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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft

AFL 2021 semi-finals: Geelong Cats down GWS Giants – as it happened

Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins
Optus Stadium hosts the AFL 2021 semi-final between Geelong Cats and GWS Giants. Start time in Perth tonight is 5:50pm; 7:50pm AEST. Follow live finals updates. Photograph: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Summary

Geelong avoid the ignominy of a straight sets exit and survive to take on Melbourne next Friday for a place in the grand final. The Cats were far from their best tonight but in Tom Hawkins they had the game’s decisive force.

GWS enjoyed much of the contest on their terms, especially in midfield, but their injury and suspension hit line-up denied them anything like a forward structure. Jack Henry looked like Matthew Scarlett at times such was the ease of reading the Giants’ entries and their lack of physical presence near the goalsquare. Despite a late rally it was a tame exit to conclude a frustrating season for Leon Cameron.

Geelong will have to step up another level or five against the Demons. Chris Scott will also have to find a replacement for Brandon Parfitt after the influential on-baller was substituted early on with a hamstring injury.

Scott’s Cats were once again sluggish early on and cautious with their ball movement, but once the game opened up in the second half and they were forced to play more instinctively the likes of Sam Menegola and Cam Guthrie began to assert themselves. As well as Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron was strong in the forward half, and their battle with Steven May and Jake Lever promises to go a long way to deciding who reaches the first grand final at Optus Stadium.

I’m back tomorrow for the Dogs and the Lions; Port Adelaide await the winners of that one. Catch you then.

Full-time: Geelong 15.13 (103) v 10.8 (68) GWS

The Cats are through to yet another preliminary final.

Tom Hawkins
Tom Hawkins starred for Geelong. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Q4: 1 min remaining: Geelong 15.13 (103) v 10.8 (68) GWS - Another season drifts by for the Giants. Sure, they’ve had plenty of things go against them this year, but - as was mentioned below the line - they’ve started most of the past six or seven years with as much talent of any side in the competition so a season of injuries will earn little sympathy.

Q4: 2 mins remaining: Geelong 15.13 (103) v 10.8 (68) GWS - Who comes in for Parfitt? Do Dahlhaus or Higgins get recalled?

Q4: 3 mins remaining: Geelong 15.13 (103) v 10.8 (68) GWS - Does anybody give Geelong a sniff against the Dees next Friday?

Q4: 4 mins remaining: Geelong 15.13 (103) v 10.8 (68) GWS - The Giants can’t clear from Smith’s behind and half-chance after half-chance eventually turns into a set shot for Menegola from 40 out, and he squeezes home the century-maker.

Q4: 5 mins remaining: Geelong 14.13 (97) v 10.8 (68) GWS - Smith marks 35m out after being fed by Menegola. He takes his full 30 seconds then shanks badly wide.

Q4: 6 mins remaining: Geelong 14.12 (96) v 10.8 (68) GWS - Geelong playing simple, end-of-game footy to try and see off the final few minutes with the minimum of fuss.

Q4: 7 mins remaining: Geelong 14.12 (96) v 10.8 (68) GWS - In the ‘deserves a mention’ column, Jack Henry has been very good for Geelong. Always there or thereabouts and vital in Tom Stewart’s absence.

Q4: 8 mins remaining: Geelong 14.12 (96) v 10.7 (67) GWS - Himmelberg has come into this contest late and he marks a centring ball under pressure to kick a goal that will keep the Cats honest for the final few minutes.

Q4: 9 mins remaining: Geelong 14.12 (96) v 9.7 (61) GWS - Credit to the Giants for their late rally, but it was too little too late. Swap Tom Hawkins and this match takes a different complexion, but if my Auntie had... you know the rest.

Q4: 10 mins remaining: Geelong 14.11 (95) v 9.7 (61) GWS - Hawkins again! That was textbook Tomahawk, manhandling his marker to turn a hopeful punt inside-50 into a chest mark full of Alpha swagger. He has 5.1 from 18 disposals and eight marks. Game changer.

Q4: 11 mins remaining: Geelong 13.11 (89) v 9.7 (61) GWS - Peatling straight on for Sproule.

Q4: 11 mins remaining: Geelong 13.11 (89) v 9.7 (61) GWS - Cameron marks on the lead, goes back and kicks a point. Meanwhile Sproule looks to have dislocated a shoulder on the bench.

