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April 06, 2007
Round 2: Geelong v Carlton
Sunday 7 April, 2:10pm
Telstra Dome
Teams:
Geelong
B: Mackie Scarlett Enright
HB: D Johnson Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Byrnes
HF: Chapman Mooney Selwood
F: Gardiner Ottens G Ablett
FOLL: Blake Corey Rover: Ling
I/C: N Ablett Hawkins Varcoe Prismall
EMER: J Hunt S Hunt Tenace
IN: Byrnes Hawkins Varcoe
OUT: Harley (finger) J Hunt Tenace
NEW: Tom Hawkins, 18, Sandringham U18; Travis Varcoe, 18, Central District (SA)
Carlton
B: Houlihan O'hAilpin Thornton
HB: Scotland Whitnall Walker
C: Simpson Stevens Lappin
HF: Carrazzo Waite Fisher
F: Kennedy Fevola Betts
FOLL: Cloke Bentick Rover: Murphy
I/C: Ackland Gibbs Russell Wiggins
EMER: Blackwell Grigg Hartlett
IN: Nil
OUT: Nil
It seems every match Geelong plays at the moment is a test. A telling game. It will speak volumes about whether the post season review of 2006 hit the mark and whether the changes implemented over summer have had any traction.
This week is no different.
Geelong comes up against a Carlton side which will be carrying itself confidently. After taking home its second pre-season flag in three years, Carlton managed to overcome Richmond in round 1 after initially having some difficulties.
It was really only a half hour period beginning half way through the third quarter in which Carlton were able to brush Richmond aside. In that time they piled on 7.9 to Richmond's 1.3. Carlton's midfield and running game clicked, with Nick Stevens leading the way. Cameron Ling will no doubt stand at Stevens' side at some point on Saturday night.
Carlton are very Fevola-conscious, perhaps too much so for a team not short of scoring options. They looked for the Shag on no less than 22 occasions against the Tigers and Geelong will be expecting much the same again. Matthew Scarlett, after having a forgettable game against the Bulldogs, will be looking to make amends against his old friend and foe. But Scarlett will need plenty of help from his team mates to occupy space and to run to the “hot spots” which Carlton will go to when a leading option doesn't avail.
The big inclusions for Geelong this week are prize recruits Tom Hawkins and Travis Varcoe. Clearly recognising that the forward structure against the Bulldogs did not work, the selection panel at the Cattery have looked to Hawkins and Varcoe to breath new life. Hawkins' inclusion will release Brad Ottens to the ruck in what could prove to be a match-winning move. Ottens was poor in Geelong's forward line last week but the former All-Australian plays a great deal of football at the stoppages. Facing up against the under qualified duo of Ackland and Cloke, it is unlikely he'll get a better opportunity to stamp his mark on a game.
Once again this is a game that will be won in the midfield. Carlton's Stevens, Walker, Carrazzo, Bentick, Murphy and Gibbs up against Geelong's Ling, Bartel, Corey, Enright, Prismall and Selwood. On paper they are evenly matched, perhaps Carlton having an advantage in speed with Geelong taking the points in experience. Both teams will look to run hard, move the ball quickly and find space. The winning team will have managed to do this better.
One gets the feeling that Carlton are still closer to a bottom than a top of the ladder side. If Geelong struggles to overcome the Blues, the blowtorch and pitchforks will be out in force. On the other hand, a strong win would give fans hope that last week was merely a sub-par game against quality opposition.
Simply looking at prior results – Geelong has beaten Carlton 4 out of the past 5 occasions by an average of 58 points – and taking into account the calibre of opposition that the sides played last week, the balance is tipped in Geelong's favour. An upset would not totally surprise, but the signs point to a Cat win. Geelong by 19 points.
Posted by catempire at April 6, 2007 12:52 PM
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