A SEVEN-goal haul from Josh Jenkins has helped Geelong overcome a tenacious Northern Bullants to keep its unbeaten start to the 2021 season alive following a 45-point win at Marvel Stadium.
The Cats, who were fielding 11 AFL-listed players, were made to work by the VFL standalone, and despite leading by 25 points at half-time, were the subject of an on-field spray from coach Shane O’Bree.
“It was a good, old-fashioned spray, and I reckon we earnt it,” Jenkins told Fox Footy post-match.
“That’s not to be disrespectful to the opposition, but we felt like we were a fair way off our best at half-time.
“And I think the last 25 minutes of the game showed that we were a fair way off.”
Jenkins, who sits on 149 AFL games, finished with 7.5 for the contest.
However, the former Adelaide star is well aware that his chances of winning back a spot in the Geelong AFL team won’t be easy.
“I’m sitting behind a couple of pretty good forwards in Jezza (Jeremy Cameron) and Tommy (Hawkins),” he said.
“I’ve had a great run at it over my career, especially in Adelaide. So, I’m just enjoying whatever happens from week to week.
“I’m enjoying playing footy… (I’m) probably eight years older than the next oldest in the team.
“I’m just enjoying footy. There’s no shame in playing good footy at VFL level.
“Whatever happens happens.”
After being dropped from the Geelong AFL team, Jordan Clark responded well in the Cats midfield with 28 touches.
Darcy Fort also had 28 possessions to go with 25 hitouts and a goal.
Youngster Sam De Koning, who made his AFL debut last month, finished with three goals.
The only sour note on the night was a neck injury suffered by VFL-listed youngster Liam Herbert.
Next week, Geelong travels to Casey Fields for a meeting with fellow unbeaten team Casey Demons, whose game against the Sydney Swans this weekend has been postponed.
Twitter: @tom_king79
Geelong 5.6, 9.10, 12.11, 17.15 (117)
Northern Bullants 3.2, 6.3, 9.5, 11.6 (72)
Goals: Geelong: J. Jenkins 7, S. DeKoning 2, D. Lang 2, B. Jarvis, L. Smith, C. Constable, M. Herbert, J. McLachlan, D. Fort
Best: Geelong: J. Jenkins, D. Fort, D. Lang, J. Clark, C. Taheny, J. Gow
