Match report: Cats survive Giant battle to rejoin winners' circle

Travis King June 4, 2016 7:35 PM

IT WAS the day Steve Johnson came back to town, but Geelong spoiled the triple-premiership star's homecoming with a hard-earned 10-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

In an engrossing contest befitting third and fourth on the ladder, Geelong had to dig deep to outlast the visitors over a four-quarter slugfest, finally shaking off GWS and emerging 14.14 (98) to 14.4 (88) winners.

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Coming off shock losses to Carlton and Collingwood, the Cats needed to bounce back and, despite some wastefulness in front of goal, got the job done to stay right in the hunt for a top-four spot.

Chris Scott's men registered their eighth win for the year, keeping their perfect record in four games at home. After going down swinging against the Crows in Adelaide last week, the Giants were again gallant on the road, but couldn't quite make the most of the momentum when it swung their way.

There were eight lead changes, with GWS jumping to an 11-point lead at the first break but then falling behind by five at the long change as the Cats hit back. The Giants surged again in the third term, dragging themselves back off the canvas after the Cats gained the ascendancy to close within two points despite the Cats' tidal wave of inside 50s (76-48).

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Quelle: Geelong Cats Vs GWS Giants - Match Centre - AFL.com.au