March 20, 2008

ROUND 1 PREVIEW

Port Adelaide v Geelong
AAMI Stadium
8:45pm, Friday 20 March

Teams

GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Josh Hunt
HB: Darren Milburn, Andrew Mackie, Corey Enright
C: Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman
F: Ryan Gamble, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Mark Blake, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey
I/C: Trent West, Shannon Byrnes, James Kelly, Kane Tenace
EMG: Harry Taylor, David Johnson, Brent Prismall

New: Trent West (Gippsland Under-18)

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Toby Thurstans, Domenic Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Chad Cornes, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Justin Westhoff, Danyle Pearce
F: Daniel Motlop, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
Foll: Brendon Lade, Steven Salopek, Shaun Burgoyne
I/C: Dean Brogan, Tom Logan, Matthew Thomas, Paul Stewart
EMG: Greg Bentley, Nick Lower, Fabian DeLuca

New: Paul Stewart (Woodville-West Torrens)

Umpires

Donlon, Rosebury, Avon

Past five

GF 2007 Geelong 24.19 (163) d Port Adelaide 6.8 (44) MCG
R21 2007 Port Adelaide 16.10 (106) d Geelong 15.11 (101) Skilled Stadium
R9 2007 Geelong 16.20 (116) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60) AAMI Stadium
R15 2006 Geelong 9.14 (68) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) Skilled Stadium
R16 2005 Geelong 18.18 (126) d Port Adelaide 7.5 (47) Skilled Stadium

Betting

Geelong $1.60, Port Adelaide $2.30
_________________________________
This game is worth so much more than four points.

A Grand Final humiliation means that Port will be jumping out of their skin to regain some respect. Geelong, meanwhile, will waste no time digging at the mental scars of their creation; another win against Port would build a serious psychological barrier between them and a potential Premiership threat.

At the selection table, Geelong has almost a quarter of its Grand Final team absent. Premiership heroes King (St Kilda), Nathan Ablett (pondering the meaning of life) Ottens (ankle), Rooke (calf) and Wojcinski (finger) will all be missing and so the match presents the real first test for quite some time of Geelong’s famed depth.

Mark Blake gets his chance to prove that his Grand Final omission was a mistake. Trent West debuts after solid pre-season ruck form. Tom Hawkins will slip into the void left by Nathan Ablett. Ryan Gamble has been rewarded for his lively work up forward over summer and Kane Tenace has yet another opportunity to carve out his niche.

On Port’s side of things, the medical room looks much more sparse with Michael Wilson being the only forced absentee.

The absence of Brad Ottens draws immediate concern about the ability of Blake and West to combat Lade and Brogan. After all, the ill-famed decision to omit Blake and include Steven King was based on the premise that the bigger bodies of Port’s ruckmen would pose problems for Blake.

But the desire by Blake to silence his doubters will be strong. He is still on the steep curve of improvement that young ruckmen experience at his age, 22. Criticisms of his game in the past have centred around his competitive ability at around the ground contests and, at times, his foot skills. There is little doubt he would have spent a large chunk of his summer rectifying this.

The other thing driving Blake now is what he sees in his rear-view mirror – Trent West. In some ways West poses a more significant threat to Blake than King did in 2007. West, at 198cm and 90kg, moves well across the ground and has excellent skills below his knees for a player of his size. West excelled at VFL level last season, averaging 23 hitouts and 13 possessions a game. Blake will need to be at his best, and on the improve, to hold out the pressure that West will exert in 2008.

Lade and Brogan will provide a serious headache for Geelong, particularly around the stoppages in Port’s forward line. The Burgoynes, Motlop and Rodan are a handful at the best of times. But on the receiving end of first-class service from their ruck division, they will be even more potent.

Perhaps one other question mark over the Cats will be their ability to cover the loss of Nathan Ablett. At times in 2007, the younger Ablett looked lost and lacking in motivation – such signs would prove to be telling. Tom Hawkins – all 197cm and 105kg of him – will step into the role. One gets the feeling that the Cats would have wanted to ease him in through another half season in the VFL. Without that luxury though, we’ll get to see a sink or swim experiment play out with a precocious young talent.

The question will be whether Geelong can plug the holes and get enough ball through the midfield to counter a hungry and determined Port team. Geelong’s midfield looks imposing and on paper, the selected side minus five premierships stars barely looks weaker.

Ordinarily, the ruck advantage alone wouldn’t be enough to tip the balance in favour of a side that, on one view, starts 119 points behind. But Port are a quality side and a proud club. They have quality all over the ground – a strong forward six, a speedy and skilful midfield and a dependable, if lacking in stars, defence.

On this occasion, the revenge factor and Ottens absence just tip the scales in favour of the Power.

Port by 13 points.

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September 28, 2007

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

Geelong v Port Adelaide
MCG, Saturday 2:30pm

Teams

Geelong
Backs: Harley Scarlett Hunt
Half-backs: Mackie Milburn Wojcinski
Centres: Corey Bartel Enright
Half-forwards: S Johnson Mooney Selwood
Forwards: Chapman N Ablett Stokes
Followers: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
Interchange: King Byrnes Kelly Rooke
Emergencies: Varcoe Blake Prismall
In: King
Out: Blake

Port Adelaide
Backs: Pettigrew Thurstans Surjan
Half-backs: Cassisi Chaplin P Burgoyne
Centres: Salopek K Cornes Rodan
Half-forwards: Motlop Tredrea Pearce
Forwards: Lade Westhoff Ebert
Followers: Brogan C Cornes Rover: S Burgoyne
Interchange: Boak Symes Logan Wakelin
Emergencies: Carlile Bentley Lonie
In: Symes
Out: Wilson (Achilles)

Umpires

McInerney, McLaren, McBurney

Past five

R21 2007 Port Adelaide 16.10 (106) d Geelong 15.11 (101) Skilled Stadium
R9 2007 Geelong 16.20 (116) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60) AAMI Stadium
R15 2006 Geelong 9.14 (68) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) Skilled Stadium
R16 2005 Geelong 18.18 (126) d Port Adelaide 7.5 (47) Skilled Stadium
R5 2005 Geelong 15.9 (99) d Port Adelaide 15.5 (95) AAMI Stadium

Betting

Geelong $1.40, Port Adelaide $2.80
_________________________________

Well, this is it. There’s not need to build it up any more than it has been. This is Geelong’s greatest shot at breaking its 44-year premiership drought in two generations of Abletts.

The list of accolades to date – Minor premiers, Brownlow medallist, nine All-Australians, the Rising Star, the VFL Premiership, AFL MVP player and coach – although impressive, will all be forgotten if the biggest prize of them all, is not held high by Tom Harley and Mark Thompson on Saturday afternoon.

Geelong enters the game as warm favourites, although you wouldn’t know it by watching the media coverage this week.

Mark Williams has taken every opportunity to talk up his team as what he says, is a more experienced, faster, stronger (and your writer is certainly starting to think, “higher”) unit.

It’s common practice for Choco to take a mouthy approach to the build up to a big game. He did it before the sides met in round 21 and there’s little doubt he’d be under the illusion that it worked.

But the media, Williams and the many-headed have quickly forgotten the circumstances in which that game was played. Bartel pulled out of the game with appendicitis, Cameron Ling with a hamstring and Joel Selwood, perhaps at the peak of his season’s form, was rested in line with Bomber’s policy of pacing first year players.

Injuries and omissions aside, with seconds to play, the Cats snatched the lead in what was nearly an unlikely victory. The win for the Power was anything but convincing.

But to give credit where credit is due, Port have earned the right to take on the Cats for the flag. They finished in second place on the ladder after home and away matches ahead of others including West Coast, Collingwood and North Melbourne. They won both their finals including their preliminary final against the Kangaroos convincingly.

The upside for Port is twofold. Around half their side, as well as their coach, know how to win a flag. It was only 3 years ago that they upset the more fancied Brisbane juggernaut. Secondly, Port have premiership-calibre players. Cornes, Burgoyne, Cornes, Burgoyne and Lade, in particular. These are players whose names when uttered in 20 years time, will not sound odd with the words “double…” or “triple…”- “…premiership player” in front of them.

But they come up against a team unparalleled in its decoration this season. A team that, if it wins tomorrow, will be seen as a modern great. Arrogance on Port’s part at this time is wholly misplaced.

Port have openly said they will try to run Geelong “off their legs”.

The beauty of Geelong this season is an ability to win a lock-down or win a shoot-out. It is the hallmark of a great team. An open, free-flowing, run-‘til-you-drop game will hold no fear for the Cats. They’ve prided themselves on their fitness and put faith in their hard work.

Port managed to shut down the corridor in the round 21 encounter. They will try to do so again tomorrow. But they can’t have it both ways. Shutting down the corridor takes great discipline and application. Midfielders, wingers and flankers must zone off their man and occupy space in the centre square when not in possession of the ball. Their opponents get pushed wide, in front and behind the ball. After a turnover, there’s no room to run. They will get the ball in the corridor but Geelong will already have numbers back. Bombing the ball into Geelong’s defence spells death, so accomplished are Harley, Scarlett and Milburn at marking and spoiling.

Geelong dealt with the best lock-down team going around last week. Geelong is the best shoot-out team. Either way, Port has a hell of a job on its hands.

We cannot forget that Geelong are warm favourites for a reason. Highest scoring team for the season. Lowest points conceded. A streak of fifteen wins broken only by a meaningless and narrow loss while undermanned. Finishing the home and away season with a strong win interstate. A belting of the fourth placed Roos by even more than Port won by. And finally, getting over a most determined Collingwood outfit who, if they had won, would have just about been favourites in this Grand final.

At 5:30pm on Saturday afternoon, the football world will be collectively nod and with a slap of palm to forehead say, “That’s why Geelong were the best team all season. What was I thinking?”

Geelong look like a premiership team already. Tomorrow will confirm it.

GEELONG BY 27 POINTS

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September 21, 2007

Preliminary Final Preview

Geelong v Collingwood
MCG, Friday 7:50pm

Teams:

Geelong
B: Harley, Scarlett, Hunt)
HB: Mackie, Milburn, Wojcinski
C: Corey, Bartel, Enright
HF: Johnson, Mooney, Selwood
F: Chapman, Ablett, Stokes
FOLL: Ottens, Ling, Ablett
I/C: Blake, Byrnes, Kelly, Rooke
EMERG: Varcoe, Prismall, Gardiner

Collingwood
B: Clement, Wakelin, Lockyer
HB: H.Shaw, O'Brien, Goldsack
C: Clarke, Burns, Buckley
HF: Maxwell, Rocca, Pendlebury
F: Thomas, Cloke, Rusling
FOLL: Richards, O'Bree, Davis
I/C: Swan, Fraser, Didak, Medhurst
EMERG: Licuria, Stanley, Bryan
IN: Fraser
OUT: Bryan

Umpires:

McBurney, McInerney, McLaren

Past 5:

R15 2007 Geelong 11.14 (80) d Collingwood 9.10 (64) MCG
R8 2006 Collingwood 22.14 (146) d Geelong 6.8 (44) MCG
R11 2005 Collingwood 18.13 (121) d Geelong 14.12 (96) Telstra Dome
R15 2004 Geelong 12.22 (94) d Collingwood 9.11 (65) Telstra Dome
R18 2003 Collingwood 14.13 (97) d Geelong 10.13 (73) Telstra Dome

Betting:

Geelong $1.26 Collingwood $3.75

___________________________________________

The season is getting pointier by the week.

Geelong’s marvellous achievements throughout the home and away season – including most recently, nine All-Australians – are becoming less and less relevant as we enter the cut-throat part of the finals.

There’s no doubt the Pies are a good “on-paper” match up for Geelong. They have the forward line height and flair that is most likely to trouble Geelong’s defence, especially sans-Egan and with a susceptible Josh Hunt. They have a good defensive mix with enough height and versatility through Clement, Wakelin and O’Brien and enough run through Shaw, Clarke and Lockyer. The midfield, while lacking the depth of Geelong’s, still boasts quality players and users in Burns, Buckley, Didak, Pendlebury and Swan.

Geelong has good match-ups in all of these areas so it’s not a case of saying either team has a decisive edge in any area of the ground, again “on-paper”.

The reason Geelong has won so many games this season is the way they have clicked as a team and the way they have blown oppositions apart.

Geelong look to jump from the blocks and pile on scoreboard pressure early (Geelong have lost only 3 out of 23 first quarters this year). They will pump the ball forward quickly and regularly hoping to overwhelm the opposition’s defence. They will isolate Mooney one-on-one because he loves the ball high and long. Wakelin will need assistance from a third man up. Johnson and Stokes have been very dangerous at the spills.

They will rebound the ball extremely well from their own defensive half. Scarlett, Harley and Milburn are excellent in the air so Collingwood will need to avoid bombing the ball indiscriminately. Once in possession, the ball is fed out to the likes of Enright, Mackie and Wojcinski who carry the ball toward the centre of the ground and look for midfield targets. Geelong play on at all costs. They don’t give the opposition a chance to man the mark or to pick up a player who has broken free ahead of the play. By keeping the ball hot, the opposition doesn’t get a chance to close the play down. The ball is put in the hands of Ablett, Mackie and Selwood to move the ball inside 50 as they do it so well.

Collingwood thrive on keeping the game tight and under pressure. If they can manage to do this for four quarters they are in with a big show. It’s a massive ask though. Geelong’s style of game is to absorb pressure (don’t be under any illusion that they can’t do this – they are one of the best pressure teams going around) and break the game open when the opportunity arises. In games when they were able to get away frequently the margins were enormous. In games when the opposition did well to shut it down, two or three ten minute bursts were usually enough to put a gap between Geelong and the opposition. Can Collingwood hurt Geelong enough when the game is tight and limit the number and duration of the periods when Geelong breaks free? This is the key in my mind.

Then there is the fitness and preparation issue. Geelong have had a near-ideal preparation with only Egan missing from the best 22 and a week off to rest the niggles. As an already super-fit side, they couldn’t ask for a better preparation. Collingwood on the other hand, have acknowledged that they are up against it with their “low-altitude” return from Perth after a game that went to extra time. They ran that one out well, but at this stage of the season, a big question mark must remain over whether they have the run in their legs to stop Geelong.

Expect an explosive start to the game. If Collingwood has anything left in the tank that’s when it will be shown. If Geelong can absorb the initial barrage, then break the game open as Collingwood wearies, a Grand Final berth awaits.

Geelong by 28 points.

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September 08, 2007

QUALIFYING FINAL PREVIEW

Geelong v Kangaroos
MCG
Sunday, 2:45pm

Teams

GEELONG
Backs: J Hunt Scarlett Harley
Half-backs: Mackie Milburn Wojcinski
Centres: Enright Bartel Corey
Half-forwards: S Johnson Mooney Selwood
Forwards: Chapman N Ablett Stokes
Followers: Ottens Ling G Ablett
Interchange: Blake Byrnes Kelly Rooke
Emergencies: Hawkins Varcoe King
In: Rooke Bartel
Out: Egan (broken foot) Varcoe

KANGAROOS
Backs: Pratt Brown Archer
Half-backs: Sinclair Watt Smith
Centres: Wells Simpson Harvey
Half-forwards: Edwards Hale Sansbury
Forwards: Jones Petrie Grant
Followers: McIntosh Rawlings Harris
Interchange: Swallow Firrito Gibson McMahon
Emergencies: Lower Hansen Harding
In: Firrito
Out: Green (suspended)

Umpires

Margetts, McLaren, Jeffrey

Past five

R20 2007 Geelong 17.16 (118) d Kangaroos 13.13 (91) Telstra Dome
R5 2007 Kangaroos 18.10 (118) d Geelong 15.12 (102) Skilled Stadium
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

Betting

Geelong $1.25, Kangaroos $3.65
______________________________

Well, this is it. This is what we've been waiting for all season. The Big Stage. The stuff that matters.

Geelong's stellar home and away season – winning 18 games including a 15 game streak - has given them ideal position going into the finals. Perched atop of the ladder, the Cats get a home final and the prospect of a week off should they defeat the Kangaroos.

The news going into this game was mixed for the Cats.

Confirmation that rising star centre half back Matthew Egan had broken his foot threw an unwanted complication to finals planning. Egan has had a breakout year and made the position his own, giving Geelong the luxury of playing Scarlett in a more attacking role and Harley on the dangerous medium and small forwards. It has been a combination that has worked sublimely.

Now the Cats must shuffle. It will be horses for courses, so with the Roos only featuring two tall forwards in Hale and Petrie, the Cats may not need to upset the balance too much. Keeping the hands of the Roos defence full with three tall options of our own – Mooney, Nathan Ablett and a resting Ottens – should ensure that the Roos can't create a mismatch.

On the plus side, Brownlow contender Jimmy Bartel and hard nut Max Rooke will be a welcome return to the Geelong midfield.

Bartel missed just two games after his appendectomy and Rooke has made a long awaited return after receiving alternative therapy on his troubled hamstring in Germany.

These inclusions bring Geelong's formidable midfield back to full strength. Something that our forwards and the likes of Joel Corey, James Kelly and Gary Ablett will benefit from.

An interesting stat leading into the finals is the way that sides have performed against other finals sides throughout the year. In this regard, Geelong, not surprisingly, finished the season with eight wins and three losses (Kangaroos, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide). The Roos, on the other hand, fare no where near as well. The Roos won just three against the other top seven sides (Geelong, Sydney and Hawthorn) and went down on seven occasions. On that measure, one wonders whether the Roos' top four finish flatters their form to some extent.

The midfield battle between the sides is once again intriguing. Last time they met, Bartel was dominant with 36 possessions. The Roos cannot let him dictate like that again so expect Adam Simpson to try to clamp down on him.

That leaves Cameron Ling without an opponent after blanketing North's captain in keeping him to just 10 possessions in the round 20 encounter. The Kangaroos most dangerous player, and Brownlow rival to Ablett and Bartel, is Brent Harvey. It's hard to see North winning the game without Harvey collecting 25 possessions and kicking a couple of goals. For this reason alone, Ling should get the job. When Harvey goes forward, Enright should take him and Ling should look to create a scoring option for the Cats. Ling's 27 goals this season have been a revelation within a midfield that has traditionally struggled to kick goals.

There's little doubt Brady Rawlings will take on Gary Ablett again. Ablett showed why he is a Brownlow contender when these two last went head-to-head with Ablett managing to shake the tag for 31 possessions and two telling goals. Rawlings wants, and needs, revenge for the Roos to win the match.

The other battle being anticipated is that between All-Australian contender Hamish McIntosh and Cats in form big man Brad Ottens. Their numbers for the season read remarkably similarly. McIntosh played three more games so on averages, McIntosh shades Ottens in possessions (16 to 13) and hitouts (18.7 to 18.3), but Ottens' determination and versatility are exemplified by his lead in tackles (3 to 1) and goals (17 to 10 for the season). In their last encounter, McIntosh had 14 possessions, 18 hitouts and a goal, while Ottens had 16 possessions, 21 possessions and a goal. Perhaps on that reading, it will be the side that doesn't give away an advantage when Hale and Blake relieve their first choice team mates.

Geelong are rightfully solid favourites going into this game. They are the team to beat after finishing three games clear on top of the ladder. Just three weeks ago, the Cats did not look to troubled in despatching with a keen Roos outfit. The Cats look to have the edge in the midfield and will trouble the Roos again with their scoring power. The Roos will rely on a few – Harvey, Wells and McIntosh in particular – to get them over the line. Hold two out of three of those and Geelong will not be troubled.

Geelong by 30 points.

