The Bendigo Bank Cats will be out to affirm early VFL powerhouse status in their first curtain raiser of the year against North Ballarat at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
Sitting alongside Sandringham at the pointy end of the ladder after two strong victories, Geelong will look to make an impression in front of a home crowd and entrench itself in the top eight against quality opposition.
Captain James Byrne is free to play this weekend after escaping with a severe reprimand for his tripping charge.
Spearhead Todd Grima is flying high after booting eleven goals in a fortnight of irrepressible forward line dominance.
Grima, relishing playing in attack this season, has produced football in recent weeks reminiscent of his remarkable ten-goal solo performance for Tasmania against the Northern Territory in the under 18 carnival in 2005.
His five second-quarter goals against Frankston ultimately proved the difference on a day far from conducive to high scoring, while his six-goal haul against Tasmania proved the catalyst for the Cats to steamroll the Devils at Bellerive Oval.
Travis Varcoe and Nathan Djerrkura combined to provide an irresistible force, while Tim Callan was the pick of the Cats for his resolute performance in defence.
Geelong spelt out an ominous warning last week with an eight goal second quarter avalanche against a quality Frankston line up in the most oppressive conditions for the season so far.
North Ballarat, partially affiliated with the Kangaroos, is a consistent, four-quarter side and sits in fourth position after last week running over the top of Tasmania to win by 29 points.
After running with the Devils throughout the afternoon, the Roosters turned on the afterburners in the final quarter, kicking seven goals to two to cruise to a comfortable victory in Ballarat.
North Ballarat found many avenues to goal, while Thomas Roach starred, and Kangaroo-listed players David Trotter and Eddie Sansbury worked hard.
Former Essendon ruckman Tristan Cartledge loomed large, snaring four goals and unsettled the Devil’s defence, shaping the Roosters’ second win of the season.
Gerard FitzGerald is back at the helm of North Ballarat for the first time since 2002, his return warmly embraced and complemented by the lowest off-season turnaround of players in the club’s history.
The match will be the first of six VFL curtain raisers this season. The round four clash between Bendigo Bank Cats and North Ballarat gets underway from 10.40am on Sunday.
