David King and Kane Cornes have lauded Geelong’s statement win over Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night.
In a tight and at times scrappy contest, the Cats kicked the last three goals of the match to run out 28-point winners to move to the top of the AFL ladder.
Geelong carved out more scoring opportunities thanks to a domination at clearance (54-36) despite losing the hit-outs (49-36).
King says Chris Scott’s coaching “masterclass” helped dismantle Melbourne’s ball movement.
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“It was an amazing performance,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“They dismantled everything Melbourne tried to do with their ball movement, with their ability to defend behind the ball.
“I thought it was a masterclass from Chris Scott. His coaching was brilliant last night.”
Cornes was also full of praise for Scott, declaring it the best win he has seen from any side this season.
“It’s the win of the year, really,” he said.
“When you think about no Tom Stewart, you’ve got Melbourne who are back in form having won their last two, where we thought Geelong might be at the start of the year and how they continue to do what they’ve done, no real contribution out of Hawkins and Cameron, albeit Hawkins was still involved in a lot of scores.
“It was comprehensive – they won clearance by 18. It wasn’t the clearance number, it was the scores. I think it was 10 shots to three at half-time from stoppage.
“No one does that to Melbourne.
“I haven’t seen a win more impressive this year. We get recency bias and all of that, but it was a finals-like game, it was tough, it as competitive, it was fierce.
“They just continue to blow me away Geelong. I’ve got that much respect for them.
“It’s been a masterful performance from a coach this year who’s hardly put a foot wrong.”
Patrick Dangerfield (32 disposals, nine clearances), Tom Atkins (21 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances), Mitch Duncan (32 disposals, 11 marks, two goals) and Cameron Guthrie (28 disposals, seven tackles, two goals) starred through the midfield for the Cats.
Geelong will look to make it eight wins in a row when they meet Carlton at the MCG next Saturday night.