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August 25, 2007

Round 21 Preview

Geelong v Port Adelaide
Skilled Stadium
2:10pm Sunday

Teams

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Harley
HB:, Mackie, Egan, Wojcinski
C: Kelly, Enright, Corey
HF: S.Johnson, Mooney, Varcoe
F: Chapman, N.Ablett, Stokes
FOLL: Ottens, Ling, G.Ablett
I/C: Hunt, D.Johnson, Blake, Byrnes,
EM: Playfair, Gardiner, Callan
IN: Byrnes, Blake, D.Johnson
OUT: King, Selwood (general soreness), Bartel (appendix)

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Wilson, Thurstans, Pettigrew
HB: P.Burgoyne, Chaplin, Surjan
C: Cassisi, K.Cornes, Rodan
HF: C.Cornes, Tredrea, Ebert
F: Lade, Westhoff, Motlop
FOLL: Brogan, S. Burgoyne, Pearce
I/C: Boak, Logan, Salopek, Wakelin
EM: Carlile, Mahoney, White
IN: Logan, Wakelin
OUT: Carlile, Thomson

Umpires

James, Kennedy, Head

Past five

R9 2007 Geelong 16.20 (116) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60) AAMI Stadium
R15 2006 Geelong 9.14 (68) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) Skilled Stadium
R16 2005 Geelong 18.18 (126) d Port Adelaide 7.5 (47) Skilled Stadium
R5 2005 Geelong 15.9 (99) d Port Adelaide 15.5 (95) AAMI Stadium
QF 2004 Port Adelaide 18.9 (117) d Geelong 9.8 (62) AAMI Stadium

Betting

Geelong $1.24, Port Adelaide $3.75
__________________________________

The Cats fended off yet another finals contender last weekend but another awaits this Sunday in the form of one of the surprise packets of the season, Port Adelaide.

Port have been impressive in climbing their way inside the top four in a season in which many thought they would struggle to make the finals. A win against the Cats would go a long way to securing a home final and a double chance.
For Geelong, it remains business as usual. Well, nearly.

Having top spot sewn up, the Cats had the luxury of resting young gun Joel Selwood for this match. Steven King was spelled to allow for the return of the vastly improved Mark Blake.

But on Friday, the news emerged that star midfielder and Brownlow contender, Jimmy Bartel, had emergency surgery to remove his appendix.

With Selwood and Bartel extracted from the Geelong midfield, Port will have its greatest chance of upsetting the ladder leaders.

Port are impressive with their speed across the ground combined with the class of the Cornes and Burgoyne brothers. Their forward line is as potent as any with Tredrea, Ebert, Motlop and Westhoff on patrol.

But this will be Port's greatest test yet. They were embarrassed by Geelong at their own home ground in round nine. The Cats jumped out to a huge lead by the half time break and the deplorable conditions meant Port were never a chance to get back. The Power will be after revenge here, and Geelong minus a few stars will be their perfect chance.

Geelong on the other hand, has spruiked it's one-week-at-a-time mantra ad-nauseum while vowing that it doesn't see the need to drop a game before a heavy tilt at the finals. At home, in sunny conditions against another serious finals contender, Geelong will not want to give an inch.

Geelong's midfield, whilst lacking two key movers is still fearsome. Joel Corey is in career best form and is the perfect foil to the brilliant Gary Ablett. Cameron Ling will look to deny Kane Cornes the same freedom that Hawthorn gave him last week.

And up forward, Port's defence will have its hands full with the in form Mooney and Steve Johnson, complimented by classy smalls in Chapman and Stokes.

Port will give this a fearful shake, but there's no compelling reason to go against the dominant side of the competition here.

Geelong by 21 points.

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August 18, 2007

Round 20 Preview

Kangaroos v Geelong
Telstra Dome
2:10pm Sunday

Teams

KANGAROOS
B: Green, Watt, Rawlings
HB: Smith, Firrito, Pratt
C: Sinclair, Harris, Grant
HF: Harvey, Jones, Archer
F: Hale, Petrie, McMahon
FOLL: McIntosh, Simpson, Wells
I/C: Sansbury, Swallow, Campbell, Brown
EM: Lower, Edwards, Moran
IN: Brown, Campbell
OUT: Thomas, Moran

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Harley
HB: Wojcinski, Egan, Mackie
C: Kelly, Bartel, Corey
HF: S.Johnson, Mooney, Selwood
F: Chapman, Ablett, Stokes
FOLL: Ottens, Ling, G.Ablett
I/C: Enright, J.Hunt, Varcoe, King
EM: Blake, Gardiner, Byrnes
IN: Hunt, Chapman
OUT: D.Johnson, Byrnes

Past 5

R5 2007 Kangaroos 18.10 (118) d Geelong 15.12 (102) Skilled Stadium
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 2004Geelong 14.10 (94) d Kangaroos12.12 (84) Skilled Stadium

Betting

Kangaroos $3.75, Geelong $1.25
________________________________

A fresh challenge awaits the Cats this round as they take on the most recent team to take four premiership points off them – the Kangaroos.

After round 5 of this season the tension in Geelong reached near breaking point after the Roos inflicted Geelong's third loss of the season in what appeared to be yet another epitome of a Geelong side that promised so much but was to deliver so little.

Who would have thought that what would follow from that game was a string of victories by Geelong that has made the league and the premiership favouritism their own?

And so Geelong will find itself with fresh motivation as it takes on the Shinboner spirit. Geelong will be keen to atone for its round 5 effort, but will also be motivated to avoid giving a finals contender a 2-0 record against it coming into September.

The Cats dispatched with a hungry Adelaide last weekend. It was simply a case of more of the same. Geelong has made a habit of destroying teams early in the first quarter, toying with them in the middle period of the game before finally demolishing them in the final stanza. Adelaide were the unfortunate recipients of this very treatment last Saturday.

But the Kangaroos bring with them quite a different prospect. This is a side that has defied its critics – particularly those of its senior coach, Dean Laidly – and has transformed itself into a top four and premiership contender. Without much fuss or fashion, the Kangaroos are a formidable opponent in any week because they rely not on a Wayne Carey, Chris Judd or Jonathan Brown. The Kangaroos are a team in the purest form of the word. They are young, fit and enthusiastic for the contest.

Geelong must be on its game if it is to continue its streak.

So often in the modern game the match is won and lost in the midfield. This game is no different. North's Harris, Grant, Simpson and Wells will need to limit the effectiveness of the red-hot and in-form Geelong engine room consisting of Bartel, Ablett, Corey and Ling.

On the slick Telstra Dome surface, the league's highest scoring team will be on show again. At the other end, the most frugal defense going around will choke down on the royal blue and white.

Geelong's resolve shows no signs of wavering. It has been reported that the team has gained no self-satisfaction in locking in the minor premiership. It would be a brave person to tip against a team that has won 14 matches in a row. I am not that man. Call me a coward.

Geelong by 30 points.

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August 03, 2007

Round 18 Preview

Geelong v Richmond
Skilled Stadium
Saturday, 2:10pm

Teams

Geelong
Backs: Milburn Scarlett D Johnson
Half-backs: Mackie Egan Harley
Centres: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
Half-forwards: Kelly Mooney Selwood
Forwards: S Johnson Ottens Stokes
Followers: Blake Ling Rover: G Ablett
Interchange: N Ablett Byrnes Hunt King
Emergencies: Varcoe Gardiner Tenace
In: King Out: Enright (shoulder)

Richmond
Backs: King Thursfield J Bowden
Half-backs: Raines Polak Newman
Centres: Tambling Deledio Connors
Half-forwards: Pettifer Hughes Edwards
Forwards: Brown Riewoldt Richardson
Followers: Simmonds Johnson Rover: Foley
Interchange: Tuck Graham McGuane Tivendale
Emergencies: Jackson Moore Pattison
In: Deledio Tivendale Graham
Out: Moore Pattison Krakouer
New: Angus Graham, 20, Calder U18

Past 5

R6 2007 Geelong 35.12 (222) d Richmond 9.11 (65) Telstra Dome
R9 2006 Richmond 17.8 (110) d Geelong 12.18 (90) Skilled Stadium
R22 2005 Geelong 10.9 (69) d Richmond 10.8 (68) Skilled Stadium
R1 2005 Geelong 25.10 (160) d Richmond 15.8 (98) MCG
R19 2004 Geelong 16.18 (114) d Richmond 11.17 (83) MCG

Umpires

Farmer, Hendrie, Goldspink

Betting

Geelong $1.02, Richmond $11

________________________

The telling number from the preview stats presented above is that which represents the return on your investment of blind faith in Richmond winning. You don’t often see a team showing 10-1 in a two horse race, but the circumstances surrounding this game certainly warrant it.

The two main factors influencing this are the margin the last time these two sides met – 157 points – and the polar location of the respective sides on the ladder.

Geelong humiliated Richmond in Round 6 of this season. Heading into that game the Cats were well and truly under the pump. Two successive losses, firstly to Hawthorn in Launceston and then to the Kangaroos at Skilled, had Geelong fans reliving nightmares of 2006 that Costa and Cook had assured the faithful they would not have to endure again.

But Richmond were winless at that stage, and the hapless Tigers were just what the Cats needed to jump-start their season. They have never looked back; the drubbing of the Tigers has launched the Geelong juggernaut to 12 straight wins.

For the Cats, this reintroduction to the Black and Gold, will simply be business as usual. The Round 6 encounter will not even be spoken about. The 11 wins since count for nothing. The strength of this current Geelong side (formerly its greatest foe) is managing expectations. The only expectations these players have are that they won’t be let down by their team mates. In return, each player feels responsible to hold up his end of the bargain.

Geelong will have too much confidence and class for Richmond. It’s just too hard to see any area of the ground in which Richmond will provide trouble to the Cats.

The one notable team change is the return of former captain Steven King. The Cats are no doubt taking this opportunity to take a run at the finals with three fit ruckman. A fit King would merely be a luxury to the Cats at this stage of the season, such is the positive contribution that the Ottens-Blake combination is currently making. But Blake is still green, so the more experienced King could be valuable come finals when the heat is turned up.

Since the only way Geelong could lose is complacency and there is no sign whatsoever that it is about to rear its ugly head, the Cats will push the century margin against the Tigers for the second time this season.

Geelong by 80 points.

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July 27, 2007

Round 17 Preview

Fremantle v Geelong
Subiaco, 4:10pm Saturday

Teams

Fremantle
Backs: Black McPharlin Grover
Half-backs: Thornton Johnson Mundy
Centres: M Carr Hasleby Headland
Half-forwards: Solomon Pavlich Farmer
Forwards: Hayden Drum Tarrant
Followers: Sandilands J Carr Rover: Bell
Interchange: Crowley Duffield Gilmore McManus
Emergencies: Cook Schammer Warnock
In: Sandilands Farmer
Out: Dodd (shoulder bruising) Warnock

Geelong
Backs: Milburn Scarlett Enright
Half-backs: Mackie Egan Harley
Centres: Corey Bartel Wojcinski Half-forwards: Byrnes Mooney Selwood
Forwards: S Johnson N Ablett Stokes
Followers: Ottens G Ablett Rover: Ling
Interchange: Blake Kelly Hunt D Johnson
Emergencies: Varcoe King Hawkins
In: Scarlett N Ablett
Out: Hawkins Chapman (adductor)

Past 5

R8 2007 Geelong 14.10 (94) d Fremantle 10.9 (69) Skilled Stadium
R12 2006 Geelong 18.10 (118) d Fremantle 6.16 (52) Subiaco
R10 2005 Fremantle 14.7 (91) d Geelong 11.16 (82) Skilled Stadium
R20 2004 Geelong 9.21 (75) d Fremantle 3.7 (25) Skilled Stadium
R5 2004 Fremantle 18.9 (117) d Geelong 14.7 (91) Subiaco

Betting

Fremantle $2.25, Geelong $1.60
__________________________

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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
______________________________________

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

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July 14, 2007

Round 15 Preview

Geelong v Collingwood
MCG, Saturday, 2:10pm

Teams:

Geelong
Backs: Milburn Scarlett Enright
Half-backs: Mackie Egan Harley
Centres: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
Half-forwards: Chapman Mooney Varcoe
Forwards: S Johnson Hawkins Stokes
Followers: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
Interchange: Blake Kelly Hunt Selwood
Emergencies: Gardiner Byrnes D Johnson
In: Hunt
Out: Tenace

Collingwood
Backs: Johnson Wakelin O'Brien
Half-backs: H Shaw Goldsack Maxwell
Centres: Clarke Burns Licuria
Half-forwards: Thomas Cloke Davis
Forwards: Didak Rocca Lockyer
Followers: Fraser O'Bree Rover: Swan
Interchange: Iles Medhurst Pendlebury Bryan
Emergencies: Lonie Reid Cook
In: Rocca Bryan
Out: Reid Cox

Umpires:

McBurney, Margetts, Rosebury

Past 5:

R8 2006 Collingwood 22.14 (146) d Geelong 6.8 (44) MCG
R11 2005 Collingwood 18.13 (121) d Geelong 14.12 (96) Telstra Dome
R15 2004 Geelong 12.22 (94) d Collingwood 9.11 (65) Telstra Dome
R18 2003 Collingwood 14.13 (97) d Geelong 10.13 (73) Telstra Dome
R3 2003 Collingwood 18.8 (116) d Geelong 10.9 (69) MCG

Betting:

Geelong $1.53, Collingwood $2.40

The Hunt-ed

Atop the AFL ladder, two games and substantial percentage clear of West Coast, Geelong is starting to feel what it’s like to have a target on your back.

Perhaps West Coast, after being the dominant home and away side for the past three seasons, is licking its wounds for this very reason.

The longer the Cats’ winning streak extends (it currently stands at nine), the greater the pressure seems to get as focus turns to the team that everyone wants to knock of its perch.

This week it’s Collingwood’s turn.

The Pies were widely regarded at the beginning of the year as being a side that may struggle with an imbalance of experience and youth. Looking at their list, they just seemed to have too many players who had seen the back of their best footy (Buckley, Burns, O’Bree, Wakelin, Licuria), and not enough that were in their prime. On the positive side though, they had plenty of exciting young prospects that, if they were able to find their feet, could propel Collingwood up the ladder. And that’s exactly what has happened.

O'Brien, Heath Shaw, Goldsack, Clarke, Thomas, Cloke (third Cloke lucky) and Pendlebury are all super young talents. Malthouse has done a magnificent job of blending these kids into his team to offset the slowing legs of his aging stars and to complement his core of players.

Geelong is in a different phase. The Cats have generally only played one or two first year players at any one time. Selwood and Hawkins have been impressive but by no means the difference between the all-conquering Geelong of 2007 and the self-imploding side of last year.

Instead it is the stability of Geelong’s core – it’s very large core – as well as a step up to elite status by Gary Ablett and Bartel that have made a huge difference to this side.

So it is with this setup that this weekend’s clash between Geelong and Collingwood brings great anticipation to the whole competition.

Added to the mix are a number of varied and interesting factors which make tipping the result with any degree of certainty an absolute nightmare.

Take for example:

- how much motivation will Geelong have to rectify the result from last year’s game (a 102 point drubbing by the Pies);

- what impact the alleged Geelong flu will have;

- how much impact will Balme’s inside knowledge give;

- will Wakelin, O’Brien and Goldsack be able to hold the highest scoring team in the competition;

- will Josh Hunt’s inclusion help the Cats address their Achilles heal – holding dangerous small forwards (of which, Collingwood has two very good ones in Davis and Thomas);

- who will win the midfield battle between Bartel, Ablett and Ling and Burns, O’Bree and Swan;

- which ruck duo – Ottens and Blake or Fraser and Bryan- will give their midfield first use and hurt the opposition by going forward;

- will Collingwood be able to employ successfully for four quarters, the tactics Sheedy used to keep touch with the Cats for three quarters last week; and

- what impact, if any, will a huge MCG crowd and finals-like atmosphere have?

Obviously, the answers to these questions hold the key to the match.

Geelong seem to have a clear edge in class in the midfield and have a proven record this season as the best team statistically in attack and second best in defence. However, the weather, if wet as predicted, may nullify Geelong’s advantage in this regard.

If there’s any truth to the rumour that the flu has gone through the Cats group then an upset is definitely on the cards.

Collingwood have the ability to play the game well when it’s in close and contested but also have players like Shaw, Davis and possibly most of all, Thomas, who can break it open when the opportunity presents. This is possibly a mix that will trouble Geelong if it doesn’t have its game on.

All of that is enough to err on the side of the Pies. While loathed to subscribe to the concept of being “due for a loss”, if ever a team were, Geelong is now.

Collingwood by 8 points.

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July 05, 2007

Round 14 Preview

Essendon v Geelong
Telstra Dome
Friday 7:40pm

Teams

Essendon
B: Slattery Michael M Johnson
HB: McPhee Ryder Hislop
C: McVeigh Ramanauskas Nash
HF: Hird Lucas Welsh
FOR: J Johnson Fletcher Davey
FOLL: Laycock Watson Rover: Peverill
INTER: Dyson Lovett Hille Johns
EMER: Camporeale Monfries Bolton
IN: Hislop Ramanauskas Dyson Hille Johns
OUT: Lloyd (suspended) Winderlich (hamstring) Stanton (ankle) Bolton Camporeale New: Tom Hislop, 19, Tasmania U18

Geelong
B: Milburn Scarlett Enright
HB: Mackie Egan Harley
C: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
HF: Chapman Mooney Varcoe
F: S Johnson Hawkins Stokes
FOLL: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
INTER: Blake Kelly Tenace Selwood
EMER: Hunt Prismall D Johnson
IN: Tenace Hawkins
OUT: N Ablett (hip) Rooke (hamstring)

Umpires

Vozzo, McBurney, McInerney

Last 5

R11 2006 Geelong 20.10 (130) d Essendon 13.10 (88) Telstra Dome
R18 2005 Essendon 16.11 (107) d Geelong 13.16 (94) Telstra Dome
R4 2005 Geelong 19.17 (131) d Essendon 11.9 (75) Telstra Dome
SF 2004 Geelong 10.14 (74) d Essendon 9.10 (64) MCG
R9 2004 Geelong 18.12 (120) d Essendon 14.13 (97) Telstra Dome

Betting

Essendon $3.55, Geelong $1.28
__________________________

It's sentiment versus momentum tomorrow night at the Telstra Dome when ladder leaders, Geelong, take on Essendon.

Although the game will be James Hird's 250th AFL match, remarkably, it's another occasion altogether that will stir the black and red. Adam Ramanauskas makes his second comeback to AFL football after battling cancer.

In any other game you'd just about ink-in a win to Essendon with so much emotional fuel for them in this game. But this is no ordinary game.

The Bombers meet a rampaging Geelong outfit fresh from its eighth straight win. The Cats have defeated all comers including both Grand Finalists from the past two years and both South Australian teams in Adelaide.

So it is with that foundation that this match brings so much anticipation.

A sell out crowd will watch two teams that few would have considered would be in the positions these teams currently find themselves, first and fifth on the ladder.

A closer look at the recent records of these two teams gives significant insight. While Geelong's wins have been both numerous, large and against quality opposition, Essendon's previous three wins have been by a total of four points. In their wins against cellar-dwellers Melbourne and Richmond, they found themselves behind deep into red time in both matches only to find something extra to get them over the line.

At face value that's not the kind of form a team would want to carry into a game against the top side of the competition. But in addition to the sentimental boost they will no doubt receive, one should not be too quick to discount that good teams tend to win close matches. Essendon have done that and should be given the according respect.

