Geelong will head into a week off buoyed by a masterful qualifying final win over reigning premiers Brisbane that should silence any naysayers, says star midfielder Max Holmes.
The Cats were under scrutiny ahead of the finals given their six-game winning streak ahead of September didn’t include any top-eight teams.
But Geelong swiftly put to bed any concerns by qualifying for a home preliminary final with a dominant 38-point win over the Lions at the MCG on Friday night.
“That was a really big step,” Holmes told AAP.
“I guess a lot of the naysayers have talked about us not having strong enough opponents in the back end of the year, but that’s a real smack in the face of those haters.”
The Cats now have a week off before turning their attention to a preliminary final against either Adelaide or Geelong.
“It’ll be relaxing, but I guess we’ll have to make sure we train hard in this period and not sit on our arses,” Holmes said.
“So it’s about to be a bit dangerous.”
While Holmes and Bailey Smith are the stars of Geelong’s midfield, they have relished the support of hard-nosed Tom Atkins.
Winger Ollie Dempsey, skipper Patrick Dangerfield, and forward-midfielder options Shaun Mannagh and Gryan Miers add even more dimensions to the mix.
Tom Atkins’ attributes are well appreciated by fellow Cats midfielders. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)
“It is a multi-faceted midfield, and I think we play it very different to probably most clubs in the AFL,” Holmes said.
“So we can really pose a problem for other teams in there with what we can provide.”
After a slow start against the Lions, hard-running dynamo Holmes, who coach Chris Scott believes has been Geelong’s best player this year, hit form with devastating effect.
“It was one of those games I felt the ball wasn’t bouncing my way and teammates were going the other way when I was there,” he laughed.
“But I guess those games happen – it didn’t matter though, lots of boys stood up and it was amazing to be part of it.”
It’s typical modesty from Holmes – who still racked up 23 disposals and 630 metres gained along with kicking a crucial goal.
But he’s got bigger things in mind now.
Holmes, 23, has been open about shedding the mental baggage of suffering hamstring injuries in finals in 2022 and 2024 – the former ruling him out of a grand final Geelong ultimately won.
He’s feeling fit and primed for the pointy end of September.
“That was perfect. Got through unscathed and ready to go for the next one,” he said.
“That’s (grand finals) what you play footy for – so really keen to try and get there and I know there’s a lot of boys in the same boat.
“So I’ll be doing everything to play well in the next (game) and get there.”
