Semi Final 2019

Geelong v West Coast
Semi Final, 2019

Date

Fri, 13 Sept 2019 (5.50pm EST)

Venue

MCG

Attendance

51,813

Result

Lost by 20

Score

GEE 13.10.88 - 10.8.68 WCE

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West Coast's premiership defence was finally snuffed out with a 20 point loss to minor premiers Geelong at the MCG. Stunned in the leadup to the game by the Willie Rioli tampering saga, the Eagles were slow out of the blocks and gave up five goals in the opening term before fighting back late in the half and taking a narrow lead into three-quarter time. They were unable to sustain it, however, and were held goalless in the final quarter as the Cats progressed to the preliminary finals. Andrew Gaff led the way for West Coast with 30 possessions and two third-term goals, and Nic Naitanui had 29 hitouts and seven clearances.

Summary

		1/4 time		1/2 time		3/4 time		Final
Geelong		5.2.32		7.3.45		9.9.63		13.10.88
West Coast		1.1.7		5.5.35		10.7.67		10.8.68

Goals: Darling 3, Gaff 2, Hickey, Kennedy, Masten, Petruccelle, Ryan

Best: Gaff, Hurn, Darling, Naitanui, Yeo, Jetta

Injuries: Nil

Milestones: Masten final appearance

Named sides

	West Coast				Geelong
B:	37.Barrass	31.Schofield	5.Sheppard	B:	8.Kolodjashnij	46.Blicavs	38.Henry
HB:	25.Hurn	20.McGovern	23.Jetta	HB:	42.O'Connor	7.Taylor	44.Stewart
C:	8.Redden	6.Yeo	3.Gaff	C:	29.C.Guthrie	35.Dangerfield	14.J.Selwood
HF:	15.Cripps	27.Darling	7.Masten	HF:	4.Ablett	17.Ratugolea	30.Atkins
F:	21.Petruccelle	17.Kennedy	1.Ryan	F:	6.Dahlhaus	26.Hawkins	32.Miers
R:	9.Naitanui	13.Shuey	4.Sheed	R:	1.Stanley	3.Parfitt	11.Kelly
I:	2.Waterman	16.Hickey	30.Nelson	I:	2.Tuohy	27.Menegola	19.Narkle
	34.Hutchings				24.Bews
E:	14.Duggan	19.Vardy	12.O.Allen	E:	16.S.Selwood	9.Smith	34.Parsons
	41.Ah Chee				25.Henderson

In: Petruccelle

Out: Rioli (suspended)

Quarter by quarter

Both sides went in as named. The game was played in clear conditions.

From the papers

The West Australian

"A 50-metre penalty against Sam Menegola for throwing the ball too hard at Eagles ruckman Tom Hickey in frustration just worsened things for the home team and gave the Eagles a seven point lead — their biggest of the match.

But the Cats rallied, with inspirational captain Joel Selwood getting them a goal back. They were close enough if good enough at the last change —there were just significant doubts over whether they were good enough.

But as it turned out it was West Coast that didn’t have enough left.

Geelong seized control with a preliminary final berth against flag favourites Richmond at the MCG next Friday night up for grabs. They kicked the only four goals of the final quarter."

The Age

"Rocked on match eve by the news that small forward Wille Rioli had been provisionally suspended due to a drugs test abnormality, West Coast were jumped by the Cats, falling 32 points in arrears at the MCG after a narrow Gryan Miers miss 10 minutes into the second quarter.

But the Eagles swooped back with a blitz either side of half-time, reprising memories of their grand final comeback at this venue just under 12 months ago, edging clear midway through the third term. West Coast still led by four points at three-quarter time, but Geelong were unbowed.

Hawkins cast aside concerns about his own fate with an early major. Defender Jed Bews snuck forward to kick a rare goal, before Hawkins kicked another after marking in front of Tom Barrass. Luke Dahlhaus then slotted another. The Cats weren’t going to be denied."

Injury list

In the leadup to the match the following players were listed as injured or unavailable:

Player		Injury		Expected return
Venables		Concussion		Season
Brander		Hamstring		Season
Ainsworth		Hamstring		Season
M.Allen		Concussion		1-2 weeks
O.Allen		Knee soreness		Available
Nelson		Head knock		Available

References

https://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2019/25/geel-v-wce#/match-report