MATCH DETAILS
Geelong v Essendon
Telstra Dome, 2.10pm, Sunday
(Fully-ticketed match)
FORECAST
A couple of days out they’re saying there might be a shower or two, so it’s more than likely the roof will be closed.
LAST TIME THEY MET
R14, 2007 – Geelong 19.19 (133) def 12.11 (83)
The Cats got the chocolates but only kicked away in the last term after the Bombers did a good job to hang tough for the first three quarters. It was a big night for Essendon, with the match being James Hird’s 250th game and Adam Ramanauskas’ return to senior footy.
But class prevailed and the Cats, with the midfielders doing the damage, kicked seven goals to one in the last term to romp away to an easy win.
FORM GUIDE
Both clubs kicked off their 2008 seasons in fine style in round one.
Mark Thompson believed his team’s season-opener was just what the doctor ordered – an intense, physical game of footy against high-class opposition. Geelong played some super footy in the first half before a bit of a splutter towards the end, but those kinks can be ironed out as the season wears on.
The Bombers under new coach Matthew Knights impressed all with their speed and tenacity against North Melbourne. Although one will be able to draw a better line through that form after this week.
RANDOM FACTS
- Geelong has won five of its past six cashes against the Bombers
- A Geelong player hasn’t booted six or more goals since Gary Ablett – then playing predominately as a small forward, kicked 6.1 against Fremantle in round 12 in 2006.
- Essendon forward Scott Lucas, who will be missing this week, has booted 14 goals in the past four meetings between the two sides.
- Paul Chapman has been instrumental in the Cats’ recent wins over Essendon, gathering more than 30 disposals the past two times the teams have met.
KEY MATCH UPS
Matthew Scarlett v Matthew Lloyd
Scarlett has a pretty good record against Lloyd (well, who doesn’t he have a good record against?) although the Bombers spearhead was moving well last week. With Lucas out, one would think the Essendon skipper needs a bag to get his team home.
Gary Ablett v Mark McVeigh
New coach, new ideas? Kevin Sheedy tried McVeigh on Ablett last time out against Geelong although the Cats’ maestro was still able to shake the tag. After McVeigh’s great showing against the Roos, Matthew Knights might be reluctant to use one of his own stars in a negating role on Ablett, and instead might go with a younger player. Time will tell.
Paul Chapman v Bachar Houli
This could be a tantalising match-up – one of the game’s stars v an emerging one. Chappy has simply carved up the Bombers in recent times as the Dons have struggled for a match-up. Could Essendon throw Houli – this week’s NAB Rising Star winner – the biggest challenge in his short career and ask him to mind the star Cat? The young Bomber has speed and can go from half back to the midfield. He doesn’t yet have Chapman’s physique, but he is strong.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Geelong
“I’m not sure whether having six or 10 days off is more beneficial.
“Most people would probably think 10 days but that’s not necessarily the case.
“It might be, but we are not sure at the moment. Once you get into a routine of having six or seven days’ recovery you get into a rhythm and we are able to cope with that. You wouldn’t want to have too many 10-day recoveries.” – Geelong coach Mark Thompson.
Essendon
"Gary O'Donnell and I watched Geelong train up at the Gold Coast two or three months ago, and it was absolutely superb, their execution and their kicking skills," he said.
"We have an understanding of what we're playing against next week, but what these young guys and this team won't be is intimidated.
"We'll go out and play our game hard and see what flows from that.” – Essendon coach Matthew Knights
