1. Can the Cats beat the Hawks with a misfiring forward line?
Jennifer Phelan: Yes, but the two big guys would want to have a tad more influence on Friday night than they did against Port Adelaide. James Podsiadly had three touches to half-time and Tom Hawkins – after a mere two – was being ridiculed by a 'Twitterverse' that largely wanted him subbed out of the game. Two goals in the third quarter soothed the anger directed at the sore Hawkins but Podsiadly still struggled to make an impact. But when you look at it, the big guys haven't pulled big numbers against the Hawks this year; Pods has kicked three across two games and Hawkins two. The key? Back in the defenders, who have played well in the two home-and-away games against them this season, and hope the 'Kennett Curse' is already playing havoc with the minds of their opponents.
Adam McNicol: Indeed, Jen, Geelong's big forwards have been a bit ragged all year. The thing that did the trick for the Cats last time against the Hawks was their ability to spread and expose Hawthorn's lack of pace. So the key for Geelong is to win some hard-ball in the midfield and hope that the likes of Steven Motlop, Allen Christensen, Travis Varcoe and Mitch Duncan can do some damage on the outside. I must say it would have been brilliant to have a Kennett Curse Grand Final, but a prelim between these two great rivals will do.
Nick Bowen: I know I should agree with you both and I know I shouldn't write the Cats off, but what the hell – no, the Cats can't beat the Hawks without a fit and firing Tomahawk. The Hawks have been superb this year and 'Clarko' was very confident after they dusted off the Swans last week that they're far better prepared and far more energised heading into this year's prelim than they were last year. I just get the sense the Hawks are primed this year. They're not going to let another golden chance at a flag slip. And I always had the sense that when they finally beat Geelong it would be in a big final. I thought it would be a Grand Final, but l'm sure Clarko and his boys aren't going to quibble if they break their drought in a preliminary final instead. Yeah, the Cats' attack is dangerous even if Tomahawk's back won't let him do what he did in 2011-12, but the Kennett Curse is about to be broken.
Tom Hawkins' fitness and Paul Chapman's potential ban are big concerns for the Cats. Picture: AFL Media
2.. Can Hawthorn make Geelong pay for its inconsistency?
Nathan Schmook: With its ability to score quickly, and its assumed mental edge going into this final, Geelong can perhaps afford a poor quarter against Hawthorn. The Cats had a goalless term against the Hawks when the sides last met, in round 15, and in round one they kicked 1.5 in the first quarter, falling 16 points behind. A bad half, however, such as their first two quarters against Port Adelaide, would surely be too much of an indulgence against the minor premiers. The Kennett Curse has relied on Geelong playing outstanding football, and it won't continue if the Cats reproduce Friday night's first-half effort.
Callum Twomey: For much of the year the Cats have lapsed in a quarter here or a quarter there but managed most times to come away with the win. That might change against the Hawks, who will be able to run the ball out of Geelong's attack, and are certainly more powerful up forward than the Cats' semi-final opponent Port Adelaide. What's more concerning for the Cats is their inaccuracy. Over the past four weeks, the Cats have kicked 50 goals and 72 behinds. In a preliminary final, they can't afford to miss any opportunities.
Adam McNicol: Some fine points made there by my esteemed colleagues. But having watched the past half-dozen Hawthorn v Geelong clashes, I have no faith that the Hawks will ever make the Cats pay for anything. Unless some witch doctor can be found this week to break the Kennett Curse, you can bet your bottom dollar that Geelong will slip six goals behind, then come roaring home and win by two points. Podsy, who has hardly touched it for year, will kick six. As history tells us, Hawthorn only beats Geelong in Grand Finals, and this week's game ain't one of those.
3. Where must the Swans exploit Fremantle to win the preliminary final?
Jacqui Reed: The Swans' midfield was on-song against Carlton. They've got plenty of tricks up their sleeve. Sure, Ryan Crowley may well go to Jarrad McVeigh after his big game, but then there's Luke Parker, or Ryan O'Keefe or Jude Bolton or … The list goes on. Once one is taken down, another will bob up. If Kurt Tippett is deemed fit to play, then the tall forward line will also be an advantage. The Swans are battered and bruised, and face the marathon trip west, but if they can do what they do best, which is tackle and win the contested ball through the middle, they're in with a shot.
Nathan Schmook: The midfield is the key for the Swans. As Jacqui says, they'll be battered and bruised and they need to get this game on their terms, winning centre clearances and running forward. Fremantle dominated Geelong in the middle in the qualifying final, winning the centre clearances 14-6. The Swans can't afford to let that happen. Goals from the middle will also be crucial, particularly if Kurt Tippett isn't available. Josh Kennedy kicked 29 goals last season but has just 14 this year. He needs to lift. Dan Hannebery kicked four goals when these sides last met and also needs to force his opponent to be accountable. If the Freo mids get the game on their terms, it's game over.
James Dampney: As Nathan mentioned, Dan Hannebery had a field day against Ryan Crowley at the SCG and the Fremantle tagger has already pencilled in a re-match to try to get one back on the young Swan. But McVeigh's stunning performance back in the midfield, having spent most of the year in defence, will have set off alarm bells for Ross Lyon. Ted Richards and Heath Grundy were brilliant against the Blues and the way they cut off entry after entry should give them confidence of doing a similar job against Matthew Pavlich and the Freo forward line. Lewis Jetta's extended game time, forced by Tippett's early injury, would have done him the world of good and he could also take advantage of Patersons Stadium's long dimensions.
The Swans must overcome Fremantle at home to progress to another Grand Final. Picture: AFL Media
4.. What area must Carlton make a priority in the off-season?
Matt Thompson: The case for Dale Thomas to make a move to the Blues was amplified by Saturday night's lacklustre performance, and in fact Carlton's season. Carlton ranks among the lowest in the League when it comes to effective disposals, and a fit Thomas could help that cause. I guess, Cal and James, that's the big question. If Thomas isn't fit, does Mick Malthouse take the risk? There's no doubt Mick rates Daisy incredibly highly. But Thomas knew when we spoke to him at the start of the year just how crucial it was that he got his ankle right before talking contracts. And as we know, that never happen.
James Dampney: Despite their unexpected September run, the Blues still have a number of areas that need strengthening. In fact, every line has a weakness. Andrew Walker had an outstanding season and Lachie Henderson and Michael Jamison performed well, but Carlton's backline is largely one-dimensional. While none of the Swans' tall forwards dominated, they lacked the troops to deal with the likes of Luke Parker (three goals), Harry Cunningham (two) and McVeigh (two) when he went forward. I agree with Matt that Thomas should be an absolute priority, provided he can return to full fitness. With Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs well contained by the Swans' two-way running midfield, Thomas could have provided some welcome dash and spark. Perhaps their Achilles heel, however, remains their lack of a dominant key forward to ease the load on Jarrad Waite. The club's hierarchy should be formulating its best strategy to land Tom Boyd.
Callum Twomey: A key forward is definitely a priority, but how many are going around and up for grabs? I get the feeling Greater Western Sydney, for all its talk about trading pick one, won't be letting go of it, so the chances of securing Boyd are remote. Why don't the Blues make a late pitch for Stewart Crameri? He isn't a really tall key forward but can be a marking target and his track record shows he kicks goals. The midfield does lack options. Kane Lucas hasn't come on, and not everything can be left to Judd and Marc Murphy. Thomas is a perfect fit but will be an expensive buy if his body doesn't hold up. Taylor Adams offers grunt and power and the Victorian is assessing his options. Perhaps the Blues should look at the Giants midfielder as well.
The Blues' unlikely finals run ended on Saturday night against the Swans. Picture: AFL Media
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