The hot topic
In the view of Western Bulldog Jason Akermanis, some of the Geelong players are getting a little too big for their football boots.
While Aker cannot help but attempt to fire things up ahead of Friday's preliminary final battle, Cats coach Mark Thompson insists his players won't be drawn on the comments and will simply let their football do the talking.
"I hope they just go out and play the best football they can play," Thompson said.
"We try very hard not to be cocky, it's something we don't want to be seen as, so hopefully that's not the case."
The medical room
A hamstring injury that flared up against St Kilda in week one of finals has forced brilliant forward Paul Chapman out of Geelong's line-up.
But the ever cool Cats are taking no risks, after all, there's still next week to think about. And by the sounds of it, the Cats are thinking ahead that far.
"We're not going to worry about next week until we get this week done and under control," assistant coach Ken Hinkley said on Thursday.
James Kelly, whose quadriceps injury has kept him out of the side since round 20, and David Wojcinski, who last appeared in the senior team in round 15, have both been recalled to the team after moving freely during Thursday's 30-minute training session.
The coach
Bomber thinks his side is better prepared than in last year's Grand Final qualifier against Collingwood.
"I think looking back we probably trained a little bit too light last year," Thompson said.
"We were all about recovery and this time around we've recovered them post-game but we've actually lifted the intensity a bit more than we did last year."
The star player
Jimmy Bartel says Geelong has the winning formula and from here on in, it's all about maintaining the routine.
"At the moment the old 'If it ain't broke, it don't need fixing' philosophy comes into play," last year's Brownlow medallist wrote in his afl.com.au column.
"It's simply a matter of doing our training, doing the homework on our opposition and making sure we're mentally prepared come match day."
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
