GEELONG hosts Casey Scorpions on Friday night under lights at Simonds Stadium, to kick off the 2013 Peter Jackson VFL Legendairy Finals Series.
Despair in the Casey Scorpions change-rooms following its excruciatingly close loss against Box Hill Hawks in the final home and away season match must have been palpable.
Not only did the Scorpions fall two points shy of victory, but the defeat sent Casey tumbling from third to fourth spot on the ladder and with it any chance of hosting a home final.
And, while Casey retained the crucial double chance in the finals what the loss did was pair the Scorpions against the rampaging VFL Cats in a Qualifying Final, which will be played at Simonds Stadium on Friday under lights.
What makes that even more daunting is that that Geelong is riding a club record 11-match winning streak into the Qualifying Final.
To put Geelong’s streak in context is that its average winning margin is 68-points!
And, while that average margin may have blown out per courtesy of its VFL record highest score and record high winning margin against Bendigo Gold in last week’s home and away match, Geelong has been ruthless virtually throughout the season.
Apart from an epic encounter against Port Melbourne, which Geelong emerged victorious by six points, all the Cats other wins have been by 20-points or higher.
Geelong finished three games clear on top of the ladder and its line-up is laden with proven AFL players, prospective League players backed by a core of most talented VFL players.
The Cats enter the finals as a short-priced favorite to make it back-to-back premierships.
It is worth noting, however, that Geelong’s last loss – back in Round 7 – was against Casey Scorpions, which upset the VFL Cats at Simonds Stadium.
Casey was well served by Jack Fitzpatrick and Jesse Hogan, who each kicked five goals. Both players will be missing in the Qualifying Final, so the Scorpions will need to find other options to goal.
Casey Scorpions, playing in its seventh successive finals, own a miserable 1-9 record during that period.
The Scorpions have earned a Qualifying Final match for the past three seasons, but each year they have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets.
While Casey will have the service of those Melbourne players not required in the final AFL home and away match, Geelong’s VFL players have much more to play for.
Most of those on Geelong’s list still harbor ambitions of playing AFL finals for Geelong so they will be keen to impress. Melbourne players must dig deep for their motivation.
Casey’s biggest problem is how to shut down Geelong’s ability to keep the scoreboard ticking. And it’s just not one player.
As evidenced against Bendigo, Geelong had 15 goal kickers, including seven multiple goal kickers.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
1st Qualifying Final
Simonds Stadium, 7pm
Geelong vs Casey Scorpions
Last Modified on 29/08/2013 16:52