Round 20 - Geelong vs Fremantle

[SeinDude]

After coming off a 1 point victory against St Kilda at Colonial Stadium, we travel over to WA to take on the Fremantle Dockers in a game that could secure us a spot in the finals.

We have a good record against Fremantle, losing only twice to them in our history. (both times in WA) The last time we met saw us win by 10 goals at Skilled Stadium, but Fremantle are a different team on their home ground, and this game will be a test of character for the young cats.

For Geelong, Ben Graham really stood up under pressure last week when we needed some leadership and stability in our defence, and should gain much confidence from his performance.

Steven King will once again be vital to our chances of winning this week in the ruck. With Fremantle's midfield running power a strength of theirs, especially at home, it will be important that King gives us first use of the ball around the ground, enabling our midfield to control the game.

Cameron Mooney is also an important part of our forward line set up. Cameron has really come along over the past 5 or 6 weeks, presenting himself and kicking some goals for us, and hopefully he can continue on with this good form.

With Fremantle's chance of playing in September gone, the Dockers have nothing really to play for except pride. On the other hand, Geelong have everything to play for, trying to secure a spot in the finals. Therefore, I think we can overcome the so called "Fortress of Pain" which is Subiacco this season, and beat the Dockers.

Prediction: Geelong by 21 points


Go Cats!!
SeinDude

 

[nolsey77]

Do Geelong take the punt of playing players who are not fit like they did against the Saints on Sunday?????

 

[SupaCat]

I think you are showing a little bit of over confidence, Seindude.
Graham and Scarlett are obviously not fit, King needs a little bit of help and I don't think White is up for a full game yet. If the game was being played at Skilled, then I would think we would not have a problem but being at Subiaco, and with Pavlich having something to prove after Saturday, I reckon we might struggle.

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by SupaCat
I think you are showing a little bit of over confidence, Seindude.
Graham and Scarlett are obviously not fit, King needs a little bit of help and I don't think White is up for a full game yet. If the game was being played at Skilled, then I would think we would not have a problem but being at Subiaco, and with Pavlich having something to prove after Saturday, I reckon we might struggle.

Nah, I reckon we'll actually win. We have more to play for than the Dockers, and we always travel well over there. Although some players may be down on form, or injured, we will still have a very good 22 to take over to Perth.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[SupaCat]

Does anyone know how Scarlett pulled up after the game? I know he went back on but was just wondering how he was today?

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by SupaCat
Does anyone know how Scarlett pulled up after the game? I know he went back on but was just wondering how he was today?

Scarlett and Graham both looked OK at the recovery session, at a very cold Geelong's Eastern Beach. In a day or so we should know if they have recovered enough to play this week against the Dockers. But it was probably more fatigue and a hard week of training that's made them a bit sore, especially Graham, who i believe hadn't fully recovered from his corked calf.


Player injury status as of Monday ( http://gfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=52943)

David Spriggs - knee - season
Darren Milburn - shoulder - 6-8 weeks
Aaron Lord - groin - available
Brenton Sanderson - ankle - test

 

[catattack]

Sanderson will have a test this week and may be back this week. Latest development on Scarlett is that he might not be able to play this week due to his cramp. He will have to take it easy this week on the track, so he doesn't do further damage. Also the flight this week is a worry becasue the flight can dehydrate the body, which Scarlett won't want to do, after his cramping/dehydration in the Saints game.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[Slax]

They'll just have to forget the last quarter against the saints. They can do Freo but it will be tough. If Thompson can get them up for it and encourage them with the thought of finals footy maybe they can pull it off.

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by Slax
They'll just have to forget the last quarter against the saints. They can do Freo but it will be tough. If Thompson can get them up for it and encourage them with the thought of finals footy maybe they can pull it off.

Yeah, we only played one bad quater of footy, and 3 good ones. We won the game, forget about the last quater, and focus on beating the Dockers this week!

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[SeinDude]

What's the situation with Ronnie Burns?? He left the ground last week with some sort of injury.

Go Cats!!
Seindude

 

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by SeinDude
What's the situation with Ronnie Burns?? He left the ground last week with some sort of injury.

He's fit to play,unfortunately

 

[catattack]

Ronnie played better this week than in a long time to I hope he's forms back on the rise.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[Skilledfan]

Geelong vs Freo

Three good quarters last week but the injuries are starting to disrupt the team make-up. harley is the only fully fit backman!

Still I think we'll win. The guys will have the heart to get out there and do what they have to because none of them looked very happy with their 4th quarter effort last week.
They'll respond to that and give it all they've got for 4 quarters this week!!

Cats by 40 points- only 'cos I couldn't handle another close one.

This season sure has been hard on the 'old ticker'.

Go Cats!!

p.s.Jub Jub- I love you're "give Bluey a go"!!!!!!!

 

[lovejugs]

Re: Geelong vs Freo

Originally posted by Skilledfan
Three good quarters last week but the injuries are starting to disrupt the team make-up. harley is the only fully fit backman!