Essendon have made five changes for the match, with the most significant being the loss of skipper Matthew Lloyd to a controversial suspension. This is somewhat counterbalanced by the return of first-choice ruck David Hille, although question marks must exist over the ability of the Bombers to kick a winning score against the competition's number one defensive and attacking outfit.

Geelong suffered two forced changes with Max Rooke succumbing once again to a hamstring injury and Nathan Ablett not able to shake a hip and knee problem. But with the brevity of Geelong's current injury list, the Cats have the luxury of slotting back Kane Tenace and exciting first year player, Tom Hawkins.

Geelong have thwarted their opposition this season with a lethal combination of frugal defence and scintillating attack. Essendon's immediate concern will be how to kick enough goals on Scarlett, Egan and Harley and how to stop Mooney, Ottens, Hawkins and, perhaps the most dangerous of them all, Steve Johnson.

But it is in the midfield where Essendon will be up against it. Brownlow favourite, Gary Ablett, and his partner in crime Jimmy Bartel (who looks to have pulled up well from a head and neck injury scare) as well as specialist extractor Joel Corey will be more than a handful for the Bombers. James Hird will look to spark Essendon but they will need plenty of first use from Jason Johnson and Jobe Watson if they are to have any chance.

Overall, while it is tempting to tip with sentiment in a game such as this, too many signs point to another Geelong victory.

Geelong by 20 points.

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June 29, 2007

Round 13 Preview

Geelong v Sydney
Skilled Stadium
Saturday, 2:10pm

Teams

Geelong
B: Milburn Scarlett Enright
HB: Mackie Egan Harley
C: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
HF: Chapman Mooney Varcoe
F: S Johnson N Ablett Stokes
FOLL: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
INTER: Blake Kelly Selwood Rooke
EMERG: Hunt Tenace D Johnson
IN: Rooke
OUT: Tenace

Sydney
B: Richards Barry Dempster
HB: Bevan C Bolton Mathews
C: Ablett Kirk Malceski
HF: O'Keefe O'Loughlin J Bolton
F: Davis Goodes Buchanan
FOLL: Jolly McVeigh Rover: Fosdike
INTER: Everitt Laidlaw Moore Schmidt
EMERG: Schneider Thornton Vogels
IN: Davis Laidlaw Moore
OUT: Hall (groin) Grundy Schneider
NEW: Matthew Laidlaw, 20, Oakleigh U18

Past 5

R20 2006 Geelong 14.6 (90) d Sydney 9.9 (63) Skilled Stadium
R5 2006 Sydney 15.17 (107) d Geelong 13.7 (85) Telstra Stadium
SF 2005 Sydney 7.14 (56) d Geelong 7.11 (53) Sydney Cricket Ground
R15 2005 Sydney 16.9 (105) d Geelong 7.9 (51) Sydney Cricket Ground
R16 2004 Geelong 11.11 (77) d Sydney 9.8 (62) Skilled Stadium

Betting

Geelong $1.26, Sydney $3.50
___________________________

The length of this preview is directly proportional to the likely level of scoring in tomorrow's match between Geelong and Sydney.

Geelong comes off the week's break looking to extend its winning run to eight.

Sydney, it's season rapidly slipping away after an unexpected loss to Collingwood last week, needs to win badly.

A body blow was delivered to the Swans during the week with the loss of out of form Barry Hall to a groin injury. For the Swans, already lacking fire power having failed to score more than 75 in its past three outings, it was news they did not need.

The question for Geelong will be what impact, if any, the mid-season break had on it, the in-form team of the competition. Another win here, against a desperate Swans outfit, will cement top spot for the Cats with at least a game and percentage clear. A loss however, will bring the doubter back in droves.

There's not much to like, desperation aside, about the Swans chances. Conversely, there's no reason to doubt the Cats who have even managed the luxury of dropping Kane Tenace to make room for Max Rooke.

In a tight, possibly wet, match, the Cats should prevail comfortably.

Geelong by 25 points

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June 16, 2007

Round 12 Preview

Geelong v Brisbane Lions
Sunday 1.10pm
Skilled Stadium

Teams

Geelong
B: Milburn Scarlett Enright
HB: Mackie Egan Harley
C: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
HF: Chapman Mooney Varcoe
F: S Johnson N Ablett Stokes
FOLL: Ottens G Ablett Rover: Ling
INTER: Blake Selwood Kelly Tenace
IN: Selwood
OUT: Rooke (suspended)

Brisbane Lions
B: MacDonald Merrett Brennan
HB: Adcock Drummond Copeland
C: Notting Lappin Stiller
HF: Sherman Brown Selwood
F: Rischitelli Patfull Wood
FOLL: Charman Black Rover: Hadley
INTER: McGrath Proud Begley Roe
IN: Wood McGrath Proud Roe
OUT: Clark (quad) Schmidt Allan Hooper
New: Albert Proud, 18, Mt Gravatt

Umpires

Stevic, Allen, Kamolins

Betting

Geelong $1.08, Brisbane $7
__________________________

Geelong, on top of the ladder on the back of their sixth straight win, host a flailing Brisbane side at Skilled Stadium this weekend. The Cats are one of the shortest priced favourites to take the field in 2007.

Geelong took on extra respect last weekend with a win over Adealide at AAMI stadium in a match played in Adelaide's style and on a ground where Geelong has an atrocious record. While Geelong has destroyed several teams with a high-scoring, free-flowing style of game, Adelaide was successfully able to restrict the game to an arm wrestle.

But this game shapes as another cricket score for the Cats.

The Lions, after an impressive start to the season, have not won a match since round 6. A combination of inexperience, injuries and too much reliance on Jonathan Brown, have been their undoing. This week's clash against the Cats does not suggest any respite is near.

Geelong have lost Max Rooke to suspension but have the luxury of bringing in talented youngster Joel Selwood. Brisbane, meanwhile, will rue the loss of exciting prospect Mitch Clark.

Back on home turf, Geelong will look to continue their streak and consolidate their position at the top of the ladder in anticipation of a home final and double chance.

Cameron Ling will once again be charged with stopping the opposition's best midfielder. This time Simon Black is the unlucky chap.

The Cats will be happy to go head to head over the rest of the ground. They will back Bartel, Ablett and Corey to outplay Lappin, Hadley and Rischitelli.

Matthew Egan will have the unenviable task of taking on Brown. But he has acquitted himself well against quality opposition recently and Brown will not have an easy task against the rising centre half back. Look for the likes of Milburn and Enright to provide critical support in filling space and cutting of supply to Brown.

At the other end of the ground, Daniel Merrett will take on Cameron Mooney and MacDonald, Adcock and Copeland will have their hands full with the lively Chapman, Steve Johnson and Stokes.

The Cats simply look to have too much going for them in this match. It will take something very much out of the ordinary to prevent a ten goal win here. Brown is the x-factor but you just can't see him getting enough supply from the midfield in the face of red hot form from Bartel and Ablett.

Geelong by 60 points

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June 09, 2007

Round 11 Preview

Adelaide v Geelong
Sunday 12.40pm
AAMI Stadium

Teams

Adelaide
B: Johncock Rutten Bassett
HB: McLeod Stevens Torney
C: Doughty Shirley Mattner
HF: Ricciuto Bock Thompson
F: Porplyzia McGregor Welsh
FOLL: Hudson Goodwin Rover: Edwards
INTER: Griffin van Berlo Knights Jericho
IN: Jericho McGregor
OUT: Perrie (shoulder) Reilly (ankle)

Geelong
B: Milburn Scarlett Enright
HB: Mackie Egan Rooke
C: Corey Bartel Wojcinski
HF: Chapman Mooney Varcoe
F: S Johnson N Ablett Stokes
FOLL: Ottens G Ablett Rover: Ling
INTER: Harley Tenace Blake Kelly

No change

Field umpires

Head, Ryan McInerney

Past 5
R13 2006 Adelaide 21.21 (147) d Geelong 8.7 (55) AAMI Stadium
R12 2005 Geelong 9.7 (61) d Adelaide 8.9 (57) Skilled Stadium
R21 2004 Adelaide 15.19 (109) d Geelong 12.15 (87) AAMI Stadium
R6 2004 Geelong 15.11 (101) d Adelaide 8.10 (58) Skilled Stadium
R10 2003 Adelaide 11.10 (76) d Geelong 8.11 (59) lost to Skilled Stadium

Betting

Adelaide $2.05, Geelong $1.70

catempire's clips

* Geelong haven't won a home and away match at AAMI stadium since 2000.
* Geelong will take top spot on the ladder with a win
* Adelaide travelling indifferently, Geelong flying

“No change”. Two words that assure any supporter that their team is travelling nicely. This week Geelong fans are certainly under no illusion of that fact.

The Cats have won five on the trot now after despatching St Kilda at the Dome last Sunday evening. After being challenged in the first half, Geelong put on the afterburners in the second and had too much run, pace, polish and forward power for St Kilda to handle.

This week is a new challenge for Geelong and shapes as a great match. The Cats clear leaders of the league in scoring while the Crows have been renowned for the frugality in recent years. Mooney, Nathan Ablett and Ottens will take on the Adelaide defence spearheaded by Ben Rutten. Geelong's small forwards in Steve Johnson and Travis Varcoe will need to be on their game against the attacking half backs in McLeod and Johncock.

Geelong will take plenty of confidence to AAMI after demolishing the Power at the venue two weeks ago. And if top spot on the ladder isn't enough motivation, Mark Thomspon need only have plastered to the change room wall the score line from the previous encounter between the teams, where the Crows embarrassed the Cats to the tune of 92 points.

But this week's match presents a vastly different climate.

Geelong are sure to be Premiership favourites if they can account for the Crows. Adelaide were in a similar position in the teams round 13 encounter last year.

Adelaide have been disappointing thus far. Two losses this season already at AAMI as well as becoming the first victim of Melbourne last weekend have fallen well short of pre-season expectations of the Crows.

Adelaide will attempt to shut down Geelong's running game and turn it into a 12-goal a piece stoush. They'll need to make sure Bartel, Ablett and Corey don't have the run of the midfield clearances to go any way to achieving this.

Cameron Ling will look to chalk up yet another victim this week and Simon Goodwin already has a huge target painted on his back.

You get the feeling that Geelong could take this one right away from Adelaide if things go their way early. An out of sorts Crows outfit could be steamrolled by the white hot Cats.

But if Adelaide can keep it tight early they may be able to germinate those seeds of doubt that must surely still exist in Cat minds. In a close run game you'd like your money on the Crows.

Geelong have done nothing though to make me doubt them yet. So I'll put it on the line for them once again.

Geelong by 45 points.

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June 03, 2007

Round 10 Preview

St Kilda v Geelong
Telstra Dome
5.10pm Sunday

Teams

ST KILDA
B: Blake, Hudghton, L.Fisher
HB: Attard, S.Fisher, Baker
C: Gilbert, Ball, Gram
HF: Montagna, Riewoldt, Fiora
F: Milne, Gehrig, Koschitzke
FOLL: Rix, Hayes, Dal Santo
I/C: Armitage, Birss, X.Clarke, Gwilt
EM: R.Clarke, Thompson, Voss
IN: Gram, Hudghton, Montagna, X.Clarke
OUT: M.Clarke (inj), Harvey (hamstring), McQualter, Voss

GEELONG
B: Mackie, Scarlett, Enright
HB: Rooke, Egan, Milburn
C: Wojcinski, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Chapman, N.Ablett, S.Johnson
F: G.Ablett, Mooney, Varcoe
FOLL: Ottens, Corey, Ling
I/C: Blake, Tenace, Stokes, Harley
EM: Hunt, Selwood, Hawkins
IN: Harley, Chapman
OUT: Hunt, Selwood

Field umpires

Ryan, Ellis, Pannell

Past 5

R19 2006 St Kilda 15.13 (103) d Geelong 11.14 (80) Telstra Dome
R7 2006 Geelong 12.10 (82) d St Kilda 9.10 (64) Telstra Dome
R19 2005 St Kilda 13.18 (96) d Geelong 8.7 (55) Telstra Dome
R7 2005 Geelong 18.11 (119) d St Kilda 15.11 (101) Telstra Dome
R18 2004 Geelong 15.11 (101) d St Kilda 15.4 (94) Skilled Stadium

Betting

St Kilda $3.50, Geelong $1.27

For the past four seasons, Geelong and St Kilda have shared a mini-rivalry borne of a desire to lay claim to the title of most talented young Victorian team. While the rivalry still simmers, both clubs have underachieved during that period.

Such has been the eveness between the teams, that since 2004, they have played each other twice per year and have looked back at the end of each season with won one match each on the board.

But the teams go into this match on very different footing.

Geelong is in some of the best form the club has seen in the past four seasons. A crushing win over Richmond was followed by impressive performances against the Eagles, Fremantle and the Power. The Cats' attacking and running game is the talk of the AFL. Now second in the Premiership betting, Geelong will quickly become the hunted.

St Kilda, on the other hand, can hardly string two consistent performances together. After consecutive wins against Carlton and St Kilda one might have been forgiven for thinking the Saints were on the finals charge again. But losses to Hawthorn and Fremantle since have cast a pall over St Kilda's season. St Kilda will need to win Seven or eight matches our of their last 13 to threaten the final eight.

For St Kilda to trouble Geelong in this match they must find a way to counter Geelong's dominant game plan. The Cats have mastered the ability to score from their clearances, leading the league in this regard. While Steven Baker has taken Gary Ablett in the past, the Saints may look to him to negate one of Joel Corey or Jimmy Bartel who are leading the way as clearance kings.

Look for St Kilda to press significant numbers back behind the ball. This is a gameplan that has troubled Geelong in the past and is perhaps the only way St Kilda could come away with the points here. But the way Geelong has been moving the ball this season – with blistering pace, long kicking and movement through the corridor – the flood may not be enough for St Kilda to win. Expect Geelong to relish a return to the enclosed Telstra Dome and the fast track that it brings.

Cameron Ling will again get a big job on one of St Kilda's prime movers. Nick Dal Santo has been in hot form recently and could be ruing the close checking that Ling will no doubt pay him. Max Rooke may get one of Ball or Hayes should they see too much of it early.

There doesn't seem to be any good reason to pick against the Cats this week. They are in hot form and come up against an indifferent Saints outfit. In the past, Geelong may have dropped a match such as this, but for some reason, the Cats haven't looked like dropping “matches like this” lately. Why should they start now?

Geelong by 36 points.

Posted by catempire at 11:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 24, 2007

Round 9 preview

Port Adelaide v Geelong
AAMI Stadium
Sunday, 4.40pm

Squads:

Port Adelaide
B: Pettigrew Wakelin Surjan
HB: Lonie Thurstans Cassisi
C: Salopek S Burgoyne K Cornes
HF: Motlop White P Burgoyne
F: Lade Tredrea Ebert
FOLL: Brogan C Cornes Rover: Pearce
INTER:  From: Bentley Boak DeLuca Krakouer Rodan Symes Thomas
IN: Boak Deluca Krakouer Surjan
OUT: Mahoney

Geelong
B: Enright Scarlett Mackie
HB: J Hunt Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Kelly
HF: Selwood N Ablett S Johnson
F: G Ablett Mooney Varcoe
FOLL: Ottens Corey Rover: Ling
INTER: From: Blake Rooke Stokes Tenace Harley Hawkins Prismall
IN: Harley Prismall Hawkins Mackie
OUT: D Johnson (calf)

Last 5 encounters:

R15 2006 Geelong 9.14 (68) d Port Adelaide 8.10 (58) Skilled Stadium
R16 2005 Geelong 18.18 (126) d Port Adelaide 7.5 (47) Skilled Stadium
R5 2005 Geelong 15.9 (99) d Port Adelaide 15.5 (95) AAMI Stadium
QF 2004 Port Adelaide 18.9 (117) d Geelong 9.8 (62) AAMI Stadium
R10 2004 Port Adelaide 18.8 (116) d Geelong 17.10 (112) AAMI Stadium

Betting:

Port Adelaide $1.75, Geelong $2.00

catempire’s clips:

• Geelong won the previous encounter between these two teams at AAMI, Geelong’s only win against the Power at the venue.

• Port haven’t beaten Geelong since the Qualifying final of 2004 – the year in which Port went on to win the flag.

• The two teams are playing for 2nd place on the ladder.

"We try and make it (going interstate) meaningless. It's a game of footy, on a bit of grass, 18-on-18 on the field at one time, and play to your potential." - Mark Thompson

The football world is becoming increasingly familiar with abrasive responses to seemingly innocuous questions from Mark Thompson.

The question here probed Thompson about the importance of the woeful interstate record Geelong will take to AAMI Stadium this round to against Port Adelaide.

But aside from his impatience with the media, Bomber must be happy with how his side is traveling. A near record score against the hapless Tigers, a coming-of-age victory against firm flag favourites West Coast and a gritty win against the Dockers have been the making of this.

But this is a new week and a new test.

While the Power have surprised all with their climb up the ladder to second position, the Cats in third place still have more than their fair share of doubters. And it's not without good reason. Geelong has earned a reputation as the most frustrating to follow, both for avid fans and for punters and tipsters. The past few weeks have made inroads into arresting that view, but this week's match presents another opportunity for the Cats to earn respect.

The Cats have named skipper Tom Harley on the extended interchange bench. Andrew Mackie has walked straight back into the 18 after missing last week with knee soreness. While David Johnson has succumb to a calf injury. On the other side, Josh Mahoney has been omitted.

The wide open spaces of AAMI will pose a challenge a challenge to Geelong as the Power have proven to be a fast and skillful side in the first 8 rounds, with the Burgoynes and Pearce leading the charge. Cameron Ling will likely get another key job on one of those three, while another Cat - possibly Joel Corey - will also play the shadow. For Port, Kane Cornes will look to negate a red-hot Jimmy Bartel.

Port was found wanting against Sydney on Sunday so will be looking to bounce back this week at home.

But Geelong's form can't be faulted and they appear to have a resolve that can take them places. If they are the real deal they will win this match taking better form going into the match.

Geelong by 8 points

Posted by catempire at 10:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 19, 2007

Round 8 Preview

Geelong v Fremantle
Skilled Stadium, Saturday 2:10pm

Geelong
B: Enright Scarlett Mackie
HB: D Johnson Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Kelly
HF: Selwood N Ablett S Johnson
F: G Ablett Mooney Varcoe
FOLL: Ottens Corey Rover: Ling
INTER: Blake Rooke Stokes Tenace
EMERG: Prismall Hunt Playfair
IN: Rooke
OUT: Hawkins

Fremantle
B: Hayden Grover Johnson
HB: Dodd McPharlin M Carr
C: Black Hasleby Mundy
HF: Crowley Pavlich Headland
F: Bell Tarrant Solomon
FOLL: Sandilands McManus Rover: J Carr
INTER: Campbell Duffield Walker Webster
EMERG: Cook Gilmore Warnock
IN: Solomon
OUT: Gilmore

Past 5
Round 12 2006 - Geelong 18.10.118 @ Fremantle 6.16.52
Round 10 2005 - Geelong 11.16.82 v Fremantle 14.7.91
Round 20 2004 - Geelong 9.21.75 v Fremantle 3.7.25
Round 5 2004 - Geelong 14.7.91 @ Fremantle 18.9.117
Round 12 2003 - Geelong 10.12.72 @ Fremantle 13.10.88

At This Ground: Geelong 8, Fremantle 1
In The 2000s: Geelong 6, Fremantle 4
Coaches: Thompson 3, Connolly 4
Umpires: 5 James, 22 Wenn, 29 Jeffery
Betting: Geelong $1.36, Fremantle $3

This is a danger match, I'm sorry but as soon as we won last week I lost count of the amount of times I said, this win doesn't mean anything if we lose next week to Fremantle. It's important we put two solid weeks of football together against two quality sides (disregards current record). Will be very interesting to see how we cope with the double punch of Pavlich & Tarrant, and also how Ottens & Blake go against the man mountain Sandilands.

