Kangaroos to Challenge Classy Cats

Where: Etihad Stadium, Sunday 14th April, 4.40pm
TV: Fox Footy, 4.30pm
Radio: SEN, ABC774, 3AW, Triple M
Odds: North Melbourne $4.69, Geelong $1.25, Line North Melbourne +28.5

A match-up between the rising stars of the AFL and the true current champions proves to be an exciting affair. Can North take it to the Cats, or will their aversion to playing well against top sides continue to haunt them?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdphotography/

The Kangaroos come off a demolishing performance against GWS, beating the new kids by over 20 goals. Geelong, meanwhile, played a game reminiscent of September more than April, defeating the Hawks by two points in a thriller.

Geelong will be aiming for an injury-free game after the knock-riddled affair of last Monday, while the Roos will seek to nullify the Cats’ star clearance power with their own embryonic mids.

Key Match-ups

Tom Hawkins v The Kangaroos Defence
Tomahawk has become dangerous in a serious way very quickly. His marking up the ground and general play have become sublime after his breakout game in the Grand Final last year. The Roos will need to watch him closely all day in order to prevent him becoming an outlet for the Cats.

Andrew Swallow v Joel Selwood
New captains. Midfield stars. Huge influences. If Swallow loses, the Kangaroos almost certainly lose, although Geelong’s depth prevents the other side of this coin occurring.

Ryan Bastinac v the statisticians
If he can go anywhere near last week’s effort, the stats men will be in overdrive, and the Roos will be on their way.

Final Word
Geelong are simply too good for the Kangas, and will show it on the scoreboard.

Cats by 37

Teams

North Melbourne

B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Jamie Macmillan
HB: Michael Firrito, Luke Delaney, Liam Anthony
C: Daniel Wells, Andrew Swallow, Shaun Atley
HF: Ryan Bastinac, Todd Goldstein, Samuel Wright
F: Matt Campbell, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Leigh Adams, Brent Harvey
I/C: Aaron Edwards, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Kieran Harper
Emg: Cameron Delaney, Aaron Mullett, Ben Warren
In: Jack Ziebell, Luke Delaney
Out: Cameron Delaney, Aaron Mullett

Geelong Cats

B: Cameron Guthrie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Andrew Mackie, Harry Taylor, Taylor Hunt
C: Joel Corey, Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop
HF: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Allen Christensen
F: Trent West, James Podsiadly, Steve Johnson
Foll: Orren Stephenson, Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly
I/C: Shannon Byrnes, Tom Gillies, Mitch Duncan, George Horlin-Smith
Emg: Simon Hogan, Mitch Brown, Jordan Schroder
In: Tom Gillies, George Horlin-Smith, Orren Stephenson
Out:Mathew Stokes, Mitch Brown, Billie Smedts