giantroo
Bleeding Blue and White
North Melbourne - 2024 Hugh Greenwood Player Sponsor
Veteran
North Melbourne - 2023 Ailish Considine and Bella Eddy Player Sponsor
North Melbourne - Bella Eddey and Vicki Wall Player Sponsor - Season 7
North Melbourne - 2023 Aaron Hall and Flynn Perez Player Sponsor
10k Posts
30k Posts
North Melbourne - 2022 Aaron Hall and Flynn Perez Player Sponsor
Sunday, 9 September
1st qualifying final
Geelong v Kangaroos, MCG, 2:45pm[/B]
Geelong
B: J Hunt Scarlett Harley
HB: Mackie Milburn Wojcinski
C: Enright Bartel Corey
HF: S Johnson Mooney Selwood
F: Chapman N Ablett Stokes
FOLL: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
I/C: From: Blake Byrnes Kelly Rooke Hawkins Varcoe King
IN: Hawkins Rooke King Bartel
OUT: Egan (broken foot)
Kangaroos
B: Pratt Brown Archer
HB: Sinclair Watt Smith
C: Wells Simpson Harvey
HF: Edwards Hale Sansbury
F: Jones Petrie Grant
FOLL: McIntosh Rawlings Rover: Harris
I/C: From: Swallow Firrito Lower Hansen Gibson Harding McMahon
IN: Firrito Lower Hansen Harding
OUT: Green (suspended)
LAST TIME R20 2007 Geelong 17.16 (118) d Kangaroos 13.13 (91) at Telstra Dome
PAST FIVE GAMES GEEL: WWWLW. KANG: LLLWW
RECORD OVERALL Geel 86, Kang 58, draw 1
AT THIS GROUND Geel 13, Kang 7
IN THE 2000S Geel 5, Kang 9
COACHES Thompson 4, Laidley 4
BETTING Geel $1.23, Kang $3.85
UMPIRES 6 Margetts, 11 McLaren, 29 Jeffery
TV Channel 7, 3pm
RADIO Triple M, 3AW, SEN, 774 ABC, K-Rock
Super Preview: Cats v Kangas
GEELONG v KANGAROOS
Sunday, 2.45pm AEST, MCG
GEELONG
B: Josh Hunt, Matthew Scarlett, Tom Harley
HB: Andrew Mackie, Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski
C: Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Joel Selwood
F: Paul Chapman, Nathan Ablett, Mathew Stokes
FOLL: Brad Ottens, Cameron Ling, Gary Ablett
I/C (from): Mark Blake, Shannon Byrnes, James Kelly, Max Rooke, Tom Hawkins, Travis Varcoe, Steven King
In: Hawkins, Rooke, King, Bartel
Out: Egan (broken foot)
KANGAROOS
B: Daniel Pratt, Leigh Brown, Glenn Archer
HB: Jess Sinclair, Shannon Watt, Jesse Smith
C: Daniel Wells, Adam Simpson, Brent Harvey
HF: Aaron Edwards, David Hale, Eddie Sansbury
F: Corey Jones, Drew Petrie, Shannon Grant
R: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Daniel Harris
I/C (from): Andrew Swallow, Michael Firrito, Ed Lower, Lachlan Hansen, Josh Gibson, Leigh Harding, Scott McMahon
In: Firrito, Lower, Hansen, Harding
Out: Kasey Green (suspended)
Cats forwards v Kangaroos defence
They've produced all season – now it's time for them to do it when it counts. Geelong has kicked 200 more points more than any other side this year, with their quick ball movement allowing a once-impotent forward line to fire.
Cameron Mooney heads the most lethal attack in the AFL. Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman and Matthew Stokes are all super dangerous at ground level and have capable hands and as for Nathan Ablett, well … his last name is scary enough.
Sure, the Western Bulldogs didn't have a lot riding on last week and they sure played like it for a while, but keeping any side scoreless for 40 minutes at this level is a fair effort.
The Roos' back six will need to be at their best however, as of the teams that finished in the top eight, only Port conceded more points. Michael Firrito has been a standout all year and he'll need to beat Mooney to give the Kangas a fighting chance. Josh Gibson's return has added toughness while Jess Sinclair's run is important and adds flair. And you just know that Glenn Archer isn't going to shirk a contest.
Yes, finals are a different ball game but one can only go on form and the Cats have the runs on the board. Why wouldn't you expect the league's highest-scoring team to get the job done a 19th time for the year?
