Geelong‘s 9.9 (63) victory over a struggling Brisbane side at a rainy Gabba has not only solidified the Cats’ premiership ambitions but also raised concerns for the Lions’ playoff hopes. The match saw Geelong lose defensive stalwart Tom Stewart to a concussion, adding to the drama of the night.
Superstar ruckman Oscar McInerney’s exit at half-time due to a concussion test further compounded Brisbane’s woes, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the remaining fixtures.
The relentless rain at the Gabba set the stage for a challenging encounter, with the Lions opening the game with a strong showing through goals from Lincoln McCarthy and Dayne Zorko. However, Geelong’s resilience shone through with responses from Jack Bowes and Ollie Henry, keeping the match finely poised.
As the rain continued to pour, both teams faced difficulties in executing their game plans, with scoring opportunities becoming scarce. Thrifty goals from Zorko and important conversions from Stengle and Henry kept the match tense, with Geelong holding a razor-thin lead at half-time.
Half-time brought the announcement of both McInerney and Stewart being ruled out due to concussions, leaving their respective teams scrambling to adjust their strategies for the rest of the game. The decisions to sub in Jarryd Lyons and alter Brisbane’s ruck composition added an extra layer of complexity to an already intense contest.
The second half witnessed a gritty battle between the sides, with Geelong’s efficiency in front of goal giving them the edge. Key contributions from Miers, Stengle, and Parfitt helped the Cats pull away, sealing the victory and leaving Brisbane with plenty of questions to answer as they assess their playoff chances moving forward.
As Geelong marches on as the only undefeated team in the competition, the loss of Stewart and the injury woes faced by both teams serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of AFL and the challenges teams must navigate in pursuit of success.
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