Cats-Dees: Game of the Year?
Last updated: Jul 25, 2018, 2:40AM | Published: Jul 23, 2018, 6:23AM
Geelong defender Zach Tuohy kicked a goal after the siren to deliver his team a priceless win on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium.
Tuohy marked with less than 10 seconds to go on a slight angle, but calmly went back and slotted the goal to give the Cats the four points.
ZACH TUOHY KICKS THE MATCH WINNER AFTER THE SIREN!#AFLCatsDees pic.twitter.com/0xknyuwHTL
— AFL (@AFL) July 21, 2018
Geelong's straight kicking compared to the Demons' wastefulness summed up the night, as the Cats won 16.4. (100) to the Demons 14.14 (98). It's also left the Dees still without a win against top-eight opposition this season, a worrying trend heading towards Finals time.
Melbourne weren't able to make the most of their early opportunities, and despite their statistical dominance they didn't hit the scoreboard effectively, and Geelong controlled the In-Play Win Probability throughout the first half.
The Demons gained control late in the third quarter, taking a 23-point lead into the final term. At that time, Melbourne were 83% likely winners, according to Stats Insider's In-Play Win Probability.
The likelihood of the Demons winning climbed as high as 91% early in the final quarter, but, with Geelong's Tom Hawkins kicking four of his seven goals in this term, the Cats slowly clawed their way back into the game.
Gary Ablett delivered a virtuoso display in the last, gathering 14 of his 31 disposals as the Cats willed themselves into contention.
Tom McDonald kicked a steadying goal for the Demons with seven minutes to go, to create an 8-point buffer, before Hawkins converted to trim the lead back to less than one straight kick with under four minutes to play.
Tuohy then marked 30 metres out following a dangerous long ball from Mitch Duncan to slot a memorable winner for Geelong.
Tim Kelly led the winners with 32 disposals and one goal, Ablett Jr, 31 and one goal, Mitch Duncan 31 disposals, Sam Menegola 30, while Patrick Dangerfield generated 28 touches and added two goals.
Clayton Oliver was the standout player for Melbourne, amassing a whopping 40 disposals including 20 contested possessions, but it was to no avail, as heartbreak struck yet again for a shattered Melbourne outfit.
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