Round 22 final scores, Gryan Miers injury updates, Jake Kolodjashnij contract concussion waiver

Geelong’s pair of Ollies ran riot early to set the tone for a cruisy, comprehensive Cats victory over Essendon on Saturday that kept the club’s top-four hopes alive on a weekend where results have gone against it.

Cats duo Ollie Dempsey and Ollie Henry were unstoppable, slamming through four goals each as Geelong recorded a 67-point victory over the Bombers, 17.15 (117) to 7.8 (50).

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It was the Cats’ 10th straight victory over Essendon, the Bombers last beating Geelong back in 2018 in Round 9.

The Cats crushed Essendon’s spirit in the first half, booting the first 10 goals of the game, with the Bombers only able to find the major for the first time just before half-time. They seemed destined for an enormous, percentage-boosting win.

But the Bombers upped their pressure and intensity, leading to a run of six of the next seven goals across the second and third terms to keep Geelong accountable.

Still, the Cats steadied late and held the Bombers at bay to still add some handy percentage to their season tally.

With games against North Melbourne and Richmond to finish its home-and-away campaign, Geelong remains some chance of recording another top-four finish. But Brisbane’s win over Hawthorn and Melbourne’s stirring upset victory over Fremantle have left the Cats vulnerable to also finishing outside the top six.

Geelong did have an injury scare in the second term when Gryan Miers limped off the field favouring the same knee where he’d partially torn his ACL. But Miers played on in the second half.

The Cats had come into the Round 22 clash amid plenty of off-field turmoil with the club handed a “please explain” on Friday afternoon over a secret deal it established with premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij which wasn’t sighted by the league or the AFLPA.

However, the Cats would put that aside to secure their 13th win of the season and leap back into the top six with a victory at Kardinia Park.

THE 3-2-1 …

3. OLLIE, OLLIE, OLLIE – OI, OI, OI!

The Cats forward line continued to fire despite the absence of Jeremy Cameron with two Ollies, Dempsey and Henry, both having seven majors between them by half time as the home side established a 53-point lead at the break.

The pair would finish with eight goals between them to create a match-winning separation.

Considered to be a lock for an All-Australian jumper, winger Ollie Dempsey strengthened his case with two first-term goals to set up an early buffer for the Cats in the rain.

There was an early banana to provide Geelong’s first for the day before converting from a strong diving grab and another stunning snap in the second to put the Cats further ahead.

Dempsey finished with a career-high four goals from 19 disposals and seven score involvements.

“He (Dempsey) has been everywhere. He’s been really vital,” Cats legend Tom Hawkins told Fox Footy.

“Not only is the discipline in Dempsey to be able to control and have that width, but I’ve also loved the discipline and selflessness of the other forwards.

“He just reads and reacts to the ball really quickly. He doesn’t need much of an opportunity, but he has been brilliant.”

Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson added: “He goes from flat-footed onto his toes quicker than anyone in regards to when the oportunity is there. He’s ready to pop and he just explodes and he’s sharp.”

Meanwhile, Ollie Henry continued his strong season in the absence of Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield with a one grab mark in slippery conditions with Bombers defence almost non-existent.

Of Henry’s 13 disposals, 10 led to Cats scores – including 4.2 himself.

2. ‘FRUSTRATING’: CAT’S LATEST INJURY SCARE

There were a few hearts in mouths for Cats fans as a proppy Gryan Miers hobbled off midway through the second term.

Miers stretched his troublesome right leg on the sidelines, having managed a partial ACL tear all season.

Speaking with Fox Footy’s Ruby Schleicher at half-time, Miers confirmed the pain was in the same knee where he’s had a partial ACL tear.

“It feels alright,” Miers told Fox Footy.

“I’ve had these a few times throughout the year. I’ve had three or four of these incidents where I’m confident I’ll be fine, but it’s just frustrating that it keeps showing up and limits me the tiniest bit.

“I think I’ll be right for the second half.”

Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson said Miers “wasn’t overly convincing in reassuring us”.

Hawkins said he could “sense the frustration” of Miers.

“Gryan Miers is a real professional, loves getting up and down the ground,” Hawkins said.

“He’s not a big contest player, so these conditions don’t really suit him that much, but he still plays a really important role.

“I still feel a little bit sorry for him at times. A lot of players play through injury.”

The premiership player was able to play out the game in testing conditions but had minimal influence.

Cats veteran Mark Blicavs also returned to the field after copping a heavy knock to the back in the third term.

1. SOLOMON STIRS A RESPONSE

Early on, it appeared just as well interim coach Dean Solomon had removed himself from the race for the Dons job after his side was completely dominated in the rain in the first half.

It would have done his chances zero favours.

And it took until deep into the second term for the visitors to kick their first major.

“The Cats are slowly breaking the spirits of the Bomber players here,” Fox Footy’s Brad Johnson said in the second term.

“The response has to be big here from the Bombers. This can’t become a 100-plus point defeat in these conditions.”

However, Archie Roberts followed up that breakthrough major minutes later with a massive roost on the half time siren to give the visitors something to cheer about, on the way to three majors in a row for the visitors.

It would trigger a big response, with the Dons outscoring the favourites 4.3 to 3.2 in the third.

“They have toiled hard in this third term and they deserve the reward they’re now getting,” Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said.