Cooney declares Cats flag favourites

Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney has declared Geelong the AFL’s premiership favourite, saying the Cats’ latest statement win over Sydney showed they are built for September.

Speaking on Armchair Experts, host Cam Luke and Cooney discussed whether Chris Scott’s side had moved to the front of the premiership race after ending Sydney’s seven-game winning streak at GMHBA Stadium.

When Luke opened the discussion by asking who the premiership favourite was, Cooney was emphatic.

“It has to be Geelong.

“It just has to be the Cats.”

Luke said Geelong’s sustained success under Scott made it difficult to ever rule the club out.

“This is the 15th season that Chris Scott has coached.

“He’s been in the 11 prelims.

“So, history kind of suggests that at some point they’re going to put their head up and go, ‘We are a premiership contender’.”

Geelong backed up that reputation on Saturday, defeating Sydney by 27 points, 15.17 (107) to 12.8 (80), at GMHBA Stadium.

The result ended the Swans’ seven-game winning streak and came in front of a crowd of 35,869, with the Cats producing a relentless performance against another top-four side.

Cooney said the Cats were no longer relying on Patrick Dangerfield to dominate every major game, and were better equipped this season to manage the veteran’s impact when it mattered most.

“They’re not even relying on Patrick Dangerfield.

“They don’t need Dangerfield to star anymore.

“They need him in aspects of major games with a leadership.”

Dangerfield played 57 per cent game time against Sydney, but still had an impact with 15 disposals, a goal and six score involvements while spending large periods on the bench.

Cooney said Geelong’s forward mix had become a major weapon, with Jeremy Cameron, Shannon Neale and the club’s smaller forwards giving the Cats a more reliable attacking profile.

“They’ve got other guys to take that forward line.

“You can trust Shannon Neale now.

“Obviously you can trust Jezza.”

Cameron again led the way inside 50, kicking three goals, while Brad Close and Ollie Henry kicked two each as Geelong finished with 10 individual goalkickers.

Luke said the Cats’ pressure and system had also exposed concerns about Sydney’s ability to maintain its attacking style under finals-like heat.

“The pressure that Geelong was able to bring and execute was the reason that Sydney were able to get no fluency in the game.

“And when you have no fluency against Geelong, they hurt you at some point because they go back the other way.”

Sydney’s handball game troubled Geelong early, with Joel Amartey kicking three first-quarter goals, but the Cats adjusted and took control with a five-goal burst in the second term.

The margin reached 38 points midway through the third quarter after Bailey Smith broke the game open, collecting 18 disposals and kicking a goal for the term.

Sydney threatened late in the third, with Logan McDonald’s two goals reducing the deficit to 14 points at the final change, before Geelong’s leaders steadied.

Cameron and Dangerfield kicked the first two goals of the last quarter from tight angles, before Close added another to put the result beyond reach.

Lawson Humphries was among Geelong’s best with 33 disposals, nine intercept possessions and eight score involvements, while Gryan Miers continued his return to form with 24 disposals and eight score involvements.

For Cooney, the performance confirmed Geelong’s place at the head of the premiership race.

“It has to be the Cats.”

Listen to the full podcast here Armchair Experts.