On August 13, 2024, Geelong coach Chris Scott downplayed a notable blunder by Patrick Dangerfield in the team’s narrow 11-point victory over Fremantle. Despite Dangerfield’s mishap, his overall performance was crucial in Geelong’s win, which keeps their hopes alive for a top-two finish in the AFL.
In a thrilling game at Optus Stadium, Geelong triumphed with a score of 10.13 (73) to 9.8 (62), with the Cats securing a decisive edge in the final quarter. This victory moved them ahead of Brisbane in the standings, positioning them just behind the top spot. With upcoming matches against lower-ranked teams St Kilda and West Coast, Geelong is well-placed to solidify a top-four finish, potentially even claiming second place.
Despite Fremantle’s (12-8-1) strong showing, which left them at risk of slipping to eighth by the end of the round, they couldn’t secure a win. Dangerfield was instrumental in Geelong’s success, contributing 20 disposals, 11 clearances, and a goal. However, he made an unexpected error in the game’s final minutes, nearly costing his team. With Geelong ahead by only three points, Dangerfield had a golden opportunity to secure a goal from a close range but missed the chance, causing a moment of tension.
Geelong coach Chris Scott, reflecting on the incident, acknowledged the blunder but focused on the positives. Scott mentioned that while Dangerfield’s miss was notable, his extensive experience and past contributions earned him some leeway. He added that Dangerfield’s overall impact, especially in the crucial last quarter, was significant. Scott emphasized Dangerfield’s role in shifting the game in Geelong’s favor through his pivotal performance in the final quarter.
Fremantle faced an unexpected challenge when ruckman Sean Darcy was ruled out shortly before the match, leading to a last-minute adjustment with Matt Taberner coming into the lineup and Luke Jackson taking on the primary ruck role. Despite this disruption, Fremantle showed resilience. They initially struggled, falling behind 24-1, but managed to claw back into contention by the end of the first quarter with goals from Serong and Jordan Clark, reducing the deficit to 13 points.
Fremantle managed to take a four-point lead into the final quarter, but Geelong’s tenacity proved superior in the last moments. This game marked the fifth instance this season where Fremantle had led at three-quarter time but ultimately lost, reflecting a troubling pattern.
Fremantle’s coach Longmuir expressed disappointment, noting that giving up an early four-goal lead put them on the back foot. He emphasized the need for improvement in their performance, particularly in finishing games strongly.
Caleb Serong was a standout performer for Fremantle, scoring three goals and adding 22 disposals and six clearances. However, Fremantle forward Bailey Banfield faced potential disciplinary action for an incident involving Geelong’s Zach Gurthrie, and Geelong also suffered a setback with Tanner Bruhn sidelined due to a concussion from a collision with Andrew Brayshaw.
Overall, while the match had its moments of controversy and challenge, Geelong’s victory underscored their resilience and strategic prowess, keeping them firmly in the race for a top-two finish in the AFL standings.
