The Bendigo Bank Cats’ clash with Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Saturday looms as a defining match that will have ramifications well beyond this weekend’s round of football.
Both Williamstown and Geelong will be vying for the same position on the ladder come season’s end – it is the definition of the ‘eight-point game’.
The Cats have forged a reputation over the past year of having the resolve to beat any team, anywhere, at anytime.
It will be a further test of character, one they will embrace with open arms.
In the meantime, however, a win could catapult the Cats back into top position on the ladder.
It would displace Williamstown and uproot Sandringham from second, who has the bye this week.
With the Cats also one game off slipping out of the top four, a win on Saturday would resist the momentum generated by the chasing pack of teams bearing down on the Cats.
The Cats slipped from first to third last week, after Williamstown and Sandringham – who were sitting on equal points – leapfrogged the Cats because of the bye.
Williamstown has shot to prominence in recent weeks, boasting the unique situation of having more draws than losses beyond the halfway point of the season.
Impressively, the only noticeable blip on the Seagull’s radar this season was a close loss to the previously undefeated Sandringham juggernaut in round seven.
The Collingwood-affiliated Seagulls comprise an abundance of avenues to attack and have a potent forward line that has caused headaches for opposition teams to negate.
Dean Limbach has emerged as the chief destroyer in attack with 31 goals and has been complemented by Andrew Williams and Patrick Rose who have snared 43 goals between them.
A hallmark of their consistency this season has been an even spread of contributors across the board, without a heavy reliance on several key players to impose themselves each week.
The durable Brett Johnson is again leading the way this season and is the architect of the side’s midfield dominance, while Liam Picken has been in impressive form this season.
Burbank Oval is notorious for being a ground that is not conducive to attractive football.
The ground is situated a drop punt from Point Gellibrand, wedged on the foreshore of the beach.
So when the inevitable wooly elements descend, the oval is unforgiving. Weather forecasters predict similar torture this weekend.
It was at Burbank Oval in round 10 last season when the Cats’ bubble of five successive victories was burst by a Williamstown unit so red hot, not even the windswept showers could suppress their form.
However, two seasons ago, the Cats emerged from an injury-ravaged season of disaster to triumph in auspicious style – 14.10 (94) to 13.13 (91).
The action gets underway from 2pm on Saturday. The match will be broadcast live on 1611 Double X radio from 1pm.
