Geelong hosts Essendon in the early game Saturday, in Round 15 of the Peter Jackson VFL.
In one of the most intriguing games of the season the Cats will face the Bombers for the second time in less than two months, with Essendon posting a comprehensive 92 point victory at Etihad Stadium.
However in those seven weeks the wheel has somewhat turned for both clubs.
One of the preseason fancies, the Cats are beginning to regain some stellar talent , whereas the Bombers - who currently sit 5th on the table - have been adding to their injury list with an abundance of players now on the sidelines .
The outcome of this match is huge for both clubs - the Cats sit two games outside the eight and need to win every match in the hope of seeing September action while the Bombers would hope to secure the double chance with a top four finish.
Since the match in early June the Cats have regained Dawson Simpson , Nathan Vardy, Daniel Menzel and Josh Cowan, last week running the all-conquering Footscray to 26 points .
Essendon, who played 15 VFL listed players last weekend, would have been very pleased to get away with a 22-point win over North Ballarat at home , the victory coming on the back of an electrifying opening quarter.
At selection this week the Bombers have welcomed back Adam Cooney , Heath Hocking and Jason Ashby, while former Cat Paul Chapman will saddle up for his 1st VFL match for the Bombers . Also of note is the inclusion of former Richmond ruckman Andrew Browne who has been plying his trade for Keilor.
Trying to sum up this match is far more difficult than just looking back to the last encounter as the sides are barely recognisable , the Cats have 11 different players on the park while the Bombers have 10 . In fact the six nominated best players for Essendon on that day are now all in the AFL side.
The on ball brigade, led by ruck Simpson and feeding to the likes of George Horlin Smith and Cowan will be pitted against Browne, Jordan Schroder and Elliott Kavanagh, and will go a long way to determining the outcome. Simpson had 47 hit outs against the Bulldogs and Essendon will need to quell his influence if they are to have a chance and will be hoping Jon Giles can reproduce his best on ground form from last week.
One of the many highlights will be Menzel on a wing opposed to either Courtney Dempsey or Jason Ashby. Menzel, in his third game back from knee surgery, is such a highly touted player and fresh from 3 goals last week.
Anthony Tipungwuti the excitement machine for the Dons has spent most of this season playing in the backline however he has been named on a forward flank this week. If the magician from the Tiwi Islands can assert some influence he will help the Dons chances no end.
VERDICT: Still unclear on a winner but I think the Bombers need for the double chance and the experience of Cooney ,Hocking, Chapman and Dempsey may see them sneak in by 5 pts (Steve O’Brien)
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 24/07/2015 17:07
