Geelong stars Tom Hawkins and Travis Varcoe celebrate their victory over Hawthorn with the fans. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
IF FOOTY was five a side, Geelong would have the ideal set-up.
Skipper Joel Selwood in the middle and the quartet of Mathew Stokes, Allen Christensen, Travis Varcoe and Steven Motlop on the perimeter.
That's grunt and leg speed, although the Fab Four aren't averse to getting their knees dirty.
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Speed is symbolic. The Cats have always moved the ball quickly and had composure, and now they have leg speed to complement the lot.
They used it again against Hawthorn, which was brave enough but not good enough and the Hawks will kick themselves for giving up a game they should have won.
Up by 30 points late in the second quarter and dominating possession and clearances - they led 21-11 at the half - the Hawks could not drive the dagger deeper into a Geelong team which maybe, just maybe, might have thought the streak was over.
Two goals just before the siren, however, to Tom Hawkins and Varcoe, and the difference at halftime was only 20 points.
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That was the momentum swing.
A kick there, a handball here, and the Hawks could easily have been seven or eight goals in front.
Gee, you've got to love the Cats.
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They took the lead at the 15th minute of the third quarter and were never headed. That's 10 in a row against a team many believe is about 2cm off a premiership.
Don't know how curses work, or myths, or karma, but it's got to be more than bad luck.
For whatever reason, the Hawks choke against the Cats.
Be it kicking for goal, disposal under pressure, nerves, or fear of taking responsibility ... the Hawks somehow find a way to fail.
Yesterday, they had poor performers in Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels, David Hale and Shane Savage; Luke Breust who kicked three behinds; and a midfield that won plenty of the ball that wasn't reflected on the scoreboard.
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The Cats hung and hung and, on the back of Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman after quarter-time, and Andrew Mackie, Harry Taylor and newbie Jared Rivers at the back, they wrested control.
The Fab Four and a rebuilt group of flankers, which includes Jordan Murdoch, Josh Caddy, Billie Smedts and star in the making, Mitch Duncan, all played a role.
"It's different isn't it?" coach Chris Scott said of his speedy midfield.
"(Josh) Caddy is a very hard runner as well and we've injected some speed in the last couple of years that hasn't played together all that often.
"Varcoe was obviously a big loss for us last year, but it was more the combination of Varcoe, Motlop Murdoch, Smedts, Caddy, Taylor Hunt that makes us look a little bit different."
Yep, the contested ball is there and it's always welcomed in a footy team, yet it is the speed of the Fab Four that gives the Cats an edge.
Time and again, Christensen, Varcoe and Motlop dazzled the opposition. They opened up space, which creates overlap, which in turn draws defenders, which in turn leaves their forwards, at worst, in one-on-one contests.
That's what leg speed does.
Stokes is the more mature and rounded performer and had 29 possessions. Motlop and Christensen had 18 each and Varcoe 13.
But this isn't about numbers. It's about impact. And they had plenty.
THE TACKLE: CATS V HAWKS
LIKES
1. Joel Selwood
Can't be likes without mentioning the captain. Can harp on about the start of his third quarter, but he was more than that. When the Hawks dominated the first half, Selwood battled the tide, winning 17 touches. He would finish with 33, six tackles and very sore body. His effort yesterday, of influencing the game when it was needed, was not as spectacular as Gary Ablett's game on Saturday night, but equally as important.
2. Billie Smedts
Had the footy world all over him last year, mainly because the Cats' expectations were enormous. Played 14 games, averaged 12 touches and kicked six goals, playing defence and attack. Yesterday he played forward and kicked two goals and looked dangerous throughout. Is one of a bunch of Cats youngsters helping to keep the team a premiership contender.
3. Paul Chapman
Have to admit I was worried about Chappy, but the coach wasn't . ''He can be one of the dominating players in the competition,'' coach Chris Scott said last night on Channel 9. His move into the midfield yesterday helped turn the contest and after winning just three touches in the first quarter, he would gather 22 in the next three, which included seven inside 50s. His ability to be composed with the ball was a standout
Honorable mentions: Cats' defence, Cats' speed, Brad Hill's first 45 minutes, the debut of Blicavs, Paul Puopolo as a mid, Sewell's heart and the Buddy v Selwood scraps which were five at final count.
Joel Selwood escapes from the centre clearance with the footy during the third quarter. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
DISLIKES
1. Jarryd Roughead
Sat next to a veteran AFL watcher and he lamented about the output from Roughie. He dropped a mark, and the veteran said: ''He wouldn't have done that in 2008.'' Long memory, hey? The fact is Roughie is critical to the Hawks, especially with Franklin roaming far and wide. Just four marks and 15 touches and 1.2 on the scoreboard. Had Harry Taylor when in the forward line and honors went to Harry. With the Hawks wanting to create more speed in the midfield , and possibility of Franklin playing even more minutes there, Roughie will need to kick goals at full-forward.
2. Jack Gunston
Three touches in the first quarter and eight for the game, plus just the one tracke, meant three of Hawthorn's key forwards didn't have a huge impact on the game. The good news for the Hawks is it's rare for that to happen.
3. Liam Shiels
Huge fan of this bloke's work ethic, but can't get away with just seven touches. Had a host of opponents, mainly Mackie and Murdoch, but couldn't impact the game. Makes the game even more extraordinary considering so many Hawks players played below expectations.
Cats have speed, grunt, impact
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