PREVIEW OF GEELONG CATS V MELBOURNE DEMONS
Just half a dozen rounds to go in the 2018 AFL home and away season and things are hotting up.
Sixth v eighth and there’s more on the line here than some may think … but more of that later.
Enough to say that the result here could prove crucial for at least one of these teams
HOW TO WATCH SATURDAY NIGHT’S AFL ACTION
Let’s face it, you’re not going to the game unless you’re a Cats member as there are only about three seats at GMHBA Stadium available to the general public, and do you really want to have to take on 30,000 Geelong fans with an accountant and his grandmother by your side?
So get ready to settle down in front of the telly and hope Geelong’s power supply can handle the load from both the light towers and television broadcast at the same time.
Fox Footy (channel 504) and Channel Seven are both covering all the pre-match action from 7.00pm AEST, so you just need to make the choice between Cameron Ling and Matthew Richardson, or Dermott Brereton and David King. Gee, SBS’s Saturday night Almodovar movie is starting to look good.
CAN I WATCH IT OVERSEAS?
If you’re booked into a French B ‘n’ B to watch some bikes go flashing past for 30 seconds but wondering what to do with the rest of your day don’t fret! Foxtel customers can access their account via the Foxtel app, while others can stream the game on their devices via AFL Live Pass which, if you’re a Telstra customer, is free.
For those with other carriers you can still pay for AFL Live Pass.
Just the right amount of bend from Tim Kelly!!
— AFL (@AFL) July 5, 2018
Is that enough for the Cats? #AFLSwansCats pic.twitter.com/AKtbSB0RTY
WHAT TIME IS THE GAME ON?
The ball is bounced at 7.25pm AEST, which coincidentally is also 7.25pm in the Victorian snowfields for Melbourne fans.
GEELONG CATS’ LIKELY LINEUP
B: Z.Tuohy 2, H.Taylor 7, J.Bews 24
HB: T.Stewart 44, J.Kolodjashnij 8, J.Henry 38
C: T.Kelly 11, J.Selwood 14, S.Selwood 16
HF: S.Menegola 27, M.Blicavs 46, G.Ablett 4
F: B.Parfitt 3, T.Hawkins 26, D.Menzel 10
R: R.Stanley 1, P.Dangerfield 35, M.Duncan 22
Int: Q.Narkle 19, S.Simpson 37, C.Guthrie 29, J.Jones 41
WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE CATS?
Geelong has lost three of its last four games – that’s not good – but all four matches were away from GMHBA Stadium, so they’ll be super keen to get back on the winners board in front of their home crowd. A loss would almost certainly have them dropping out of the top eight, but with the softest draw of finals contenders that’s not their biggest concern. What’s more of a worry is lose this and they can say goodbye to the top four. With the Cats’ poor recent finals record that’s as good as death to any flag hopes they may be still holding.
KEY GEELONG PLAYERS
Gary Ablett loves nothing more than playing at home and it’s imperative he steps up to the plate. There’s been a fair bit of love for Tom Hawkins recently but he can’t afford to sit back and expect to kick a bag. Harry Taylor will be needed to cover the Demons’ tall forwards, so ‘Tomahawk’ could have key-forward duties all to himself – a big ask, but one that can be made easier if Melbourne’s often leaky defence is having a bad day.
Tom Hawkins beats the quarter-time buzzer with a rolling goal.#AFLCatsGiants pic.twitter.com/06RyHE1JrQ
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2018
MELBOURNE DEMONS’ LIKELY LINEUP
B: M.Hibberd 14, S.Frost 17, N.Jetta 39
HB: C.Salem 3, O.McDonald 28, J,Lewis 6
C: A.Brayshaw 10, C.Oliver 13, N.Jones 2
HF: M.Hannan 19, T.McDonald 25, B.Fritsch 31
F: J.Garlett 36, J.Hogan 1, J.Melksham 18
R: M.Gawn 11, C.Petracca 5, J.Harmes 4
Int: J.Kennedy-Harris 24, A.Neal-Bullen 30, C.Spargo 9, B.Vince 23
WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE DEES?
The ‘vibe’ around Melbourne changes from premiership-favourite to biggest-disappointment every couple of weeks, and at the moment they’re back hanging ten at the top of the hype wave, but a loss here could change things very quickly. With their run home including games against Adelaide (away), West Coast (away), Sydney and GWS a finals spot is no guarantee for the Demons, let alone a top-four finish.
KEY MELBOURNE PLAYERS
With Geelong’s ruck stocks being far from the best Max Gawn will get another chance to dominate, but then it’s up to the midfield to use the ball big Maxy provides. Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw are in sparkling form, but they’ll need help to get over ‘Dangerwoodlett’ plus Mitch Duncan, Tim Kelly and Sam Menegola. Time for Christian Petracca to step up and Nathan Jones to get back in under the packs, especially with co-captain Jack Viney out with a flare-up of his foot injury.
It's always dangerous when the ball goes out the back!
— AFL (@AFL) May 12, 2018
A composed Clayton Oliver handed it off to Angus Brayshaw who made no mistake with the finish.#AFLSunsDees pic.twitter.com/IkSp3fZU5Z
LAST FOUR MEETINGS
Rd 1, 2018, Melbourne Demons 13.16 (94) lost to Geelong Cats 14.13 (97) at the MCG
Rd 3, 2017, Geelong Cats 20.6 (126) d Melbourne Demons 13.19 (97) at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23, 2016, Geelong Cats 24.11 (155) d Melbourne Demons 6.8 (44) at GMHBA Stadium
Rd 12, 2015, Geelong Cats 13.11 (89) lost to Melbourne Demons 18.5 (113) at GMHBA Stadium
Max Gawn had a chance to win the game but his kick was wide. #AFLDeesCats pic.twitter.com/v5djTsonLD
— AFL (@AFL) March 25, 2018
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
A strong home-ground advantage sees Geelong opening as $1.60 favourites with the higher-place Melbourne at $2.35.
With a lot riding on the outcome expect a frenetic start and a lot of nerves – not a situation for big guys taking strong marks in the first few minutes. Get some dollars down on a small forward snapping the first goal, with Quinton Narkle and Bayley Fritsch good options to make $20 on each buck outlaid.
WHO WILL WIN?
It’s very hard to pick against the Cats at home, especially when it’s their first game at GMHBA for over a month.
Geelong by 33 points.