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April 28, 2007
Round 5 Preview
Geelong v Kangaroos
Skilled Stadium
2:10pm Sunday
Teams
GEELONG
Backs: Enright Scarlett Mackie
Half-backs: D Johnson Egan Milburn
Centres: Wojcinski Bartel Stokes
Half-forwards: Chapman Mooney Kelly
Forwards: Hawkins N Ablett G Ablett
Followers: King Ling Rover: Corey
Interchange: Blake Prismall Selwood Varcoe
In: Selwood Varcoe
Out: J Hunt Byrnes
KANGAROOS
Backs: Archer Petrie Gibson
Half-backs: Pratt Watt Firrito
Centres: Wells Harris Rawlings
Half-forwards: Adams Brown Swallow
Forwards: Campbell Edwards Harvey
Followers: McIntosh Grant Rover: Simpson
Interchange: From: Jones Grima Sinclair Green Smith Moran Trotter
In: Adams
Out: Thomas (chest)
New: Leigh Adams, 19, Eastern Ranges
Past 5 clashes
R17 2006 Kangaroos 13.12 (90) d Geelong 8.12 (60) Manuka Oval
R2 2006 Geelong 22.6 (138) d Kangaroos 10.9 (69) Skilled Stadium
R9 2005 Geelong 22.14 (146) d Kangaroos 8.13 (61) Skilled Stadium
R12 2004 Geelong 14.10 (94) d Kangaroos 12.12 (84) Skilled Stadium
R17 2003 Kangaroos 16.8 (104) d Geelong 12.14 (86) Manuka Oval
Betting
Geelong $1.25, Kangaroos $3.70
Geelong should consider themselves lucky that the Kangaroos broke their drought at Carrara at the weekend. The Roos have a canny knack of pulling off a win when their backs are against the wall and had they not managed to overcome Brisbane, Geelong would have been faced with an even more determined outfit in this coming match.
But the Kangaroos have faced yet another week of off-field drama with speculation surrounding a possible permanent move to the Gold Coast. While that issue appears to have been put to bed (for now), it would not surprise to see the Roos put in another spirited performance on Sunday afternoon.
At the selection table, Geelong has recalled Joel Selwood after he was rested from the trip across Bass Strait. He replaces Josh Hunt who has been relegated to the VFL to find some form. Travis Varcoe has been included in place of Shannon Byrnes, whose wayward kicking for goal has finally caught up with him.
The Kanagroos have added debutant and rookie Leigh Adams, last season’s under 18 Vic Metro captain. He comes in after exciting youngster Lindsay Thomas succumbed to a chest injury.
Geelong will be looking to reinvigorate its tall forward setup which, after looking particularly potent against Carlton and Melbourne, was found wanting in the windy conditions in Launceston. But with wet weather forecast for Sunday afternoon, Mooney, Nathan Ablett and Hawkins may once again find things difficult.
For the Kangaroos, Grant, Harvey, Simpson, Wells and Harris will again be looking to provide their forwards with first use. Those five combine for 115 possessions against Brisbane last week, so Geelong will likely play at least a couple of stopping roles with Ling on Simpson and David Johnson to get Wells.
Geelong’s midfield lineup has been spearheaded superbly by Jimmy Bartel who stands second in the league for possessions after Round 4. Doubt remains over his partner in crime, Gary Ablett, who sustained a nasty cork to his calf against Hawthorn and is no certainty to take his place in the selected side.
With the wet weather forecast, the midfield tilted in favour of the Roos and the forward line power in favour of the Cats, one is tempted to tip the Kangaroos.
But Geelong will have been stung after its lack-lustre performance against the Hawks, and with its first game in front of a home crowd for the season, they should come out firing. Although likely to be close, Geelong’s class advantage should get them over the line.
Geelong by 9 points
Posted by catempire at April 28, 2007 10:06 AM
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