Geelong to make Fremantle pay for the rolling huddle crap they put us through in 2005. Cats by 24 points

Posted by Sammy D at 11:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 03, 2007

Round 6 Preview

Richmond v Geelong
Telstra Dome, Sunday 5:10pm

Richmond
Backs: Newman McGuane Gaspar
Half-backs: J Bowden Polak Raines
Centres: Johnson Deledio King
Half-forwards: Jackson Hughes Meyer
Forwards: Tambling Schulz Richardson
Followers: Simmonds Oakley-Nicholls Foley
Interchange: From: Tuck Pettifer White Edwards Hyde Howat Moore
In: White Moore Howat Meyer
Out: Tivendale

Geelong
Backs: Enright Scarlett Mackie
Half-backs: D Johnson Egan Milburn
Centres: Wojcinski Bartel Kelly
Half-forwards: Chapman N Ablett S Johnson
Forwards: G Ablett Mooney Varcoe
Followers: Ottens Corey Ling
Interchange: From: Blake Tenace Selwood Prismall Hawkins King Stokes
In: Ottens Tenace S Johnson

Past 5

R9 2006 Richmond 17.8 (110) d Geelong 12.18 (90) Skilled Stadium
R22 2005 Geelong 10.9 (69) d Richmond 10.8 (68) Skilled Stadium
R1 2005 Geelong 25.10 (160) d Richmond 15.8 (98) Melbourne Cricket Ground
R19 2004 Geelong 16.18 (114) d Richmond 11.17 (83) Melbourne Cricket Ground
R4 2004 Geelong 19.13 (127) d Richmond 11.12 (78) Telstra Dome

Betting

Richmond $2.50, Geelong $1.50
___________________________________

Can Richmond get on the scoreboard?

Can Geelong stop the bleeding?

These are the main two points of interest coming out of this weekend's clash between Richmond and Geelong.

The Tigers will be looking to avoid their worst start to a season since 1962 while the Cats will be looking to win back respect and possibly save their coach's hide.

The winless Richmond has not been blown off the park yet this season and has arguably played top 8 teams in 4 out of its 5 matches. They will be hungrier than ever to get a win on the board and they will no doubt see the inconsistent Cats as perfect prey.

On the other side sits the infuriating Geelong. After big wins against Carlton and Melbourne it looked as though the demons of 2006 had been exorcised. But coming up against determined sides has always spelt trouble for the Cats and Hawthorn and the Kangaroos were indeed the epitome of determination.

In ability terms, there's no doubt that Geelong should have Richmond's measure. But if there's anything Geelong fans have learned in the past two weeks its that ability alone doesn't win you matches.

If Geelong have been stung by the embarassment and criticism they've endured over the past week, they will account for Richmond come Sunday twilight. So long as they've learned to take nothing for granted, to always pay their opponents due respect and to play hard and accountable football, they will take four points back down the highway.

For the final time this season, they have my blind faith.

Geelong by 40 points.

Posted by catempire at 08:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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 10:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 19, 2007

Round 4 - HAWTHORN v GEELONG

Aurora Stadium
Sunday, 22 April, 1:10pm

Hawthorn
B: Brown Gilham Jacobs
HB: Birchall Hodge Ladson
C: Bateman Sewell Crawford
HF: Young Boyle Franklin
F: Roughead Dixon Williams
FOLL: Campbell Mitchell Rover: Lewis
I/C: From: Dawson Ellis Guerra McGlynn Taylor Thurgood Osborne
IN: Bateman Thurgood Dawson
OUT: Nil

Geelong
B: Enright Scarlett Mackie
HB: J Hunt Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Byrnes
HF: Chapman Mooney Kelly
F: Hawkins N Ablett G Ablett
FOLL: Blake Ling Rover: Corey
I/C: From: D Johnson Tenace King Prismall Selwood Gardiner Stokes
IN: N Ablett Stokes King Gardiner Tenace
OUT: Ottens (hip) Varcoe

Hawthorn have won the past two encounters between these sides by a total of 113 points. In their first match last season, the Hawks surprised the then flag favourites on Geelong's home turf. At the time it was put down to a lapse in concentration, a slip-up and an aberration that would be amended the following week. As it transpired, the Cats would lose their next three and win only one of their next seven matches. The match against Hawthorn was the beginning of the end of Geelong's season.

In Round 22, the two teams met again and the Hawks were only too happy to repeat the dose. Playing for pride only with finals out of the equation, Hawthorn again humiliated Geelong, this time to the tune of 61 points at the Telstra Dome.

And so the upcoming match between the 1989 Grand Final combatants brings with it a strange dynamic. Geelong will enter the match as favourites even though the Hawks have had the upper hand in recent matches. Both sides stand at two wins and a loss but the wins by both teams have been over sides that most would predict won't be taking part in the September action – Melbourne, Carlton and the Kangaroos. The form line going into the match, consequently, is not an easy one to pin down.

At the selection table, Geelong have lost big man Brad Ottens to a hip complaint. His absence is likely to impede the cats, not only in the ruck where he has performed well in the past two matches, but also forward where he has been used in the rotation with Mooney, Nathan Ablett and – the next big thing in town – Tom Hawkins. The injury cloud over Nathan Ablett and Ottens' absence may force the Cats to recall Charlie Gardiner. Steven King's lack of match conditioning and unsuitability to a resting role in the forward line, makes him an imperfect replacement for Ottens.

Geelong have also added speedster Kane Tenace following good form in the VFL, as well as Matthew Stokes who has completed his suspension. Travis Varcoe, who has shown glimpses of flair and strong defensive pressure, has been omitted.

Hawthorn will welcome back Chance Bateman from a thigh injury. Josh Thurgood and Zac Dawson complete the 25-man squad.

Tactically, Hawthorn's two comfortable wins against Geelong in 2006 suggest that Alistair Clarkson and his coaching staff may have the tactical upper hand. Mark Thompson fired the first salvo in the mind games matchup earlier this week, by suggesting that Geelong would have to adjust its gameplan to combat Hawthorn's flooding style. One wonders what Thompson hoped to achieve by making such comments, but one certain result is that Hawthorn will be even keener to prove that they have Geelong's measure, with or without a flood.

Geelong's approach to the game will speak volumes about Thompson's coaching credentials. Often criticised for his one-dimensional game plan and an inability to fight his way out of adversity, the Cats' coach will look to prove that he has more than one string to his bow.

The x-factor in this match is the venue – Aurora Stadium in Launceston. Hawthorn were victorious in their three encounters at the ground in 2006, while the Cats are yet to sight it. This ingredient in the mix makes predicting the outcome between two evenly matched sides even more fraught with danger.

The Cats have been more impressive in the previous two weeks than the Hawks, winning comfortably on both occasions. On the other hand, Hawthorn have only just overcome the Kangaroos and Melbourne. But while this points to a position of strength on Geelong's part, the unfamiliar venue and Hawthorn's strong record in recent meetings, tempers the inclination to tip an easy Geelong win.

Geelong by 12 points

Posted by catempire at 09:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 12, 2007

Round 3 - Melbourne v Geelong

Sunday, 2:10pm AEST, MCG

Teams:

MELBOURNE
B: Holland, Carroll, Whelan
HB: Ward, Wheatley, Bell
C: Moloney, McDonald, Green
HF: Bruce, Miller, Bate
F: Godfrey, Jamar, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, Johnstone
I/C from: Yze, C.Johnson, Brown, Bizzell, P.Johnson, Ferguson, Petterd
IN: P.Johnson, Bizzell, Ferguson, Yze, Holland, Petterd
OUT: D.Neitz [medial ligament], R.Robertson [knee], J.Rivers [hamstring soreness]
NEW: Ricky Petterd [18yrs, 185cm, 78kg] – Broadbeach QLD, AIS – AFL Academy Graduate, won Harrison Medal for best player in Div 2 NAB National Under 18 Championships in 2007, QLD U18 Captain. Utility player

GEELONG
B: Mackie, Scarlett, Enright
HB: J.Hunt, Egan, Milburn
C: Wojcinski, Bartel, Byrnes
HF: Chapman, Mooney, Kelly
F: N.Ablett, Ottens, G.Ablett
FOLL: Blake, Ling, Corey
I/C from: Gardiner, Prismall, Hawkins, Varcoe, D.Johnson, Selwood, Tenace
IN: D.Johnson, Tenace, Kelly
OUT: -

Field umpires: Ellis, Hendrie, Avon
____________________________________________

“As for Geelong, its big-men deficiencies were highlighted again…”

- Lyall Johnson, The Age, April 2, 2007

“With Nathan Ablett, Mooney and Hawkins all combining, the Cats' prayers for genuine firepower in attack may finally have been answered.”

- Martin Boulton, The Age, April 8, 2007

Although close to the most overused cliché in football, judging by the polarity of the above quotes, a week really is a long time in footy.

Geelong will enter into its match with Melbourne this week on a crest of confidence and youthful exuberance. Just two weeks prior, the knives were out for a team that looked to have learnt nothing and failed to improve on its highly disappointing 2006.

There’s no doubt that the injection of Hawkins and Varcoe gave Geelong a spark against Carlton on Saturday. Hawkins gave the team and fans a glimpse of the Hummer that will be parked in the goalsquare for the next decade, while Varcoe added a new dimension to a Cats forward line that has looked one-dimensional and unimaginative.

Nathan Ablett has turned a corner. Wayne Carey commented earlier this week that the 21 year old now exhibited a “strut” in his movement around the forward line. That’s called confidence. Plenty of pundits neglect the fact that just four seasons ago, Ablett was running around in the under 18 competition of the Bellarine Football League. But what he lacks in traditional football background, he clearly makes up for in genes.

Looking forward to Sunday, Geelong look to have Melbourne covered in all areas of the ground.

Melbourne, like most teams, will struggle to account for Geelong’s three tall forwards, given adequate supply from the Geelong midfield. The loss of Rivers to a hamstring strain will further magnify the issue. Carroll will probably get Mooney but Ben Holland and Wheatley will have to battle a combination of Nathan Ablett, Ottens and Hawkins.

Through the midfield, Geelong with Bartel, Corey and Chapman probably tips the form scales against McDonald, Jones and Johnstone. Brent Moloney, as always, will be keen to impress against his old side, but Melbourne will need to see improvement from stars Johnstone and Bruce if they are to make a match of it against Geelong.

With Neitz and Robertson on the sidelines, the jobs of the Matthews - Scarlett and Egan - become a whole lot easier. Melbourne will play a resting ruckman up forward but be it White or Jamar, they will need to contend with the in form Egan. With Ben Holland required in defence, someone will be unlucky to be lining up against a rampaging Scarlett fresh from making light work of the reigning Coleman Medallist. Not only will Melbourne need Miller to continue his good form, but they will also look to their midfield to manufacture some extra goals.

But despite the paper match-ups, Geelong must not treat the upcoming game lightly.

No one could deny Melbourne have made a poor start to season 2007. A defeat at the hands of St Kilda in the season opener and another loss to the up and coming Hawthorn have placed the Demons in a near-desperate situation. The loss of skipper Neitz, Robertson and Rivers have added to their woes and will make kicking a winning score (and defending one) a near impossible task.

But recent encounters between these sides have produced close-run results. Aside from Geelong’s 55 point demolition of Melbourne in the Elimination Final of 2005, the previous three encounters between the teams have produced a draw and two wins to Melbourne – one by six points and one by one point.

The closeness of recent encounters combined with Geelong’s notorious unreliability when it comes to matches they “should” win, is the only uncertainty over the upcoming result.

That said, you can only tip on form and on form alone, Geelong should prevail.

Geelong by 40 points.

Posted by catempire at 06:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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 12:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 30, 2007

Round 1 – Western Bulldogs v Geelong

Telstra Dome
Sunday 1 April, 2:10pm

Teams:

Western Bulldogs
B: McMahon Hargrave Morris
HB: Gilbee Wight Griffen
C: Eagleton West Ray
HF: Giansiracusa McDougall Akermanis
F: Murphy Darcy Johnson
FOLL: Minson Cross Rover: Cooney
INTER: From: Addison Boyd Higgins Montgomery Power Robbins Street
NEW: Jason Akermanis, 30, Brisbane Lions; Andrew McDougall, 23, West Coast

Geelong
B: Harley Scarlett Enright
HB: D Johnson Egan Milburn
C: Wojcinski Bartel Mackie
HF: Chapman Mooney Byrnes
F: Gardiner Ottens G Ablett
FOLL: Blake Corey Rover: Ling
INTER: From: N Ablett Selwood Prismall Hunt Playfair Tenace Djerrkura
NEW: Nathan Djerrkura, 18, Wanderers (NT); Joel Selwood, 18, Bendigo U18
An aggregate of 2 points separated these two sides in their encounters last season, with the winner alternating between occasions.

This new season brings renewed hope for both teams. The Bulldogs, after impressing observers last season with their free-flowing, running and attacking style, will be looking to take up where they left off. While Geelong, after a bitterly disappointing 2006, will be looking to kick start 2007 with a win against quality opposition.

On the injury front, both sides have their worries. For Geelong, former skipper Steven King will miss with yet another calf injury. Max Rooke was not considered after missing just about all of the preseason with hamstring strains. And while new captain, Tom Harley, has been named in the side, his contribution to the game must surely be under a cloud after missing the past few weeks with a mysterious leg injury. The Bulldogs will be missing club stalwart Chris Grant which will create a height headache for what might not be the first occasion this year. With Brian Harris already on the sidelines due to suspension, the Dogs will need to innovate to combat the likes of Ottens, Mooney and Nathan Ablett.

Tactically, while at face value these sides are quite different in approach, they also have their similarities. Specifically, the running and attacking style of game that the Bulldogs so effectively deployed last season is just what Mark Thompson would like to see his side do more of in 2007. The injection of youth in Prismall, Selwood and Djerrkura is aimed at just that cause. But the key difference between the teams is the way that they create scoring opportunities. While the mosquito fleet of the Bulldogs will run the ball inside the forward 50 and attempt to hit team mates on leads with regularity, Geelong relies heavily on its three-pronged attack taking contested marks and providing opportunities for Gary Ablett and Chapman on the deck.

Therein lies the key to the outcome of this game. The team that can impose and successfully employ their game style will likely walk away with the four points. So the battle will be won in the midfield. The Bulldogs must win this area of the game if they are to hold Geelong’s scoring power.

Cameron Ling will once again battle Scott West. He will be looking for a repeat of his last encounter where he held West to just 18 possessions. David Johnson will look to continue his good record against Akermanis.

One of Griffin or Morris is likely to get the job on the dangerous Gary Ablett who has been impressive in recent encounters with the Bulldogs, having averaged 22 possessions, 9 marks and over 2 goals per game in his last five outings.

The style of game that the Bulldogs employ brings flank and pocket players further up the ground as running players. Geelong’s half forwards and pockets must be awake to this tactic and will need to find their opponents quickly upon turnovers in Geelong’s forward line. Chapman and Gary Ablett are excellent tacklers but will also need to be prepared to chase hard out of their forward zone. Similarly, although Ottens, Mooney and Nathan Ablett will enjoy height advantages, they must not allow themselves to be found flat footed when the ball hits the deck. One way around this risk, clearly, is to hold their marks.

Geelong will look to negate the effect of Brad Johnson in the Bulldogs’ forward line. Johnson kicked 5 last time these two sides met, predominantly on Tom Harley. It’s likely that the Cats will take no chances with the smiling assassin this time around, putting premier defender Matthew Scarlett in his pocket.

On paper, the Bulldogs look slightly undermanned and under prepared. Add Grant and Harris to that side and it looks far more like a top four unit. The addition to their side of Darcy and Murphy – both returning from ACL injuries – will hamper their normal fluidity, mobility and speed.

Geelong on the other hand, will be super hungry and is close to full strength and looks to have a side that can test the Bulldogs.

Geelong by 10 points

Posted by catempire at 09:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 09, 2007

NAB Cup Semi Final

Geelong v Brisbane
Telstra Dome
Friday 7:40pm

Squads:

Geelong: King, Bartel, Mackie, Varcoe, J.Hunt, Kelly, Corey, Gardiner, Byrnes, Djerrkura, Egan, Mooney, Playfair, N.Ablett, Blake, D.Johnson, G.Ablett, Scarlett, Prismall, Grima, Reynolds, S.Hunt, Milburn, Wojcinski, Enright, Ling, Davenport, Chapman.

Brisbane: Johnson, Fixter, Harding, Power, Adcock, Notting, McGrath, Moody, Sherman, Hawksley, Schmidt, Tyler, Brennan, Charman, Black, Merrett, Patfull, Mills, Roe, Copeland, Wood, Stiller, Rischitelli, Hamill, Clouston, Allan, B.McDonald, Begley.

Geelong's somewhat fortunate win in Darwin last week has prompted punters to propel the Cats into NAB Cup favouritism ahead of its semi final against Brisbane this weekend. Prominent in their thinking, no doubt, would be reports that Brisbane will treat the semi final against the Cats as a practice match and would not play several key players.

That Leigh Matthews claim has yet only proved to be partly true. While Daniel Bradshaw, Jonathan Brown and Nigel Lappin will all watch from the sidelines, Brisbane's premiership stars including Luke Power, Simon Black and Chris Johnson will make the journey to the Telstra Dome.

Geelong had originally planned to take the opportunity to bring back several of its stars after resting them in last week's win over Port Adelaide. But while Steven King and David Wojcinski look certain to play, Brad Ottens will be given another week off and captain Tom Harley won't play due to a leg injury. Aside from those omissions, only Paul Chapman (returning through VFL) and Max Rooke will be missing from the Cats' best 22.

Despite the apparent advantage Geelong appears to enjoy in the seriousness stakes, they would be wise not to take Brisbane too lightly. The Lions have enjoyed two impressive wins travelling in the first two rounds of the NAB Cup and will be full of confidence despite their comparatively inexperienced line-up.

Geelong on the other hand, while widely tipped to dispatch with Brisbane to gain itself a berth in the NAB Cup Grand Final, could easily have gone down to Port and demonstrated only a solid performance against a Richmond outfit which has been unimpressive in subsequent matches. Geelong could well be feeling the pinch after playing in horrendous conditions last week.

The inherent nature of the NAB Cup throws up unpredictable results with familiar regularity. For that reason alone, I won't venture to punt any of my hard earned on this match, especially with the short odds that are on offer for the Cats. On form and feeling, I can't go past the Cats, but I wouldn't be surprised nor altogether disappointed, if the Lions jumped the Cats unexpectedly. Geelong by 10 points.

Posted by catempire at 08:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 01, 2007

NAB Cup Round 2

Geelong v Port Adelaide
Saturday, 8:40pm (Eastern)
TIO Stadium, Darwin

Squads:

Geelong: Tom Harley, Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie, Tim Callan, Josh Hunt, James Kelly, Joel Corey, Trent West, Joel Selwood, Charlie Gardiner, Shannon Byrnes, Nathan Djerrkura, Matthew Egan, Cameron Mooney, Henry Playfair, Nathan Ablett, Mark Blake, Matthew Stokes, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Brent Prismall, Joel Reymolds, Sam Hunt, David Wojcinski, Jason Davenport, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling.

