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Cats beat Roos, Cameron set for AFL return

Anna HarringtonAAP
Geelong have overcome a slow start to see off North Melbourne by 30 points in their AFL clash.
Camera IconGeelong have overcome a slow start to see off North Melbourne by 30 points in their AFL clash. Credit: AAP

Coach Chris Scott has declared boom recruit Jeremy Cameron "ready to go" for Geelong's crunch clash with West Coast after the Cats returned to the AFL winners' list against North Melbourne.

The Cats erred on the side of caution in leaving out Cameron, who had back-to-back hamstring injuries, against the Kangaroos but are poised to give the gun forward his club debut at GMHBA Stadium next Saturday.

"Ready to go. He's in," Scott told reporters after Sunday's 30-point win.

"I'm also putting a bit of pressure on our medical and conditioning staff as well. It's about time (Cameron played)," he joked.

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The Cats overcame a sluggish start and their own poor finishing to prevail 10.17 (77) to 7.5 (47) but will sweat on the match review officer's assessment of an incident involving Mitch Duncan.

Duncan was attempting to smother Aaron Hall's long-range shot on goal in the second quarter when he leapt and turned his back, collecting the Kangaroo high in the process.

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Hall was concussed and substituted out of the game for Curtis Taylor.

Star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield suffered an ankle injury when he copped a heavy knock from Kyron Hayden in the third quarter.

Dangerfield limped off in the final term and went down to the Cats' rooms - but played down the injury post-match.

Scott expects the 31-year-old to be fit to face the Eagles.

"We didn't feel comfortable subbing him even though he wasn't going to play any further part in the game," he said.

"... our best guess is he'll be right for next week so we shouldn't be subbing him out of the game."

Geelong were uncharacteristically sloppy, particularly heading inside 50.

But Tom Stewart (30 disposals, 10 marks) was excellent and Cats debutant Sam De Koning showed some exciting glimpses.

Scott hoped better execution and "system" would come with more consistent personnel week-to-week.

"We've got a bit to work on in our game," Scott said.

"We're 3-2 at the moment, I don't think we're in love with the way that we're going.

"We've got a lot of improvement and some hard games coming up."

The Kangaroos stunned Geelong with their early dare and dash to snare a 10-point lead at the first change.

Ben Cunnington (29 disposals) drove the Kangaroos through the midfield, while Jack Ziebell (38 touches) and Aiden Bonar were excellent behind the ball and Kayne Turner limited Joel Selwood's influence.

Despite their slow start, Geelong started to take control of the match after quarter-time, though their wastefulness and North's endeavour kept the Kangaroos within touching distance at the main break.

Two third-quarter goals to Menegola helped Geelong put the Kangaroos at arm's length before they kicked away late for a more flattering final margin.

"Our guys really came to play today. I thought it was a great learning experience for our group against a top-field team," Kangaroos coach David Noble said.

"... I was really proud of the way the boys hung in there for that sustained period of time."

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