“That is a huge advantage”: The surprising way Geelong achieves “ridiculous” final quarter dominance
David King believes the way Geelong manages its rotations is behind the team’s fourth-quarter dominance this season.
The Cats have won 19 fourth quarters in 2022 – the most of any side this year – to be a constant threat at the death.
Chris Scott’s side has pulled off big final-term efforts against Collingwood (Round 3), Brisbane (Round 4), Richmond (Round 15), Port Adelaide (Round 19) and Collingwood again in the Qualifying Final to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Geelong has fielded an experienced side this season to consistently be the oldest in the competition, but that’s not the only reason King has for the club’s last quarter heroics.
“I had a look at some numbers during the week… why are Geelong so strong in last quarters? Their last quarter numbers are just ridiculous, they’re outscoring the opposition by four or five goals on average, it’s just crazy, we’re talking about the best teams in the competition (that they're beating),” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Their midfielders get two breaks a quarter. The Swans midfielders get one break a quarter. So they’re playing (an average of) 22 minutes more per game per player, it’s a massive number.
“(Rhys) Stanley goes to centre half-back, he stays on the field. (Mark) Blicavs runs all day… the forwards of Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins stay on, (Jack Henry and Tom Stewart) stay on, so all their rotations are utilized in the middle of the ground, between the arcs.”
In Geelong’s narrow Qualifying Final win against Collingwood, Patrick Dangerfield played the most of any of his side’s midfielders, spending 74 per cent of the clash on the ground.
In the same week as Sydney – who the Cats meet in Saturday’s decider - pulled away late to beat Melbourne, James Rowbottom played the least of all Swans on -ballers but still spent 76 per cent of the game on the ground.
Despite that, the Swans are ranked as the second-best last-quarter team having won 18 throughout the year.
“22 minutes more a game, it’s another quarter of footy,” King continued.
“So they’re only playing 80 minutes. If your only playing 80-85 minutes and the bloke you’re standing next to is playing 105-110 minutes, it’s a big advantage.”
Breakfast co-host Kane Cornes added: “they’ve just managed the squad so well, in every aspect.
“That is a huge advantage.”
The first bounce of Saturday’s Grand Final is slated for 2.30pm AEST.