Preview Prelim Final 25 - Geelong V Hawthorn Fri 19th Sept 2025 740pm @ MCG

[Cataholic]

While I’d never wish injury on any athlete, my concern is for our players

Reading this thread to find Stanley updates.

Midweek Tackle, Fox, declaring Stanley has made a phenomenal recovery.

I smell subterfuge.

That said, Danger did say he thought Stanley was no chance, but he did 10km on Friday and trained today.

Did he?

I reckon Scott has got Mitchell thinking long and hard.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Love your confidence, but very little basis for that margin, that result.
They have won 2 interstate finals, and play at their HG, have oodles of confidence, speed and fitness, and thrive on being underdogs.
We have played 1 one game in 4 weeks by the time we meet Hawks, albeit a brilliant 1 game.
This’ll be very nail-biting, like most Hawks Cats games

Yes but they are banged up and we are not.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I smell subterfuge.

That said, Danger did say he thought Stanley was no chance, but he did 10km on Friday and trained today.

Did he?

I reckon Scott has got Mitchell thinking long and hard.

Id be surprised if stanley plays on Friday but I think hes a good chance to get back for the GF (could be his last game) if we get there.

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

I’d take the risk with Stanley this week, we need him to take on Meek. But even if he fails in the game we’d not lose anything in the game just sub him out and put Blitz in. You can’t be making decisions this week thinking about the GF. Got to do everything to get there this week and if we make it we will go from there.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

I think there's a demographic of Cat supporters who had to endure watching Hawthorn win GF's monotonously whilst we couldn't win a chook raffle.

Then there was the 'what if' factor from '89. I was devastated that day.

The scars, and respectful hatred of Hawthorn, run deep.

Still suffer PTSD from 1989. We had a phenomenal team!

Next 2008

Yet 2013 hurt badly.

I’m on my last nerve, already.

Even a fleeting glimmer of Mitchell defeating us + then winning the Premiership sends my BP through the stratosphere.

Frankly, my fear + loathing for Hawks is utterly irrational!

 

[standupand]

Still suffer PTSD from 1989. We had a phenomenal team!

Next 2008

Yet 2013 hurt badly.

I’m on my last nerve, already.

Even a fleeting glimmer of Mitchell defeating us + then winning the Premiership sends my BP through the stratosphere.

Frankly, my fear + loathing for Hawks is utterly irrational!

You're not alone.

 

[goyoucatters]

It’s never true that there’s nothing to lose in a Prelim.

Taken literally, you are correct. But that's literally never how the expression is used when applied to a sporting context.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

I have never been this confident going into a Prelim since 2009. After the "RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, RIGHT IN FRONT OF MEEEEEE" debacle, the whole state of South Australia (minus supporters) were behind us to do a number on Collingwood.

As a long-time Adelaidian resider, the years between 2007 and prior to us nabbing Danger, the Croms loved us. I have a feeling, after their straight sets exit, they will quietly back us to beat Hawthown and Collingwood.

So, back to 2009. I told everyone we'd beat Collingwood by 69 points. I got laughed at, told I was a cocky . From memory, not consulting Mr. Google, I think we won by 73 points. Just, simply romped them.

Well, the Adelaide Croms were disgustingly insipid. Putrid. They played like a 15th placed side. Hawthorn was only impressive because of how poor Adelaide was. There's no way in any universe, our boys play like that.

I expect Jack Henry to take on Gunston. Jack campaignerston is a very good footballer, but Keane, as good as he has been this year, reverted back to Irish factory mode. He was all at sea. He was given a bath. A bath Hawthorn just got out and drank from.

Anything less than a an 11-goal win will be a loss. But, I'll take a one-point win, there's no percentage to gain. But, no, seriously... I am not one ounce nervous, I'm negative nervous... a win is fait accompli. The only question is, "by how much?"

 

[Zouz Kitty]

You're not alone.

Thank you hugs

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Has to be a factor, I think. Sleeping in different beds, unfamiliar environments, plane trips, etc etc.

I'd much rather our position. Just have to hope that all things being equal, both sides perform as expected.

