Blog log from R16 of 2024: Geelong vs Essendon

Martin kicks short to Gresham who marks 35m out on a slight angle. Gresham sizes the kick up through the rain, and kicks strongly to open the account tonight! (Q1 5:19)
Tuohy finds Dempsey at half forward and he handballs quickly to Duncan who roosts through a response! (Q1 7:04)
It’s a scrap in the Geelong goal square, but eventually Neale is able to pick up the ball and snap through a goal from point blank range! (Q1 10:44)
Langford delivers the ball down to Wright who takes a strong grab in the pack. He kicks cleanly and we’ve got a little shootout at the G! (Q1 12:34)
Durham walks it out of the middle and hits the lead of Stringer who marks 45m out from goal. Stringer salutes with a composed set shot in the wet! (Q1 14:19)
Durham hoofs a ball inside 50 and Langford gets the better of his man, handballing it on to Stringer. Stringer has acres of space, he can’t gather, but soccers it through for two! (Q1 19:39)
Holmes drifts forward to mark 35m out from goal on a slight angle. He threads it through and we still have no behinds scored! (Q1 22:34)
Wright opens the account for the behind line tonight, as his set shot drifts offline (Q1 24:08)
De Koning kicks inside 50 off the outside of his boot, finding Rohan. His kick drops short and wide, and is rushed over (Q1 26:18)
Geelong work it along the wing ending in Cameron. He prepares himself for a long punt in the rain, but keeps it skinny for a point (Q1 28:29)
Merrett marks in the dying seconds. He lines up after the siren from 50m out along the boundary, but he can only manage a point. (Qtr Time)
Caldwell shovels the ball out to Merrett who then snaps through a big goal for the Bombers! (Q2 2:41)
Knevitt marks in the corridor 40m out from goal, but he hooks his kick to the left for a behind (Q2 6:55)
A rushed clearance out of defence by De Koning falls for Redman who marks 45m out on an angle. He stabs the ball into the pocket and it’s then rushed over for a behind (Q2 8:55)
Bowes finds Dempsey in the pocket who steams in on a lead. Cameron then lurks for the give and gets it, snapping through a goal! (Q2 14:10)
Hind poaches a goal from a forward stoppage, darting through and snapping it through the big sticks! (Q2 17:50)
Miers taps the ball back in play on the behind line and Bowes is first to the ball, he manages to get a kick away and goals! (Q2 24:25)
Cameron puts the ball up to the square and it falls to ground, but Dempsey is there and gets a boot on the ball, jagging a goal from nothing! (Q2 26:55)
Wright takes a strong mark 20m out dead in front of goal, he kicks across the face of goal, but it sneaks through for a major! (Q2 27:50)
Humphries launches a shot on goal but it drops short and is rushed over (Q2 30:22)
Duncan is legged by Martin, and is rewarded with a free kick. He centres it to Blicavs who then starts the second half with a goal! (Q3 1:49)
Langford breaks through a tackle and handballs off to Guelfi who snaps through a reply! (Q3 4:21)
Cameron roves a forward contest and fends off with ball in hand. He tries a snap around his body but is off target. (Q3 7:52)
Neale drifts in from the side of a contest and takes a powerful mark 15m out. However he makes a meal of the kick for a point (Q3 9:05)
Pressure builds on Essendon with repeat inside 50s, eventually Stengle chases down a loose ball out the back and dribbles through a goal to regain the lead! (Q3 10:37)
After Draper is not paid a free at one end, Geelong surge down through the corridor with a Rohan mark 35 out dead in front. Rohan converts the chance and it’s costly for the Dons (Q3 13:19)
Menzie is pinged for a deliberate rushed behind, despite two Geelong players standing in the square. Regardless, Dempsey converts the gift and this threatens to blow up at the G! (Q3 15:52)
Stengle catches Ridley holding the ball and kicks straight from 35 out, as the Cats enjoy a brilliant run of play! (Q3 21:21)
Rohan squeezes out a handball and Close swings around to snap through a high goal! (Q4 1:49)
Essendon turn the ball over and Geelong swoop on it, finding Cameron who has gotten loose out the back. He marks, runs around and goals from the set shot! (Q4 7:19)
Hind makes a contest through the middle of the ground and rewards the lead of Langford tracking back. He backs himself in and breathes some life into the Dons! (Q4 11:23)
Rohan takes a strong mark on his knees and puts that short chance to bed as he powers through a goal. (Q4 13:22)
Stengle slots his third goal as this game looks to be all but over now! (Q4 14:54)
Martin is brought to his knees but is allowed to handball off to Perkins who snaps well at goal, but the ball shaves the post (Q4 17:51)
Humphries forces a turnover and allows Dempsey to find Rohan with a neat kick. His kick bounces off the post. (Q4 20:43)
Langford takes a shot at goal on the run, but he too hits the post (Q4 23:22)
Miers tries to get on the scoresheet but can’t bend it back enough. (Q4 26:20)
Knevitt caps off Geelong’s night with a lovely little checkside in the pocket that brings up the 100 for Geelong! (Q4 29:24)