Q4: 13 mins remaining: Geelong 13.10 (88) v 9.7 (61) GWS - The Giants are playing at breakneck speed now, but with that comes inaccuracy. And every fumble or stray high arm free-kick allows Geelong to work the clock, chip to spare men and slow the game down. Inevitably one of their leading forwards presents, Hawkins this time, and he marks, and goals. Another crucial finish. Surely, surely, that’ll do it. Hawkins now has four and will ultimately prove the difference between the two sides.

Q4: 15 mins remaining: Geelong 12.9 (81) v 9.7 (61) GWS - The Giants don’t care. They blitz another centre clearance and from the quick ball Blicavs is penalised for hands in Himmelberg’s back. GWS smoke another set shot! After a very very slow start this final has suddenly come to life!

Q4: 15 mins remaining: Geelong 12.9 (81) v 8.7 (55) GWS - There’s the steadier. Close intercepts well in midfield and affords Guthrie some run. He lifts his head and finds the leading Hawkins. The big Cat takes his time and wheels around on his left to snap a much needed score.

Q4: 16 mins remaining: Geelong 11.9 (75) v 8.7 (55) GWS - Still they come! Geelong getting monstered around the contest around the ground. They need a helpful whistle to stop the Giants getting a quick fourth! The Cats can’t choke this, surely! Or is the memory of that collapse against the Dees in their minds?

Q4: 17 mins remaining: Geelong 11.9 (75) v 8.7 (55) GWS - Far from this final term being about Geelong gaining momentum, it is all about the Giants’ resilience. They win another centre clearance and earn repeat stoppages on the right flank. From the last of these Ward isn’t checked and he waltzes into traffic, gathers, snaps and the crowd erupts. Three in a row in quick time.

Q4: 18 mins remaining: Geelong 11.9 (75) v 7.7 (49) GWS - That’s the stuff from the Giants - two in the blink of an eye. This one comes their own 50 with Whitfield setting up a chain of desperate possession with the ball being kept alive at every opportunity. It looks set to end with Kelly misfiring with the kick for goal, but Geelong can’t sent the ball out of play and Stone is on the spot to finish powerfully.

Q4: 18 mins remaining: Geelong 11.9 (75) v 6.7 (43) GWS - ... or Haynes, who has been swung forward, can take a leading contested mark and strike an immediate reply. He is a wonderful footballer.

Q4: 19 mins remaining: Geelong 11.9 (75) v 5.7 (37) GWS - Geelong get first use in the final quarter, Dangerfield sets up field position, Davis gets caught in possession, Miers kicks the free to the top of the square, the defending is average and Close crumbs an easy goal. The Cats can fill their boots now and generate some much needed momentum.

Sorry to be such a downer tonight. Am I missing something? Maybe it’s the Melbourne rain and lockdown?

Apropos of nothing, those Cash Converter ads are ghastly.

Sorry Max Holmes, this one is going to stalk you.

3QT: Geelong 10.9 (69) v 5.7 (37) GWS

Geelong have done just enough all night, and they now have the game well on their terms. A nice Mumford set shot after the siren shouldn’t make much difference in the wash-up.

Q3: 1 mins remaining: Geelong 10.9 (69) v 4.7 (31) GWS - Geelong with repeat stoppages in the right forward pocket. Eventually Tuohy does well to wriggle some room, he handballs to Menegola who snaps instinctively and scores. Melbourne can begin their opposition planning for the prelim.

Q3: 2 mins remaining: Geelong 9.9 (63) v 4.7 (31) GWS -Another spell of disputed, ragged, turnover footy between the arcs ends with Rohan marking strongly on centre wing. It comes to nought. A shoutout to Close, who has done plenty of ugly stuff well for the Cats up forward tonight.

Q3: 4 mins remaining: Geelong 9.9 (63) v 4.7 (31) GWS - Haynes intercepts brilliantly, then kicks straight to a Cat downfield. That sums up GWS tonight. The Cats look to have more run now, freed from pressure with the scoreboard as it is. They could easily pile on a stack in the final quarter.

Q3: 6 mins remaining: Geelong 9.9 (63) v 4.7 (31) GWS - That’s the game. Four in a row for the Cats. After Stanley set up good field position and Holmes laid a strong tackle for a stoppage 50m out, the ruck win from Hawkins goes straight to Smith on the outside and he snaps easily home on his left boot.

