[ad_1]
Cam Guthrie’s fourth game since AFL season ended three quarters ago after being caught at the worst possible time for Geelong.
The Cats, missing a host of major league stars including Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, were never threatened after the opening quarter in Darwin and trailed Gold Coast by more than 50 points in the third.
Part of a midfield completely outplayed by the Suns, Guthrie was benched and replaced with just nine disposals, two clearances and 102 meters gained to his name.
Stream analysis, local games and highlights for free 7 plus 
“Cam Guthrie’s grim look says it all for Geelong’s night,” Alastair Nicholson said on Channel 7 commentary.
Guthrie, 31, made his first appearance of the year just four weeks ago after recovering from a quad injury sustained in a preseason game.
He bounced back with 27 disposals in the win over Carlton, but has now totaled 40 touches in Geelong’s three straight defeats.
“Proud footballer, Cam Guthrie, so being out for that second half is not something he’d probably want to do,” said his Cats first-row captain Joel Selwood.
“But coming in tonight, knowing he’s a leader in that midfield with the young guys around him, they were hit for six.”
Duncan, Hawkins and Stanley were ruled out of the Darwin trip, Cameron recovering from concussion, while Dangerfield (hamstring) went down in Geelong’s last win three weeks ago.
Four-time premiership winner Sean Burgoyne questioned whether the call to leave Guthrie on the bench despite his low impact was a surprise.
“Because they had to increase their spread tonight. Should they have taken it down high?” he asked.
Selwood said the result was clearly unsalvageable.
“The challenge is just throwing the magnets around and just seeing what you can find out about the guys,” he said.
Geelong’s night didn’t turn around after the change, with the Suns taking a 19.7 (121) to 8.7 (55) lead into the final break.
The Cats have allowed 12.6 (78) turnovers so far.
“Outplayed, especially through the middle of the field and then rebounding from halfback,” Selwood said.
“Those players missing are key cogs on that side – it’s Mitch Duncan controlling the ball and then up front with (Hawkins and Cameron) orchestrating how that front line is set up.
“Good lessons for these guys tonight and where they need to step up.”
[ad_2]
