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February 24, 2006
NAB Cup Round 1: Carlton Vs. Geelong
Don't know whether Wizz Fizz games are actually worth a preview but here we go anyways.
CARLTON v GEELONG:
Saturday 25 Feb, Telstra Dome, 7.40pm
Television/Radio/Internet: Ch 10 (live), afl.com.au
Carlton squad: Adam Bentick, Eddie Betts, Luke Blackwell, Andrew Carrazo, Justin Davies, Adrian Deluca, Brendan Fevola, Brad Fisher, Barnaby French, Adam Hartlett, Ryan Houlihan, Anthony Koutoufides, Matthew Lappin, Cory McGrath, Dylan McLaren, Marc Murphy, Setanta O'hAilpin, Ian Prendergast, Heath Scotland, Kade Simpson, Trent Sporn, Nick Stevens, David Teague, Bret Thornton, Jarrad Waite, Andrew Walker, Lance Whitnall, Simon Wiggins
Geelong squad: Steven King, Jimmy Bartel, Josh Hunt, James Kelly, Kane Tenace, Joel Corey, Tom Lonergan, Paul Koulouriotis, Charlie Gardiner, Shannon Brynes, Kent Kingsley, Matthew Egan, Cameron Mooney, Nathan Ablett, Mark Blake, Matthew Spencer, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Brent Prismall, Jarad Rooke, Paul Chapman, Will Slade, Darren Milburn, Tim Sheringham, Nick Batchelor, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
The squads are of 28 so four players from each side will be cut unless the AFL changes the rules close to the bounce due to the possible heat.
The Geelong squad is to be expected missing quite a few noteables (S. Johnson, Ottens, Harley, Mackie, Riccardi, Playfair, Wojcinski) with two suprise inclusions of captain Steven King & Tom Lonergan who both add desperately needed height, but have to be both doubtful after missing both intra-club matches.
Apart from that not much else to add. Virtually our first strength midfield with holes up forward & down back but this will provide chances to Spencer, Egan, Lonergan, Gardiner and Mark Blake in the ruck to strut their stuff. No new draft picks have been selected, but rookies in Sheringham, Batchelor & Slade are in the squad with yet to debut duo Prismall & Spencer.
Carlton head in with a virtually full strength squad (from a quick look at 11:30pm with a hangover), but has a few fans scratching their heads why Pagan has gone with a few fringe players instead of trying some of their new draft picks. All eyes will be on #1 draft pick Marc Murphy who turned down the chance to go to Brisbane under the father/son rule as well as the much maligned Whitnall, Fevola and new pick up McLaren from Brisbane. Forgotten man David Teague will also have something to prove apart an apparent fall from grace last season.
Basically who knows what we will get out of this match. I just hope the 24 lads selected go out and play some half decent footy at least, we get through injury free and it'd be good if a few young kids could stand up and show something.
Prediction: Carlton by 13 points
I can't make the game due to cricketing committments, but fellow GeelongBloggers The Kolonel & Seb will be at the game, as well as the beforehand reserves clash with the Northern Bullants so except a detailed match report of both games in the coming days.
Posted by Sammy D at February 24, 2006 09:28 PM
Comments
hey
my name is zoe and everone gives carlton a hard time it is not the starts of the year yet they will get better i kown u just wait to see what they have to forrer to u
Posted by: zoe teague at March 13, 2006 03:16 PM