The Greater Western Sydney Giants host the Geelong Cats at Spotless Stadium on Saturday evening. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:40pm (AEST).
The Cats made their way into the top four last round after the Power fell to Richmond. With the Hawks facing Sydney in the second half of the split round, a big win today against the Giants could see the Cats move into the top three, once again positioning themselves strongly for the second chance in September.
Dare we say, it appears as if Geelong are somehow managing to fly under the radar in 2014. With Sydney stomping along and the Dockers charging into second place, focus on the Cats as a premiership contender has diminished.
Although they stumbled against Fremantle, and fell hard against Sydney earlier this season, the Cats are poised well to make a splash in the finals and potentially knock out one of the more in-favour top four sides.
Finals are far from the minds of the Giants, after stringing a couple of wins together against the Lions and Blues in Rounds 13 and 14, they have been snapped back to reality in a big way with losses to the Swans, Dockers and Crows – a stretch during which their losing margin has averaged more than 10 goals.
These two sides have only met twice in their short history (with both wins going to the Cats), the most recent of which came in Round 11 last season at Spotless Stadium – a game the Cats won by 59 points.
The Cats’ leaders were in fine form last week during the sides’ confidence boosting belting of the Demons; Joel Selwood was inspirational for his 31 touches, and Steve Johnson was up to his old tricks, picking up a casual 27 touches and kicking two goals.
It is hard to see how the Giants will account for these two today and they will likely feature heavily on the stats sheet today.
The last time the sides met the tag went to Jimmy Bartel, who still managed 18 touches and a goal. If the match plays out in similar fashion, J. Selwood could (once again) be on the lips of Gillon McLachlan as he reads the Round 18 votes on Brownlow night.
For the Giants the aim is (as it has so often been this season) simply to give their opponents a scare. They have played some good footy at their home ground in 2014, but will need to back themselves continually today if they are going to push the Cats for long enough to potentially pull off an upset.
Join The Roar for live scores from 7:40pm (AEST). If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Gene Anderson-Conklin
Guest
Yeah imagine if they were paid by wins ...
Barb
Guest
Imagine if players were paid on performance!
Bosk
Roar Rookie
How many times have Geelong got out of jail this year? More than any other team. Good luck to them I guess, but their lack of class is likely to be shown up when the real stuff starts.
Gene Anderson-Conklin
Guest
Disagree, auction of one of the 3 forwards they'll get a mint for one. So many teams need a key forward.
Axle an the guru
Guest
I was good talking to you Radelaide,enjoy the rest of your wknd mate.
Axle an the guru
Guest
He would go well at Port i reckon
Radelaide
Guest
Cheers for the chat Ax and go the Power!!!
Daws
Guest
give him a minute will you, he's young
Radelaide
Guest
We could do with Mummy. (Putting hand up).
Axle an the guru
Guest
I think GWS need to offload a big bloke,they are a bit top heavy i reckon. I know you wont like this Gene but i would let Mumford go and turn one of those young big blokes,probly Boyd into the number one ruckman.
Radelaide
Guest
Not worth the money he's on.
Radelaide
Guest
Yeah but Geelong kicked badly early on, but GWS has some big one's up front. If it wasn't for the expansion teams Port would have Patton and Heppell but might not have Wingard.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Geelong were bloody lucky here.
Radelaide
Guest
and you can see he secretly likes stirring Mick up.
Casper
Guest
What was that kick by Scully from the middle of the ground with a minute to go. Woeful.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Mick dont like Stevens, he dose ask some stupid questions of Mick
Radelaide
Guest
Game over
Radelaide
Guest
He maybe listening on the radio due to having broken tv's because BT has upped the intensity.
Radelaide
Guest
Last night after a big win he had a go at a journo before he even sat down and then at the end when Mark Stevens asked a question he didn't like he just got up and left and glared at him on the way out, he says he is shy but I don't believe him because is so combative.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Hello Gene,your cats are very lucky GWS are missing shots but Boyd may change that