A rejuvenated Geelong Cats host the Melbourne Demons at Simonds Stadium. The Cats want another win to keep in contact with the final eight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20PM AEST.
Sunday’s game will be a celebration for one of the Cats greatest in Corey Enright. “Boris” as he is affectionately known will play his 300th game and is only the third to do so at the Cats. The township of Geelong has been whipped up into a “Boris” frenzy by the local media and it should generate a big occasion for the Cats to perform and win for one of their well loved teammates.
Last time these two teams met at Simonds Stadium was in 2013 and the Cats won easily by 68 points. The Cats have been near impossible to beat on their home ground and Sunday won’t be any different.
The Cats are in good form and have surprised some in how well they are going and that they are in contention for another finals appearance. Their key players start with Enright in defence who has been in career best form of late and with Harry Taylor, they are both a constant headache for the opposition with their intercept marking and counter attacking play.
The Cats are well lead by Joel Selwood who is as hard as they come and the constant question each week is how long it will take him to have his head bandaged up from a blood wound as he is continually putting his body in where others fear to go.
Mark Blicavs has been a revelation this year and is causing another rule review. He is way out in front with the third man up at ball ups and is creating great drive from clearances for the Cats.
The Demons haven’t beaten the Cats since 2006. This is another drought that is set to continue. Last week the Demons nearly broke a similar losing streak against the Saints only to let slip their lead in the final 40 seconds.
Their best player this year has been young Tom McDonald in defence and he will be in for another long afternoon against the likes of Tom Hawkins.
The Demons don’t know how to win and lack leadership all over the ground. Their coach Paul Roos is under unusual pressure to get them to perform at a higher level consistently. Alas I don’t think this week will be any different to previous rounds.
Prediction
The Cats to win by 40 points in a festive atmosphere on Sunday afternoon.
Will the Cats commemorate Corey Enright’s milestone in the right style or will the Demons reign on his parade?
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Putting Geelong's dominance into context, before this season the Cats had won 56 of their 60 games at Simonds Stadium between 2007 and 2014 for an overall success rate of 93 per cent.
Avatar
Roar Guru
And Mick Malthouse....
WhereIsGene
Guest
Geelong supporters walking out during the 4th quarter rather than hang around to cheer off Enright in his 300th. Evidently bating the traffic was more important than rewarding one of the club's greatest ever defenders from its' greatest ever era.
Daws
Guest
What is going on with milestone games this year? Fletcher, Johnson, Enright...
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW Melbourne Demons 18.5.113 def Geelong Cats 13.11.89 Major Goals Demons ; Garlett 4 Neal-Bullen 3 M Jones , Howe, Vince 2 Major Goals Cats ; Johnson, Hawkins, Lang, Motlop, Kersten 2 Best Demons ; Vince, Gawn, N. Jones, Dunn. Best Cats ; Blicavs, Motlop Who saw that happening? The Demons went to Geelong with a well coached plan to play man on man and have come away with the upset of the year. A disappointing result for Corey Enright in his 300th game. They stunned the Cats by kicking 5 in a row in the first quarter and from there they were good enough to withstand any comeback that the Cats produced. At no stage were the Cats allowed to put a loose man behind the ball and the Demons continually scored on the counter attack from deep in their defence. For the Demons to run away in the last quarter and kick 5 goals to 2 shows a real determination to finally win after last weeks heartbreak at the end of the game. Bernie Vince was BOG and is fast becoming the best midfielder in the competition this year. Max Gawn had a break out game. His size caused big problems for the much talked about ruck combinations for the Cats. Nat Jones won the clash of inspirational leaders as Selwood was well held early by Viney. Lynden Dunn did a man size job on Tom Hawkins and was very important in keeping the Cats to a losing score. The Cats Mark Blicavs still provided plenty of disposals despite Gawn's efforts and Stevie Motlop was on top of his game from the very start. The Cats have let one slip and it won't help them in making the finals again this year. Whilst the Demons head to the bye energised knowing they are heading in the right direction with their development. Corey Enright was sat on by Matt Jones and his drive was curtailed. Jones also managed two goals. This produced a disappointing day for "Boris" and the large crowd who had come to celebrate him. Overall a well thought out plan from the Demons that was executed to perfection. All kudos goes to them.
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Roar Guru
What a massive result for the Demons. Honestly didn't see this coming, I had predicted the Cats would win by 65 in my roundly preview but it wasn't to be. For the Dees, it easily eclipses their win over Adelaide at the Oval last year when they got up by three points.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GAME OVER The Demons win by 24.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
It's a grand old flag is about to ring out in Geelong. CATS……… 13.11.89 DEMONS…. 18.5.113 Q4 1'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Demons by 24 CATS……… 13.11.89 DEMONS…. 18.5.113 Q4 3'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS The Demons are doing enough to hold on. Garlett has four. CATS……… 13.10.88 DEMONS…. 18.5.113 Q4 5'
Mark
Guest
In the match preview it says the Cats have been near impossible to beat at Skilled. I assume this is against Melbourne specifically as they have lost 2 of 3 this year and the win was a lucky won against Gold Coast.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL CATS Just hold on. Selwood goes all the way from the centre bounce. CATS……… 13.9.87 DEMONS…. 17.5.107 Q4 7′
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL CATS Kersten gets one back but it is all too late. CATS……… 12.9.81 DEMONS…. 17.5.107 Q4 7'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS The Demons have got this won. Brilliant goal from fifty on his left by Vince. CATS……… 11.9.75 DEMONS…. 17.5.107 Q4 8'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Demons hanging on. Time the enemy for the Cats. CATS……… 11.8.74 DEMONS…. 16.4.100 Q4 10'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS Billy Stretch marks in front and goals. Demons by 27. CATS……… 11.7.73 DEMONS…. 16.4.100 Q4 14'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
SUB DEMONS Toumpas off Riley On
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS Howe kicks his second and the Demons by 22...WOW!!! CATS……… 11.6.72 DEMONS…. 15.4.94 Q4 16'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS Nat Jones brilliant goal with strength and what a start by the Demons. CATS……… 11.5.71 DEMONS…. 14.4.88 Q4 19'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
3 QTR TIME Demons 13.4.82 lead Cats 11.5.71 Major Goals; Demons; Garlett,Neal- Bullen 3 M Jones 2 Cats; Johnson, Hawkins, Lang, Motlop 2 The Demons refuse to surrender. Lead by Gawn and Vince they may be able to cause a huge boilover. The Cats Are trying to keep the supporters happy. Motlop and Lang are their best.