The Cats won it in the contest, burst out of the gates in the first 45 minutes of the game to establish a winning lead and then slowly ground the Pies down as they tried to put a comeback together.
Without Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Patrick Dangerfield and a few others, the Cats still performed as an incredibly well-drilled unit. This is such an experienced and mature side, it really is next man up when these superstars go out. The Pies had been in red hot form, but the Geelong defence was sensational all over the ground.
Collingwood will bemoan a half-hour stretch early in the match which cost the game. They will look at the clearance numbers and be concerned, but there was enough in that game for them to like. And yet they never really got close. With Perryman and Howe injured as well, there is some real concern going into these final weeks.
Geelong are up into fifth place. The top four will be hard to crack into, but if the Cats can swerve the wildcard week they’d be delighted. They’re now in a great spot to do just that.
dan