Cats return to AFL high eight with straightforward win over North

Geelong are again within the AFL high eight and coach Chris Scott is bullish concerning the chaos the reigning premiers could cause.

The Cats belted North Melbourne by 62 factors on Sunday at GMHBA Stadium to honour Zach Tuohy’s 265th recreation.

Tuohy took the report from Jim Stynes for essentially the most matches by an Irishman with the 19.11 (125) to 9.9 (63) win.

Geelong now have a tricky finish to the season, beginning with subsequent Saturday night time’s dwelling recreation in opposition to resurgent Essendon.

Apart from Fremantle, who made the finals final yr, all of the Cats’ opponents are above them on the ladder.

However Scott is relishing the problem, saying his crew’s finest type will take a look at the most effective within the league.

‘We nonetheless have the capability to seek out our greatest footy and be very, very harmful,” Scott mentioned.

“We thought at present was a step in the appropriate course there.

“We’re very assured that if we play our greatest footy, we are the hazard.

“We’re OK with (our fixture) … a minimum of you may come away from these video games, if you happen to play effectively, pondering that is a bit extra validation, that our greatest goes to be adequate. However I believe we all know that already.”

Including to their optimism, key ahead Jeremy Cameron ought to return from harm to face the Bombers.

North kicked two of the primary three targets, however Geelong claimed the following 11 to kill off the match.

The Kangaroos’ third purpose didn’t come till 9 minutes into the third time period.

Including to their soiled day, Griffin Logue has a knee harm that they worry is severe and co-captain Jy Simpkin was additionally compelled out of the sport due to concussion.

North coach Brett Ratten mentioned they had been smashed in centre bounce clearances and that put them on the again foot all through the sport.

“We simply know once you play Geelong down right here .. they get run-ons, lock you away and set the sport up and to lose centre bounce you give them precisely what they need,” Ratten mentioned.

They kicked a purpose, we went again to the center and we begin the sport of their ahead 50 almost,”

The Kangaroos had been 68 factors down within the third quarter, however they stopped the sport changing into a complete rout.

Ratten spoke of them attempting to have little wins and one got here within the final quarter when Cooper Harvey, the son of AFL video games report holder Brent, kicked his first purpose on debut.

North gamers ran from in all places to congratulate Harvey and Ratten mentioned that confirmed their spirit remained robust, regardless of 14 consecutive losses.

Tyson Stengle kicked 5 targets and Ollie Henry 4 for the Cats as Mitch Duncan impressed with 30 possessions, whereas Luke Davies-Uniacke was finest for North and kicked two targets.

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