Geelong superstars Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron say the criticism of Magpie slayer Gary Rohan has been unfair, as the Cats continue to “embrace the moment” in their September campaign.
Rohan had a breakout September performance in Saturday’s qualifying final win at the MCG, booting three goals, including a 55-metre bomb in the final term to regain the lead for the Cats in what ultimately was a six-point win over Collingwood.
The victory gave the Cats a week off and a berth in the preliminary final, in a season when they have been the team to beat.
Gary Rohan had a night out against the Magpies, silencing those who had criticised his finals record.Credit:AFL Photos
Rohan went into the Magpies’ clash under immense scrutiny given, as Matthew Lloyd noted on Footy Classified, he had been quiet in last year’s heavy preliminary final loss to Melbourne and the 2020 grand final loss to Richmond.
Dangerfield, who had 22 disposals, including eight clearances, against the Magpies, took aim at Rohan’s critics.
“He is fantastic, ‘Chucky’, and he plays a role that is really difficult to be super consistent in, so we recognise internally how important he is to us,” Dangerfield said.
“Quite often the criticism he receives, the people, their use-by-date in footy has expired because they clearly don’t get the modern game. He enables other players to do the special things they do.”
Rohan also had 14 disposals, including the key assist on the Max Holmes game-winning goal.
While Cameron and Tom Hawkins are the headline acts inside attacking 50, Rohan is often a threat, although injury has impacted him this season.
“Massive credit goes to Gary,” Cameron said. “He has copped it a fair bit. He plays a really significant role for us each and every week. That’s why he is in the side.
“He provides a contest for us. He is probably a little bit undersized, but he plays as a key (forward). He flies, brings it (the ball) to ground. As we saw, he can really stick his mits up and mark it. To go back under that sort of pressure, and nail it when we really needed it, [it was] incredible stuff for Gary. I am really, really happy for him.”
Cameron was also influential in the win, supplying three goals, including a third-term stunner from the boundary, cupping his ears and taking in the cheers from Cats fans and jeers from Magpie supporters.
“It was a bit of a blur, but there was plenty being said, let me tell you that, which is what it’s all about. I love that sort of thing. From my end, I am happy I steered that through and gave a little bit of cheek back,” Cameron said on 3AW.
The former Giant – who kicked 59 goals in the home and away season, finishing equal third in the Coleman Medal race – had got the Cats rolling with their opening major late in the first term, after the Magpies had booted the opening three goals. He finished with 17 touches and 414 metres gained, and was arguably best afield.
“He is the best player in the competition, and we are lucky we have got him,” Dangerfield said.
The Cats have their injury issues. Jake Kolodjashnij (knee) was subbed off, and Mark Blicavs appeared to have a shin issue.
Regardless, they have a fortnight to refresh before returning to the MCG to face either Melbourne or Brisbane.
“It’s [important to] keep embracing the moments for us,” Dangerfield said. “We know what’s ahead, we will rest and recover over the next couple of days, and then reset with a focus on a really solid week on the track and trying to mimic as much intensity as we can for what we know the preliminary final will bring.”
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