Q3: 7 mins remaining: Geelong 8.9 (57) v 4.7 (31) GWS - Geelong struggle to clear their lines (again). GWS rebound ominously (again). Nobody presents inside-50 and the spare Cat intercepts (again). This time, despite their best efforts to mess it up, Geelong do work the ball through space and Rohan finishes in the goalsquare. It wasn’t brisk slick footy, but they all count. Hard to see the Giants kicking their way back into this.

Q3: 9 mins remaining: Geelong 7.9 (51) v 4.6 (30) GWS - Good hands from the Giants on halfback, but the long kick isn’t marked and Geelong go coast to coast and sco...OH MY WORD! Holmes fresh-air kicks from a metre out. WOW! To begin with Cameron should have marked at the top of the square, but thereafter Holmes will have nightmares for years about that. Remember, this is a semi-final!

Q3: 10 mins remaining: Geelong 7.8 (50) v 4.6 (30) GWS - The ball goes in again but Henderson wins the mark with plenty of big G guernseys in his part of the ground. The Giants’ midfield is winning plenty of ball but there is nothing doing ahead of them.

Q3: 11 mins remaining: Geelong 7.8 (50) v 4.6 (30) GWS - Taranto has a free in a near-identical position to Coniglio seconds ago, but he can’t find a target either. The Giants are not going to score heavily enough with this structure, even if Geelong are only just functioning.

Q3: 12 mins remaining: Geelong 7.8 (50) v 4.6 (30) GWS - From the kick-in Geelong were out down the left but it’s poor ball movement despite Close’s best efforts to keep it alive, and Whitfield clears. Selwood then coathangers Haynes on the rebound.

Q3: 13 mins remaining: Geelong 7.8 (50) v 4.6 (30) GWS - A rare mark inside-50 for Coniglio, although it’s 49m plus the man on the mark, so it’ll be a heck of a punt to make the journey. He goes to the top of the square instead and it’s off hands for a point.

Q3: 14 mins remaining: Geelong 7.8 (50) v 4.5 (29) GWS - Another excellent individual moment this quarter - Hawkins this time. He floats across to take a terrific pack mark and set up a set shot from 35m on a 45 degree angle. He doesn’t miss those delicate needle-threaders. The Cats have a handy margin now and the Giants are going to need Plan B to remain in touch.

Q3: 15 mins remaining: Geelong 6.8 (44) v 4.5 (29) GWS - Haynes is outstanding, and he has been excellent again tonight. First he disrupts Geelong’s quick ball after Dangerfield and Menegola earned a rare clearance win. Then he follows up for the clearing kick. That kick soon comes back his way though with the Giants lacking any forward presence.

Q3: 17 mins remaining: Geelong 6.8 (44) v 4.5 (29) GWS - Hawkins does well to mark a dump ball out of defence. He handballs infield quickly and one kick later Whitfield is penalised 30m out for interfering with Rohan in a marking contest. The speedster restores Geelong’s 15-point lead.

Q3: 18 mins remaining: Geelong 5.8 (38) v 4.5 (29) GWS - But there’s some individual brilliance from Hill. He does well in the air to contest the mark, then at ground level on the half-forward flank to keep the ball alive, then he snaps on the run across his body for a superb goal. The moment of the night so far. The Giants needed the first goal of the term, and they have it.

Q3: 19 mins remaining: Geelong 5.8 (38) v 3.5 (23) GWS - Ward with the first clearance but Geelong force a stoppage on defensive 50 and clear their lines. They soon cough it up and GWS caress the footy for a while as the half begins with little fluency.

We’re almost ready for the second half...

“The game’s alive,” remarks Leon Cameron. Then he’s asked about only the solitary mark inside-50 and he doesn’t offer a great deal of optimism beyond Himmelberg growing into the game late in the second quarter.

Not a lot to choose between the teams on the stats sheet, but the standout figure is Geelong leading marks inside 50 6-1. GWS simply don’t have any forward structure and are relying on profiting at ground level.

Cameron is the only multiple goalscorer, and his second was a terrific finish. Tuohy has seen the most ball, and he’s looked classy with it. Guthrie is getting busy around the stoppages but he has his work cut out against a number of effective GWS mids.

