AFL round 4: Geelong Cats secure narrow victory over Melbourne in low-scoring affair

The Melbourne Demons and Geelong Cats have combined for the lowest-scoring first half in the 2020 season during their round four clash at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.Only four goals were achieved in the opening two quarters, players retreating to the sheds with a 2.3 (15) to 2.2 (14) scoreline.
Although the Cats were able to secure their second win this season, the low-scoring victory was uninspiring for Geelong supporters.
As revealed by Geelong Advertiser sports reporter Lachie Young, Geelong had not scored less than 14 points in the first half of an AFL match since their 110-point loss to the Sydney Swans during Round 11 in 2014.
North Melbourne great David King dejectedly said on Fox Footy: “There’s a lot of work to do for the Cats.
“That’s a really ugly round of football … to play a game with circle work is really disappointing.”
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Blame it on the shortened quarters, blame is on the conditions, blame it on the shortened pre-season — blame it on whatever you like. But AFL fans agree it was a dull spectacle.
Demons captain Max Gawn sheepishly admitted at halftime it was “probably not the prettiest match to watch.”
Former Collingwood star Mick McGuane voiced his frustration on Twitter.
“I thought a Sunday afternoon, waiting in anticipation for great contest and spectacle between the Geelong Cats and Melbourne would be worthwhile,” McGuane posted.
“It’s nearly half time and couldn’t be more disappointed. Our great game is under serious threat if we keep serving this s*** up.”
AFL legend Tony Shaw explained on 3AW: “Both teams aren’t making great decisions when they get control of the ball.”
Essendon great Jobe Watson argued both sides needed to take on a more aggressive mindset into the second half.
“Both teams are obviously struggling to score, so they’re going to have to go in there and make some adjustments at halftime,” Watson said on Channel 7.
“Both teams I think will be talking about how this is not how we want to play the game, and we want to be able to get some more movement and more dynamic pieces of play.”
The Cats also copped a major injury blow at the start of the second quarter, with defender Tom Stewart suffering a suspected broken collarbone.
Thankfully, the scoring rate picked up after the main interval — the Cats managed three consecutive goals to get the third quarter underway.
The Demons were able to close the gap to just four points with two minutes left on the clock. But after claiming a mark 45 metres from the posts, Melbourne’sAdam Tomlinson was unable to put away the decisive goal, the final behind meaning the Cats won 7.5 (47) to 6.8 (44).
Cameron Gutherie proved a key playmaker for Geelong, racking up 24 disposals, ten marks and a goal in the match. Meanwhile, Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw was the only player to muster more than one goal.