Geelong remain undefeated after easily accounting for North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In a game often resembling a training drill, the Cats showed of all of their party tricks against a hapless Roos side with the final score line 21.13 (139) to 10.4 (64).
While Tom Hawkins was a late out due to management, Geelong’s forward didn’t suffer one bit as all of Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Brad Close, Tyson Stengle and his replacement Shannon Neale kicked multiple goals.
The win was set up through a dominant first half as they entered the main break leading by 51 points and that control persisted throughout the third and fourth terms as North Melbourne simply looked a level or two below, ultimately going down by 75.
For the Cats, their best players were their forwards as the ball often remained in their half of the ground. Naturally for North Melbourne, some of their defenders picked up plenty of footy.
Geelong face a tough task in their quest for 6-0 when they face Brisbane at the Gabba next Saturday while North Melbourne meet fellow winless side Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium next Sunday.
Our player ratings:
Geelong
Jeremy Cameron: A+
Easily the best player on the ground. Kicked six and racked up plenty of footy whenever he felt like pushing up the ground. With Tom Hawkins out of the side had the entire forward 50 to himself.
Brad Close: A+
Kicked four and assisted another. Great return from the small/medium forward.
Max Holmes: A+
Kicked two nice goals to go with 25 disposals. Had moments of class and showed off his elite speed on many occasions.
Tom Stewart: A
Typical Stewart performance. Controlled the air and collected a lot of footy off half back.
Gryan Miers: A
One of Geelong’s best week-in-week-out. Picked up a couple more goal assists to go with 23 disposals.
Shannon Neale: A
Was a late in for Tom Hawkins but looked very promising in the air, kicking three goals.
Jack Bowes: A
Performed strongly as an inside midfielder. Finished with 23 disposals and eight clearances.
Brandan Parfitt: B+
Not picking up huge numbers but has certainly improved in almost every midfield aspect this year. Was one of the best clearance players on the ground all day and got in in dangerous spots.
Tyson Stengle: B+
Another forward that had a good day with the ample opportunities inside 50.
Tom Atkins: B
Mark Blicavs: B
Was subbed off in the fourth term but was solid before that kicking a goal to go with 15 disposals.
Mitch Duncan: B
Used it beautifully whenever he had it but wasn’t overly prolific.
Ollie Henry: B
Zach Guthrie: B-
Sam De Koning: B-
Didn’t do much offensively but helped restrict Nick Larkey’s input.
Tanner Bruhn: B-_
Mark O’Connor: B-
Ollie Dempsey: B-
Zach Tuohy: C+
Rhys Stanley: C+
Solid around the ground but was probably beaten by Tristan Xerri.
Connor O’Sullivan: C+
Showed some strong signs in his debut game but the ball wasn’t in his area all that often.
Jack Henry: C+
Didn’t have to do much in defence.
Jhye Clark: N/A
Came on for Mark Blicavs at the start of the fourth term.
North Mlebourne
Harry Sheezel: A
Another 30+ disposal game for the Roo. His teammates want to get it in his hands as often as they possibly can. Finished with one major and 39 touches.
Eddie Ford: A
Kicked three nice goals and looked North’s most dangerous medium sized forward.
Luke Davies-Uniacke: B+
Got a lot of footy and again looked North Melbourne’s best midfielder. Not an overly dominant game though.
Bailey Scott: B+
Racked up a fair bit of footy off half back finishing with 28 disposals.
Blake Drury: B
Kicked a couple of goals and looked like a solid deeper small forward option.
Tristan Xerri: B
Won his ruck battle with Rhys Stanley but could have done more with his disposal.
Bigoa Nyuon: B-
A decent return in his first game for the club despite being beaten deep on a few occasions. Showed some nice signs playing primarily on Ollie Henry.
Aidan Corr: B-
Not bad himself but was under constant pressure in key defence mainly on Neale.
Tom Powell: B-
Started well in a midfield role but didn’t stand out as much as Davies-Unaicke.
Nick Larkey: C+
Kicked a couple of goals and probably wasn’t helped much by the delivery and lack of footy coming inside 50.
Charlie Comben: C+
Showed some great signs as an intercepting defender but needs to work on shutting down his opponent to become a well-rounded option down back.
Paul Curtis: C+
Had a few attempts at goal but only converted one.
George Wardlaw: C+
Did a few really nice things but didn’t get enough of it to impact majorly.
Zac FIsher: C+
Luke McDonald: C+
Dylan Stephens: C
Charlie Lazzaro: C
Played in the final three quarters after coming on as the sub for the injured Colby McKercher.
Darcy Tucker: C
Jy Simpkin: C
Not having as much of an impact in a role that doesn’t see him rack up big numbers at the source.
Hugh Greenwood: D
For some reason was used in the ruck sometimes. Laid a lot of tackles but didn’t impact.
Zane Duursma: D
Quiet day for the young half forward.
Tyler Sellers: D
Would have liked to have done more in his first game.
Colby McKercher: N/A
Was subbed out at quarter time with a rib issue for Charlie Lazarro.