Just a reminder Parfitt was subbed off at quarter-time with a hamstring injury. It doesn’t sound severe, but even so, it’s hard to see him getting up for the prelim if the Cats make it.

HT: Geelong 5.8 (38) v 3.5 (23) GWS

Melbourne will be losing no sleep. Geelong somehow ahead by 15 in one of their poorer performances of the season. GWS must be rueing so many absentees.

Q2: 1 mins remaining: Geelong 5.8 (38) v 3.5 (23) GWS - Brilliant stoppage work from Ash on right centre wing. He sends the Giants deep inside 50 and Himmelberg has front position on Blicavs. He brings the ball to ground, snaps expertly - and hits the post! Ooh, that was nearly a big momentum changer.

Q2: 1 mins remaining: Geelong 5.8 (38) v 3.4 (22) GWS - And the Giants hit straight back. They win the clearance then keep the ball alive in Geelong territory without a great deal of finesse, until Lloyd snaps smartly.

Q2: 2 mins remaining: Geelong 5.8 (38) v 2.4 (16) GWS - Excellent by Tuohy off halfback to steer out of trouble and find Rohan down the line. He plays on and kicks to Cameron’s advantage on the lead near the boundary line on the right. He does well to control the ball with his hands outstretched, plays on, wheels around onto his left and smashes home a 48m snap. A lovely passage to illuminate a game still struggling to come out of its shell.

Q2: 3 mins remaining: Geelong 4.8 (32) v 2.4 (16) GWS - 50m against Hawkins for a late swinging arm against Whitfield. Dumb footy. GWS go from defence to attack and should score. With time and space they miss targets inside 50 twice then Perryman tries to snap but fails to even kick out on the full.

Q2: 5 mins remaining: Geelong 4.7 (31) v 2.4 (16) GWS - Oof! Finally something to get excited about - Ratugolea crunching a pack to take a chest mark from a steepling entry from Stanley. And he kicks the goal to honour the build-up.

Q2: 6 mins remaining: Geelong 3.7 (25) v 2.4 (16) GWS - Cats down the line, GWS win the contest... Geelong intercept the hopeful ball forward then kick into touch. GAH! This is grim.

Q2: 7 mins remaining: Geelong 3.7 (25) v 2.4 (16) GWS - That’s more like it. Swift transition from the kick-in from the Giants and it ends with Lloyd marking strongly 40m out. But his finish is dross.

Q2: 8 mins remaining: Geelong 3.7 (25) v 2.3 (15) GWS - Mumford plays out and handballs into the man on the mark. Geelong kick to nobody inside 50. Rohan sidesteps his way inside 50 then kicks miles wide on the run with an unguarded goal ahead. How is this a final?

Q2: 9 mins remaining: Geelong 3.6 (24) v 2.3 (15) GWS - Turnover after turnover between the arcs. Gee whizz this is ugly. from both sides.

Q2: 10 mins remaining: Geelong 3.6 (24) v 2.3 (15) GWS - The Cats go long down the line out of defence, GWS win the contested ball but have nothing to kick to inside 50. The story of the game so far.

Q2: 11 mins remaining: Geelong 3.6 (24) v 2.3 (15) GWS - An element of fatigue is starting to show, but it remains scrappy, congested, and error-riddled.

Q2: 12 mins remaining: Geelong 3.6 (24) v 2.3 (15) GWS - Geelong hit back immediately through Hawkins. He reads the ball better than Taylor and ends up with a near uncontested mark 15m out. Hint of a nudge in the back too, but no call.

Q2: 13 mins remaining: Geelong 2.6 (18) v 2.3 (15) GWS - This game refuses to improve. The Cats allow a long bomb to bounce 15m from goal and they’re lucky to escape without conceding a free-kick. They then benefit from a free of their own, but they can’t do anything with it and in no time the ball is back in a Giant’s hands, Blicavs can’t prevent the delivery from clearing the pack and Stone snaps brilliantly on his left to kick GWS’ second. Great goal.

Q2: 14 mins remaining: Geelong 2.6 (18) v 1.3 (9) GWS - Faster from the Cats off halfback this time and Bews, who has started well, drills a pass to Rohan, who is fortunate to receive a free-kick for being interfered with at the marking contest. The former Swan smashes a handsome kick a long long way; and wide.

