Last year, the Cats headed north just six days after playing a much-hyped game against St Kilda and coach Mark Thompson made eight changes to the team.
The Lions took advantage and ran away with the points, but this time it will be the home team facing all sorts of injury queries.
Coach Michael Voss has hinted that defensive pillars Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull will return from hamstring injuries to join Matt Maguire, who is back from a week’s suspension.
The return of that trio will be music to Voss’s ears after Josh Drummond’s ACL injury and Jared Brennan’s ankle rob the home team of two of its most valuable weapons.
The Lions have lost their past three but still sit with a 4-3 win-loss record, while the Cats are fresh from arguably their best performance of the season in thumping the Sydney Swans on Sunday.
Forward scout: Geelong Cats
2010 to date
For the first time in the last three seasons, the Cats aren't the focus of the football world. Sure, they’re the premiers and many pundits' favourites to win again this season, but they’ve shown some vulnerability early in 2010.
Despite losses to Fremantle and Carlton they have worked their way to 5-2 and look poised to strike again. Coach Mark Thompson has used three talls in his forward line and things seem to be working nicely, capped by Sunday’s impressive 67-point win over previous league leaders, the Sydney Swans.
The coach
Mark Thompson is in his 11th season at Geelong and is still going strong. He took over in 2000 and despite some rocky years in the early days, Thompson went about building a list that has gone on to be one of the most dominant teams in the past 20 years.
He was at the head of the modern-day trend of high-handpass, high-possession footy that was later followed by so many teams. Even under pressure, ‘Bomber’ always looks cool and that composure clearly rubs off on his troops.
The gun
Gary Ablett is not only the best player on the team, but the best player in the competition. The reigning Brownlow Medallist is again churning out incredible numbers this season. He missed the round six win against Richmond but has a minimum of 33 touches in his other six matches.
Criticised last season for not often going forward of centre, Ablett has rectified that with 13 goals already this season. He is immovable over the ball and almost impossible to tackle. You cannot stop Ablett, but limiting his influence to the back half is as good as a win.
The sleeper
Brownlow Medallists Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel often get the attention, but the Cats’ inspiration is often Paul Chapman. The 28-year-old was brilliant in last year’s Grand Final win, claiming the Norm Smith Medal and kicking the match-winning goal. He is equally effective in the middle or going forward. Joel Patfull may be a good match as he has the size and endurance to go with Chapman.
The bolter
James Podsiadly is one of the best stories of the season to date. After stints on Essendon’s and Collingwood’s rookie lists early in the past decade, the 28-year-old finally got his chance with the Cats this season and he has not disappointed.
The big-framed forward stands 194cm and is a real handful for any defender with his strength and mobility. In just five games in the big time, ‘J-Pod’ has kicked 17 goals, including three bags of five. The Lions will be thankful Matt Maguire is back to have a crack at Podsiadly.
Strengths
Matthew Scarlett sets up a lot of play from the back-half, but it’s the middle of the ground where the Cats flex their muscles. Led by Ablett, Bartel, Chapman and Joel Selwood, they have a stream of players that can rotate through the middle to give their forwards an endless supply of ball. The formula is simple for the Lions: they simply have to work harder and be strong over the ball to have a chance.
Weaknesses
With less than a dozen losses in the past three seasons, not too many teams have found weaknesses. However, one area the Lions might be able to exploit is the Cats' new three-pronged tall forward line. Podsiadly, Tom Hawkins and Cam Mooney offer plenty in the air, but once the ball hits the ground, the Lions have a chance to break quickly and set their forward forays from there.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
