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AFL Premiership Round 3
North Melbourne V Geelong
--------- V ---------
Preview by Pure_Ownage:
The formline
Contrasting formlines, with the Cats beating the Hawks by 2 points in the most meaningful of contests, while North Melbourne thrashed GWS by 129 points in the most meaningless of contests.
For the Cats Jimmy Bartel had 20 disposals 7 marks 8 tackles and 2 goals, including a crucial goal in the last quarter, as well as getting back to help the defence in the last few minutes. Captain Joel Selwood had 24 disposals and 8 tackles and was an inspiration by coming back on and playing a crucial role after being heavily hit in the head in the last quarter. Ruckman Trent West had to ruck the whole game by himself with the late withdrawal of Orren Stephenson, and finished with 32 hitouts, while Taylor Hunt was sent to a rampant Sam Mitchell who had 21 disposals at half time and kept him to just 9 for the rest of the game. Tom Hawkins had one of the best games of his career with 22 disposals 12 marks and 3.2, while James Podsiadly made the difference with three final quarter goals, including the goal that won the game for the Cats, he finished with 15 disposals 6 marks and 5 goals.
For the Kangaroos it was a stat padding day against the kids; Ryan Bastinac had 44 disposals (16 kicks 28 handballs) and 2 goals, Liam Anthony had 38 and 2 goals while Leigh Adams had 37 disposals and a goal. Veteran Brent Harvey had 32 disposals and a goal, while forward Aaron Edwards kicked 5 goals. Ruck duo Todd Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh had 38 hitouts between them.
Ins and outs
For the Cats Orren Stephenson is a certain inclusion having recovered from his rain virus last week. He will be needed to help Trent West against one of the best ruck combinations in the competition. Small forwards Shannon Byrnes and Mathew Stokes were both poor and one is likely to make way for the big man. This is most probably Byrnes given that he was a late inclusion, although Chris Scott did mention in yesterday's press conference that Stokes had a bad corky during the game which gives the coaches an out to 'rest' him if they so wish. At the other end of the ground premiership defender Josh Hunt is likely to return from a calf strain, replacing either Billie Smedts who may have a shoulder injury, or young forward Mitch Brown. Young midfielder George Horlin Smith has had 2 great weeks in the vfl and is a chance to make his debut if we have any further changes.
For North, the only injury concern is a knee injury to Lindsay Thomas from the GWS game, but he may be right to play. Most of their selection focus will be on picking good tall defenders to try and contain Hawk and Pods who are in super form. Young defender Cam Delaney might make way for his brother Luke who has more bulk for the task, or Lachie Hansen or Cameron Pederson could be recalled. Key midfielder Jack Ziebell returns from suspension and someone like rookie Aaron Mullett might make way for him.
Possible lineups:
Cats
B: Enright Lonergan JHunt
HB: Mackie Taylor Corey
C: Kelly Bartel Thunt
HF: SJ Hawkins Chapman
F: Motlop Pods Duncan
R: West Selwood Christensen
Int: Stephenson Guthrie Stokes Brown
Emg: Byrnes Horlin Smith Hogan
North:
B: McMahon Thompson Firrito
HB: Atley Hansen Anthony
C: Wright Wells Bastinac
HF: Thomas Petrie Harper
F: Edwards McIntosh Harvey
R: Goldstein Swallow Ziebell
Int: Adams Cunnington McMillan Campbell
Emg: Mullet Pederson C Delaney
Players in focus
Geelong
Trent West
The young ruckman is beginning to come of age. Going from being stuck behind Ottens Mumford Blake etc and playing almost 100 vfl games, to playing in a premiership in his 6th year on the list, and now in the 7th due to retirements and injuries he is our clear no1 ruckman. While he made a few disposal errors last week his ruckwork was very good and it will need to be again against Goldstein and McIntosh. He will need to win that battle to give our midfielders first use, in conjunction with Orren Stepheson. Also can push forward and take marks when the opportunity is there.
Jimmy Bartel
Gun, just a gun. Mr everywhere, plays everywhere and makes an impact no matter where he plays. Even did a bit of third man up in the ruck last week. Will be interesting to see where he plays this week, will it be in the midfield with a licence to float back and help the defence, or as a forward to use his classy overhead marking. No doubt North will try and curb his impact, but Jimmy is very hard to curb.
The HawkPod
Couldn't come up with a better nickname but our tall forward duo is really starting to click. Hawkins has found his confidence, he is leaping at the ball and taking marks, his workrate is far better around the ground and he is imposing himself on contests. Imagine how good he could be if he learnt to not try and mark everything on his chest! Meanwhile Jpod has had a great start to the year, some worried if off season shoulder surgery would sap his confidence and by extension his power marking, but it definitely hasn't. Took some super marks against Hawthorn inlcuding a one hander on the goal line at a crucial stage in the last quarter. If we can win the midfield battle and get the ball into them quickly they can definitely do a heap of damage.
