An injection of youth has turned back the clock in Geelong with the rejuvenated side now three-from-three and sitting atop the AFL ladder.
The Cats have continued their unbeaten start to the season and overcame a second-half resurgence from the Crows to notch a 24-point win at Adelaide Oval.
While the usual suspects of Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett lit up the park, it was the contribution from youngsters Jordan Clark, Gryan Miers and Charlie Constable who were notably influential in Geelong’s victory.
As Adelaide crept to within three points in the third quarter, the Cats responded with four goals in the final term as new recruit Gary Rohan and youngster Miers stepped up to the challenge.
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"We could've rolled over and with a bit of inexperience in the side, that's always a possibility," coach Chris Scott said after the game.
"I thought we stood up in the big moments, which is one of the things we needed to address."
Gryan Miers has been outstanding!#AFLCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/o4YTHOc8yZ
— AFL (@AFL) April 4, 2019
20-year-old Miers booted a career-best three goals, including a 40-metre set shot from a tight angle in the second term. Constable had 23 disposals and a goal, while Clark finished with 11 touches.
Their impact has also taken the pressure off the likes of Ablett, Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins, with the veterans turning back time with seemingly effortless performances.
Dangerfield conjured up 32 disposals, seven marks and 10 clearances, while Ablett had 17 touches and two goals and Kelly with 24.
“It’s fantastic, it just brings excitement,” Ablett told Seven.
“It makes me basically think about when I was 17, 18 coming into the league and you’re just excited to get out here.
“They all put pressure on, and they’ve all been able to kick goals tonight, which is great.”
PATRICK DANGERFIELD SHEESH! 🔥#AFLCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/9XcIMNVTL1
— AFL (@AFL) April 4, 2019
Despite the promising start to the season, coach Scott isn't getting carried away with his side's stellar form.
Following an 80-point thrashing of Melbourne last week and overcoming grand-finalists Collingwood in round one, Scott believes that it's way too early to start talking about the finals.
"There's a long way to go and there will be a lot of contenders and a lot of momentum shifts throughout the year," Scott said.
"It feels as though we have a bit of momentum building at the moment, but we feel there's a lot of improvement left as well.
"It's hard to work out where the teams are within the competition, the draw plays a bit of an impact.
"We're positive at the moment, but we haven't done it for anywhere near long enough to start trying to rate where we sit in the comp."
The Cats now have a nine-day break before they host GWS on Saturday April 13.
