game losing streak heading into Round 11.
With games against Richmond, North Melbourne and Fremantle to come, GWS can still show its hand this year to be a competitive side.
FULL SCORE
Geelong: 2.4, 2.6, 5.7, 10.14 (74)
Greater Western Sydney: 2.3, 6.5, 8.9. 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 2, Henry 2, Stengle 2, Close, Henry, Hawkins, Parfitt
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 4, Riccardi 3, Daniels 3, Briggs, Bedford
BEST
Geelong: Stewart, Blicavs, Smith, Cameron, Z. Guthrie
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Daniels, Hogan, Green, Briggs
INJURIES
Geelong: Ratugolea (hamstring)
Greater Western Sydney: N/A
CROWD TBC @ GMHBA Stadium