Still I think we'll win. The guys will have the heart to get out there and do what they have to because none of them looked very happy with their 4th quarter effort last week.
They'll respond to that and give it all they've got for 4 quarters this week!!

Cats by 40 points- only 'cos I couldn't handle another close one.

This season sure has been hard on the 'old ticker'.

Go Cats!!

p.s.Jub Jub- I love you're "give Bluey a go"!!!!!!!

You are spot on young man i think this team will go far in a few years and Bluey will be leading the charge. I still think he is our best player by a long short.

 

[Mattster]

its a tough match for Geelong, honestly, i don't know whether we can win. We have surprised in the past 2 months, so anything is possible.

Yes, give timmy a game.

 

[catattack]

What do we all think about giving the young players a break this week, and replacing them with Bartel, Rooke, Ablett, Gardner, Playfair etc.? This way the young guys who were stuffed after last week's game can recover, and a whole lot of fresh, fibrent legs introduced into the team.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[SupaCat]

Certainly agree with including Bartel, Rooke and Ablett. Not so sure about the other 2 at this late stage. Maybe including 5 youngsters all at once is a bit risky at this vital stage of the season.

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by SupaCat
Certainly agree with including Bartel, Rooke and Ablett. Not so sure about the other 2 at this late stage. Maybe including 5 youngsters all at once is a bit risky at this vital stage of the season.

Yeah, I suppose it would be risky including them all. Surely at least 2 would be included. Be worth then maybe including Mensch or Bluey. And we should take over 2 emergencies, because the flight might just take it out of the guys if they were already not quite right.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[lovejugs]

play bluey or maybe get killa some more time in the forward line - he is ALL CLASS

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by lovejugs
play bluey or maybe get killa some more time in the forward line - he is ALL CLASS

Bluey is needed in defence imediatly. Now that Dasher is out, Benny and Scarlo are carrying little injuries, we need someone fully fit to be able to take the defence by the scruff of the neck. Bluey has been in great form in the VFL, keeping the backline in line. He deserves a spot, along with Mensch, who should be looked at to go over this week too. But the youth policy might get in the way of these two being selected. We can't forget that this is a rebuilding year though, and that even though we have performed above expectations, we must still blood the young players to get invaluable experience for next year and beond!

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[SeinDude]

Originally posted by Mattster
its a tough match for Geelong, honestly, i don't know whether we can win. We have surprised in the past 2 months, so anything is possible.

Yes, give timmy a game.

I think we may need a couple of fresh players to provide more run into our side after the last quarter fade out against St Kilda last week.

I think a couple of our younger players are starting to get tired and the inclusion of say James Bartel and Peter Street wouldn't go a stray in my opinion!! Of course, Aaron Lord and Brenton Sanderson can't be all that far away from playing again either.

Go Cats!!
SeinDude

 

[catattack]

Originally posted by SeinDude

Of course, Aaron Lord and Brenton Sanderson can't be all that far away from playing again either.

Would they risk the flight over???? 4 hours might take it out of them. Because with us knocking at the door for the finals, we don't want two of our players, who are recovering from injury, getting minor set backs. I reckon don't play them, give Menschy or Bluey or a young gun ago, so we can get them fine tuned for next week against the Lions, and if need be, play them in the VFL this week against Bendigo to get them match fit.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[SeinDude]

Lord & Rooke return

From the Official Geelong Football Club website:



Aaron Lord and Jarad Rooke will return as Geelong seek the win that will ensure they qualify for the finals. Lord has been named in the forward pocket and Rooke on the bench for the Cats clash with Fremantle at Subiaco on Saturday afternoon.

Daniel Foster and Brad Sholl have been omitted and will line up in the VFL with the finals bound Cats line up.

The Cats have always been strong at Subiaco, winning seven of the 11 games they have played at the ground. Couple that with a 10-2 all time record against the Dockers, and that form suggests Geelong has an excellent opportunity to pick up the 12th win of the season that would seal a final eight berth.

The club is holding an after match function in the Corporate Room immediately after the game. Joel Corey will be there as will assistant coach Al McConnell. It’s a great opportunity for Perth based Cats’ fans to mingle with the men that have taken the club to the brink of a top eight spot.

 

[catattack]

The team to play in Perth this weekend against the Fremantle Dockers:

B: Corey, Scarlett, Wojcinski
HB: Graham, Harley, Rahilly
C: Clarke, Riccardi, Kelly
HF: Chapman, Kingsley, White
F: Enright, Mooney, Lord
Foll: King, Ling, Kilpatrick
Inter: Burns, Slade, Rooke, S.Johnson
Emerg: Bartel, Woolnough, Street


In to the side comes Rooke and Lord.
Out of the side goes Sholl and Foster.

Go Cats!!
catattack

 

[catattack]

Re: Lord & Rooke return

Originally posted by SeinDude
From the Official Geelong Football Club website:

Daniel Foster and Brad Sholl have been omitted and will line up in the VFL with the finals bound Cats line up.

Not soon enough for Foster. Give him a run in the VFL and bring him back in a week or two.

Go Cats!!
catattack