Gary Rohan has helped reignite Geelong’s AFL premiership defence with three goals in a gritty 15-point win over Melbourne after accidentally knocking out teammate Jeremy Cameron.
Rohan’s sickening first-quarter collision with Cameron led to the Cats’ leading goalkicker being stretchered off the ground and taken to hospital.
But with Rohan shining in attack and its backline resolute, Geelong overcame the significant setback to post a stirring 11.12 (78) to 8.15 (63) win at GMHBA Stadium.
It came on the back of a stunning six-goal burst in the final term, marking dual premiership coach Chris Scott’s 300th game at the helm in style.
The result balanced Geelong’s season record at 7-7 in a year when its resolve has been regularly tested.
Scott was full of praise for Rohan, who won some critical contests, including a one-on-one battle with Steven May over a loose ball in the final quarter.
It resulted in the speedster strolling in for an open goal to just about put the game beyond Melbourne’s reach.
“Gary Rohan was really rattled by (the Cameron injury), as one would expect, but his approach and maturity to really attack the game … if anyone won the game for us, it was him,” Scott said.
“I’m really proud of him and others as well.
“It just felt like things went against us a little bit and when that happens and you can find a way to win the game, coaching feels good.”
Cameron will miss next week’s clash with Sydney at the SCG but the Cats are hopeful their spearhead has avoided serious injury.
“I certainly haven’t had any indication that it’s a horrible situation,” Scott said.
“But any time one of your players needs to be taken to hospital, even if it’s for observation, leaves us all a bit shaken.”
Geelong was out-muscled at stoppages, losing the clearance battle 47-35 as Demons midfielders Christian Petracca (33 disposals, 10 clearances) and Jack Viney (25, six) starred.
But Mitch Duncan (22 disposals, one goal), Tanner Bruhn (19, two), Mark Blicavs (19, one), Tom Atkins (19 touches), Brad Close (24) and Tom Stewart (22) all had an impact, and Geelong ran away with the game late.
Stewart, Zach Guthrie and Jake Kolodjashnij impressed in defence.
The fallout could yet get worse for Melbourne (9-5), with leading goalkicker Bayley Fritsch to come under scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Kolodjashnij.
A free kick was paid to Kolodjashnij, who was not seriously hurt in the final-quarter incident.
Joel Smith, Kysaiah Pickett and Fritsch finished with two goals each for Melbourne, which led by seven points at three-quarter time but was blown away in a 20-minute Cats blitz at the start of the final term.
“For three quarters there was a lot of optimism in how we played,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.
“We played a good style of footy that suited the conditions. It was a contest game and for big periods through the middle of the game we had a lot of dominance.
“But that last quarter you walk away incredibly disappointed because one team really ramped up their pressure and we weren’t able to sustain it and win the critical contests that you need in those type of games.”