Edge: Cats
Kangaroos forwards v Cats defence
Will Kangas coach Dean Laidley try to exploit Cat Matthew Egan's absence and go tall in attack? The weather might determine that, but he has plenty of height to call on should he wish.
Aaron Edwards, Drew Petrie, Leigh Brown as well as a resting ruckman (likely David Hale) will provide marking options and push Geelong in the air, while Shannon Grant and Corey Jones are also proven goal kickers. Eddie Sansbury booted five last week and could be a surprise packet.
How the Cats will restructure in defence without their biggest body has been the subject of much debate all week. Skipper Tom Harley, who did a superb job blanketing the sure-handed Jones a fortnight ago, is likely to have to take a taller player this time around, perhaps allowing the dangerous Roo to hop clear.
Each Geelong player might need to shuffle one spot along the match-up order in terms of height. The Cats' big aim will be to do so without sacrificing what has been such a big weapon for them this year – their run from defence.
Egan's loss will be bigger than many are predicting. Clear skies and a dry ball might just enhance his absence as the Kangas try to exploit the short Cats backline.
Edge: Hmmmm, tough one. Maybe the Cats by a whisker
On-ballers
The fact that Joel Selwood, this year's NAB AFL Rising Star winner, doesn't start on the ball for his side underlines the strength of the Geelong midfield. Coach Mark Thompson has an embarrassment of riches to choose from when considering his match-ups and centre-square make-up. Jimmy Bartel returns this week, adding to big-name stars Cameron Ling, Joel Corey, James Kelly and Gary Ablett.
There's already one Ablett up forward, but two of them? It's enough to give Kangas fans – especially those who can remember 1994 vividly – nightmares. Luckily Leigh Tudor, Geelong's VFL coach, won't be out there this week.
While the Cats have the Brownlow Medal favourite, a lot of the smart money might have come for Brent Harvey this week. 'Boomer' has been in sensational form but perhaps what gladdened his coach's heart even more last week were the graceful, lengthy strides of teammate Daniel Wells. He and Harvey could do anything in coming weeks.
The Kangaroos have enough 'inside' men – Adam Simpson, Brady Rawlings and Daniel Harris – to feed it out to them, and they will bank on their two gems cutting the Cats to shreds.
Ruckman Hamish McIntosh, out-pointed by Brad Ottens last time, is also in sublime form and moves around the park like Dean Cox.
Much will come down to the tagging battles. Will Rawlings run with Ablett again and, if so, will he fare better than their round 20 stoush? Will Simpson be able to break away from Ling?
Edge: Geelong
Coach
After five rounds Mark Thompson might have been contemplating getting out of Geelong. But since then it's been an armchair ride for 'Bomber'. He's said so himself.
Now, it'll get tougher. Not only will the pestering about his own, as-yet-undetermined future continue, but the big on-field questions will be asked. And he is the man who must pull some strings in a bid to answer them.
While the Cats have been coaching themselves to a degree, Thompson must take charge and his coaching ability – fairly or unfairly – may well be judged by just how Geelong performs in coming weeks.
Dean Laidley has done a miraculous job in getting the Kangas into the top four. Now, they have nothing to lose. No-one expects them to beat the Cats, and obviously a few people liked the juicy (one might say ridiculous) odds on offer earlier this week as their price has shortened in recent days.
Laidley has also turned up the heat on the opposition, saying the previous 22 weeks count for nothing – which is true – as come 2.45pm Sunday, both sides are equal. A preliminary final berth is on offer, and the Kangas coach has no burden of expectation on his shoulders.
Edge: Kangaroos
X-Factor
Mother Nature. There is a chance of a late shower on Sunday, and it's hard to know who it would benefit if the heavens were to open. Would the Kangas prefer the game tight to keep Geelong's high-scoring game in check, or would Geelong relish the wet so the likes of mudlark Jimmy Bartel could thrive?
Blue skies might allow Laidley's side to utilise their talls in attack and capitalise on an under-sized Cats back six. Could Geelong play Tom Hawkins – who was in good nick for Geelong's VFL side last week – in a bid to counter the tactic? If so, the Roos would have to send a big man back to man up the huge teenager.
On paper, the height edge is definitely with the Kangas.
Edge: Kangaroos
Prediction
The most lop-sided betting match of the round, yet a lot of people seem to be saying it'll be a close one. The Kangas don't get blown away, as was evident when they stormed home to scare the Cats in round 20.