Port Adelaide: Darryl Wakelin, Brendon Lade, Adam Thomson, Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne, Travis Boak, Ryan Willits, Nathan Lonie, David Rodan, Danyle Pearce, Kane Cornes, Dean Brogan, Michael Wilson, Josh Mahoney, Brad Symes, Damon White, Domenic Cassisi, Nick Lower, Toby Thurstans, Nathan Krakouer, Troy Chaplin, Brett Ebert, Adam Cockshell, Chad Cornes, Michael Pettigrew, Justin Westhoff, Greg Bentley, Tom Logan.

“Monsoonal showers”. Two words the strike fear into the heart of any footy fan hoping to see a decent spectacle of a football game.

But that's what's forecast for this week's Round 2 NAB Cup match between Geelong and Port Adelaide in Darwin.

Add to this, what will probably be the easiest extreme heat rule invocation in history is likely to occur as the mercury is tipped to top 38 degrees.

The Cats have added seven players to their squad, including four first-gamers for the club - Nathan Djerrkura, Joel Reynolds, Trent West and Jason Davenport. They will debut along side Henry Playfair, Tim Callan and David Johnson who are returning from VFL duties. Steven King, Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski and Brad Ottens will be rested.

Port will also take this opportunity to blood some youngsters, giving Travis Boak, Nathan Krakouer, Justin Westhoff and Adam Cockshell their first chance. Toby Thurstans and Brad Symes have also been named in the Power squad. Stephen Salopek will miss the clash with a calf injury while Daniel Motlop has been banished for missing a training session.

The 28-man squads will be trimmed to 26, allowing for eight each on the interchange to tackle the likely testing conditions.

The inclusion of Boak presents the tantalising possibility that at some stage of the game a matchup between Boak and Selwood may occur – picks 5 and 7 respectively in the 2006 National Draft. Port took Boak when there was strong speculation that Geelong would if he fell to pick seven. Selwood showed in his first game the poise and nouse of a 100 game player. Port will now hope that their decision is vindicated in drafting the Torquay boy.

Nathan Djerrkura gets his chance in front of a home crowd. He has impressed in intra-clubs and in the VFL game last week. Already likened to Byron Pickett, the Cats will be hoping he can add some zing to what sometimes looks to be a plain Jane outfit.

Geelong have won their past three encounters against Port including two close ones and a 79-point thumping. Port won the clash immediately prior to those games, the 2004 Qualifying Final in which the eventual premiers gave the young Cats an embarrassing football lesson.

It would be fair to say though, that the two teams haven't encountered each other in circumstances quite like they will this weekend. The hot, humid and wet Darwin conditions are likely to throw all formlines out the window. Conditions like these provide wins to the team that is the most well-drilled, the most disciplined and that is prepared to do the little things to help their team. At this stage of the year, a well-thought out prediction of who that will be is no more worthy than a flip of the coin.

Both teams have a lot to prove. But Geelong's triumph in the 2006 NAB Cup may just mean that Port will have the edge in the hunger stakes on this occasion. The resting of key players may be an early indicator of this. The conditions will dictate that the match is close. Port by 7 points.

Posted by catempire at 06:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 24, 2007

NAB Cup Round 1: Geelong vs. Richmond

Geelong will wear its new clash guernsey on Sunday

Geelong vs. Richmond
NAB Cup Round 1
When: Sunday 25 February 3:40PM
Where: Skilled Stadium
TV: Network Ten
Radio: K Rock, 3AW
Squads:

Geelong
1. Steven King, 2. Tom Harley, 3. Jimmy Bartel, 4. Andrew Mackie, 6. Brad Ottens, 7. Tim Callan, 8. Josh Hunt, 9. James Kelly, 11. Joel Corey, 14. Joel Selwood, 16. Charlie Gardiner, 17. Shannon Byrnes, 18. Nathan Djerrkura, 19. Matthew Egan, 21. Cameron Mooney, 23. Nathan Ablett, 24. Mark Blake, 27. Mathew Stokes, 29. Gary Ablett, 30. Matthew Scarlett, 32. Brent Prismall, 36. Todd Grima, 37. Joel Reynolds, 38. Sam Hunt, 39. Darren Milburn, 40. David Wojcinski, 44. Corey Enright, 45. Cameron Ling.

Richmond
1. Chris Newman, 2. Darren Gaspar, 3. Brett Deledio, 4. Andrew Raines, 6. Graham Polak, 7. Nathan Brown, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. Joel Bowden, 12. Matthew Richardson, 13. Trent Knobel, 14. Dean Polo, 15. Kayne Pettifer, 16. Patrick Bowden, 21. Shane Tuck, 22. Danny Meyer, 23. Daniel Jackson, 26. Adam Pattison, 27. Andrew Krakouer, 30. Richard Tambling, 31. Chris Hyde, 32. Greg Tivendale, 33. Brent Hartigan, 34. Cleve Hughes, 35. Matthew White, 40. Kelvin Moore, 41. Nathan Foley, 43. Cam Howat, 44. Angus Graham.

Squad size is 28 with the sides cutting them to a team of 24 on gameday. Kane Johnson has been replaced by Daniel Jackson in the Richmond squad.

Will be interesting to note the performances of Selwood, Djerrkura, Grima, Reynolds & Hunt if they all make the squad cut. Fans are encouraged to get down early to see the rest of the Cats players in action in VFL practice match against Coburg which starts at 1pm.

The club will be wearing the new clash strip which was the the heavy fan favourite of the options that were printed in the Geelong Advertiser last year.

Posted by Sammy D at 09:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 25, 2006

Geelong Vs. Melbourne

WHERE & WHEN: Skilled Stadium, 2:10pm AEST, Saturday 26 August

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), 3AW, Triple M, K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 116, Melbourne 83, Draws 1

LAST TIME: Melbourne 13.9 (87) d Geelong 11.15 (81), round six, 2006, at the MCG

TAB SPORTSBET: Geelong $1.72, Melbourne $2.00

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: D.Johnson, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, G.Ablett, Rooke
HF: Mackie, N.Ablett, S.Johnson
F: Bartel, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Ling, Corey
I/C: Tenace, Wojcinski, Lonergan, Prismall
EMG: Kelly, Kingsley, Gamble
IN: N.Ablett, Wojcinski
OUT: Mooney (suspension), Byrnes

MELBOURNE
B: Whelan, Carroll, Holland
HB: Bruce, Rivers, Ward
C: Green, McLean, Johnstone
HF: Yze, Miller, Pickett
F: Robertson, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Jones, McDonald
I/C: Bartram, Godfrey, Jamar, Bell
EMG: Motlop, Smith, Sylvia
IN: Pickett
OUT: Bate (bruised knee)

If you're thinking about not attending this game, just go for Ricco's lap of honour. Seriously, leave at 2pm if you want to, just make sure we give Ricco the sending off he deserves.

As for the game, who gives a stuff? Just make sure you take the piss out of Byron Pickett or Mark Jamar. Jamar Jamar!

Prediction: Geelong by 15 points because we're playing for nothing

Posted by Sammy D at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)

August 12, 2006

Geelong Vs. St. Kilda

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome – 2:10pm, Sunday

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), K-Rock, ABC Radio, 3AW

HEAD TO HEAD: Played – 197, Geelong: 119, St Kilda: 78

LAST TIME: Geelong 12.10 (82) d St Kilda 9.10 (64), round seven, 2006, at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Geelong: $1.78, St Kilda: $1.95

BETFAIR: Geelong $1.86, St Kilda $2.10

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: D.Johnson, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, G.Ablett, Egan
HF: Mackie, Mooney, S.Johnson
F: Riccardi, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Ling, Corey
I/C: Byrnes, Prismall, Blake, Playfair
IN: Mooney, G.Ablett
OUT: Bartel (suspended), Kelly
EM: Rooke, Kingsley

ST KILDA
B: Voss, Hudghton, X.Clarke
HB: Goddard, S.Fisher, Gram
C: R.Clarke, Ball, Montagna
HF: Gwilt, Riewoldt, Thompson
F: Peckett, Gehrig, Ackland
FOLL: Blake, Dal Santo, Harvey
I/C: Koschitzke, Milne, Rix, Fiora
IN: R.Clarke, X.Clarke, Koschitzke, Rix
OUT: Maguire (broken leg), Gilbert, L.Fisher (inj), Powell (inj)

So it has basically come down to this. Win and the 'goal' that is finals stays alive for another week, lose and we can all start looking forward to next season. Feels like I've been saying that for weeks now, but it seems appropriate that a match of Geelong Vs. St. Kilda stature will go a fair way to settling the argument.

We've got the wood of the Saints at the moment having won 3 of the last 4 games & they're coming off a loss to West Coast in which they lost a vital cog of their side Matt Maguire. Koschitzke comes in and if he lines up we must show no remorse to him, how hard we go at him & the ball will symbolise how much the players want finals football.

Mooney & Gazza come in for the suspended Jimmy Bartel and the lackluster James Kelly who at the moment seems to be losing his battle of being in the hoops next season.

I don't know how this one will turn out, either way wouldn't surprise me at all but for some reason the past week I've found optimism in our season a bit. Which is weird as I can't see us doing anything if we make finals in the first place thus making the finals a somewhat pointless exercise. I just feel this is the Geelong 'thing to do'. You know, mess up a big chance this season only to make a late run of things when it's all too late to try and save our own bacon (read Mark Thompson & his coaching staff). No matter what happens this season should not & cannot be tolerated by the Geelong fans, we should not be happy regardless of whether we sneak into the eight or not.

What does the above have to do with the St. Kilda game? Meh, it had to be said.

Prediction: Geelong by 8 points

Posted by Sammy D at 01:14 PM | Comments (0)

July 22, 2006

Geelong Vs. Western Bulldogs

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome, 2:10pm (AEST), Sunday, July 23

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane), Fox Footy (Perth), 3AW, Triple M (Melbourne), K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 85, Western Bulldogs 53, 2 Draws.

LAST TIME: Western Bulldogs 14.14 (98) bt Geelong 14.13 (97), Telstra Dome, Round 4, 2006.

TAB Sportsbet: Geelong $1.65, Western Bulldogs $2.10

GEELONG v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Sunday, 2:10pm AEST, Telstra Dome

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Rooke, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Wojcinski
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, Stokes
F: Ottens, McCarthy, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Mackie, D.Johnson, S.Johnson, Kelly
IN: Kelly, S.Johnson, Playfair,
OUT: Mooney (suspension), Prismall, Tenace
EM: Riccardi, Prismall, Tenace

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: McMahon, Harris, Morris
HB: Griffen, Hargrave, Gilbee
C: Eagleton, S.West, Ray
HF: Boyd, Johnson, Smith
F: Robbins, Grant, McCormack
FOLL: Street, Cross, Cooney
I/C: Power, Minson, Baird, Wight
IN: Baird, Wight
OUT: Giansiracusa (hamstring), Montgomery (calf)
EM: Addison, Faulkner, McGuinness,
NEW: Travis Baird (Brisbane Lions)

Field umpires: Stevic, McLaren, Chamberlain

Playfair comes in for the suspended Mooney, while Steve Johnson & Kelly come in for the omitted Tenace & Prismall. Don't really see the logic in dropping some quick midfielders against the speedy bulldogs but time shall tell I guess.

If there was ever a time to beat the Bulldogs it should be now with their horrorific injury list, but I can never go into a game confident against the 'Sons of the West'. Firstly they have a list of players who traditionally eat us for dinner; Brad Johnson, Scott West, Rohan Smith...then there is all the poor performances against them in the recent past when they were supposedly worse than us.

Call it pessimism, call it what you will but I expect us to lose this game. I cant see us doing much up forward without Mooney who has been holding it together the last few weeks and despite the fact we've won 4 of our last 5, none of which have been entirely impressive. Maybe the finals charade will end tomorrow...

Prediction: Bulldogs by 18 points

Posted by Sammy D at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

July 15, 2006

Geelong Vs. Port Power

WHERE & WHEN: Skilled Stadium, 1:10pm (AEST), Sunday, July 16

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane), Fox Footy (Perth), Triple M (Adelaide), K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 6, Port Adelaide 7, 1 Draw.

LAST TIME: Geelong 18.18 (126) bt Port Adelaide 7.5 (47), Skilled Stadium, Round 16, 2005.

TAB Sportsbet: Geelong $1.20, Port Adelaide $4.00

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Rooke, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Wojcinski
HF: G.Ablett, Mooney, Stokes
F: Ottens, McCarthy, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C (from): Mackie, Tenace, D.Johnson, Prismall
EM: Riccardi, Playfair, Byrnes

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Symes, Wakelin, Wilson
HB: Surjan, Chaplin, S.Burgoyne
C: Lonie, K.Cornes, Salopek
HF: Mahoney, Tredrea, White
F: Motlop, Brogan, Pettigrew
FOLL: Lade, Thomson, Pearce
I/C: Ebert, Logan, Thomas, Walsh
IN: Logan, Symes
OUT: P.Burgoyne (hamstring), Dew (suspended)
EM: Carlile, Thurstans, Ware
NEW: Tom Logan (Brisbane Lions)

Field umpires: Donlon, K.Nicholls, Goldspink

So this is it. The first barrier to overcome if we want to play finals football this season is to beat the Power at Skilled Stadium tomorrow. Lose and we might as well not win again for the rest of the season. All three emergencies played in the reserves this afternoon to suggest that Mooney is going to be fit & able to play otherwise the club have taken a hell of a risk.

Port have been in some decent form of late despite losing their last couple of games. They could've accounted for Richmond if they kicked straight and were reportedly good against a superior Melbourne side the week in Round 13. Using the their youngsters as their strength they play a quick, play on brand of football which probably doesn't suit our somewhat average speed midfield so rain might be welcomed at SS tomorrow.

Despite missing Chad Cornes, Peter Burgoyne & Stuart Dew expect the Power to put up a real fight, a lot better than their last visit to Sleepy Hollow. However I think these key outs will be the difference in the outcome.

Prediction: Geelong by 15 points

Posted by Sammy D at 06:48 PM | Comments (0)

July 06, 2006

Carlton Vs. Geelong

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome, Saturday, 2.10pm

TV & RADIO: Channel 10, Fox Footy (Perth), K-Rock, 3AW

HEAD TO HEAD: Carlton 114, Geelong 88, Draws 2

TAB SPORTSBET ODDS: Carlton $3.85, Geelong $1.22

LAST TIME: Round 8, 2005: Geelong 22.11 (143) d Carlton 10.13 (73) at Telstra Dome

CARLTON
B: Carrazzo, Thornton, McLaren
HB: Scotland, Whitnall, Walker
C: Houlihan, Bentick, Simpson
HF: Lappin, Kennedy, Wiggins
F: Deluca, Fevola, Betts
FOLL: French, Stevens, Blackwell
I/C: Bannister, O'hAilpin, Russell, Sporn
EMG: Bryan, McGrath, Teague
IN: Sporn
OUT: Murphy (shoulder)

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Rooke, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Wojcinski
HF: G.Ablett, Mooney, Stokes
F: Ottens, McCarthy, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Mackie, Tenace, D.Johnson, Prismall
EMG: Playfair, Koulouriotis, Byrnes
IN: D.Johnson, Mackie, McCarthy, Prismall
OUT: Callan, Kingsley, Kelly, N.Ablett

Wholesale changes to the Geelong side after the horrible performance at AAMI Stadium. David Johnson comes in for his 50th match with Andrew Mackie. Brent Prismall comes in for his 2nd AFL game after his first one only lasted a matter of minutes & Matty McCarthy perhaps gets his first game of a few to prove he should be on our list next season. Kelly finally gets the axe after a extremely disappointing season thus far along with Kingsley, Nathan Ablett & the ever unlucky 'Fresh'.

Carlton is a side that we should beat on paper, especially with young Mr. Murphy out. However if we play that frustrating 'hot potato handball' style of football we seem to have slipped back into this season we can lose to anyone on our day. Just I don't think Saturday will be another one of those days.

Prediction: Geelong by 30 points

Posted by Sammy D at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)

July 01, 2006

Adelaide Vs. Geelong

WHERE & WHEN: AAMI Stadium, 12.40pm; Curtain Raiser - North East Metro JFA,10.50am

TV & RADIO: Channel 9: Melbourne (1pm), Adelaide (1pm), Perth (11am), Sydney (1pm), Brisbane (1pm), Triple M (Adelaide only), ABC Radio, K-Rock. NIRS

HEAD TO HEAD: Played - 23, Adelaide: 13, Geelong: 10

LAST TIME: Geelong 9.7 (61) d Adelaide 8.9 (57), round 12, 2005, at Skilled Stadium

TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide: $1.32, Geelong: $3.20

ADELAIDE
B: Johncock, Rutten, Bassett
HB: Massie, Stevens, McLeod
C: Doughty, Goodwin, Mattner
HF: Thompson, McGregor, Edwards
F: Bode, Hentschel, Burton
FOLL: Biglands, Ricciuto, Reilly
I/C: Shirley, Torney, Maric, Porplyzia
IN: Burton, Porplyzia,
OUT: Knights (quadriceps strain), Vince
Em: Skipworth, Clarke, Vince

GEELONG
B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Rooke, Milburn, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Wojcinski
HF: G.Ablett, Mooney, Kelly
F: Ottens, N.Ablett, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Stokes, Tenace, Kingsley, Callan
IN: Harley, Rooke
OUT: Spencer, Byrnes
Em: Batchelor, D.Johnson, Byrnes

Field umpires: James, Chamberlain, Pannell

We run into a hot Adelaide Crows just when we don't really want to. I can't see a repeat of last week. It was a great interstate win, but this is the Adelaide Crows and not the joke that is the Fremantle Dockers. Harley & Rooke come back into the side from injury replacing Spencer & somewhat surprisingly Byrnes. Let's just hope the boys give a good account of themselves against the leagues best.

Prediction: Adelaide by 36 points

Posted by Sammy D at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)

June 16, 2006

Fremantle Vs. Geelong

WHERE & WHEN: Subiaco Oval, 2:10pm (AWST), Saturday, June 17

TV & RADIO: Fox Footy (Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane), Channel 10 (Perth), K-Rock, 3AW, ABC, Triple M

HEAD TO HEAD: Fremantle 6, Geelong 11

LAST TIME: Fremantle 14.7 (91) bt Geelong 11.16 (82), Skilled Stadium, Round 10, 2005.

TAB Sportsbet: Fremantle: $1.45, Geelong: $2.25

FREMANTLE
B: Parker, Haddrill, Dodd
HB: M.Carr, Mundy, Schammer
C: Black, J.Carr, Headland
HF: Peake, Pavlich, Farmer
F: Johnson, McPharlin, Medhurst
FOLL: Sandilands, Hasleby, Cook
I/C: Crowley, Duffield, McManus, Walker
EMG: Campbell, Hayden, Webster
IN: Cook, Crowley, Haddrill
OUT: Gilmore (knee), Grover (shoulder), Polak (groin)

GEELONG
B: Wojcinski, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Callan, Mooney, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Mackie
HF: G.Ablett, Milburn, Kelly
F: Ottens, N.Ablett, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Stokes, Byrnes, Tenace, Spencer
EMG: Blake, Lonergan, Batchelor
IN: King, Tenace
OUT: S.Johnson (knee), Blake

The Cats have named skipper Steven King and Kane Tenace as inclusions for Saturday's clash with the Dockers at Subiaco – King to return from a calf injury and Tenace from the VFL after recovering from a knee complaint.

Steve Johnson has been ruled out with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for up to a month while Mark Blake has been dropped.

Starting on the interchange bench for the Cats are Mathew Stokes, Shannon Byrnes, Matthew Spencer and Tenace while Mark Blake, Tom Lonergan and Nick Batchelor have been named as emergencies.