North
Hamish McIntosh
After an achilles injury ruined his year last year, the ruckman is back and starting to find form again. Played very well on the weekend and offers good service to his midfielders and is a dangerous target when forward. Despite missing the goal after the siren in round 1, he is a threat in the air and with Petrie could help stretch a Geelong defence missing Scarlo. In the ruck he and Todd Goldstein will seek to get on top of West and Orren, and will need to for North to win the game.
Daniel Wells
Just class, if they had a stat for making time stand still when you have the ball and dance around others, this bloke would be right up there. After missing much of the pre season with blood clots, he's had a great start to the year. It's often said North have a lot of ball winners but lack good ball use, which is why Wells is so crucial, he's the best ball user in their side. I'd be giving him close attention with someone like Taylor Hunt to try and curb his influence.
Brent Harvey
In week where Dustin Fletcher notches up 350, here's another bloke who keeps on keeping on. Boomer might not be North's captain anymore but he's still a crucial leader for a young group and is one of it's best players. He hasn't lost any of his pace and can kick goals. Will need to be given close attention.
Where it will be won and lost
It all starts in the midfield. Possibly the one clear advantage North has over Geelong is it's rucks, and so they must win the ruck battle. North has some good ball winners including Swallow and Ziebell and Bastinac, so it will most certainly be a competitive battle. But you suspect the class and depth of Geelong's midfield rotation may have sway. The key will be whether our midfielders can win the ball and get it in long and quick before numbers get back. If they can do that, and we can isolate Pods and Hawkins, you struggle to see Thompson Firrito and Hansen holding them. Up the other end though Drew Petrie poses a great threat if North's midfielders can get the ball in quickly. It will be a big job for Tom Lonergan but he's more than up to the task.
Verdict
This game will be competitive, particular if North's rucks hold sway. We are coming off a very bruising encounter too which means tiredness could be a factor if the game is close in the last quarter. That said, North have a lot of young bodies and they may tire as well as the game goes on. I expect they will be competitive for a long way, but the class of Geelong's midfield and the stength of our key forwards will prevail in the end.
Cats by 20 points.
________________________________________________________
Sunday 15 April Etihad Stadium 4:40PM (Local Time)
Melbourne Forecast Melbourne Radar
North Melbourne V Geelong
Preview by Pure_Ownage:
The formline
Contrasting formlines, with the Cats beating the Hawks by 2 points in the most meaningful of contests, while North Melbourne thrashed GWS by 129 points in the most meaningless of contests.
For the Cats Jimmy Bartel had 20 disposals 7 marks 8 tackles and 2 goals, including a crucial goal in the last quarter, as well as getting back to help the defence in the last few minutes. Captain Joel Selwood had 24 disposals and 8 tackles and was an inspiration by coming back on and playing a crucial role after being heavily hit in the head in the last quarter. Ruckman Trent West had to ruck the whole game by himself with the late withdrawal of Orren Stephenson, and finished with 32 hitouts, while Taylor Hunt was sent to a rampant Sam Mitchell who had 21 disposals at half time and kept him to just 9 for the rest of the game. Tom Hawkins had one of the best games of his career with 22 disposals 12 marks and 3.2, while James Podsiadly made the difference with three final quarter goals, including the goal that won the game for the Cats, he finished with 15 disposals 6 marks and 5 goals.
For the Kangaroos it was a stat padding day against the kids; Ryan Bastinac had 44 disposals (16 kicks 28 handballs) and 2 goals, Liam Anthony had 38 and 2 goals while Leigh Adams had 37 disposals and a goal. Veteran Brent Harvey had 32 disposals and a goal, while forward Aaron Edwards kicked 5 goals. Ruck duo Todd Goldstein and Hamish McIntosh had 38 hitouts between them.
Ins and outs
For the Cats Orren Stephenson is a certain inclusion having recovered from his rain virus last week. He will be needed to help Trent West against one of the best ruck combinations in the competition. Small forwards Shannon Byrnes and Mathew Stokes were both poor and one is likely to make way for the big man. This is most probably Byrnes given that he was a late inclusion, although Chris Scott did mention in yesterday's press conference that Stokes had a bad corky during the game which gives the coaches an out to 'rest' him if they so wish. At the other end of the ground premiership defender Josh Hunt is likely to return from a calf strain, replacing either Billie Smedts who may have a shoulder injury, or young forward Mitch Brown. Young midfielder George Horlin Smith has had 2 great weeks in the vfl and is a chance to make his debut if we have any further changes.
