Match of the Week: Hawks v Cats
July 24th 2008 08:32
A lot has been said about this week's Hawthorn vs Geelong clash in the 17 weeks we've had to wait for it. But first, let us reflect on some other big games we'll see this week.
Essendon vs Collingwood will be big. Teams rise when they play the Pies, especially traditional rivals. Sydney vs Adelaide will be a fantastic contest as both teams will be desperate to get back onto the winners list.
OK, that's enough reflecting.
Hawthorn vs Geelong (MCG, Friday night) - a mouthwatering prospect.
Hawthorn Defence vs Geelong Attack
Hawthorn have some accomplished key defenders in Croad, Brown and Gilham. They will take care of Mooney, Lonergan and one of Chapman or Johnson. But from there, defenders Birchall, Guerra and Ladson appear to be undermatched against potent forwards such as Stokes, Gamble and whoever was left alone above. It will be this sort of forward who does the damage for the Cats, as the smaller defenders are employed more as ball-carriers than stoppers. Advantage Geelong.
Hawthorn Midfield vs Geelong Midfield
This is where the game will be won as both teams vie for control of the corridor. Geelong have a number of goalkicking midfielders that the Hawks will need to shut down if they want to prevent the Cats kicking a winning score. The Hawks' midfield is also what will prevent Geelong taking entering their attacking fifty freely and utilising their advantage there.
Geelong's engine room is not your standard midfield. Even without Ablett and Ling, they boast Bartel, Corey, Kelly and Selwood. Watching these guys battle it out with the likes of Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell and Lewis for the ball will be enthralling.
Geelong's midfield, for all the talk of its flow and run, appears the more accountable of the two. Four Cats (Corey, Kelly, Bartel, Ablett) appear in this year's top 25 tacklers, as opposed to none of the Hawks.
This battle will be won by disposal efficiency. Both teams play high possession games and so whoever is cleaner with their skills will give themselves an edge.
Deuce.
Hawthorn Attack vs Geelong Defence
Who's not looking forward to seeing Scarlett line up on Franklin? Franklin leads the league for contested marks, due both to his strength but also to the number of times the ball heads his way.
All up, the Cats defence is, at worst, solid. Harley, Scarlett and Mackie could, together, be able to quell Franklin, Roughead and Williams. This would cripple the Hawks' scoring options, which have been limited outside the forwardline.
Hawthorn's accuracy has been their worst enemy in recent weeks. Their recent shaky results have not been due to lack of scoring opportunities. Franklin and Roughead are first and second in the AFL for behinds kicked. With the stakes this high, they could either crumble under the pressure, or rise to occasion. Time will tell.
In theory, advantage Hawthorn. But in theory, communism works.
Other factors:
Hawthorn have been exposed recently as being a bit undisciplined when things start going against them, and will need all their composure on Friday night if they are to get up. Franklin is a key villain here - he leads the league in Frees Against. By ten! Lewis has also been known to give away 50m penalties at times like these.
Geelong boast a list unchanged from that which saw off their nearest challengers by ten goals.
Hawthorn have won 13 of 16 final quarters this year. This will give them heart if they are within striking distance (or ahead) at three-quarter time.
Wildcards
Hawthorn: Chance Bateman. A barometer for the Hawks. His run-and-carry out of defence is invaluable to the side and his skills are among the best in the league. If he can deliver the ball inside 50 eight to ten times, the groundwork for victory will be laid.
Geelong: Paul Chapman. The fourth Cat forward, who would be one of the first hunted in any other lineup. Hawthorn simply don't have enough defenders to mark him. Ladson looks a likely option, whom Chapman will devour.
Prediction: The Cats really are THAT good. And they have a good percentage for a reason. The game will be closer than the final margin will suggest. Geelong by 30 points.
Essendon vs Collingwood will be big. Teams rise when they play the Pies, especially traditional rivals. Sydney vs Adelaide will be a fantastic contest as both teams will be desperate to get back onto the winners list.
OK, that's enough reflecting.
Hawthorn vs Geelong (MCG, Friday night) - a mouthwatering prospect.
Hawthorn Defence vs Geelong Attack
Hawthorn have some accomplished key defenders in Croad, Brown and Gilham. They will take care of Mooney, Lonergan and one of Chapman or Johnson. But from there, defenders Birchall, Guerra and Ladson appear to be undermatched against potent forwards such as Stokes, Gamble and whoever was left alone above. It will be this sort of forward who does the damage for the Cats, as the smaller defenders are employed more as ball-carriers than stoppers. Advantage Geelong.
Hawthorn Midfield vs Geelong Midfield
This is where the game will be won as both teams vie for control of the corridor. Geelong have a number of goalkicking midfielders that the Hawks will need to shut down if they want to prevent the Cats kicking a winning score. The Hawks' midfield is also what will prevent Geelong taking entering their attacking fifty freely and utilising their advantage there.
Geelong's engine room is not your standard midfield. Even without Ablett and Ling, they boast Bartel, Corey, Kelly and Selwood. Watching these guys battle it out with the likes of Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell and Lewis for the ball will be enthralling.
Geelong's midfield, for all the talk of its flow and run, appears the more accountable of the two. Four Cats (Corey, Kelly, Bartel, Ablett) appear in this year's top 25 tacklers, as opposed to none of the Hawks.
This battle will be won by disposal efficiency. Both teams play high possession games and so whoever is cleaner with their skills will give themselves an edge.
Deuce.
Hawthorn Attack vs Geelong Defence
Who's not looking forward to seeing Scarlett line up on Franklin? Franklin leads the league for contested marks, due both to his strength but also to the number of times the ball heads his way.
All up, the Cats defence is, at worst, solid. Harley, Scarlett and Mackie could, together, be able to quell Franklin, Roughead and Williams. This would cripple the Hawks' scoring options, which have been limited outside the forwardline.
Hawthorn's accuracy has been their worst enemy in recent weeks. Their recent shaky results have not been due to lack of scoring opportunities. Franklin and Roughead are first and second in the AFL for behinds kicked. With the stakes this high, they could either crumble under the pressure, or rise to occasion. Time will tell.
In theory, advantage Hawthorn. But in theory, communism works.
Other factors:
Hawthorn have been exposed recently as being a bit undisciplined when things start going against them, and will need all their composure on Friday night if they are to get up. Franklin is a key villain here - he leads the league in Frees Against. By ten! Lewis has also been known to give away 50m penalties at times like these.
Geelong boast a list unchanged from that which saw off their nearest challengers by ten goals.
Hawthorn have won 13 of 16 final quarters this year. This will give them heart if they are within striking distance (or ahead) at three-quarter time.
Wildcards
Hawthorn: Chance Bateman. A barometer for the Hawks. His run-and-carry out of defence is invaluable to the side and his skills are among the best in the league. If he can deliver the ball inside 50 eight to ten times, the groundwork for victory will be laid.
Geelong: Paul Chapman. The fourth Cat forward, who would be one of the first hunted in any other lineup. Hawthorn simply don't have enough defenders to mark him. Ladson looks a likely option, whom Chapman will devour.
Prediction: The Cats really are THAT good. And they have a good percentage for a reason. The game will be closer than the final margin will suggest. Geelong by 30 points.
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