Q2: 15 mins remaining: Geelong 2.5 (17) v 1.3 (9) GWS - Kelly kicks the Giants’ first of the night! The move begins with some slick handballs through midfield but then De Boer dwells on the entry inside 50 - an error that comes up trumps - because from the broken play the ball reaches Kelly and strikes cleanly from 45m and just makes the distance.

Q2: 16 mins remaining: Geelong 2.5 (17) v 0.3 (3) GWS - Blicavs intercepts just inside his defensive 50. He takes an age to pull the trigger before chipping to Cam Guthrie. He also takes his full complement before slapping a high ball down the line. The ball ends up in dispute in midfield before a hammer is taken on the burst by Stanley. He offloads to Duncan who scrubs a crucial kick. Another entry, then a second, both to contests, neither threatening, too many bodies forming into a pack and GWS clear.

Q2: 17 mins remaining: Geelong 2.5 (17) v 0.3 (3) GWS - Nice hands from the Giants coming away from a midfield stoppage. What have they got ahead? Hill on the lead, he runs and marks neatly. What has he got? Nothing. So he slices out of bounds in the pocket. GWS are really going to struggle to kick goals tonight.

Q2: 19 mins remaining: Geelong 2.5 (17) v 0.3 (3) GWS - The second quarter begins messily. The game waits an age for Dangerfield to be returned the ball following a mark, he then slips as he kicks and finds a charcoal guernsey.

Hamstring for Parfitt. Can’t imagine he plays again this year.

SUB! Brandon Parfitt has been subbed out, Zach Guthrie comes in. More on that as it comes.

Just the tenth time Geelong have won the opening quarter this season.

Geelong leading on the stats sheet. Zach Tuohy and Isaac Smith seeing most of the ball, important marks from Bad Close at one end and Jack Henry at the other shaped the quarter. This is not vintage Cats, but it’s hard to see how the Giants can apply serious scoreboard pressure with such a flimsy forward set up.

QT: Geelong 2.5 (17) v 0.3 (3) GWS

Maybe both teams are acclimatising to an unfamiliar ground? Maybe it’s the pressure of the occasion? Jetlag? GWS outs? Who knows what? But that was ordinary.

Q1: 1 mins remaining: Geelong 2.5 (17) v 0.3 (3) GWS - Clean centre clearance win from the Cats, ball inside 50 early and Stein is penalised for a hold on Ratugolea. He slices yet another simple set shot wide. This is not a high quality game of footy.

Q1: 2 mins remaining: Geelong 2.4 (16) v 0.3 (3) GWS - Deary me. Geelong get their second through Close, but it was hard work. Stanley does superbly in the ruck to earn a free-kick on centre wing. He goes inboard to set up dangerous space through the corridor, but Atkins fumbles his kick. Geelong do well to keep the ball alive and muscle the ball forward and perhaps because of the broken play the Giants are not settled in defence and Close has space out the back to take a strong mark and finish in the goalsquare.

Q1: 3 mins remaining: Geelong 1.4 (10) v 0.3 (3) GWS - This is a scrappy old mess of a quarter. Lots of huffing and puffing from both teams for very little reward.

Q1: 5 mins remaining: Geelong 1.4 (10) v 0.3 (3) GWS - The Cats are operating at much higher intensity than last week and from the GWS kick-in they deny the Giants an exit and force repeat stoppages in the right forward pocket. There’s still no cohesion in possession though, especially with those midfield to forward kicks.

Q1: 7 mins remaining: Geelong 1.4 (10) v 0.3 (3) GWS - The Giants look completely unstructured in attack. Without Hogan there is no focal point and Geelong’s defence - Henry in particular - have had plenty of time to disrupt anything going forward. After Taranto delivers dangerously inside 50, the Cats can rebound swiftly down the right. Hawkins is then interfered with by Davis in the marking contest, and the big Cat strikes the post! Another missed opportunity.

Q1: 8 mins remaining: Geelong 1.3 (9) v 0.3 (3) GWS - The Giants’ tall defenders have all started well again. Taylor almost opened the door for Cameron but he recovered smartly to snuff out the danger. But Geelong secure good territory for a minute or so and from sustained pressure from Miers and Parfitt, Henderson has time to pick a target with the ball swiftly moved to Cameron 1-1 and his marker, Stein, chops his arms, inviting the high-profile forward to boot a simple opening goal.

