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[VIDEO] Geelong Cats vs Hawthorn Hawks: AFL highlights, scores, blog

Roar Guru
23rd August, 2014
TEAMS

HAWTHORN
B Brian Lake, Josh Gibson, Matthew Suckling
HB Shaun Burgoyne, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C Bradley Hill, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith
HF Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston
F Paul Puopolo, David Hale, Luke Breust
FOL Jonathon Ceglar, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels
I/C Matt Spangher, Will Langford, Brad Sewell, Jonathan Simpkin

GEELONG
B Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB Harry Taylor, Jared Rivers, Cameron Guthrie
C Mathew Stokes, Joel Selwood, James Kelly
HF Steven Motlop, Mark Blicavs, Travis Varcoe
F Jimmy Bartel, Tom Hawkins, Allen Christensen
FOL Hamish McIntosh, Mitch Duncan, Josh Caddy
I/C George Horlin-Smith, Shane Kersten, Jordan Murdoch, Jackson Thurlow

Time: 7:40pm (AEST)
Venue: MCG
TV: Seven Network (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Betting: Hawks $1.54, Cats $2.55
Roar Guru
23rd August, 2014
116
12280 Reads

The biggest rivalry of the modern AFL era is about to have another chapter written as the Hawthorn Hawks take on the Geelong Cats under the bright lights of the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).

This game is likely to an entrée for what is to come in a fortnight with these two sides likely to meet each other in a qualifying final.

Hawthorn were able to break the ‘Kennett Curse’ during last year’s preliminary final before the Cats again got the better of the Hawks in the earlier encounter this year.

Steve Johnson was the catalyst in that victory and there will still be question marks over him heading into this week’s game.

The Cats are however are likely to regain champion Jimmy Bartel for this epic encounter. I’m also keen to see if Steven Motlop and Tom Hawkins are carrying injuries heading into this game.

Hawkins appeared hindered in last week’s game against the Blues and whether he was just lacking in fitness or not we will soon find out.

As for Motlop who was actually quite brilliant, he limped off the ground after the game, but it did not appear to hinder him as he turned in an awesome display.

Meanwhile the Hawks will be keen to retain Jarryd Roughead for this week’s fixture, they sorely missed him last week when they travelled west in what turned out to be a costly suspension.

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Matt Spangher could likely return, while Matthew Suckling is also under an injury cloud.

Brad Sewell and Billy Hartung are also in the mix if coach Alastair Clarkson decides to shuffle his line-up. He is met with a few selection dilemmas with Mitch Hallahan, Kyle Cheney and ruckman Jonathon Ceglar are among a host of Hawks knocking on the door at Box Hill.

With both sides eager to gain momentum heading into finals this match looms as a crucial encounter for the mental state of both sides.

If Geelong win you can almost say they have the mental edge on the Hawks, where if the Hawks win you could probably say they will beat the Cats again in two weeks if they are to meet.

Three quick stats:
1. Geelong is the number one ranked team for marks inside 50 this season, averaging 13.9 thanks to Tom Hawkins who is ranked second, with 3.8 per game. Hawthorn is ranked fourth.

2. Since 2009 Geelong have won 12 of the 13 encounters between the two sides.

3. These teams are heavily contrasted when it comes to tackling: Geelong is ranked second averaging 72.4 per game while Hawthorn is last with 61.2.

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Prediction:
This game will be a tight affair, but with Steve Johnson under an injury cloud I think the Hawks might produce just their second victory against the Cats in five years.

Hawks by 10.

Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).

If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.

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