MATCH DETAILS
West Coast v Geelong
Subiaco, 5.40pm (Perth time), Saturday
The outlook is for fine weather and tops of up to 20 degrees. Perhaps of more concern is the energy crisis in Western Australia although Saturday’s match and starting time, at this stage at least, has not been altered.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round seven, 2007 at Skilled Stadium – Geelong 16.13 (109) def West Coast 10.10 (70)
This was one of the wins that really kick-started the Cats’ amazing season. While the 15-match winning run actually started with the belting of Richmond the previous week, it was the gutsy 39-point win over the reigning premiers that instilled real belief at the Cattery.
West Coast had not lost a match going into the round seven fixture, but the Cats made their intentions clear early. Cam Mooney provided a terrific target across half-forward, Max Rooke wore Chris Judd like a glove while Cameron Ling’s tagging job on Daniel Kerr – particularly after half-time – was phenomenal. Gary Ablett also sparked the Cats as, despite a late West Coast surge, the home side kicked again to record a memorable win and one that would end up being a turning point in their season.
FORM GUIDE
It has been more than 12 months since the two teams have met and my, how the tide has turned at each club. The Cats, reigning champs, are 11-1 and again looking strong after arguably their best performance of the season last week. The convincing 59-point drubbing of Port Adelaide ranked right up there with the round two shellacking of Essendon, such was the domination Mark Thompson’s men enjoyed. More impressive was the fact they did it without Matthew Scarlett.
West Coast’s formline does not look quite so peachy. Just two wins from 12 matches is not good reading for any Eagles fan. Injuries have not made things any easier, with the non-appearance of some big names last week leading some to raise the dreaded topic of tanking in recent days. Coach John Worsfold, however, will field his best-possible line-up for Saturday night’s clash with the Cats. While the Eagles haven’t been in great nick, they have showed they can be very dangerous on home turf – as Adelaide found out just a few weeks ago.
RANDOM FACTS
* Once possessing one of the poorest travelling records in the competition, Geelong has won its past six interstate matches.
* Cameron Mooney could not find his kicking boot last week but took an equal career-high 13 marks.
* West Coast’s Dean Cox did not play when these two sides last met. In eight meetings against the Cats he is averaging 11 disposals a game but has never had more than 17.
KEY MATCH UPS
Cameron Ling v Daniel Kerr
One feels Kerr, the Eagles’ best midfielder, simply has to dominate for his side to be any chance. If he can get his hands to it enough, his forwards should see plenty of it and therefore have a fair chance to kick a winning score. However Ling, arguably the game’s best tagger, has had his measure before and is again having a cracking year.
Mooney was terrific for Geelong last week without hitting the scoreboard. He could and should have, although his 13 marks contributed plenty to the Cats’ winning score. West Coast skipper Glass looks hampered by injury at present, so should he get the job he’ll need to use all his skills to restrict the star Cat from inflicting some damage.
Brad Ottens v Dean Cox
Ottens’ ability to help his side win the stoppages was decisive in the Cats’ domination last week. It has not taken long for the big man’s importance to shine through. This week he will be up against the best in the business with Dean Cox the most mobile ruckman going around. He plays as a midfielder and with Ottens not yet 100 per cent fit it is a duel the Eagles might be looking to expose.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong assistant coach Brendan McCartney
“Their [West Coast’s] last two games at Subiaco have been really good performances.
“They beat Adelaide, who are a quality club, and all but beat Sydney if not for the last two minutes, so we’ll have to be on our best behaviour.”
West Coast coach John Worsfold
“Every game that I've ever been involved in as a player or a coach there's never been any guarantee of winning, and there's never any guarantee of playing at your best.
“Basically that means any time you play a game, whether you're the favourites or the underdogs, you go out there and do your best and you're a chance of winning.”