Q1: 9 mins remaining: Geelong 0.3 (3) v 0.3 (3) GWS - The Cats are awarded an advantage for a high tackle on a halfback flank, and there is nothing automatic on so again there’s just a dump ball down the line. This is such a mechanical approach to the game all of a sudden from Geelong.

Q1: 10 mins remaining: Geelong 0.3 (3) v 0.3 (3) GWS - As you can guess form the scoreboard, this hasn’t been a great exhibition of pure high-skilled footy so far. Lots of ugly disputed ball between the arcs, ball-ins, and stoppages.

Q1: 12 mins remaining: Geelong 0.3 (3) v 0.3 (3) GWS - The Cats again dwell on a kick-in and end up going long down the line. They benefit from a neat bounce to Bews who sets them going forward, hitting Cameron, who gets back down the ground for a second possession, enabling him to centre to Menegola who... misses a set shot from 35m out pretty central. Geelong will not want to miss many more of those.

Q1: 14 mins remaining: Geelong 0.2 (2) v 0.2 (2) GWS - Geelong’s ball movement from back to front is ponderous again, and after a glacial move down the right Davis intercepts, the Giants switch and exit down the right. After the Cats’ bright start, this is on even terms.

Q1: 15 mins remaining: Geelong 0.2 (2) v 0.2 (2) GWS - GWS prospered from forward stoppages against the Swans and they get their first clearing scoring opportunity from one tonight. Guthrie is penalised for holding Hopper, but the Giant hooks his effort wide.

Q1: 16 mins remaining: Geelong 0.2 (2) v 0.1 (1) GWS - Geelong have had plenty of the ball early, and there’s more energy to the movement than last week. GWS are structured well so far though. Saying that, Smith should do better with a snap from 35m out after Cameron brought a long bomb to ground. The Cats pushing hard.

Q1: 18 mins remaining: Geelong 0.1 (1) v 0.1 (1) GWS - Geelong get first use but after some neat footwork from Selwood, Ratugolea is outmarked by Haynes. The Cats are soon back in possession though, chipping the ball around midfield until Duncan kicks inside 50. The Giants pick it off and rebound precisely at speed through the corridor forcing Henry to win a vital 1-1. That sets up the Cats to attack directly themselves and with Cameron free out the back a goal looks inevitable but the bounce outfoxes the former Giant and a point is the opening score.

De Boer has gone to Dangerfield.

Opening bounce!

Melbourne await in the preliminary final. Who will return to Optus Stadium next weekend to face them?

... the drone shots, sunset and national anthem punctuated by Beetee shouting at me like a sloppy drunk in a noisy pub. Snapped back to reality.

From a drenched, locked down Melbourne, the drone shots of Optus Stadium with the Swan River snaking alongside it are making me very very jealous. That is a beautiful sight.

The Cats are wringing every last drop from their list. It remains to be seen how much longer this strategy can be sustained.

The teams are out onto the turf and the team songs have been given an airing. Geelong are in the whitest version of their old uniform, GWS are in that spanking charcoal number once again.

Updated

It’s mild and dry in Perth as the sun sets into the Indian Ocean behind the impressive floodlit Optus Stadium. The victors will be back here next weekend, and perhaps even the one after that.

Confirmation that tonight’s venue will also host a preliminary final and the little matter of the AFL grand final. I know these are unprecedented circumstances, but this is not before time. In a truly national competition it is wrong that the MCG has a monopoly on the biggest day in the calendar. Surely some accommodation can be made in the future, perhaps as a rotating non-Victorian venue every second year?

Around 43,000 fans expected at the ground tonight. Be interesting to gauge the atmosphere presuming most in the venue will be neutrals.

A couple of months ago Scott Heinrich wrote about tonight’s two major protagonists - one here to break a record, the other at home cursing his ill discipline.

Details on Toby Greene’s absence, if you somehow managed to avoid all media since Saturday evening.

GWS

The handiest combination for the Giants against the Swans last week was the pairing of Tom Green and Toby Greene in forward stoppages. Neither feature tonight, nor does the experienced Sam Reid. And as the teams were announced an hour before the opening bounce it was revealed Jesse Hogan - another of last week’s heroes - is a late out. Phil Davis is his replacement, which will mean some reshuffling along the lines.

