There were signs in the last fortnight that Carlton’s game was back in order. Geelong at the MCG was, however, a different proposition than the atrocious North Melbourne and West Coast. For any team that fancies its chances, Geelong will show you exactly where you stand. They’ll give you the print-out. They’ll expose every flaw. They’ll test your coaching. And they’ll probe your soft spots.
At various stages in the final term, it looked as though the Cats would run over the top of the Blues. It would have been a devastating loss, given how well the Blues had played for three terms. With a couple of goals in it, and the Cats pressing hard, the ball was in the hands of Patrick Cripps, who signalled his rather dubious intention to take a shot. The Blues skipper bought some precious seconds and spotted up George Hewett, who converted and effectively sealed the win. Hewett is one of those teammates who players like Cripps should thank on Brownlow night – a selfless, unobtrusive type, a footballing sherpa. He seized and deserved his moment in the spotlight after hitting a rich vein of form.
