The Cats lead by just four points at the long break in what on the scoreboard appears to be an enthralling clash.
But this game has a dam wall feel to it, with the undermanned Magpies doing their determined best to hold off a Cats burst.
At any moment, it feels like Geelong will stream ahead.
Darcy Cameron of the Magpies and Sam De Koning of the Cats compete for the ball.Credit: Getty Images
They are dominating the centre square clearances nine to three, lead clearances around the field 24 to 19, and head the inside-50 count 29 to 22.
Yet the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Bowes, Max Holmes and Tom Stewart are not using the ball well enough to assert a scoreboard dominance.
Collingwood’s pressure and Nick Daicos’ possession-amassing brilliance have kept the Pies in this contest.
Daicos has had 21 disposals in the first half.
He still appears to be hobbling though, and it is yet to be determined if he has strained his left hamstring or copped a corky.
For the Pies sake, let’s hope it is the latter.
The Cats trail in the turnover department 22-29 and have kicked poorly going forward, with an inside 50 efficiency rate of 44.8 per cent.
Jeremy Cameron opened the second term with two quick goals, but then drifted back out of the game.
He continues to be manned by the undersized Isaac Quaynor. Another intriguing match-up has been Craig
McRae’s decision to use second gamer Ned Long on Tom Stewart with reasonable success. Talk about being dumped in the deep end.
While this game looks to be up for grabs, Geelong look the team most capable of opening a sizeable gap in the second half.
