GWS, Cats battle to first AFL draw of 2017

Geelong and Greater Western Sydney have battled to a draw in their AFL clash at Spotless Stadium, with Tom Hawkins kicking a behind after the siren.

Joel Selwood

Geelong have ruled out captain Joel Selwood for the AFL clash with Greater Western Sydney. (AAP)

Geelong and Greater Western Sydney have battled to a dramatic AFL draw at Spotless Stadium, with Tom Hawkins' after-the-siren point levelling the scores.

Hawkins had a chance to win the top-four showdown on Saturday night when he marked in the pocket but failed to steer his set shot through for a goal.

It meant the low-scoring thriller ended with the sides locked at 10.8 (68) apiece.

The first draw since 2015 doubled as the latest reminder of how even the season has been.

GWS retain top spot on the ladder, while the Cats remain third.

The Cats, forced to make six changes and with three debutants in their side, led for most of the night despite the absence of inspirational skipper Joel Selwood.

"Torn. If I had to pick one side or the other of the equation, it'd be positive," Cats coach Chris Scott said.

"We're really proud of the effort our guys put in under really difficult circumstances.

"They're the best side in the comp, their ladder position reflects that.

"I suspect Tom's really disappointing he didn't knock the goal over from a really acute angle but hopefully when the dust settles a little bit, he'll be proud he was the man in the arena at the end when it really counted."

Scott's side enjoyed a 20-point buffer early in the fourth quarter.

It was a game-high margin but proved markedly insufficient as the Giants snapped out of their slumber, piling on the final three goals of the game.

"I suppose it's two points. They were the better team," bitterly disappointed GWS coach Leon Cameron said.

"They had three first-gamers in the team, off a six-day break, and their effort was better than ours.

"It's frustrating ... they just played the conditions so much better."

GWS key forward Jon Patton levelled the scores with a tick under seven minutes remaining when he slotted his fourth goal.

A rushed behind with four minutes to go meant GWS hit the front for the first time since the second term.

They looked set to hold on to the four premiership points until Heath Shaw's clearing kick was ruled deliberate in the dying stages.

Hawkins got the better of opponent Phil Davis, grabbed a chest mark and set the stage for a grandstand finish.

Reigning Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield was superb for the visitors, tallying 45 possessions.

Fellow on-baller Sam Menegola also lifted for the depleted Cats.

Selwood was unable to recover from concussion, while Cats forward Daniel Menzel was ruled out when he was restricted during the warm-up.

First-gamers Zach Guthrie, Sam Simpson and Wylie Buzza had their moments, with Buzza's maiden goal from beyond the 50m arc celebrated with particular gusto by teammates.

The night was less memorable for GWS debutant Jeremy Finlayson, who hurt his knee in the opening half and played no further part in the game.


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Source: AAP



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