Geelong and Essendon clash at Simonds Stadium tonight, with the Cats' season on the line in the final home and away round of the season. Steve O'Brien previews the clash.
Geelong has its finals hopes only slightly ajar - they need to have a comprehensive victory over the Bombers, then will keep their fingers crossed that Frankston can take the points against Werribee, then will eagerly watch the percentages.
Both sides and their respective coaches Mathew Knights at the Cats and Hayden Skipworth at the Bombers would be disapointed in their fortunes this season as both clubs have been finalists in the past few seasons. The Cats along with Port Melbourne and Box Hill have been the yardsticks of the competition in recent years.
Geelong boast a great mix of speed and marking prowess making them a balanced side. Jordan Schroder, Mitch Herbison and Darcy Lang are their elite runners and seem to be on the end of many handball receives then use the ball well to their twin towers around the ground. Josh Walker dominant with seven marks last week and Mitch Brown with eight looming as the dangermen against the Dons.
The Cats fell 14 points short against Collingwood last week with innacuracy costing them dearly. It in essence was a mini elimination Final for the Cats and Knights would be lamenting that he could not get his best side on the park for most of the season.
Essendon had a brave win against the Tigers last week and for an hour or so would have believed their season was still alive only to have Sandringham topple Werribee at Werribee's home ground thus ending ending any finals aspirations the red and black had.
With Essendon having lost nearly all their key posistion players it was left to Josh Toy to take on Aaron Edwards last week and he is likely to have the mountainous job on Walker. Toy will give away many inches but will match his opponent in endeavour and determination. Essendon's runners Marty Gleeson 12 handball receives Leroy Jetta (11 ) and both Shaun Edwards and Jason Asby with ( 10 ) will once again be required to run the ball into the forward line.
Young guns Andrew Banjanin and Jesse Bowe will clash in the ruck, the Dons will be hoping Bowe can nullify his opponent at stoppages, with Banjanin likely to be more effective around the ground .
Interestingly for the Bombers Jake Long, the son of Michael, will make his VFL debut as 23rd man. The lightly built youngster has been named on a half back flank. Brandt Haintz will once again be the Cats 23rd player .
VERDICT: I think the Cats will keep their faint hopes alive with a 20 point win
Last Modified on 22/08/2014 17:19