Head to head: Brisbane Lions 17 wins, Geelong 17 wins, 1 draw
Last time: Brisbane Lions 16.12 (108) d Geelong 9.11 (65), round 15, 2009 at the Gabba
MISSING IN ACTION
Brisbane Lions
Josh Drummond (knee) - TBC
Mitch Clark (groin) - test
Andrew Raines (calf) - test
Joel Patfull (hamstring) - test
Daniel Merrett (hamstring) - test
Jamie Charman (ankle) - 2-4 weeks
Jared Brennan (ankle) - 6 weeks
Xavier Clarke (knee) - indefinite
Geelong
Max Rooke (knee) - TBC
Joel Corey (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Mitchell Brown (leg) - 1-2 weeks
Marcus Drum (eye) - 2-3 weeks
Daniel Menzel (soreness) - test
Trent West (hamstring) - test
FORM
Brisbane: WWLLL
Geelong: LWLWW
SUMMARY
The Brisbane Lions’ season has hit a pothole. Whether it was the come-from-behind win against top-four contender the Western Bulldogs that took it out of them or the nagging abdominal injury sustained by skipper Jonathan Brown, the Lions haven’t been the same since round four.
Three straight losses to Melbourne, the Sydney Swans and, most recently, Fremantle, has seen Michael Voss’s team slip from the top of the table to outside the eight. Injuries have also come at a bad time.
Geelong surged back up the ladder with a commanding performance against the Sydney Swans last weekend.
Geelong surged back up the ladder with a commanding performance against the Sydney Swans last weekend.
It was an emphatic performance by the Cats and showed they would again be a serious challenger in September.
Ominously for rival sides, Geelong actually looks a little more dangerous near goal in 2010. James Podsiadly has added to the Cats’ potency, while the usual crumbers are doing their business with aplomb.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brisbane Lions’ games record holder Simon Black has a mixed record against the Cats. That’s hardly surprising given he gets the game’s best tagger whenever the two teams meet. The Lions’ two-pronged forward line is the envy of almost every side but it relies on its midfield winning ample ball. That comes down to Black shovelling out plenty of the footy, so his duel with Geelong skipper Cameron Ling will be a beauty.
Geelong coach Mark Thompson indicated he was keen to include Mathew Stokes for his first game of the year following his club-imposed suspension related to drugs charges. If he does play, it will be fascinating to see how the sharp-shooter performs after such a long lay-off. Not only has Stokes only played at VFL level in recent weeks, but will there be any psychological effects from his lay-off? Time will tell.
QUESTION MARKS
The Lions’ back six has injury problems, with Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull both racing to be fit. Will they be able to stop the Cats’ tall timber?
Michael Rischitelli has been superb, with his clearance work a feature. He could man Gary Ablett, but will Voss want to forego one of his own prime movers for the job?
Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola have each regularly been booting three and four goals, but can either of them kick a really big bag to propel their side to victory?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Both teams go in minus a couple of their best players, however the Lions’ outs appear more significant.
The Cats’ height in attack has proved decisive in recent weeks, and the home side may struggle to counter that.
One thing is certain - Geelong’s forwards should see plenty of the ball. The Cats are among the league leaders for inside-50 entries per game. With an array of forward options one would think they would win.
Follow Scott Beveridge’s inside view of Brisbane v Geelong at #afllionscats on Twitter.com from 7.10pm (EST) Saturday or @AFL_ScottBevo#afllionscats
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
