How the Cats’ season has changed
Geelong’s 13-point victory over Carlton in late April left them unbeaten through seven rounds and with lots of ammunition for the critics who wrote them off on season eve.
Two months later, they are clinging to a top-eight berth after losing six of their past seven matches, including the Blues delivering a cold dose of revenge in a 63-point hiding at the MCG on Friday night. There are problems and questions everywhere for a side that is finally showing its age.
The biggest centres on champion key forward Tom Hawkins, who was having another underwhelming night before hobbling off in the third term with a foot injury.
Story of woe? Tom Hawkins hobbles off the MCG.Credit: AFL Photos
Hawkins finished with three scoreless touches – his fifth goalless match this season and second against Carlton star Jacob Weitering – and his career is suddenly winding down quickly.
He is stuck on 796 goals, and there will be a nervous wait ahead to discover the severity of his foot setback.
Double dose of De Konings
After the football world fawned over the McKay twins finally facing off, there was a worthy sequel in the De Konings on Friday night.
Rhys Stanley’s knee injury cost him playing against Carlton, with coach Chris Scott instead sending Sam De Koning to take on his in-form brother Tom in an engrossing ruck battle.
Tom took the honours, particularly in the first half, but of most interest was how hard they went at each other.
Tom bullied his younger sibling at a forward-50 stoppage barely a minute into the match – drawing a big reaction from their mum in the stands – and blasted through a goal.
Tom and Sam De Koning.Credit: AFL Photos
He was similarly aggressive against his brother at a ruck contest on the tick of quarter-time, which Sam took exception to.
Those two clashes set the tone for a fascinating clash, with both having their moments, including Sam kicking a goal from a free kick against Tom at the other end.
Blues’ one-two punch
There are lots of reasons Carlton have stormed into premiership contention, but a major one is the form of midfielders Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.
They are the Blues’ main men in the middle, and they made a mess of their Geelong counterparts in a dominant showing.
Blues v Cats.Credit: Getty Images
Cripps finished with 41 disposals and 13 clearances, while Walsh proved the ultimate sidekick with 33 touches of his own and nine clearances.
The star duo were the chief destroyers in Carlton’s 50-39 clearance triumph, which played a key role in their 63-point win.