Majak Daw flies high for the Kangaroos. Picture: Bear Mitch Source: Herald Sun
ALL summer they've been bonding, but Geelong decided to put a halt to its generosity towards North Melbourne yesterday.
Paul Chapman ended the goodwill when he kicked three last-quarter goals to snuff out the Kangaroos' dream of playing in their first pre-season grand final for 13 years.
North have been regulars at Simonds Stadium in recent months for shared training sessions, with the Scott brothers happy to help each other out.
Word has it that mixing with the enemy was not Chapman's cup of tea.
After spending most of the game in the midfield, the 31-year-old Norm Smith medallist went forward and turned the game after North had got out to a seven-point lead after a Lachie Hansen goal.
Jack Ziebell actually got the Roos -- who needed to win to reach the NAB Cup grand final -- back to within a kick with just 90 seconds remaining, but a handball over the top from Cam Guthrie to Chapman in the goalsquare sealed the 12-point victory with 15 seconds remaining.
Roos coach Brad Scott said his players reported the 37C heat in Geelong was more bearable than the conditions the team had faced in Townsville seven days earlier against Gold Coast.
"You've got the dry heat of Melbourne versus the oppressive humidity up in Townsville . . . they didn't feel it was a factor."
Scott admitted the Roos' big-man picture remained clouded. Majak Daw was again doing some exciting things. Daniel Currie, who rucked one-out with regular Todd Goldstein, was dumped to the reserves, where he impressed with 39 hit-outs, albeit against an inexperienced Geelong ruck division.
"Majak is going to keep getting better," he said.
"Again the things that he did well, you guys would have all seen them, but we have a much closer eye on the things that he is still learning and there were quite a few of them today.
"But what a great experience for him so whether he's pushing into our best side or not, it's going to be tough because we choose to rest Robbie Tarrant this week.
"Goldstein was good in the VFL and Currie was good albeit up against a 3000m steeplechaser (Mark Blicavs) who is an unbelievable story, as he looks like a Geelong player already."
The only injury concern for the Roos was skipper Andrew Swallow, who rolled his ankle in the third quarter, but he reappeared in the final term and played out the game.
There were plenty of positives for the Cats, who again rested a handful of stars including Jimmy Bartel, Harry Taylor and Corey Enright.
Last year's first-round draft pick, Jackson Thurlow, looks a likely type while George Horlin-Smith continued his progression and may have played his way into the Round 1 team.
Geelong star Steve Johnson was pivotal in the Cats 12-point win over North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Getty
Paul Chapman attempts to bust a tackle. Picture: Bear Mitch
Jack Ziebell attempts to extract the ball. Picture: Bear Mitch
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