This will be the biggest game of Sam Mitchell's coaching career.

Hope we ruin it for him.

Is there anyone more deserving?

 

[fpm84]

If Rhys is fit, he plays, it’s as simple as that. Last time he did a hammy he only missed two games and was good on return.

I’d take the risk of playing Rhys, and having him potentially break down and Blitz moving into the ruck, than having a Clark/Knevitt type as sub who are very unlikely to impact a result either way.

 

[Mr Meow]

Taken literally, you are correct. But that's literally never how the expression is used when applied to a sporting context.

And the expression is always used incorrectly in terms of knockout finals.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

If history guides Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

is zero chance of bringing Stanley in for a final with a chance of rain

 

[OzeSparky]

I’d take the risk with Stanley this week, we need him to take on Meek. But even if he fails in the game we’d not lose anything in the game just sub him out and put Blitz in. You can’t be making decisions this week thinking about the GF. Got to do everything to get there this week and if we make it we will go from there.

Totally agree. If we can play Blitz forward it really stretches there backline too.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Apologies I've slipped. Should have had this page 1.

 

[cats_09]

 

[catempire]

Taken literally, you are correct. But that's literally never how the expression is used when applied to a sporting context.

And that’s why it’s literally a stupid turn of phrase that I was taking the piss out of (figuratively).

 

[dudusmaximus]

Apologies I've slipped. Should have had this page 1.
..

Those witches hats and their goal celebrations really trigger me.

 

[Play it Sam]

Yeah the MCG certainly isn't a handicap for us like it used to be.

When I talk about home ground advantage I guess I meant more about the "classic" distinctions: a hostile and unanimous home crowd advantage. And playing there more than anybody else does. So more like Collingwood this weekend against Brisbane.

If we take out the ground (playing) advantage, that hasn't really been that advantageous of late, it leaves us with a hostile crowd. Last week our fans there turned feral, and the players loved it. It's a pity it took a few gifted goals to get us into massive voice, so hopefully we can give them that from the bounce.

 

[Play it Sam]

“Selection shock for Geelong Friday night” according to the Tackle tonight . “Tune in to find out” … wonder if it’s just click bait with Stanley being a test

It might be new injury. Perhaps Mannagh or Cameron.

 

[AM]

If Rhys is fit, he plays, it’s as simple as that. Last time he did a hammy he only missed two games and was good on return.

I’d take the risk of playing Rhys, and having him potentially break down and Blitz moving into the ruck, than having a Clark/Knevitt type as sub who are very unlikely to impact a result either way.

The first four words are the keys. The coach has shown in the past that the bar is high when it comes to proving fitness. Never more so than at finals time, as Max Holmes would attest.

I'm not too fussed if Blitz rucks. Meek will move him around at stop plays, but Blitz will clean him up when the ball hits the turf.

I may have missed it, but I didn’t hear Patrick say Rhys had no chance of playing on AFL360 tonight as a poster suggested.

 

[Play it Sam]

I'm not seeing any rain likely in the afternoon or early evening around game time. Looks like some light showers around 10pm onwards and into Saturday morning. A bit can change between now and Friday but looking ok at this stage which I think suits us.

Wind to around 25kmph and gusts up around 55kmph so that might have more of an impact than anything else.

I hope for no rain, it's a better spectacle. Watched another replay today and noted again how many slips there were by both teams, one costing Bris a certain goal. We've seen this throughout the season though, to the point of frustration questioning their boots. Must be just the pace of the game.

 

[Finknottle]

For what it's worth...
Geelong scores an avg of 99 points per game, Hawthorn 89. Let's say roughly 2 more goals per game.

 

[Finknottle]

It might be new injury. Perhaps Mannagh or Cameron.

Why would you suggest those two players?

 

[Heckler]

For what it's worth...
Geelong scores an avg of 99 points per game, Hawthorn 89. Let's say roughly 2 more goals per game.

Yeah but Hawks defence concede 73.5 v Cats 74.5 points per game
For what it's worth... statistically irrelevant .