The Dockers have been forced to make three changes to their side.

Graham Polak (groin), Antoni Grover (shoulder) and Daniel Gilmore (knee) were all injured in the club's clash with the Bulldogs last weekend and have been ruled out.

Coming into the side are defender Robert Haddrill, Ryan Crowley and midfielder Troy Cook.

Haddrill will make his long-awaited return after battling ankle and hamstring problems and will play his first game this year while Crowley has recovered from the fractured cheekbone he sustained earlier in the season.

Crowley has been named to start on the bench along with Paul Duffield, Shaun McManus and James Walker, while Adam Campbell, Roger Hayden and Luke Webster have been named as emergencies.

Prediction: Fremantle by 30 points

Posted by Sammy D at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)

June 09, 2006

Geelong Vs. Essendon

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome, 7:40pm (AEST), Friday, June 9

TV & RADIO: Channel 9 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), Triple M (Melbourne, Adelaide), ABC, 3AW, 5AA, 6PR, NIRS

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 85, Essendon 112, 5 Draws

LAST TIME: Essendon 16.11 (107) bt Geelong 13.16 (94), Telstra Dome, Round 18, 2005.

TAB Sportsbet: Geelong $1.30, Essendon $3.20

GEELONG
B: Wojcinski, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Callan, Mooney, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Mackie
HF: G.Ablett, Milburn, Kelly
F: S.Johnson, N.Ablett, Chapman
FOLL: Ottens, Corey, Ling
I/C: Stokes, Byrnes, Blake, Spencer
EMG: Gamble, Lonergan, Tenace
IN: Wojcinski, Spencer
OUT: Harley (shoulder), Rooke (foot)
NEW: Matthew Spencer (Swan Districts)

ESSENDON
B: Heffernan, Fletcher, Welsh
HB: Nash, McPhee, Lovett-Murray
C: Winderlich, J.Johnson, Bolton
HF: Stanton, Lucas, Solomon
F: Hille, Johns, Reynolds
FOLL: Laycock, McVeigh, M.Johnson
I/C: Monfries, Dempsey, Peverill, Camporeale
EMG: Dyson, Jolley, Lee
IN: J,Johnson, Camporeale, Reynolds, Dempsey
OUT: Bradley (ankle), Watson (corked knee), Slattery (suspended), Dyson

Spencer in for Bombers clash

Geelong has made two forced changes for its clash against Essendon at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

Tom Harley (shoulder) and Jarad Rooke (foot) are out through injury, while the Cats have named key defender Matthew Spencer for his first AFL match, as defender/midfielder David Wojcinski also returns.

Harley has had a wretched run with injury, having played just three matches this season, as a knee problem sidelined him at the start of the year.

It will be Rooke's first absence for the season, while Wojcinski will line-up for his fifth match this year, after his missed almost the entire 2005 season with a knee injury.

Spencer was selected at No.42 in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft and was a member of Geelong's NAB Cup grand final victory over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

Geelong has named Ryan Gamble, Tom Lonergan and Kane Tenace as its emergencies.

Essendon has included two key midfielders - Jason Johnson and Scott Camporeale - for its clash against the Cats.

Johnson, who underwent surgery last December after rupturing a tendon in his left foot, battled form when he returned for the start of the season - yet post-Christmas his pre-season was ruined because of the set-back. This forced him to have a two-match spell with the Bendigo Bombers in the past couple of weeks.

Camporeale has played just four matches since joining the Bombers this year. He has injured his hamstring on two occasions this season.

But the Dons have lost in-form ball-winner Jobe Watson (corked knee) - arguably Essendon's best performer this season after three injury-riddled seasons - while key tall Kepler Bradley (ankle) is also out and Henry Slattery has been suspended.

The Bombers have also included promising youngster Courtenay Dempsey and defender Joel Reynolds.

Youngsters Ricky Dyson, Ben Jolley and Andrew Lee are the emergencies.

Prediction: Geelong by 25 points

Posted by Sammy D at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)

May 26, 2006

Geelong Vs. Richmond

WHERE & WHEN: Skilled Stadium, 2:10pm (AEST), Saturday, May 27

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane), Fox Footy (Adelaide), Triple M (Melbourne), 3AW, K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 90, Richmond 84, 3 Draws.

LAST TIME: Geelong 10.9 (69) d Richmond 10.8 (68), Skilled Stadium, Round 22, 2006.

TAB Sportsbet: Geelong $1.33, Richmond $3.00

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Mooney
HB: Rooke, Harley, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Wojcinski
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, Kelly
F: S.Johnson, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: Ottens, Corey, Ling
I/C: Mackie, Riccardi, Byrnes, J.Hunt
EMG: Koulouriotis, Blake, Stokes
IN: Wojcinski, Byrnes, Mackie
OUT: King (calf), Tenace (knee), D.Johnson

RICHMOND
B: Raines, J.Bowden, Hall
HB: Johnson, Kellaway, Newman
C: Pettifer, Deledio, Tivendale
HF: Tambling, P.Bowden, Meyer
F: Krakouer, Richardson, Hyde
FOLL: Simmonds, Coughlan, Tuck
I/C: Knobel, Pattison, Foley, Polo
EMG: Gaspar, White, Jackson
IN: Johnson, Hall
OUT: Jackson, Hartigan

I cannot decide which is more amazing. The continual slide of the Geelong Football Club, or the bookies & punters continually having us favourites despite our quite apparent shitness.

I honestly have no confidence in our side anymore and hence cannot tell you how we will go on Saturday as I have never in my life seen such a disappointing loss as the one we suffered last week. How we the players, staff & leadership group react? This game will probably give a good insight to all of those and if we drop this one, it's pretty much time to throw any thought of finals out the window and concentrate on next season.

No real surprises with the changes to our side. Two forced with injury and David Johnson suffers the consequences of having small forwards run all over us, all season. I'm sure it probably would have been Josh Hunt if not for his better skills by foot. The ins probably picked themselves. Wojcinski is a straight replacement for Johnson with a pace upgrade as we look for some run off the half back flank, Mackie was BOG last week in the VFL and Shannon Byrnes is there for his pace, despite average form in the 2nds.

Kingsley & Playfair are lucky to be there on form, however I don't think the coaching staff had much other choice. They haven't looked like getting their hands on the ball the last couple of weeks, but they cannot be entirely blamed for last week as the midfield were absolutely stupid sitting it on top of H's head while he had 3 opponents to beat time & time again.

Richmond have some handy inclusions, mainly Kane Johnson who is a very good player and Hall could lead us having some height problems combined with Richardson, Simmonds & Knobel etc. Ottens will probably have to ruck 80% of the game at least meaning it is extremely important for Kingsley & Playfair to find some form, for the midfield to deliver it to them well and for us to find some run through the lines.

Prediction: Geelong by 1 point

Nothing will surprise me no matter what happens. I'm simply picking us because it is too painful to bare the thought of even losing to Richmond at the start of the season.

Of course the big question is whether there will be a flood at Skilled Stadium on Saturday, and I'm not talking about the weather. I'd say during the match both sides will drop players back and hold the ball up using ball possession at stages of the game, so if you really wanna see some football on the weekend head down to the VFL on Sunday at 1pm and watch Travis Varcoe in the VFL. At least he should give us something to smile about.

Posted by Sammy D at 02:15 PM | Comments (0)

May 20, 2006

Collingwood Vs Geelong

WHERE & WHEN: MCG, 7:10pm (AEST), Saturday, May 20

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 -- Melbourne (7.30pm), Adelaide (6.30pm), Perth (7pm), Brisbane (7.30pm), Fox Footy Channel -- Sydney (7pm) , 3AW, ABC, Triple M, K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Collingwood 122, Geelong 87, 1 Draw

LAST TIME: Collingwood 18.13 (121) bt Geelong 14.12 (96), Telstra Dome, Round 11, 2005.

COLLINGWOOD
B: Lonie, Prestigiacomo, Clement
HB: H.Shaw, Wakelin, Johnson
C: Caracella, O'Bree, Burns
HF: Didak, Rocca, Davis
F: Thomas, Tarrant, Holland
FOLL: Fraser, Licuria, Buckley
I/C: C.Cloke, Lockyer, Maxwell, Swan
EMG: T.Cloke, Pendlebury, R.Shaw
IN: Buckley, C.Cloke
OUT: J.Cloke, O'Brien
NEW: -

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Mooney
HB: Rooke, Harley, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Tenace
HF: G.Ablett, Kingsley, Kelly
F: Playfair, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: S.Johnson, Riccardi, D.Johnson, J.Hunt
EMG: Wojcinski, Mackie, Gardiner
IN: Mooney
OUT: Gardiner
NEW: -

It is being reported that it is very unlikely Steve Johnson will play with a bruised hip and that Gardiner or Mackie are the obvious replacements.

Prediction: Cats by 8 points

Posted by Sammy D at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)

May 12, 2006

St. Kilda Vs Geelong

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome, 7.40pm, Friday 12 May.

TV & RADIO: Channel Nine, 3AW, Triple-M, ABC Radio, K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 196 - Won: St Kilda - 78, Geelong 118

LAST TIME: St Kilda 13.18 (96) def. Geelong 8.7 (55) Round 19, 2005, at Telstra Dome

ST KILDA
B: Baker, Hudghton, Voss
HB: Gram, Maguire, S.Fisher
C: Goddard, Ball, Fiora
HF: Hamill, Riewoldt, Harvey
F: Montagna, Gehrig, Murray
FOLL: Blake, Hayes, Dal Santo
I/C: Ackland, McQualter, Schwarze, Thompson
EMG: McGough, Milne, Peckett
IN: Ackland, McQualter
OUT: Koschitzke (head), Milne

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, J.Hunt
HB: Rooke, Harley, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Tenace
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, Kelly
F: Ottens, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: S.Johnson, Riccardi, D.Johnson, Gardiner
EMG: Wojcinski, Mackie, Byrnes
IN: King, Harley, S.Johnson
OUT: Mooney (suspended), Wojcinski, Slade

I cant honestly be bothered trying to put so much effort into dissecting a match which pretty much only has one outcome. Geelong have some big ins with King, Harley & Dog Johnson, whether King & Harley actually play is yet to be seen but if you're to believe the President they will. Milne out for St. Kilda is an interesting one as I think he would've given us a lot of trouble.

To be honest I expect this to be a pretty much carbon copy of last time we played them. We'll do alright, try to keep it respectable but the fact they have some decent talls in their forward line compared to ours will inevitably have them winning rather easily. This is of course presuming we don't get flogged out of the middle like we have been.

Ruck is crucial as they pretty much don't have any, but is it that crucial these days anyways?

Prediction: St. Kilda by 36 points

Posted by Sammy D at 03:12 PM | Comments (0)

May 04, 2006

Melbourne Vs Geelong

MELBOURNE V GEELONG

WHERE & WHEN: Friday May 5 at the MCG, 7.40pm.

TV & RADIO: TV: Channel Nine - Melbourne (8.30pm), Adelaide (8.30pm), Perth (8.30pm), Sydney (11.15pm), Brisbane (11.15pm). RADIO: 3AW, ABC, MMM

HEAD TO HEAD: Melbourne 82, Geelong 116, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: Geelong 18.8 (116) d Melbourne 9.7 (61) at the MCG, second elimination final, 2005.

MELBOURNE
B: Bate, Carroll, Whelan
HB: Yze, Rivers, Brown
C: Green, Bruce, Sylvia
HF: McLean, Robertson, Davey
F: McDonald, Holland, Pickett
FOLL: White, Godfrey, Johnstone
I/C: Jamar, Dunn, Bartram, Moloney
EMG: Read, Bell, C.Johnson
IN: McLean, Dunn
OUT: Wheatley (hamstring), Miller (groin strain)
NEW: Lynden Dunn (Calder Cannons)

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Hunt
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Egan
C: Enright, Bartel, Tenace
HF: G.Ablett, Kingsley, Kelly
F: Gardiner, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Wojcinski, Riccardi, D.Johnson, Slade
EMG: Playfair, Mackie, Blake
IN: Kingsley, King, Riccardi
OUT: Prismall (arm), Callan, Blake

This should be a very interesting match and is very important in both sides seasons. Both teams sit 2-3 and with the side starring down the barrell of a 2-4 start the pressure is very much on.

Interesting changes to the Geelong side. How Callan seems to get nothing from the coaching staff week after week is getting ridiculous. I'd be seriously peeved at the footy club if I was Fresh right now. King & Kingsley are big ins, whether one or both actually play is another thing. Many think Blake/Playfair will come in for him before the start of the match.

It's hard to see how both sides are going to kick their goals to be honest. A not fully fit Kingsley & Mooney seem to be our talls. Let's ignore Charlie Gardiner for now. While Melbourne will rely on a half fit Robertson & Ben Holland, with the possibility of Jeff White going forward. So a bag for anyone of those players pretty much splits the game open in my opinion. Otherwise it is going to come down to the mosquito fleet. Davey & Yze vs. Ablett & Chappy. Another good duel should be Bruce & Bartel. Unlikely that they will play on each other but both are very good at going forward and kicking goals. Bartel the great overhead mark for his size & Bruce just a silky smooth player who oozes class.

I don't know why, but I made a big statement that we would win this on Monday, those who know me were seen checking themselves into hospitals because they thought they must have been hullucinating for me to predict a Geelong win. It's hard enough when we're in good form. My reasoning is our midfield has started to cop a bit of criticism, I can see us going in really tough in the centre this week, but Melbourne are a danger side they could be anything.

Prediction: Geelong by 2 points

Posted by Sammy D at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

April 28, 2006

Sydney Vs Geelong

SYDNEY SWANS v GEELONG

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Stadium, 7.10pm, Saturday 29 April.

TV & RADIO: Network Ten, Foxtel (Perth, Brisbane) 3AW, Triple-M, K-Rock, ABC Radio

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 199 - Won: Sydney Swans - 92, Geelong - 107

LAST TIME: Sydney Swans 7.14 (56) def. Geelong 7.11 (53) Semi Final, 2005, at the SCG

SYDNEY
B: Barry, Richards, Schneider
HB: Mathews, Roberts-Thomson, C.Bolton
C: Kennelly, Kirk, Crouch
HF: O'Keefe, Hall, Goodes
F: Fosdike, O'Loughlin, J.Bolton
FOLL: Jolly, Ablett, McVeigh
I/C: Buchanan, Chambers, Malceski, Williams
EMG: Dempster, Spriggs, Vogels
IN: Williams
OUT: N.Davis (hamstring)
NEW: -

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, D.Johnson
HB: Rooke, Egan, Hunt
C: Enright, Bartel, Tenace
HF: G.Ablett, Mooney, Kelly
F: Gardiner, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: Blake, Corey, Ling
I/C: Wojcinski, Prismall, Callan, Slade
EMG: Spencer, N.Ablett, Mackie
IN: Prismall, Gardiner, Blake, Scarlett
OUT: Lonergan, S.Johnson, Byrnes, N.Ablett
NEW: Brent Prismall (Western Jets)

Nick Davis isn't playing so there is no need to mention any previous clashes. We go in on a skid with wholesale changes made. Our defenders will be breathing a sigh of relief that Scarlett is back from suspension just in time for Barry Hall, while Prismall makes his AFL debut.

Both teams are in bad form which shadows their best and both will be keen to clock up a win after heartbreaking losses the week before. I am picking Sydney simply for the fact that it is in Sydney.

Prediction: Sydney by 7 points

Posted by Sammy D at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)

April 14, 2006

Round 3: Geelong Vs. Hawthorn

GEELONG v HAWTHORN

WHERE & WHEN: Skilled Stadium, 2:10pm (AEST), Saturday, April 15

TV & RADIO: Fox Footy (LIVE - Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth), Triple M, ABC, 3AW, K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 72, Hawthorn 63, 1 Draw

LAST TIME: Geelong 16.17 (113) d Hawthorn 8.10 (58), Telstra Dome, Round 14, 2005.

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Mooney, D.Johnson
HB: Rooke, Egan, Hunt
C: Enright, Bartel, Tenace
HF: G.Ablett, Ottens, Kelly
F: Byrnes, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Blake, S.Johnson, Mackie, Slade
EMG: Gardiner, Prismall, Lonergan
IN: Byrnes, Kelly
OUT: Scarlett (suspended), Gardiner

HAWTHORN
B: Guerra, Dawson, Sewell
HB: Ladson, Jacobs, Smith
C: Young, Vandenberg, Crawford
HF: Williams, Croad, Bateman
F: Dixon, Everitt, Roughead
FOLL: Campbell, Hodge, Mitchell
I/C: Clarke, Lewis, Osborne, Brown
EMG: Birchall, Ries, Murphy
IN: Brown
OUT: Birchall

Nothing much unsuspected about the sides. Kelly comes back in from his arm injury & Byrnes is back after being a late change last week with the flu, while Scarlo is out suspended and Charlie Gardiner is finally omitted! Hawthorn have brought in Campbell Brown at the expense of a young rookie Birchall.

All year long we have heard in the media how "committed & determined" we are. In my opinion this is the first hurdle we have to clear. We knew we would face competition from the Lions & Kangaroos and duely blew them away and gave them each a football lesson, isn't it time for a let down now? Playing against one of the bottom teams at "our fortress" we have to ensure there is no stuff up, we just have to go 3-0.

Hawthorn are a danger for the following reasons:

• They have a bunch of kids
  
• Clarkson will have them playing committed football
  
• They'll play very defensive and look to frustrate us
  
• They have a good solid front line midfield
  
• Mark Williams is a tough FF to match up on
  
• They may look to exploit our lack of height down back
  
• They have nothing to lose
  

Yes, on paper we should win & win easily. We need to give Williams no space on in the forward 50, rotate the midfield a lot as it is a big strength and an advantage we have over them & exploit there lack of experience down back and most importantly do not underate them.

C'mon Catters, make sure you stay true to what you've been saying in the media. Make it a perfect start...

Prediction: Geelong by 23 points

Posted by Sammy D at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)

April 07, 2006

Round 2: Geelong Vs. Kangaroos

GEELONG v KANGAROOS

WHERE & WHEN: Skilled Stadium, 2:10pm (AEST), Saturday, April 8

TV & RADIO: Fox Footy (LIVE - Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth), ABC (Melbourne), K-Rock

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 84, Kangaroos 56, Draws 1

LAST TIME: Geelong 22.14 (146) d. Kangaroos 8.13 (61), Skilled Stadium, Round 9, 2005.

Geelong
B: Milburn, Scarlett, D.Johnson
HB: Rooke, Egan, Hunt
C: Enright, Bartel, Tenace
HF: G.Ablett, Mooney, Kingsley
F: Gardiner, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Blake, S.Johnson, Byrnes, Slade
EMG: N.Ablett, Prismall, Mackie
IN: Kingsley, S.Johnson
OUT: Playfair (shoulder), Mackie

Kangaroos
B: B.Rawlings, Hay, Brown
HB: Firrito, Petrie, Sinclair
C: Archer, Simpson, Grant
HF: Green, Hale, Harding
F: Co.Jones, Thompson, Wells
FOLL: McIntosh, Harris, Harvey
I/C: Watt, Thurley, Pratt, Gibson
EMG: Rocca, Schwarze, Trotter

This should be a cracking match full of tough, physical football in not too pleasant conditions. Just the way both sides like it. Should be a cold & windy day down at Kardinia Park with the odd patch of rain here or there just to make it interesting.

Geelong come into the go full of confidence after winning the NAB Cup and flogging Brisbane on our own patch last week by 77 points, meanwhile the Kangaroos had a very impressive come from behind win against Port Adelaide over at AAMI Stadium.

