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July 20, 2007
Round 16 Preview
Geelong v Western Bulldogs
Friday, 7:40pm
Telstra Dome
Teams
Geelong
Backs: Milburn Scarlett Enright
Half-backs: Mackie Egan Harley
Centres: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
Half-forwards: Chapman Mooney Selwood
Forwards: S Johnson Hawkins Stokes
Followers: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
Interchange: Blake Kelly Hunt Byrnes
Emergencies: D Johnson King Varcoe
In: Byrnes
Out: Varcoe
Western Bulldogs
Backs: McMahon Harris Morris
Half-backs: Gilbee Williams Hargrave
Centres: Higgins West Akermanis
Half-forwards: Giansiracusa Johnson Hahn
Forwards: Eagleton Darcy Robbins
Followers: Street Cooney Rover: Boyd
Interchange: Everitt Harbrow Murphy Ray
Emergencies: Addison Skipper Wight
In: West
Out: Addison
Past 5 encounters
R1 2007 Western Bulldogs 17.11 (113) d Geelong 13.15 (93) Telstra Dome
R16 2006 Geelong 13.12 (90) d Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) Telstra Dome
R4 2006 Western Bulldogs 14.14 (98) d Geelong 14.13 (97) Telstra Dome
R17 2005 Western Bulldogs 20.13 (133) d Geelong 14.14 (98) Telstra Dome
R6 2005 Geelong 16.12 (108) d Western Bulldogs 11.7 (73) Skilled Stadium
Betting
Geelong $1.40, Western Bulldogs $2.80
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The freshest challenge for the Cats is this week taking on the Bulldogs on their home turf at the Telstra Dome.
The Bulldogs sit a game inside the eight and would desperately want to win this one to keep them in top four contention.
Geelong, on the other hand, is two games clear on top. Their motivation will be derived from wanting to make amends for their round one performance against the Dogs and from wanting to maintain that birds-eye view of the other teams.
The Cats have won ten on the trot and haven’t looked too troubled by any side during that period. What’s important is that there’s room for improvement in this team. While the Cats have quite successfully held out, muted and ultimately beaten all-comers, there have been periods during games where opposition sides have looked dangerous and Geelong’s skills have looked less than polished.
A key this week for Geelong will be who to play on Brad Johnson. In round one, Harley and Scarlett were both tried with zero success (Johnson kicked 8). Harley played out that match with a badly damaged finger (he had surgery following the game and missed the next 8 matches) while Scarlett was in no where near the form that he is currently enjoying. So expect one of these two to get another crack. With the form of Scarlett at the moment, matching him against Johnson is almost certain.
Geelong have Gary Ablett in red hot form and a stoked midfield firing alongside him with Bartel, Corey, Ling, Selwood, Kelly and Chapman ably assisting the Brownlow favourite. Without Cross, it will be critical for the Dogs for West to come up for the game. Ling, already with ten or so high profile scalps to his name this season, will get the job if West plays.
Geelong’s backline has been outstanding during its run of victories. Scarlett, Egan, Harley, Mackie, Enright and Milburn are an extremely well-balanced unit. The question mark will be over whether the Bulldogs structure gives Geelong trouble as it is on the small side where as Geelong’s back six are on the tall side.
“Due for a loss” is a common throw away line in this type of situation, but there is a steely resolve about this Geelong side that doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of wavering.
Recent encounters between the sides – save for round 1 this season where Johnson got away from Geelong – have been extremely close. There’s not much reason to believe that this game will be any different.
It’s hard to tip against a side that has won ten on the trot but if any side is to upset the apple cart, it will be the Bulldogs. The Dogs’ style of play tends to trouble Geelong.
But Geelong have too many in form players at the moment and are working so well as a team. The Bulldogs wins against the Cats in recent times have mainly been against poor or mediocre Geelong sides but this occasion will bring a much different task. The Dogs haven’t been in their best form recently and will need to step up another level or two to knock off a near full strength, super confident and in form Geelong.
Geelong by 18 points
Posted by catempire at July 20, 2007 10:17 AM
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