Simonds Stadium, Saturday, March 2, 2.40pm
MISSING
Geelong: Josh Hunt (illness), Dawson Simpson (back), Mathew Stokes (ankle), Jed Bews (foot), George Burbury (foot), Hamish McIntosh (knee).
Adelaide: Brodie Smith (broken collarbone), Jared Petrenko (shoulder), Nick Joyce (groin).
LAST WEEK
Geelong: The Cats emerged from their road trip to Perth with one win and one loss. Their effort against the Eagles was very impressive, as they trailed by 22 points at one stage before snatching a two-point victory when skipper Joel Selwood bombed a supergoal. Geelong's outing against Freo was not so good. The Cats lost by 18 points and Steve Johnson was later rubbed out of the club's home and away season opener against Hawthorn after being found guilty of striking Hayden Ballantyne.
Adelaide: The Crows were comfortably beaten by St Kilda in their first NAB Cup match, but they rebounded to beat Port Adelaide by 16 points in their second game. Unfortunately, Brodie Smith broke his collarbone during the first five minutes of the match against the Power. Smith is likely to miss the first month of the home and away season. While many clubs that played on the opening weekend of the NAB Cup then had a week off, the Crows played a trial game against Fremantle on Saturday, which they won by five points.
WHAT THEY SAY
Geelong: "Playing the good sides, or the sides that were strong last year and are probably going to be strong again this year, gives you a good indication as to how you're travelling and what things you need to work on." - Cats assistant Dale Amos
Adelaide: "We'll start to get a round one-type side together this week. Some guys, who have been playing pretty well, are going to miss out. It's going to be tough for those players, but it's healthy competition." - Crows star Bernie Vince
WE SAY
Geelong: The Cats are planning to field a strong team, with three-time premiership players Paul Chapman and Andrew Mackie set to play their first NAB Cup games for the year. But the focus will again be on the club's young players. Third-year midfielder George Horlin-Smith was exceptional against the Eagles; he and other youngsters like Cameron Guthrie and Jordan Murdoch will again be given the chance to lead the way. With ruckman Dawson Simpson now on the club's long-term injury list after back surgery, Geelong's rookies are also playing for the chance to be promoted to the senior list.
Adelaide: The defending NAB Cup champions are planning to take a relatively experienced line-up into Saturday's clash. Scott Thompson, Ben Rutten, Brent Reilly, Jason Porplyzia and Sam Jacobs, who have not taken to the field so far this pre-season, are all expected to play. Bernie Vince will also continue to step up his workload after needing surgery to remove a cyst from his shoulder blade in November. Vince played a half against Freo in last weekend's trial match.