The Roos have made no changes, while Geelong have dropped Mackie for Steve Johnson and Kingsley is back from injury at the expense of Playfair who has hurt his shoulder.

The Roos have some very solid experienced players to compliment some nice young players they have coming through, but I have the feeling at home that we will be too strong. Of note ex-Cat Cameron Thurley has made the Roos interchange and hopefully will prove we made no mistake letting him leave, by not offering him a 2 year deal.

Prediction: Cats by 11 points

Posted by Sammy D at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)

March 31, 2006

Round 1: Geelong Vs. Brisbane

GEELONG Vs. BRISBANE

WHERE & WHEN: Skilled Stadium, 2.10pm, Saturday 1 April.

TV & RADIO: Fox Footy Channel, ABC Radio, 3AW, Triple-M, K-Rock

OUR COVERAGE: live scores, stats & audio, Game Day News Desk, match replay (24 hour delay)

HEAD TO HEAD: Geelong 11, Brisbane Lions 16, 1 draw

LAST TIME: Brisbane 17.14 (116) def. Geelong 6.11 (47), Round 13, 2005, at the Gabba

Geelong
Backs: D. Milburn M. Scarlett M. Egan
Half Backs: J. Rooke C. Mooney J. Hunt
Centre: C. Enright J. Bartel D. Johnson
Half Forwards: G. Ablett H. Playfair A. Mackie
Forwards: C. Gardiner B. Ottens P. Chapman
Followers: S. King, J. Corey, C. Ling
Interchange: M. Blake, W. Slade, S. Byrnes, K. Tenace
Emergency: M. Spencer, B. Prismall, S. Johnson

Brisbane
Backs: C. Johnson M. Michael J. Drummond
Half Backs: B. Scott D. Bradshaw B. Fixter
Centre: J. Sherman M. Voss T. Notting
Half Forwards: A. McGrath J. Brown J. Brennan
Forwards: L. Power D. Merrett J. Leppitsch
Followers: J. Charman, S. Black, J. Akermanis
Interchange: M. Clark, S. Harding, M. Rischitelli, A. Corrie
Emergency: C. Keating, R. Copeland, T. Selwood

Ahh a new season. You can already smell the liniment. This game comes in with a bit of an unknown factor over it due to the injuries to both sides. For Geelong Kingsley, Riccardi, Kelly, N. Ablett & Harley are missing while Steve Johnson has been named in the emergencies, but if theories are to be believed could be playing. We've named 3 rucks (Kings, Ottens, Blake) so you'd suspect that one of either King or Ottens would be a late withdrawl unless they plan to have Ottens at FF all game. Also Will Slade finds himself on the bench after being promoted to the list for Nick Bachelor who is on the long term injured list with a torn hamstring.

Brisbane are missing key players Nigel Lappin & Chris Scott, which Richard Hadley is out for the rest of the season. Young star Mitchell Clark may miss the opportunity to make his debut if a fractured thumb is still troubling him.

Who knows how this game will end up? We had great pre-season cup form obviously taking home the trophy, but come round 1 that means little. Brisbane are a still a very dangerous, physical side that is ready to prove they're still finals material and host heaps of champion names.

I'm going to pick us just because we're at home, but wouldn't be surprised if we get turned over by an experienced outfit.

Prediction: Geelong by 4 points

Posted by Sammy D at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)

March 17, 2006

NAB Cup Grand Final: Adelaide Vs Geelong

Get the feeling we've been here a few times before? As far as I'm concerned we are almost in a lose/lose position tomorrow night. Lose tomorrow night and moron supporters & media alike will be all over us like a fat kid on a cupcake. 43 years, 10 straight GF losses etc etc etc. Win and we will get the old "it's only pre-season" line and they're exactly right. It is only pre-season and whatever the result over at AAMI stadium tomorrow night I feel it will have little bearing on our season, but a win tomorrow night would ease just a small bit of pressure on the player group, staff, supporters & the club as a whole. It would give us something to celebrate briefly & mildly after so much hurt, some painkillers while we wait for the wound to fully heal...

Both sides go in with weakened sides, but both are looking to give a few players a run for the first time this pre-season. I'm not going to bother with the who has more players out argument as it is pointless.

Question marks are hanging over the heads of Ottens & the two Abletts for tomorrow nights match, while it is being reported that McLeod & Edwards will play for the Crows.

A Geelong supporter all my life it has been ingrained in my we cannot win this game for many reasons; Away, understrengthed, grand final record, AAMI Stadium record & even that my Grandma hasn't moved out of her house (Feel free to blame her for all our previous losses...). So it will not surprise you that I am picking against us, but there is always hope.

Prediction: Adelaide by 24 points

Cmon Cats, give us some medication...

Posted by Sammy D at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)

March 16, 2006

NAB Grand Final Squads

Adelaide v Geelong, AAMI Stadium, 7.20pm (local time) Saturday 18 March

Here's the respective squads for Saturday night.

Adelaide squad: Kris Massie, Matthew Clarke, Scott Thompson, Nathan Van Berlo, Nathan Bassett, Tyson Edwards, Matthew Bode, Michael Doughty, Robert Shirley, Hayden Skipworth, Ken McGregor, Graham Johncock, Ivan Maric, Chris Knights, Ian Perrie, Andrew McLeod, Brett Burton, Ben Rutton, Richard Douglas, Bernie Vince, Luke Jericho, Brent Reilly, Ben Hart, Rhett Biglands, Simon Goodwin, Trent Hentschel, Martin Mattner, Jason Porplyzia

Geelong squad: Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie, Brad Ottens, Josh Hunt, James Kelly, Kane Tenace, Joel Corey, Tom Lonergan, Charlie Gardiner, Shannon Brynes, Matthew Egan, Cameron Mooney, Henry Playfair, Nathan Ablett, Mark Blake, Matthew Spencer, Matthew Stokes, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Brent Prismall, Jarad Rooke, Paul Chapman, Will Slade, Darren Milburn, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling, Paul Koulouriotis.

INs: Ottens, Playfair, Rooke
OUTs: Callan, Sheringham, Batchelor

Match preview to follow soon. Also we now have email address which can ben found down the right side of the page. Feel free to send either myself (Sammy D) or The Kolonel a line.

EDIT: Apparently Callan is out and not Koulouriotis. How the hell the AFL would stuff that up I don't know, then again it is run by a bunch of morons.

Posted by Sammy D at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)

March 10, 2006

NAB Cup Semi-Final: Geelong Vs Fremantle

GEELONG V FREMANTLE: March 11, 7:40 pm, Telstra Dome

TV/INTERNET/RADIO: Channel Nine, afl.com.au, k-Rock

Geelong squad: Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie, Tim Callan, Josh Hunt, James Kelly, Kane Tenace, Joel Corey, Tom Lonergan, Paul Koulouriotis, Charlie Gardiner, Shannon Brynes, Matthew Egan, Cameron Mooney, Nathan Ablett, Mark Blake, Matthew Spencer, Mathew Stokes, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Brent Prismall, Paul Chapman, Will Slade, Darren Milburn, Tim Sheringham, Nick Batchelor, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling

Fremantle squad: Peter Bell, Heath Black, Joshua Carr, Matthew Carr, Troy Cook, Ryan Crowley, Steven Dodd, Marcus Drum, Paul Duffield, Jeff Farmer, Daniel Gilmore, Antoni Grover, Paul Hasleby, Des Headland, Justin Longmuir, Shaun McManus, Luke McPharlin, Paul Medhurst, David Mundy, Ryan Murphy, Shane Parker, Matthew Pavlich, Brett Peake, Aaron Sandilands, Byron Schammer, Jarrad Schofield, James Walker, Michael Warren

Can't really see us winning this one to be honest. Unless our defence performs a miracle and holds Fremantle to under 50-60 points. Who knows how the Dockers will play, they could be on fire or they could over possess the leather like they are prone to do. I think we'll do alright, but I just can't see us kicking a score, but who cares...it's preseaon.

Prediction: Fremantle by 31 points

Posted by Sammy D at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

March 03, 2006

NAB Cup Round 2: Kangaroos Vs. Geelong

KANGAROOS V GEELONG: Saturday, 4 March, 7:45 pm local (8:45 pm AEST), Cairns, Qld.

TV/INTERNET: Channel 10, afl.com.au

Kangaroos squad: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Daniel Harris, Daniel McConnell, Jesse Smith, Cameron Thurley, David Trotter, Kasey Green, Brad Moran, Andrew Swallow, Chad Jones, Michael Firrito, Ed Lower, Sav Rocca, Jade Rawlings, Matt Riggio, Daniel Pratt, David Hale, Eddie Sansbury, Ben Schwarze, Troy Makepeace, Shannon Watt, Joel Perry, Josh Gibson, Leigh Harding, Brent LeCras, Scott McMahon, Justin Perkins.

Geelong squad: 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, Mathew Stokes, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Brent Prismall, Jarad Rooke, Paul Chapman, Will Slade, Darren Milburn, Tim Sheringham, Nick Batchelor, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling.

Field Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Matthew James, Justin Schmidt, Kieron Nicholls.

Not much to say really. We go in with the same squad of 28 as last week except Stokes coming in for King while the Kangaroos are resting a lot of players.

The match is being played in Cairns where we are two from two, Kangaroos are even more understrength than us. We should do the business.

Prediction: Geelong by 25

Posted by Sammy D at 12:31 PM | Comments (0)

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 09:28 PM | Comments (0)

September 08, 2005

Has The Light Been Seen?

No more Charlie!

SYDNEY v GEELONG
Friday, 8:00pm AEST, SCG

SYDNEY
B: Crouch, Barry, C.Bolton
HB: Mathews, Roberts-Thomson, Kennelly
C: Nicks, Ablett, Dempster
HF: O’Keefe, Hall, J.Bolton
F: Goodes, O’Loughlin, Buchanan
FOLL: Jolly, Kirk, Williams
I/C: Ball, Fosdike, Schneider, Bevan
EMG: Vogels, Malceski, Schauble
IN: Bevan
OUT: Vogels

GEELONG
B: Hunt, Scarlett, Harley
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Milburn
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Mackie
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, S.Johnson
F: Kingsley, N.Ablett, Kelly
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Enright, Egan, Sanderson, Tenace
EMG: D.Johnson, Byrnes, Gardiner
IN: Enright
OUT: Gardiner

Prediction: Swans by 18-25pts

Posted by Sammy D at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)

September 02, 2005

Is This The Last Time?

GEELONG v MELBOURNE
Saturday, 2:30pm AEST, MCG

GEELONG
B: Hunt, Scarlett, Harley
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Milburn
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Mackie
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, S.Johnson
F: Kingsley, N.Ablett, Kelly
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Gardiner, Egan, Sanderson, Tenace
EMG: D.Johnson, Byrnes, Sanderson
IN: Hunt, Gardiner
OUT: Chapman (hamstring), Chambers

MELBOURNE
B: Ferguson, Nicholson, Whelan
HB: Wheatley, Carroll, Brown
C: Green, Moloney, Yze
HF: Motlop, Miller, Robertson
F: Holland, Neitz, Davey
FOLL: White, Rigoni. Johnstone
I/C: Bruce, McDonald, Godfrey, McLean
EMG: Jamar, Armstrong, Heffernan
IN: Miller, Bruce
OUT: Bell (ankle), Armstrong

Posted by Sammy D at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)

August 26, 2005

The Last Dance

GEELONG v RICHMOND
Sunday, 1:10pm AEST, Skilled Stadium

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Harley
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Sanderson
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Mackie
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, S.Johnson
F: Kingsley, N.Ablett, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Kelly, Egan, Chambers, Tenace
IN: Chapman
OUT: Byrnes

RICHMOND
B: Newman, Gaspar, Hall
HB: Moore, Kellaway, Bowden
C: Deledio, Coughlan, Hyde
HF: Pettifer, Richardson, Krakouer
F: Campbell, Simmonds, Schulz
FOLL: Stafford, Tuck, Johnson
I/C: Hilton, Hartigan, Foley, Tambling
IN: Kellaway, Krakouer
OUT: Graham, Jackson

Posted by Sammy D at 11:42 PM | Comments (0)

August 18, 2005

Team Vs. West Coast

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Harley
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Byrnes
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, S.Johnson
F: Kingsley, N.Ablett, Chapman
FOLL: King,Corey, Ling
I/C: Kelly, Egan, Sanderson, Chambers
EMG: Koulouriotis, Tenace, Mackie

IN : King,Harley,Chapman,Chambers
OUT : Ottens [inj],Tenace,Koulouriotis,Blake

WEST COAST
B: Banfield, Glass, Staker
HB: Chick, Hunter, Stenglein
C: Kerr, Cousins, Braun
HF: R.Jones, Hansen, Morton
F: Sampi, Lynch, Seaby
FOLL: Cox, Judd, Fletcher
I/C: Green, B.Jones, Nicoski, Selwood
EMG: Butler, Graham, LeCras

IN : Hansen
OUT : Wirrpunda(family bereavement)

It's Go Time

Posted by Sammy D at 09:54 PM | Comments (0)

August 12, 2005

Cmon, Have A Shot At The Title

Courtesy of Supermercado

It seems both our sides are in suicide mode at the moment. Melbourne being hard hit by injuries of late and losing their last 7 & hell we all know our problems. How about we all head down the Moorable St. Bridge and plunge ourselves into the Barwon River & call the game a nil all draw.

The season is pretty much pointless for both of us. Both sides ravaged by injuries & playing very ordinary football means that the season is a write-off. Even if either side makes the finals it'll be 6-8th place and last two weeks at most, but it will be great for the experience though...

GEELONG v MELBOURNE
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Skilled Stadium

GEELONG
B: Milburn, Scarlett, Sanderson
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Koulouriotis
HF: G.Ablett, Playfair, S.Johnson
F: Kingsley, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: Blake, Corey, Ling
I/C: Kelly, Egan, Byrnes, Tenace
EMG: Spencer, Haynes, N.Ablett
IN: Byrnes, Mooney
OUT: Enright (shoulder), Haynes

MELBOURNE
B: Bell, Ferguson, Nicholson
HB: Whelan, Wheatley, Brown
C: Yze, Moloney, Rigoni
HF: Robertson, Miller, Davey
F: Motlop, Neitz, Holland
FOLL: White, Johnstone, Godfrey
I/C: Bizzell, Armstrong, Green, McLean
EMG: P.Johnson, Read, C.Johnson
IN: Neitz, Green, Johnstone, Whelan
OUT: Ward, P.Johnson, C.Johnson, Read

Melbourne have the hidious hoodoo down here. Haven't won since 1988 so its always nice when they bother to make the trip down here.

Rumor has it all Geelong emergencies will play as Chapman, Mooney & Kingsley aren't going to pull through which will mean the debuts of Matthew Spencer & (dare I say it) Nathan Ablett which will probably turn this non-event into a very exciting game. If he does play I feel sorry for the kid. I know he has to get used to AFL level & the attention and all that, but he will have 19000 or so people who havent seen him in the VFL and will be expecting unrealistic feats from him. Not to mention he will have Supermercade yelling out stuff about his old man...bastardo.

I'm not going to predict a winner in this. Both teams have so many underdone, not fit players it isnt funny. It will be interesting as Melbourne's weakness at the moment seems to be their backs while ours is our forward line which means thats where the game will probably be decided.

At least Cameron 'The' Bruce will do fuck all (he's not playing). I remember in Rnd 3 we had some dickheads calling him Brownlow all night. Good call boys, his shot at Charlie went down a week later with a shoulder injury. It was worth it though to teach you foo's a football lesson

See ya on the bridge,

Sammy D

Posted by Sammy D at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)

August 04, 2005

Now. Where Did I Put My White Flag?

Urgh. I'm looking forward to this game as much as a kid looks forward to going to visit the dentist. Mark my words folks, this is going to be a massacre & it's our blood that is going to be smeared all over the wall by the end of it.

Normally this would have been pumped up no end, whose got the better young list, whose going to win the next seven premiership in a row yada yada yada. Not surprisingly none of that has been mentioned recently as we have lost to two sides well outside the eight in the past fortnight while St. Kilda have gone on to beat their last five opponents by around an average of 60-70 points. Yes, I'm quite aware that, that is insane. Hell, we'd have a hard enough time beating them at the moment with a full side let alone the one we are going in with. So if you're a Geelong supporter and like pain (then again, who isn't a Geelong supporter that likes pain, we support Geelong) turn up at the Telstra Dome approx 7:30pm tomorrow night and see a pasting...don't forget to bring a mask. Wouldn't want blood getting on that pretty little face of yours.

ST KILDA v GEELONG
Friday, 7:40pm AEST, Telstra Dome

ST KILDA
B: Penny, Hudghton, Baker
HB: Voss, Maguire, S.Fisher
C: Jones, Ball, Peckett
HF: Hayes, Riewoldt, Hamill
F: Milne, Gehrig, Dal Santo
FOLL: Koschitzke, Harvey, Powell
I/C: Blake, Thompson, Guerra, Montagna
EMG: R.Clarke, Gram, Fiora
NO CHANGE

GEELONG
B: Enright, Scarlett, Sanderson
HB: Rooke, Milburn, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, Playfair, S.Johnson
F: Kingsley, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: Blake, Corey, Ling
I/C: Koulouriotis, Egan, Haynes, Tenace
EMG: Spencer, Thurley, Byrnes
IN: Sanderson, Haynes, Blake
OUT: King (finger), Mooney (back), Byrnes

I'm not going to even start on match-ups. We'll be lucky to win a handfull of them.

Swami Sammy D says St. Kilda by 118 points

...I need a drink

Posted by Sammy D at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)

July 23, 2005

Bring Corks To This Game

WESTERN BULLDOGS v GEELONG
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Telstra Dome

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: McMahon, Harris, Griffen
HB: Morris, Grant, Hargrave
C: Gilbee, West, Ray
HF: Smith, R.Murphy, Eagleton
F: Giansiracusa, Johnson, Robbins
FOLL: Minson, Cross, Cooney
I/C: Birss, Boyd, Hahn. Skipper
EMG: Street, McGuiness, Power
IN: Giansiracusa, Grant, McMahon, Skipper, Smith
OUT: Bandy, Bowden, B.Murphy, Street, Power

GEELONG
B: Egan, Scarlett, Milburn
HB: Rooke, Mooney, Hunt
C: Koulouriotis, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, Playfair, Riccardi
F: Kingsley, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Rahilly, Thurley, Sanderson, Tenace
EMG: S.Johnson, Blake, Gardiner
IN: Sanderson, Tenace, Ottens
OUT: D.Johnson (hamstring), Chambers (knee), Byrnes

Ok, before I let Mr. Wu take over because Im lazy and much rather be watching Punter knock up a ton against the Poms than put effort into writing this, I remind all Geelong fans to bring some sort of sound protection for your ears tomorrow as every time the Bullies kick a goal tomorrow you'll have to put up with the F*cking annoying ad from Leaseplan or whatever with that retarded Bulldogs fan screaming out, saying they're legends even when they are down by 50 points....

And now, I give you crappy afl.com.au Review:

WESTERN BULLDOGS v GEELONG

WHERE & WHEN: Telstra Dome, 2:10pm (AEST)

TV & RADIO: Channel 10 (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane), 3AW

OUR COVERAGE: live scores, stats & audio, Game Day News Desk, match replay (24 hour delay)

HEAD TO HEAD: Western Bulldogs 51, Geelong 85, 2 Draws.

LAST TIME: Geelong 16.12 (108) d Western Bulldogs 11.7 (73), Round 6, 2005 at Skilled Stadium.

