Jimmy Bartel has scored 276 SuperCoach points in red time this year. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
IT'S called red time, but for Geelong it's more like a red rag to a bull.
We're talking about the football played after the 20-minute mark of quarters.
And the Cats are bloody good at it.
Geelong sits second on the ladder at 6-0 before Friday night's clash with ladder leader Essendon.
It is the Cats' ability to put the hammer down in the dwindling minutes of quarters that has been their driving force this season.
Geelong captain Joel Selwood hugs teammate Matthew Stokes after defeating Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Chris Scott's blend of mature superstars and rapidly emerging youngsters has outscored the opposition by a whopping 124 points in red time - ranked No.1 in the competition.
Bombers coach James Hird would be well advised to send the runner out when the clock ticks past the 20-minute mark at Etihad Stadium this week.
When he does the topic of conversation should be Jimmy Bartel. The ultra-versatile Brownlow medallist can be revealed as the AFL's king of crunch time.
The ice-cool veteran has racked up 276 SuperCoach points in the closing stages of quarters, ranked No.1 above Gold Coast's Gary Ablett (268) and Sydney's Jarrad McVeigh (267).
Consider the facts and it almost beggars belief Geelong is still undefeated.
The Cats rank ninth for time in front, having led for just 54 per cent of games.
They trailed Hawthorn by 30 points in Round 1, North Melbourne by 41 in Round 2, Carlton by 17 in Round 3 and premier Sydney by 19 at the SCG in Round 4. They had the Bulldogs covered early in Round 5, but Richmond led the Cats by 19 points at the weekend.
But if there is one thing we have learnt about Geelong in the past six years it is that the Cats are never dead. Like the Terminator, they just keep coming.
Fittingly, it's the premiership quarter where Geelong does its best work.
The Cats and Bombers are also the only sides in the competition with flawless third-term records.
Then there's Geelong's friendly run home, with six of its last 10 at the newly lit Simonds Stadium, four against interstate sides.
The minor premiership is there for the taking.
The modern-day marvels who continue to defy the need to rebuild also defy the odds each week.
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