- Moderator
- #1
SBYM 's PREVIEW
Friday 15 August, Etihad Stadium - 7:50pm
Now then…this week's preview begins with a stroll down memory lane…
It was the 26th April, 2010. A young Bagger, with nothing other than a twinkle in his eye and a pocketful of dreams, was on his way to the 'G on a sunny Monday afternoon. The Blues were up against the reigning premiers that day, but the young Bagger had a spring in his step…the Bummers had been pantsed the day before, and despite Geelong's quality, he felt the Baggers were a big show.
He was bang on. The Three Amigos shared seven sausage rolls between them, whilst a duo named Judd and Gibbs (plus some dude named Russell) opened up the Cats like a pre-surgery Shane Warne working on a tin of Heinz beans. The victory was made all the more sweeter by the presence of two Catter mates…nothing like sharing happy moments with friends…
Unfortunately the joy of beating the best team of the last decade proved fleeting, and the Carlton v Geelong story ever since that Mondee arvo has been one of misery and woe. Two indignities in particular stand out…
http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/...aight-in-another-thriller-20110520-1ex50.html
And who could forget this humdinger just a couple of months ago??
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-loss-to-geelong/story-fni5f5nx-1226946700638
Suffice to say…we're all sick of this shit and it's high-time Fortuna smiled on the Baggers when we're up against Geelong…
ANALYSIS
A good win against GC was somewhat soured by the tripe served up in the second half, however, a win is a win is a win, and after the year we've had, I'll take them whichever way they come. Still, our form of late has been pretty good, and save for some stupid mistakes versus the Dockers, we could be going into this week having won three on the trot. Didn't but so what the **** am I on about? Dunno.
Geelong are just being Geelong…chugging along winning games of football whilst all and sundry vent their spleens trying to come up with reasons why this year will be the year they crash and burn. Bullshit. They're in it up to their necks. (I've wished many times this year that we had a dash of their refuse to lose gene).
13th v 3rd; 7 wins v 15; 12.9 goals a match v 13.1; 63 tackles a match v 74
We'll be missing; Buckley, Henderson, Everitt, Kreuzer, Walker, Yarran, Garlett, Robinson.
They'll be missing; Vardy and maybe Hunt (as far as I can tell)…
Hmmmmm…certainly have our work cut out for us.
As far as match-ups go I'll be very keen to see how Waiter and Cas go against Lonergan and Taylor. The son of Vin has hit some rare form and we'll certainly need him to keep it up considering Taylor was grabbing just about anything that came his way against Freo, and also because Levi has hit a rough patch and those always dependable mitts of his have become a little bit less so in recent weeks.
I'm also keen to see how Rowey handles Hawkins should that match-up eventuate again. Hawkins rag dolled him back in Round 12 but Sam has really come on since then and I'm sure he will be keen to have another crack and get one back. Other than these KP match-ups, Geelong are gonna have to deal with Thomas who is slowly but surely getting back to the level that made us bring him over, Gibba whose year is not getting anywhere near the kudos it deserves imo, the skipper who is finding some nice form, and a bloke who weighs all of 60kg wringing-wet but keeps on keeping on like the bearded champion that he is.
And then there's the bloke with the number 5 on his back…
I reckon if the big-man battles I mentioned turn out to be break-evens (another blinder from Wood would be handy as well) then our midfield has every chance of getting us over the line in this game. Belly, another 4 would be handy.
INS N OUTS
Us; Cripps in for Brock seems a popular choice, and likely too given MM's comments. Someone with pace for Yazza, I'd think that would mean Dennis rather than Sugar given the latter's 'opportunities' this year.
Them; Dunno. I barrack for Carlton.
PREDICTION
Form is there, and we took it right up to Freo, but we've lost Hendo and Yazza since then. Gonna have to play well, and for four quarters, something we have well and truly struggled with in the recent past. I'm not confident…make of that what you will.
We're due but…