Bobby Hill and Conor Stone - in just his fifth match - also come in, carrying plenty of responsibility.

Leon Cameron’s backline performed outstandingly against Lance Franklin and co. last time out. Jake Stein, Sam Taylor, and Isaac Cumming will have their hands full again with a trio of big bodies in Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, and Esava Ratugolea to contend with. Perhaps that was a factor in selecting Davis as Hogan’s replacement?

B: J.Stein, S.Taylor, I.Cumming
HB: P.Davis, N.Haynes, L.Whitfield
C: J.Kelly, S.Coniglio, H.Perryman
HF: T.Taranto, H.Himmelberg, C.Stone
F: Z.Sproule, B.Hill, M.de Boer
FOLL: S.Mumford, J.Hopper, C.Ward
I/C: T.Bruhn, L.Ash, D.Lloyd, C.Idun
Sub: J. Peatling

IN: B.Hill, C.Stone, J. Peatling, P. Davis
OUT: S.Reid, T.Green, J. Hogan (injured), T.Greene (suspended)

Leon Cameron
Leon Cameron keeps his eyes peeled for 23 fit footballers. Photograph: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Updated

Geelong

Chris Scott has gone tall, recalling Esava Ratugolea at the expense of Luke Dahlhaus. Zach Tuohy returns, as expected, while Max Holmes will be expected to improve Geelong’s forward pressure. Sam Simpson is perhaps unlucky to miss out, while Mark O’Connor is injured. High-profile recruit Shaun Higgins remains an enigma.

B: J.Henry, L.Henderson, J.Kolodjashnij
HB: Z.Tuohy, M.Blicavs, T.Atkins
C: C.Guthrie, M.Duncan, I.Smith
HF: E.Ratugolea, J.Cameron, G.Rohan
F: B.Close, T.Hawkins, G.Miers
FOLL: R.Stanley, J.Selwood, P.Dangerfield
I/C: J.Bews, M.Holmes, S.Menegola, B.Parfitt
Sub: Z. Guthrie

IN: Z.Tuohy, E.Ratugolea, M.Holmes, Z. Guthrie
OUT: S.Simpson, L.Dahlhaus (both omitted), M.O’Connor (injured), S.Higgins (managed)

Joe Selwood.
Joel Selwood takes sole possession of the record for the most appearances in Geelong’s long history. Here he is after a light warm-up. Photograph: Michael Dodge/AAP

Preamble

Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of semi-final two of the 2021 AFL finals series. Geelong v GWS will be underway at Optus Stadium, Perth, at 5.50pm local time (7.50pm AEST).

The Cats spent almost the entire home and away season in the top four, and came within a whisker of the minor premiership. The Giants didn’t dip into the eight until round ten, and were outside it as recently as the start of round 21. Yet, somehow, this is a final that could go either way, typifying this wide open year.

Geelong come in off the back of a hugely dispiriting defeat to Port Adelaide. There was a worrying lack of intensity, an inability to move the ball out of defence, and no shortage of crucial skill errors. Moreover, there was a predictability about the outcome. Since 2004 Geelong have reached 15 of 17 finals campaigns, for a return of ‘only’ five grand finals and three flags. Time and again they have failed to replicate their regular season form on the biggest stage.

Anxiety is ratcheted up a notch this year because of the age of the top-end of the club’s list and the effort spent going hard at this particular flag. A straight sets exit this time around could spell the end of this group’s premiership hopes.

The omens don’t look great. They haven’t matched up well recently against tonight’s opponents, or the side waiting for them in the preliminary final, should they get there.

GWS stagger into the semi-final round battered and bruised. All year they have struggled with injuries and once again head into a crucial contest undermanned - although the absence of Toby Greene through suspension is his fault alone. (Count me among the wowsers who thought a three game ban was barely enough.) But the Giants have shown a determination previously unseen in their history, digging out results against the odds, backing themselves and their skills in a high-risk game plan, and refusing to buckle under pressure. They downed Geelong at Kardinia Park not long ago with a threadbare 22, they cannot be written off tonight.

I’ll be back soon with teams and more build-up. If you want to join in yourself, feel free to send me an email or tweet @JPHowcroft.

So thats why I have no protest, when you say you want to go west.
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