Egan's loss will hurt, but Geelong's midfield and firepower up front should get them home and give the minor premiers a week's rest before a preliminary final.
Verdict: Geelong by 11 points
Preview: Cats v Kangaroos
Sportal
VENUE & TIME: MCG, 2.45pm, Sunday September 9
HEAD TO HEAD: OVERALL: Geelong 86, Kangaroos 58, Drawn 1. IN FINALS: Geelong 1, Kangaroos 4
LAST TIME: OVERALL: Geelong 17.16 (118) d Kangaroos 13.13 (91) at Telstra Dome, round 20, 2007. IN FINALS: Kangaroos 11.13 (79) d Geelong 9.7 (61) at MCG, 1997 third qualifying final.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Cats suffered a huge blow leading into this match with star defender Matthew Egan - the league's best centre-half-back this season - breaking a bone in his foot during the round 22 win over Brisbane - probably ruling him out of the entire finals campaign. The Roos also suffered a setback in losing Kasey Green to a two match suspension but should regain fellow defender Michael Firrito from a heel injury.
FORM: The Cats bounced back in style last week, after Port ended their 15 match winning streak the week before, by thrashing Brisbane by seven goals at the Gabba to ensure they finished three games clear on top of the ladder. The Kangaroos meanwhile took full advantage of Hawthorn's slip-up in Sydney last week to pinch fourth spot and the double chance with a ten goal mauling of the Bulldogs.
WHO'S HOT: Kangaroos' rover Brent Harvey capped off a magnificent home and away season last week with another dominant performance against the Bulldogs. Harvey not only took one of the marks of the year but had 27 disposals and capped off his game with three goals. For the Cats, reigning best and fairest winner Paul Chapman is beginning to find form at just the right time after missing three games through injury in rounds 17-19. Last week against the Lions, in his third game back, Chapman not only had 20 disposals but also six inside 50's and booted two goals in a fine all-round display.
WE THINK: The moment of truth is here for Geelong and there is no doubt all the pressure - not to mention the burden of ending a 44 year premiership drought - is on the Cats in this game. They have clearly been the best team of the year and easily beat the Roos only three weeks ago so a loss here is unthinkable. But if the Cats are vulnerable in this finals campaign it could be first-up against a club that revels in upsetting its more glamorous rivals. But even though there is bound to be some scares along the way, surely the Cats won't undo all their hard work by losing to the Roos and sacrificing the chance to get a week off and home preliminary final. Geelong by 22 points.
1st qualifying final
Geelong v Kangaroos, MCG, 2:45pm[/B]
Geelong
B: J Hunt Scarlett Harley
HB: Mackie Milburn Wojcinski
C: Enright Bartel Corey
HF: S Johnson Mooney Selwood
F: Chapman N Ablett Stokes
FOLL: Ottens Ling Rover: G Ablett
I/C: From: Blake Byrnes Kelly Rooke Hawkins Varcoe King
IN: Hawkins Rooke King Bartel
OUT: Egan (broken foot)
Kangaroos
B: Pratt Brown Archer
HB: Sinclair Watt Smith
C: Wells Simpson Harvey
HF: Edwards Hale Sansbury
F: Jones Petrie Grant
FOLL: McIntosh Rawlings Rover: Harris
I/C: From: Swallow Firrito Lower Hansen Gibson Harding McMahon
IN: Firrito Lower Hansen Harding
OUT: Green (suspended)
LAST TIME R20 2007 Geelong 17.16 (118) d Kangaroos 13.13 (91) at Telstra Dome
PAST FIVE GAMES GEEL: WWWLW. KANG: LLLWW
RECORD OVERALL Geel 86, Kang 58, draw 1
AT THIS GROUND Geel 13, Kang 7
IN THE 2000S Geel 5, Kang 9
COACHES Thompson 4, Laidley 4
BETTING Geel $1.23, Kang $3.85
UMPIRES 6 Margetts, 11 McLaren, 29 Jeffery
TV Channel 7, 3pm
RADIO Triple M, 3AW, SEN, 774 ABC, K-Rock
Super Preview: Cats v Kangas
GEELONG v KANGAROOS
Sunday, 2.45pm AEST, MCG
GEELONG
B: Josh Hunt, Matthew Scarlett, Tom Harley
HB: Andrew Mackie, Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski
C: Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Joel Selwood
F: Paul Chapman, Nathan Ablett, Mathew Stokes
FOLL: Brad Ottens, Cameron Ling, Gary Ablett
I/C (from): Mark Blake, Shannon Byrnes, James Kelly, Max Rooke, Tom Hawkins, Travis Varcoe, Steven King
In: Hawkins, Rooke, King, Bartel
Out: Egan (broken foot)
KANGAROOS
B: Daniel Pratt, Leigh Brown, Glenn Archer
HB: Jess Sinclair, Shannon Watt, Jesse Smith
C: Daniel Wells, Adam Simpson, Brent Harvey
HF: Aaron Edwards, David Hale, Eddie Sansbury
F: Corey Jones, Drew Petrie, Shannon Grant
R: Hamish McIntosh, Brady Rawlings, Daniel Harris
I/C (from): Andrew Swallow, Michael Firrito, Ed Lower, Lachlan Hansen, Josh Gibson, Leigh Harding, Scott McMahon
In: Firrito, Lower, Hansen, Harding
Out: Kasey Green (suspended)
Cats forwards v Kangaroos defence
They've produced all season – now it's time for them to do it when it counts. Geelong has kicked 200 more points more than any other side this year, with their quick ball movement allowing a once-impotent forward line to fire.
