Welcome to the first match of the AFL preseason for 2014. Tonight, the Geelong Cats will host the Collingwood Magpies at Simonds Stadium, join us for a live blog and scores from 7:10pm AEDT.
Geelong and Collingwood have been two of the best teams going round in recent seasons, and in 2014 both will be looking to the next generation of their footy club to drive them forward, after each let experienced players move on during the offseason.
Geelong:
Like all teams in the preseason, the Cats will look to give their emerging young talent a good run. That being said, Geelong will also be looking to make an impression on a team that will most likely be near them come September.
It will be important for Geelong to shut down Collingwood’s tall forwards and force the Magpies to find other routes to goal.
Collingwood:
The Magpies also have young talent that they want to expose early on in the year. Recruits like Taylor Adams will be looking to cement a place in the Magpies line-up for round one of the regular season.
Collingwood will look to send high long balls into their forward 50 and make the most of their tall timber.
A key for Collingwood will be keeping Tom Hawkins under control; the Geelong big man was hampered by injury last season, but his back problems look to be in the past – he will be looking to show he’s ready for a big 2014.
X-Factor:
The X-Factor for this game is Scott Pendleberry. The classy midfielder was given the captaincy a couple of weeks ago and will look to prove that he has the quality to go with the title.
Prediction:
Geelong will be too powerful at home and with Collingwood missing midfield star Dane Swan I don’t think they will get up.
Cats by 30
Join us for live scores from 7:10pm AEDT.
me, I like football
Guest
rated 174K on foxtel which is not bad considering it was up against the cricket that got 246k
Lewis Stewart
Roar Rookie
I couldn't have said it better. He always plays the man and not the ball, due to his lack of skill.
alicesprings
Guest
Maxwell….its not bad enough that you're one of the most over rated players in the AFL! You lazy, clumsy shmuck…don't lead with your knees!!
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-13-15-102 Geelong 0-16-8-104 FT What a finish here Schroder picks up the scraps and kicks a goal. Couple of ball ups in the middle of the park and Collingwood go forward, but Taylor takes a strong grab. Sends it long and a scrap in the middle of the park. WOW!!!!!! MARKING OPPORTUNITY IN THE LAST SECOND!! That was an amazing finish here. Both sides will be very happy with their performance. Hope for more of the same for the rest of the preseason. Thanks for tuning in.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-13-15-102 Geelong 0-15-8-98 1` 4th quarter Jesse White takes a mark from a clearing kick and it goes straight through. Wow what a finish. Who said they don't care about NAB Challenge matches.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-12-15-96 Geelong 0-15-8-98 2` 4th quarter Straight through the middle and Geelong get a goal. Hawkins picks up a free kick 20 out. Goes back and kicks it straight through. CATS LEAD!!!
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-12-15-96 Geelong 0-13-8-86 4` 4th quarter Kennedy has a pop from 30 and just misses. Collingwood give it over and Geelong go long and Collingwood leave their defensive half with ease. Lynch takes an attacking 50 mark goes back and misses
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-12-13-94 Geelong 0-13-8-86 6` 4th quarter Tom Hawkins with a chance and he puts it through. 2 point ball game. Pendlebury picks up the scraps and gives it to White who puts it through. Good start for the young man.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-11-13-88 Geelong 0-12-8-80 8` 4th quarter Jack Frost is having a very good game so far. Showing a lot of promise. Stevie J trying to create something for his team and Schroder puts it through.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-11-13-88 Geelong 0-11-8-74 10` 4th quarter Geelong moving the ball, but not at any pace. Collingwood moving out with ease. Are the Cats actually on the field? Bit more life from them here.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-11-13-88 Geelong 0-11-8-74 12` 4th quarter Collingwood showing that they really want this match. elliot is everywhere at the moment. Clark has a long shot and it goes through for a behind.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-11-12-87 Geelong 0-11-8-74 14` 4th quarter Geelong looking to get the run going, but it breaks down in the middle of the park. Pendlebury gives it to Sidebottom who slots it through. Stokes gives it off, but it's not 15 and it gets cleared from the Collingwood defensive 50
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-10-10-79 Geelong 0-11-8-74 16` 4th quarter Elliot puts it forward and Kennedy snaps it through traffic. Collingwood hit the front. Elliot again, but rivers takes a intercept mark. Will Geelong come back? Kennedy had another shot at goal, but it is affected.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-8-10-67 Geelong 0-11-8-74 18` 4th Quarter Geelong get frist use of the footy and bring the ball forward and Stokes has a snap at goal, but misses. Collingwood sends it forward to Elliot and gives it to Pendlebury goes back and puts it through.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-8-10-67 Geelong 0-10-7-67 3QT Taylor Adams takes a mark 35 out straight in front and it goes right through the middle. Collingwood had a great quarter there and will be confident they can take the lead in the last quarter. Shaping up for a very good last quarter here. I'll be back shortly to cover the final quarter of this match. Scores are tied at the break.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-7-10-61 Geelong 0-10-7-67 2` 3rd quarter Scores have been tied for a while. Taylor hunt gets a gold chance to pick out a forward and he only picks out a Collingwood player. Mitch Duncan kicks a long bomb straight through. Chance of a touch, but the ball was over the line. Energy has lifted in recent time.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-7-10-61 Geelong 0-9-7-61 4` 3rd quarter Coolingwood looking to put the foot on the throat on Geelong and having all the play at the moment. Geelong just moving very sluggish. Marley Williams with silky feet, but the ball in is poor and Cloke is forced to push Taylor in the back.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-7-10-61 Geelong 0-9-7-61 6` 3rd quarter Cloke stretches, but can't reach it, but Grundy gets a free kick. Grundy goes back and misses to the right. Scores tied. Geelong have really stepped off the pedal at the moment. Fatigue really kicking in.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-7-9-60 Geelong 0-9-7-61 8` 3rd quarter Collingwood having a good period at the moment. Dayne Beams is out muscled by Taylor. Cloke leaps and White picks up the scraps and kicks a goal. down to one point
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Collingwood 1-5-7-46 Geelong 0-9-7-61 10` 3rd quarter Taylor Adams runs into the goal and misses. Geelong sending the ball down the right wing and the ball gets trapped in and a ball up results. Geelong sends the ball into the 50 and the ball gets trapped in.