The 39 minutes that showed why the Cats have the wood over the Pies

July 31, 2026 — 1:28am

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This was a start with a difference.

The coin toss happened indoors an hour before the game.

Theme songs were replaced with nightclub jams to accompany the players running out.

Smoke poured into the ether, lights flashed and spectators cringed.

But then Oisin Mullin found Nick Daicos, Ed Allan stood next to Bailey Smith and Mark O’Connor went to Jordan De Goey and when the ball was thrown in the air, everyone realised that for all the hype nothing much had changed at all.

Bobby Hill targeted in vile racist rant as Geelong hold off surging Pies in MCG blockbuster

Geelong, who have beaten every team above them this season bar Hawthorn, were too good for Collingwood, who have a draw against the Hawks and a win against the Crows to show for their 11 matches against teams in the top eight.

The Magpies may have sat above Geelong on the ladder, but their form line was worse. That reality revealed itself when the game was up for grabs early.

Geelong dominated, kicking a goal within the first two minutes via a big mark from Shannon Neale. After 39 minutes, Geelong had a 48-point lead after kicking........

© The Sydney Morning Herald