Cameron Mooney heads the most lethal attack in the AFL. Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman and Matthew Stokes are all super dangerous at ground level and have capable hands and as for Nathan Ablett, well … his last name is scary enough.
Sure, the Western Bulldogs didn't have a lot riding on last week and they sure played like it for a while, but keeping any side scoreless for 40 minutes at this level is a fair effort.
The Roos' back six will need to be at their best however, as of the teams that finished in the top eight, only Port conceded more points. Michael Firrito has been a standout all year and he'll need to beat Mooney to give the Kangas a fighting chance. Josh Gibson's return has added toughness while Jess Sinclair's run is important and adds flair. And you just know that Glenn Archer isn't going to shirk a contest.
Yes, finals are a different ball game but one can only go on form and the Cats have the runs on the board. Why wouldn't you expect the league's highest-scoring team to get the job done a 19th time for the year?
Edge: Cats
Kangaroos forwards v Cats defence
Will Kangas coach Dean Laidley try to exploit Cat Matthew Egan's absence and go tall in attack? The weather might determine that, but he has plenty of height to call on should he wish.
Aaron Edwards, Drew Petrie, Leigh Brown as well as a resting ruckman (likely David Hale) will provide marking options and push Geelong in the air, while Shannon Grant and Corey Jones are also proven goal kickers. Eddie Sansbury booted five last week and could be a surprise packet.
How the Cats will restructure in defence without their biggest body has been the subject of much debate all week. Skipper Tom Harley, who did a superb job blanketing the sure-handed Jones a fortnight ago, is likely to have to take a taller player this time around, perhaps allowing the dangerous Roo to hop clear.
Each Geelong player might need to shuffle one spot along the match-up order in terms of height. The Cats' big aim will be to do so without sacrificing what has been such a big weapon for them this year – their run from defence.
Egan's loss will be bigger than many are predicting. Clear skies and a dry ball might just enhance his absence as the Kangas try to exploit the short Cats backline.
Edge: Hmmmm, tough one. Maybe the Cats by a whisker
On-ballers
The fact that Joel Selwood, this year's NAB AFL Rising Star winner, doesn't start on the ball for his side underlines the strength of the Geelong midfield. Coach Mark Thompson has an embarrassment of riches to choose from when considering his match-ups and centre-square make-up. Jimmy Bartel returns this week, adding to big-name stars Cameron Ling, Joel Corey, James Kelly and Gary Ablett.
There's already one Ablett up forward, but two of them? It's enough to give Kangas fans – especially those who can remember 1994 vividly – nightmares. Luckily Leigh Tudor, Geelong's VFL coach, won't be out there this week.
While the Cats have the Brownlow Medal favourite, a lot of the smart money might have come for Brent Harvey this week. 'Boomer' has been in sensational form but perhaps what gladdened his coach's heart even more last week were the graceful, lengthy strides of teammate Daniel Wells. He and Harvey could do anything in coming weeks.
The Kangaroos have enough 'inside' men – Adam Simpson, Brady Rawlings and Daniel Harris – to feed it out to them, and they will bank on their two gems cutting the Cats to shreds.
Ruckman Hamish McIntosh, out-pointed by Brad Ottens last time, is also in sublime form and moves around the park like Dean Cox.
