Round 7 sees two VFL heavyweights in Geelong and Williamstown face off in a Preliminary Final rematch at Burbank Oval. Kris Neil previews the ABC TV game.
The Cats have the wood on the Seagulls in recent history, defeating them in all three of their 2013 match-ups, capped off by an 82-point win last September.
Amazingly, less than half of the playerss both teams are set to field on Saturday took part in that clash following a squad revamp and an AFL alignment split in the off-season.
Williamstown has enjoyed an improved run of form heading into this contest, winning four of its last five VFL matches since suffering narrow defeats to Box Hill and the Northern Blues in their first two encounters of the season.
The recent spate of success has the Seagulls sitting inside the top four for the first time this year; a place Coach Andrew Collins will hope his side can become accustomed to.
The Cats on the other hand have experienced a rocky start to 2014, including a disappointing 51-point loss to Richmond in their last outing in Round 5.
The defeat was highlighted by a 69-point third quarter demolition at the hands of the Tigers, which caused the Cats to slide down the ladder into seventh place on three wins and two losses.
Geelong will be looking to bounce back from that game with the help of a timely selection boost from Jackson Thurlow, Jake Kolodjashnij, Nick Bourke and Michael Luxford who will all make VFL returns.
Williamstown are unlikely to make any changes to the side that kicked 16 of the last 19 goals on course to dismantling Frankston by 56 points last weekend.
The game could be decided in an intriguing midfield battle that will pit two of the competitions best on-ball brigades against one another.
The Seagulls’ Ben Jolley, Adam Marcon and Kane Lambert are just three of the home side’s possession accumulators that will look to exploit the Cats at the stoppages.
Geelong key position duo Mitchell Brown and Joshua Walker – who have combined for 19 goals across seven games - will also need to be monitored closely by the Williamstown defence.
Williamstown will be hoping to make it through the game injury-free with a short turnaround to their FOXTEL Cup match against Aspley at the MCG on Tuesday night.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
Williamstown Football Manager Chris Dixon (Seagulls TV): “No doubt they’ll be a really strong competitive side, we know how they like to play football, we know what they really pride themselves on and it’s going to be a real challenge to get the points over them.”
Geelong Coach Matthew Knights (Cats TV): “It will be a really contested game knowing Williamstown and Andy Collins so it’s a really pivotal game on the big scheme of things whether it’s finals or top four aspirations.”
Players to Watch
Jordan Schroder (Geelong Cats): A hard-bodied midfielder who isn’t afraid to get in and under and extract the ball for his teammates. Schroder was best afield for the Cats against Richmond with 26 possessions and 10 clearances.
Ryan Ferguson (Williamstown): The Seagull’s veteran is revelling in a purple patch of form, kicking nine goals in his last two outings including six against his old side Frankston last weekend, despite being under an injury cloud. Ferguson’s versatility is always a weapon.
Anthony Anastasio (Williamstown): The livewire was rewarded for his fantastic start to 2014 by being one of nine Williamstown players included in the 40 man state squad. Anastasio already has 12 goals this year and will be looking to build on that tally against the Cats.
HEAD TO HEAD
Games 18
Williamstown Seagulls 9 Geelong Cats 9
LAST TIME THEY MET
Preliminary Final, 2013: Williamstown Seagulls 11.12 (78) def by Geelong Cats 24.16 (160) at North Port Oval.
Last Modified on 16/05/2014 18:57