Tonight the North Melbourne Kangaroos meet the Geelong Cats in a game that will go a long way to deciding the top four. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEST).
As the AFL season heads towards its epic conclusion a spot in the top four is priority if a side is going to have a serious tilt come September.
While Geelong has won seven of its past nine games the last time it defeated a side in the top eight was in Round 10 when they faced the Kangaroos.
The key to that game was Tom Hawkins who kicked four goals and was at his destructive best; James Kelly and Jimmy Bartel also starred with 33 and 32 possessions respectively. Brent Harvey was North’s best with 33 touches.
The Kangaroos continue a season much like last year where they were brilliant against sides that were challenging for the premiership, but then provided their fans with nightmares when they fronted up to poor sides.
If they bring their best tonight they will be too strong for the Cats who have been getting wins without being brilliant.
They are currently going through a heavy training period which should see the side hit their peak in September, but the training has been clearly affecting their performance with the Cats just scraping home last time out against the Giants.
Since 2012 the matches between these two sides have been gripping encounters, with the largest margin between the two sides being Geelong’s victory of 20 points in Round 10 this year.
Aaron Black, Ryan Bastinac and Leigh Adams are all out of form and could be dropped by Coach Brad Scott this week. Brad McKenzie, Aaron Mullett and Liam Anthony have been pushing for selection in their most recent games in the VFL, while Trent Dumont and Mason Wood continue to push for their AFL debuts.
For the Cats, Ruckman Mark Blicavs and midfielder Allen Christensen are in line to be welcomed back into the 22. Jed Bews could also be an inclusion after a best on ground performance in the VFL.
Prediction
I’m backing the Kangaroos here, they copped a blasting following their loss to the Blues and I think their form against the better sides this year warrants respect.
Kangaroos by 10.
Barb
Guest
When and if the Cats realise they must defend all over the ground they will be dangerous.
Gene Anderson-Conklin
Guest
Duncan, Christensen, Motlop, Caddy ... Good to see the next generation doing the major work. So much for that reliance on the oldies. Gratz to Pops on 250. With tonight's win Geelong now has the best 200 consecutive games record in VFA/VFL/AFL history.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Well that's all from me tonight my best are: 3. Duncan 2. Selwood 1. Christensen
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Disposal winners: Roos: 25 Greenwood, 22 Gibson, 21 Jacobs, 21 Bastinac Cats: 29 Christensen, 29 Selwood, 24 Duncan, 23 Stokes Goals: Roos: 3 Thomas, 2 Black, Dal Santo, Petrie, Harvey, Daw, Greenwood Cats: 3 Hawkins, 3 Duncan, 2 Caddy, 2 Motlop, Kersten, Christensen, Taylor, Selwood, Bartel, Lonergan Roos 10.19.79 vs. Cats 16.15.111
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time The Cats complete a comprehensive victory and Chris Scott continues his recent dominance over his twin brother Brad who is left to wonder where it all went wrong after such a brilliant start. James Kelly can celebrate his 250th with a win and perhaps later in the year another shot at a premiership? Meanwhile the Kangaroos will have to hit the drawing board as performances like that will see them eliminated early in September. Roos 10.19.79 vs. Cats 16.15.111
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 0:16 remaining Lonergan now runs into an open goal and ices the game, it's been a big victory for the Cats. They are the real deal. Roos 10.19.79 vs. Cats 16.15.111
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 0:56 remaining Daw now drops an easy mark in the square and it rolls into the post. When it's not your night stuff like that happens! Roos 10.19.79 vs. Cats 15.15.105
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 1:52 remaining Thomas now a tad selfish kicks it out on the full when he had a man inside. All the flash and shine of this game is gone as Harvey finds Adams just inside 50 and he goes back to Harvey directly in front. He winds up and going for distance he hooks it to complete his dirty night. Roos 10.18.78 vs. Cats 15.15.105
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 3:12 remaining Now one rushed through the Cats goal, this game has entered junk time. Roos 10.17.77 vs. Cats 15.15.105
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 3:58 remaining Black now takes a mark just inside 50, this is a beautiful kick and he drills the goals. Roos 10.17.77 vs. Cats 15.14.104
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 4:35 remaining He hangs it to the right, the goal kicking in this game has left a lot to be desired. Roos 9.17.71 vs. Cats 15.14.104
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 5:34 remaining Bartel takes an intercept mark but drags it across the face. Mackie with a great kick now finds Hawkins who looks a monster down forward. Roos 9.17.71 vs. Cats 15.13.103
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 6:41 remaining Selwood kicks long to an open goal square and Thompson gets back and sends an errant handpass over in the pocket. Roos 9.17.71 vs. Cats 15.12.102
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 7:03 remaining Hawkins now gives away the free kick, Thomas turns Kelly inside out and kicks truly with a nice snap. Roos 9.17.71 vs. Cats 15.12.102
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 8:11 remaining Poor shot that goes to the left. Roos 8.17.65 vs. Cats 15.12.102
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 8:44 remaining Poor kick again by the Roos, absolutely dismal foot skills, they're lucky as Johnson doesn't hurt them on the counter. McDonald does well and the Roos work it forward but Bastinac gets smashed inside 50. Thompson takes a goo saving mark down the other end and the Roos are away. Poor kick coming inside again, but Dal Santo does well and finds Black inside 50. Roos 8.16.64 vs. Cats 15.12.102
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 10:40 remaining Ziebell does some good work and Thomas is drilled by Rivers and it'll be held up 70 from the Cats goal., the Roos now with some composure find some rare space and Greenwood looks for Ziebell. It falls to Wright who has a shot and hits the post. Roos 8.16.64 vs. Cats 15.12.102
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 12:10 Now Johnson kicks forward and finds Bartel, I'll say it now the Roos can be so brilliant but god help their supporters in September because they are absolutely the most inconsistent footballers in the world. Bartel kicks the goal and the Cats are now out to 39 points, this is quite ridiculous. Cats irresistable but again the Roos just poor, Harvey absolutely non-existent tonight. Roos 8.15.63 vs. Cats 15.12.102
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 13:20 Swallow with some clever work kicks forward but Kelly takes a strong mark inside defensive 50. Roos 8.15.63 vs. Cats 14.12.96
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Q4 - 13:45 Horlin-Smith to Selwood who kicks long, but Hawkins is penalised for the push out. The Roos now need to throw it on the line if they want to win this and playing chip around footy isn't going to do it and some picky kicking at half back is a nightmare, to top it off a lackadaisical effort from Hansen and Hawkins now marks 10 metres out thanks to Motlop. He drills it and the Roos are dead and buried. Roos 8.15.63 vs. Cats 14.12.96