Much will come down to the tagging battles. Will Rawlings run with Ablett again and, if so, will he fare better than their round 20 stoush? Will Simpson be able to break away from Ling?
Edge: Geelong
Coach
After five rounds Mark Thompson might have been contemplating getting out of Geelong. But since then it's been an armchair ride for 'Bomber'. He's said so himself.
Now, it'll get tougher. Not only will the pestering about his own, as-yet-undetermined future continue, but the big on-field questions will be asked. And he is the man who must pull some strings in a bid to answer them.
While the Cats have been coaching themselves to a degree, Thompson must take charge and his coaching ability – fairly or unfairly – may well be judged by just how Geelong performs in coming weeks.
Dean Laidley has done a miraculous job in getting the Kangas into the top four. Now, they have nothing to lose. No-one expects them to beat the Cats, and obviously a few people liked the juicy (one might say ridiculous) odds on offer earlier this week as their price has shortened in recent days.
Laidley has also turned up the heat on the opposition, saying the previous 22 weeks count for nothing – which is true – as come 2.45pm Sunday, both sides are equal. A preliminary final berth is on offer, and the Kangas coach has no burden of expectation on his shoulders.
Edge: Kangaroos
X-Factor
Mother Nature. There is a chance of a late shower on Sunday, and it's hard to know who it would benefit if the heavens were to open. Would the Kangas prefer the game tight to keep Geelong's high-scoring game in check, or would Geelong relish the wet so the likes of mudlark Jimmy Bartel could thrive?
Blue skies might allow Laidley's side to utilise their talls in attack and capitalise on an under-sized Cats back six. Could Geelong play Tom Hawkins – who was in good nick for Geelong's VFL side last week – in a bid to counter the tactic? If so, the Roos would have to send a big man back to man up the huge teenager.
On paper, the height edge is definitely with the Kangas.
Edge: Kangaroos
Prediction
The most lop-sided betting match of the round, yet a lot of people seem to be saying it'll be a close one. The Kangas don't get blown away, as was evident when they stormed home to scare the Cats in round 20.
Egan's loss will hurt, but Geelong's midfield and firepower up front should get them home and give the minor premiers a week's rest before a preliminary final.
Verdict: Geelong by 11 points
Preview: Cats v Kangaroos
Sportal
VENUE & TIME: MCG, 2.45pm, Sunday September 9
HEAD TO HEAD: OVERALL: Geelong 86, Kangaroos 58, Drawn 1. IN FINALS: Geelong 1, Kangaroos 4
LAST TIME: OVERALL: Geelong 17.16 (118) d Kangaroos 13.13 (91) at Telstra Dome, round 20, 2007. IN FINALS: Kangaroos 11.13 (79) d Geelong 9.7 (61) at MCG, 1997 third qualifying final.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Cats suffered a huge blow leading into this match with star defender Matthew Egan - the league's best centre-half-back this season - breaking a bone in his foot during the round 22 win over Brisbane - probably ruling him out of the entire finals campaign. The Roos also suffered a setback in losing Kasey Green to a two match suspension but should regain fellow defender Michael Firrito from a heel injury.
FORM: The Cats bounced back in style last week, after Port ended their 15 match winning streak the week before, by thrashing Brisbane by seven goals at the Gabba to ensure they finished three games clear on top of the ladder. The Kangaroos meanwhile took full advantage of Hawthorn's slip-up in Sydney last week to pinch fourth spot and the double chance with a ten goal mauling of the Bulldogs.
WHO'S HOT: Kangaroos' rover Brent Harvey capped off a magnificent home and away season last week with another dominant performance against the Bulldogs. Harvey not only took one of the marks of the year but had 27 disposals and capped off his game with three goals. For the Cats, reigning best and fairest winner Paul Chapman is beginning to find form at just the right time after missing three games through injury in rounds 17-19. Last week against the Lions, in his third game back, Chapman not only had 20 disposals but also six inside 50's and booted two goals in a fine all-round display.
WE THINK: The moment of truth is here for Geelong and there is no doubt all the pressure - not to mention the burden of ending a 44 year premiership drought - is on the Cats in this game. They have clearly been the best team of the year and easily beat the Roos only three weeks ago so a loss here is unthinkable. But if the Cats are vulnerable in this finals campaign it could be first-up against a club that revels in upsetting its more glamorous rivals. But even though there is bound to be some scares along the way, surely the Cats won't undo all their hard work by losing to the Roos and sacrificing the chance to get a week off and home preliminary final. Geelong by 22 points.
