The MCG plays host to the 2014 AFL Finals first elimination semi-final on Friday night as the Geelong Cats host the North Melbourne Kangaroos for a spot in a preliminary final against the Swans.
The two men at the helm of this clash, the Scott brothers, know all about winning finals – they shared in two as teammates for the Brisbane Lions in 2001 and 2002, and Chris snagged another in his first season as Geelong coach in 2011.
On Friday the family rivalry will be taken to a new level as their sides line up for the first time in a September elimination final.
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As coaches the rivalry between their sides has stood on relatively even ground – remarkably even considering the imbalance in ladder positions during recent seasons.
Between 2011 and 2013 the Cats and Roos split their four meetings two apiece.
In 2014 the advantage swung in Geelong’s favour as they won their two meetings: Round 10 by 20-points, and Round 19 by 32-points.
These results meant Geelong was the only top four scalp the Roos failed to claim in 2014 – a shortfall they will be desperate to correct on Friday night.
The Cats couldn’t match it with the Hawks in the second half of last week’s AFL Finals opener. The scores were locked at half time, but it was Hawthorn who raced away in the second half, notching up a 36-point win.
With key-forward Tom Hawkins held to just seven touches and one goal the key question to emerge was whether Geelong has the ability to secure big scalps without the “Tomahawk” firing.
In their two meetings against the Roos in 2014, Hawkins has made handy contributions of three and four goals – this range will need to be par for him on Friday or else Geelong may struggle to kick a defendable total.
MATCH INFORMATION
When: Friday September 12, 7:50pm (AEST)
Where: MCG, Melbourne
TV: Seven Network (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Odds: Cats $1.63, Kangaroos $2.30*
North Melbourne clawed back a 33-point deficit against Essendon to claim an impressive 12-point win to arrive at this match against Geelong.
They looked down and out before an inspired three goal third quarter from Ben Brown turned the momentum in the Roos’ favour.
Drew Petrie chimed in with the last two goals of the match to secure the victory – his impact will need to be felt far more often and far earlier on Friday if North are any hope of advancing.
| Match | Venue | Home vs Away | Result | Disposals | Goals |
| Round 19, 2014 | Etihad Stadium | North Melbourne defeated byGeelong | 79-111 | Selwood 29, Christensen 29 | Hawkins 3 |
| Round 10, 2014 | Simonds Stadium | Geelong defeats North Melbourne | 111-91 | Kelly 33, Harvey 33 | Hawkins 4 |
| Round 19, 2013 | Etihad Stadium | North Melbourne defeats Geelong | 96-86 | Harvey 37 | Wells 4 |
| Round 2, 2013 | Etihad Stadium | Geelong defeats North Melbourne | 112-108 | Swallow 29, Bastinac 29 | Thomas 5 |
| Round 3, 2012 | Etihad Stadium | North Melbourne defeats Geelong | 131-114 | Harvey 38 | Podsiadly 5 |
The Kangaroo’s finals record in recent seasons is nothing to boast about. Since bowing out early in 2008, the Roos only other recent finals appearance saw them bomb out in week 1 of the 2012 series after suffering a 96-point thrashing at the hand of West Coast.
Their 6th place finish this season is their best since 2007 – the last year they won a final. Funnily enough, 2007 was the year that kicked off their opponents recent period of dominance, during which they have raised the premiership cup three times.
This stark contrast in recent success throws a bright light on the importance of consistency. North Melbourne fans would argue their side has deserved more success in recent years, and it’s hard to deny they haven’t been capable of more.
Unfortunately, their form can drop and soar like no other, and their record in 2014 only works to reveal the persistence of this deficiency.
In Round 6 they beat Fremantle at Patersons Stadium (the only team to do so in 2014!); in Round 7 they lost to the Suns at home by seven goals.
In Round 15 they were pipped by cellar-dwellers Brisbane; the next week they accounted for Hawthorn by 20-points.
As a result, Friday night becomes a highly unpredictable match.
Based on their recent results against North Melbourne, and incomparable finals experience, Geelong enter this match deserving favourites. But they will be without one key cog.
Steve Johnson failed to recover from a foot injury for this clash.
After a return from injury against the Hawks, Johnson had a busy opening quarter but faded thereafter, clearly hindered by the lingering foot injury.
The Roos welcome back veteran Brent Harvey, who returns for this clash after sitting out the first week of finals serving a suspension.
Harvey only found the footy on 20 occasions last start against the Cats, but in his three most recent matches against Geelong prior to that he racked up tallies of 33, 37 and 38 touches, leaving him with a beefy average of 32 possessions per game in recent meetings against the Cats.
We can be sure Harvey will be raring to go come Friday night, the only question is whether he’ll be able to produce a vintage performance?
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the Cats vs Kangaroos clash from 7:50pm (AEST) on Friday.
*Odds correct as of 10:30am, Monday September 8.
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