THE MEDICAL ROOM: Mitch Hahn's ankle injury, sustained last Sunday against the Crows, sees him join stars Rohan Smith (ankle), a late withdrawal last week, Chris Grant (knee) and Daniel Giansiracusa (finger) as players who will require fitness tests later in the week. Jordan McMahon, a late withdrawal last week due to the flu, is available but skipper Luke Darcy has a season-ending knee injury and youngster Cameron Faulkner (collarbone) will miss five to seven weeks, placing his season in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Cat Brad Ottens (groin) will this week play his first senior game since Round 12 but defender Tom Harley (hip), who has only played two games since Round 8, may have to return in the VFL if he passes a fitness test. Forward Steve Johnson (ankle) will miss another week and midfielder Corey Enright (knee) another two. The injury woes continue for defender David Johnson (hamstring) and high-flying forward Matt McCarthy (shoulder), who both came back recently from injuries earlier in the season, with the pair facing another four weeks on the sidelines.

THE STORY SO FAR: The Bulldogs' talent-laden injury list has finally caught up with them. A chance of making the finals after thrashing Carlton in Round 13 for their sixth victory of the year, the Bulldogs have not won since, losing their past three matches to fall to 12th place on the ladder. While there was honour in their three-goal loss to the Saints, the Dogs have been outplayed in the past fortnight and comprehensively beaten by the Dockers and the Crows. Meanwhile, the Cats put in their most impressive performance in almost two months when they annihilated Port Adelaide by 79 points in deplorable conditions at Skilled Stadium. The Cats found the ball on 120 more occasions, had 24 more scoring shots and had almost double the number of forward 50 entries than the reigning premier. The win was the Cats' third in their past five outings and with their injury getting shorter they appear ready to launch their assault on September.

THE WHITEBOARD: For all the criticism that Kent Kingsley cops for his sometimes wayward kicking for goal, the forward has booted 42 goals this season and is eighth in the race for the Coleman Medal. Along with the much improved Henry Playfair and Ottens, the Cats have three tall forwards who would slot very comfortably into the Bulldogs pint-sized attack. The Dogs' five leading goalkickers are all under 187cm tall and against one of the best defences in the competition, their attack could be in for another lean week. The Dogs are without their best ruckman Luke Darcy and doubts linger over the fitness of two of their most skilful ball carriers in Giansiracusa and Smith, while the Cats, except for Enright, have largely kept their midfield intact. If the Cats can shut down both Scott West and Daniel Cross, the Dogs two best players in heavy traffic, then they could be in for another hefty percentage booster.

THE VERDICT: Even with their best team on the park, the young Bulldogs would be struggling to get the points this week. And with several of their best players out or under injury clouds, that task becomes even more difficult. The Dogs have improved considerably this season and will want to snap their three-game losing streak and finish the year off in style but the Cats have a top four berth at stake and that cherry should eliminate any thoughts of taking the foot off the pedal. Geelong by 32 points.

Posted by Sammy D at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)

July 15, 2005

Power In Town

The visit of Port Power to Skilled Stadium should see this wonderful new invention called electricity come to Geelong for the first time in history...

Enough of the Eddie McGuire hilarity we have a football game to preview...

GEELONG v PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Skilled Stadium

GEELONG
B: Egan, Scarlett, Milburn
HB: D.Johnson, Mooney, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, Playfair, Rooke
F: Byrnes, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: King. Corey, Ling
I/C: Rahilly, Thurley, Koulouriotis, Chambers
EMG: Lonergan, Blake, Haynes
IN: Ling, Rooke, King, Playfair, D.Johnson
OUT: Sanderson (flu), Gardiner, Haynes, Tenace, Blake

PORT ADELAIDE
B: S.Burgoyne, Wakelin, Bishop
HB: Wilson, C.Cornes, Shattock
C: Cassisi, Francou, Montgomery
HF: Dew, Tredrea, Pickett
F: Mahoney, Thurstans, Wanganeen
FOLL: Primus, K.Cornes, P.Burgoyne
I/C: Lade, James, Kingsley, Walsh
EMG: Cochrane, Ebert, Pettigrew

Hopefully by now you have all awoke from the expected train wreck that was the Sydney game. The problem being of course that we're still on the tracks and an Alan Scott truck is coming right for us.

Port played some very good football last week but their problem all season has been away games. From the named side above Wanganeen want be taking his place due to the flu so expect either Cochrane or Ebert to come in. I'd definitely go with Ebert, this kid seems to hurt us every game we play them.

Anyways, some positive news. After some players have checked out of Geelong Hospital in order to play this game. All three late withdrawals (Ling, King & Rooke) are back along with H & DJ. King despite poor form of late & definitely not being 100% just has to play this game as Chambers + Blake Vs. Primus + Lade = Ugly, Very Ugly.

The other obvious threats are of course Tredrae & Cornes Bros. (Coming soon to nintendo) as they are top quality players of AA standard.

There are so many factors going into this game that it gets my definition of a 50/50 and being the mentally scarred Geelong supporter I am, I'm picking the Power by 21 points and for me to be very cold.

Posted by Sammy D at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)

July 08, 2005

Match Preview - Vs. Sydney @ SCG

SYDNEY v GEELONG
Saturday, 7:10pm AEST, SCG

SYDNEY
B: Dempster, Barry, C.Bolton
HB: Mathews, Roberts-Thomson, Kennelly
C: McVeigh, Ablett, Crouch
HF: O’Keefe, Hall, J.Bolton
F: Davis, O’Loughlin, Goodes
FOLL: Jolly, Kirk, Williams
I/C: Ball, Buchanan, Fosdike, Moore
EMG: Malceski, Saddington, Schneider
IN: Moore
OUT: Saddington

GEELONG
B: Egan, Scarlett, Milburn
HB: Sanderson, Mooney, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, Gardiner, Rooke
F: Byrnes, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Haynes, Tenace, Koulouriotis, Chambers
EMG: Rahilly, Blake, Thurley
IN: Haynes
OUT: McCarthy

The champas will be brought out after this match down at Kardinia Park due to this being the last game we have to go interstate this season (ignoring finals). Also the popping of the corks will no doubt wake the masses after the completion of what should be the most boring game of the year.

What can you possibly like about Sydney? Firstly they're the AFLs love child gone wrong. No matter how hard they have tried to become a success in Sin City something always backfires. Their colours blend in to look pink and they sing about shaking thunder down from the sky, good luck with that guys. Their ground is so small that the 50m circle intersects with the centre square. Is it any wonder Rodney Eade pioneered the flood up there? What about that moron that tries to rev the crowd up on the wing or those old pensioners who used to stand behind the goals left of your tv screen. Do you still get a free ticket to their games with a Big Mac Meal? Oh & by the way, they're really really really really really weally boring.

If fact they're so boring I'm handing the review reigns over to the Kolonial for this weekends match because to be frank, the only way I'll be able to get through watching them play our beloved cats will be totally off my face.

Apart from the BF (Boredom Factor) it should be a mouth watering clash. Two top eight sides battling it out to grab a spot in the four. Sydney coming off a somewhat surprising loss to Richmond the week before and The Geelong Hospital Cats managed to account for a teenage Hawthorn rather comfortably.

McCarthy is replaced after putting his body on the line last week by the fit again David Haynes. No doubt a handy inclusion albeit a frustrating one. The rumor mill has swung into action 24 hours before the game with claims our captain Steven King is out after a promising performance the week before. So who will come in? The logical choice would be Mark Blake to make his debut (Picks Kolonel off floor) while another suggestion out of left field is Cameron Thurley to come in.

The result? Buggered if I know. We're still severely hit with the injury curse and everyone knows about our travelling record so this should be a loss, but with the Swans style of football games tend to stay tight and scoring will be low which might suit us in the circumstances.

Swans by 7 points, but I bloody hope not....Oh & our blog wars start of this week as we take on swansblog.com for the "The Greg Williams before he became a hated asshole award" I'm sure both clubs will be giving 110% to get this piece of silverware in their cabinets.

Lastly for all you historic GFC nuts out there I suggest you try and get a hold of the Round 12 2002 clash of this fixture. Geelong come from 20 odd points down late in the last quarter to steal a great victory by 2 points and make Wayne Schwass's last game a miserable one.

GO CATS!

Posted by Sammy D at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)

July 02, 2005

Preview - Round 14 Vs. Hawthorn

Tenace in for Hawks clash
5:55:48 PM Fri 1 July, 2005
Exclusive to gfc.com.au

Speedster Kane Tenace has been named in Geelong's final 22 to face the Hawks at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

Tenace comes into the line-up with Matt McCarthy and skipper Steven King, replacing the injured David Haynes (quadriceps) and Tom Lonergan and James Rahilly, who have both been omitted.

Midfielder Paul Koulouriotis, youngster Andrew Mackie and Rahilly have been named as emergencies.

The Hawks have made five changes to their team with Simon Beaumont and Steven Greene making the final 22 while veteran forward Nick Holland, Danny Jacobs and Bo Nixon were named as the three emergencies.

Stroke victim Angelo Lekkas, defender Jonathan Hay and youngster Nathan Lonie also come into the team replacing injured trio Josh Thurgood, Simon Taylor and Chance Bateman while Harry Miller was dropped and Luke Hodge suspended by the club for disciplinary reasons.

GEELONG v HAWTHORN
Sunday, 2:10pm AEST, Telstra Dome
GEELONG
B: Mooney, Scarlett, Milburn
HB: Rooke, Harley, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, McCarthy, Gardiner
F: Byrnes, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Egan, Tenace, Sanderson, Chambers
IN: King, Tenace, McCarthy
OUT: Haynes (quad), Lonergan, Rahilly

HAWTHORN
B: Smith, Hay, Osborne
HB: Vandenberg, Croad, Lonie
C: Lewis, Mitchell, Clarke
HF: Dixon, Boyle, Franklin
F: Williams, Brennan, Ladson
FOLL: Everitt, Lekkas, Crawford
I/C: Sewell, Greene, Roughead, Beaumont
IN: Hay, Lonie, Lekkas, Beaumont, Greene
OUT: Thurgood (hamstring), Taylor (thigh), Bateman (shoulder), Hodge, Miller

Here's the deal people. If we actually decide to turn up and play some solid committed football, we should win. No doubt about that. If we do not, expect to pay the price.

GO CATS

Posted by Sammy D at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)

June 18, 2005

Team To Lose Vs Lions

BRISBANE LIONS v GEELONG
Sunday, 1:10pm AEST, Gabba

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Johnson, Michael, Drummond
HB: Adcock, Leppitsch, Power
C: Notting, Voss, Akermanis
HF: Selwood, Brown, McGrath
F: Corrie, Bradshaw, Sherman
FOLL: Keating, Lappin, Black
I/C: McLaren, Merrett, Copeland, Macdonald
IN: Lappin
OUT: B.Scott

GEELONG
B: Rooke, Scarlett, Milburn
HB: Sanderson, Harley, Hunt
C: Riccardi, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, Mooney, Gardiner
F: Mackie, Kingsley, Chapman
FOLL: King, Corey, Ling
I/C: Byrnes, Egan, Chambers, Haynes
IN: Harley, King, Haynes
OUT: Enright (knee), Playfair (jaw), Ottens (groin)

If you wanna read an in depth report on the game? Tough shit, and if not...go read Sportal

Go Cats

Posted by Sammy D at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)

June 11, 2005

Murder of Crows

GEELONG v ADELAIDE
Sunday, 1:10pm AEST, Skilled Stadium

GEELONG
B: Rooke, Scarlett, Mooney
HB: Milburn, Harley, Hunt
C: Enright, Bartel, Kelly
HF: Ablett, Playfair, Gardiner
F: Kingsley, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: Chambers, Corey, Ling
I/C: Byrnes, Mackie, Riccardi, Sanderson
IN: Sanderson, Corey, Chambers, Playfair
OUT: D.Johnson (hamstring), King (calf), Tenace, Lonergan

ADELAIDE
B: Bassett, Rutten, Hart
HB: Torney, Bock, Doughty
C: Mattner, Ricciuto, Reilly
HF: McLeod, McGregor, Goodwin
F: Skipworth, Jericho, Biglands
FOLL: Hudson, Thompson, Edwards
I/C: Shirley, Welsh, Perrie, Burton
IN: Welsh
OUT: Van Berlo

Not many surprises with the line-ups this week except for King out with an injury. The way he is playing at the moment we don't lose anything with Chambers coming in who always gives his all. Corey is a great inclusion as is Playfair for us, meanwhile Welsh is a decent inclusion that could give us a few worries.

The Crows have an excellent midfield with Ricciuto, Goodwin, Edwards & McLeod if he goes in there, with good young players like Thompson, Reilly & Mattner. We have to break even with their midfield and we should win. The likes of Bock & Rutten have been punching above their weight the last few weeks and it's time to bring them back to earth. Hart has discovered his form after injury problems. On paper the back 6 are pretty tall. The likes of Ablett, Chappy with Byrnes & Kelly drifting forward could trouble them.

Up forward is where we can stop them. It's been doing surprisingly well the last few weeks with McGregor unstoppable against Essendon. If our defense lifts and can cover the three talls in McGregor, Welsh & Biglands our smalls shouldn't have too much trouble with the young but dangerous Skipworth & Jericho.

The Crows midfield has been unstoppable the last few weeks, while we've been lazy & out of form. I expect a better performance from us but not enough to go down by 2-3 goals with the heat being on another interstate trip to the Gabba next Sunday.

Posted by Sammy D at 02:33 PM | Comments (0)

June 02, 2005

Two Words.....Frozen Pies

Caption: "Hmmm....Pie"

COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG
Friday, 7:40pm AEST, Telstra Dome

COLLINGWOOD
B: Johnson, Prestigiacomo, Wakelin
HB: R.Shaw, Clement, Maxwell
C: Morrison, Burns, O’Bree
HF: Caracella, T.Cloke, Egan
F: Didak, Tarrant, Rowe
FOLL: Fraser, Licuria, Swan
I/C: C.Cloke, Holland, Lockyer, Rusling
EMG: Fanning, Lokan, Woewodin
IN: C.Cloke
OUT: Fanning

GEELONG
B: D.Johnson, Scarlett, Mooney
HB: Milburn, Harley, Hunt
C: Enright, Bartel, Rooke
HF: Ablett, Playfair, Gardiner
F: Kingsley, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Kelly, Ling
I/C: Byrnes, Mackie, Riccardi, Tenace
EMG: Lonergan, Rahilly, Thurley
IN: Harley, Mooney
OUT: Thurley, Lonergan

It is with little surprise that we see the two new kids on the block get the ass for the big inclusions of Harly & Mooney as we gear up towards tomorrow nights clash. Disappointed? A little. Suprised? No.
Personally all signs pointed to Thurley with the amount of minutes he played last week, but he probably has the right to feel a little cut with Bombers decision. Same goes for Lonergan, who I was hoping would say instead of Charlie.

We're already stating that we're coming off a 6 day break so the excuses for losing are already getting pumped out despite the ball is 22 hours away from being bounced...so with that boost of morale, let's have a look at our opponents.

About a month ago The Pies were down & out. Favourites for the spoon, crippled with injures and you could actually hear the knives being sharpened behind Mick Malthouses back despite his shite excuses about where they are on his 'premiership clock'. How times change! They've won two in a row and dreams of priority picks are being squashed with hopes of mediocrity.

It's embarrassing to say that I've seen the Pies play live three times, never against Geelong. Especially considering I've seen us play every other opponent at least five times. So with that in mind I'm sure the Cats will lift for my debut and we will win a close one against a fast finishing Pies outfit.

"Hot" Pies - Travis Cloke, Blake Caracella, Simon Prestigiacomo

Cats who need to lift - Steven King, James Kelly & Cameron Mooney.

Posted by Sammy D at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)

May 28, 2005

Prepare To Be Docked

Lock up your boys & girls residents of Geelong because those old sea dogs are in town. No, not the US Navy. I'm talking about the worst expansion team in the short history of the AFL, the Fremantle Dockers. Sure, they mightn't drink gallons of piss and probably have some control over their raging hormones (correct me if I wrong), but they do bring across from the Nullabor the worst song and colours in the AFL without question. Thankfully for us they also bring across their 0-8 record at Kardinia Park.

I feel like I say this every week but, this looms as a danger game for the good guys in the blue & white hoops. Firstly the 'Shockers' have been copping it in the media all week, both in Perth & Melbourne for their soft and pathetic loss to Hawthorn last week. Coach Connolly will have his boys breathing fire as they run out Saturday arvo.

Secondly they have a weakened team on paper with the loss of Matt Carr to injury and the suprise axing of Des Headland & Byron Schammer who are replaced by lesser likes. These are exactly the type of games that have given us trouble in the past. We must be on our guard!

Lastly, due to acts of stupidity we're missing Cameron 'Pyscho' Mooney as he is serving an enforced layoff. Combined with the doubtful appearance of Tom Harley this leaves us severly short at the back to cover the likes of Pavlich, McPharlin & Longmuir. Assuming Scarlett takes the one playing out of the goalsquare it means all we have to cover them are Rooke, H or Lonergan. Rooke will give 110% but is undersized for whichever one of the three is his opponent, Lonergan is a second gamer who is anything but solid playing in the defensive 50 & Playfair will be sorely missed leading out from CHF. Why we haven't brought in Egan has me scratching my head. Where is Ben Graham when you need him? Oh...

The exclusion of Egan leads me to believe that we are taking a risk in that either Playfair will spend most of his time down back with Gardiner roaming across half forward in his place and/or that we're trusting the weatherman that it will rain and kill off their three tall forwards.

We excel in the rain, especially against a side that is supposedly physically weak as the Dockers. We have so many rotations through the middle that we should have too much legs whether it be dry or wet. You only have to look back to last season where we slaughtered them at Kardinia Pool in a torrential downpour for an example of this.

Our small backs have somewhat been surprisingly very good against opposition this year and I don't think Fremantle will be able to stop our many avenues of attack (albeit without Dog Johnson). This combined with the inspirational achievement of 100 games for everyone's favourite redhead in Linga should see us run out winners by 4-5 goals and keep up our impeccable home record.

GEELONG v FREMANTLE
Saturday, 2:10pm AEST, Skilled Stadium

GEELONG
B: D.Johnson, Scarlett, Lonergan
HB: Milburn, Rooke, Hunt
C: Enright, Bartel, Mackie
HF: Ablett, Playfair, Gardiner
F: Kingsley, Ottens, Chapman
FOLL: King, Kelly, Ling
I/C: Byrnes, Thurley, Riccardi, Tenace
EMG: Harley, Rahilly, Callan
IN: Gardiner, Mackie
OUT: Mooney (susp), S.Johnson (ankle)

FREMANTLE
B: Polak, Parker, Grover
HB: Black, Thornton, Mundy
C: Crowley, Hasleby, Schofield
HF: Dunn, Pavlich, Cook
F: Farmer, McPharlin, Medhurst
FOLL: Longmuir, Bell, J.Carr
I/C: Dodd, M.Johnson, McManus, Sandilands
EMG: Murphy, Smith, Webster
IN: Crowley, Dodd, Dunn, Johnson, McManus
OUT: M.Carr (inj), Headland, Schammer, Siegert, Webster
NEW: Ryan Crowley (Calder U/18s)

Swami Sammy Ds players to watch for:
Bartel - Fantastic in the wet
Jnr - See above
Mackie - Alot of pressure on the kid coming up from the ressies but as shown in the past can get under oppositions guard in our forward line & burn them in a quarter.

Posted by Sammy D at 12:04 AM | Comments (0)