For North, the only injury concern is a knee injury to Lindsay Thomas from the GWS game, but he may be right to play. Most of their selection focus will be on picking good tall defenders to try and contain Hawk and Pods who are in super form. Young defender Cam Delaney might make way for his brother Luke who has more bulk for the task, or Lachie Hansen or Cameron Pederson could be recalled. Key midfielder Jack Ziebell returns from suspension and someone like rookie Aaron Mullett might make way for him.
Possible lineups:
Cats
B: Enright Lonergan JHunt
HB: Mackie Taylor Corey
C: Kelly Bartel Thunt
HF: SJ Hawkins Chapman
F: Motlop Pods Duncan
R: West Selwood Christensen
Int: Stephenson Guthrie Stokes Brown
Emg: Byrnes Horlin Smith Hogan
North:
B: McMahon Thompson Firrito
HB: Atley Hansen Anthony
C: Wright Wells Bastinac
HF: Thomas Petrie Harper
F: Edwards McIntosh Harvey
R: Goldstein Swallow Ziebell
Int: Adams Cunnington McMillan Campbell
Emg: Mullet Pederson C Delaney
Players in focus
Geelong
Trent West
The young ruckman is beginning to come of age. Going from being stuck behind Ottens Mumford Blake etc and playing almost 100 vfl games, to playing in a premiership in his 6th year on the list, and now in the 7th due to retirements and injuries he is our clear no1 ruckman. While he made a few disposal errors last week his ruckwork was very good and it will need to be again against Goldstein and McIntosh. He will need to win that battle to give our midfielders first use, in conjunction with Orren Stepheson. Also can push forward and take marks when the opportunity is there.
Jimmy Bartel
Gun, just a gun. Mr everywhere, plays everywhere and makes an impact no matter where he plays. Even did a bit of third man up in the ruck last week. Will be interesting to see where he plays this week, will it be in the midfield with a licence to float back and help the defence, or as a forward to use his classy overhead marking. No doubt North will try and curb his impact, but Jimmy is very hard to curb.
The HawkPod
Couldn't come up with a better nickname but our tall forward duo is really starting to click. Hawkins has found his confidence, he is leaping at the ball and taking marks, his workrate is far better around the ground and he is imposing himself on contests. Imagine how good he could be if he learnt to not try and mark everything on his chest! Meanwhile Jpod has had a great start to the year, some worried if off season shoulder surgery would sap his confidence and by extension his power marking, but it definitely hasn't. Took some super marks against Hawthorn inlcuding a one hander on the goal line at a crucial stage in the last quarter. If we can win the midfield battle and get the ball into them quickly they can definitely do a heap of damage.
North
Hamish McIntosh
After an achilles injury ruined his year last year, the ruckman is back and starting to find form again. Played very well on the weekend and offers good service to his midfielders and is a dangerous target when forward. Despite missing the goal after the siren in round 1, he is a threat in the air and with Petrie could help stretch a Geelong defence missing Scarlo. In the ruck he and Todd Goldstein will seek to get on top of West and Orren, and will need to for North to win the game.
Daniel Wells
Just class, if they had a stat for making time stand still when you have the ball and dance around others, this bloke would be right up there. After missing much of the pre season with blood clots, he's had a great start to the year. It's often said North have a lot of ball winners but lack good ball use, which is why Wells is so crucial, he's the best ball user in their side. I'd be giving him close attention with someone like Taylor Hunt to try and curb his influence.
Brent Harvey
In week where Dustin Fletcher notches up 350, here's another bloke who keeps on keeping on. Boomer might not be North's captain anymore but he's still a crucial leader for a young group and is one of it's best players. He hasn't lost any of his pace and can kick goals. Will need to be given close attention.
Where it will be won and lost
It all starts in the midfield. Possibly the one clear advantage North has over Geelong is it's rucks, and so they must win the ruck battle. North has some good ball winners including Swallow and Ziebell and Bastinac, so it will most certainly be a competitive battle. But you suspect the class and depth of Geelong's midfield rotation may have sway. The key will be whether our midfielders can win the ball and get it in long and quick before numbers get back. If they can do that, and we can isolate Pods and Hawkins, you struggle to see Thompson Firrito and Hansen holding them. Up the other end though Drew Petrie poses a great threat if North's midfielders can get the ball in quickly. It will be a big job for Tom Lonergan but he's more than up to the task.
Verdict
This game will be competitive, particular if North's rucks hold sway. We are coming off a very bruising encounter too which means tiredness could be a factor if the game is close in the last quarter. That said, North have a lot of young bodies and they may tire as well as the game goes on. I expect they will be competitive for a long way, but the class of Geelong's midfield and the stength of our key forwards will prevail in the end.
Cats by 20 points.
________________________________________________________
Sunday 15 April Etihad Stadium 4:40PM (Local Time)
Melbourne Forecast Melbourne Radar
