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The Geelong Cats have closed their home-and-away season with a brutal thumping of Melbourne, winning by 111 points at Simonds Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Geelong 24.11.155
Melbourne 6.8.44
One week out from finals and still one more hurdle for the September-bound Geelong Cats; toppling their old rival the Melbourne Demons at Simonds Stadium. Join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) for all the action.
Last time these two sides met, at Kardinia Park, the end result was a famous win to Melbourne, spoiling Corey Enright’s 300th game, marking the Demons’ rise back to relevance.
It was also the day Max Gawn arrived on the scene, with a dominant, best-on-ground display.
However, this Geelong team is very different to the one that walked out on that day last year, as are the circumstances.
Unlike last time, the Cats are right in the hunt for the premiership, and need to win this final game to guarantee their spot in the top four. If they don’t, they face the possible prospect of finishing fifth; and we all know that you don’t win the flag from there – at least not in the last 20 years (almost).
Melbourne’s very slim final chances were dealt dispatched last week in a disappointing loss to Carlton, but the up-and-coming side are looking to cap off a positive season with another huge scalp at one of footy’s toughest venues.
Steven Motlop returned to form superbly against the Lions, kicking five goals in a best-on-ground showing after some sub-par performances in weeks prior. If the young star can have another big match and take that sort of form into September, the Cats’ chances of making it to the big dance increase greatly.
The Cats have dropped Shane Kersten and Darcy Lang for this clash, and have lost Scott Selwood and Lachie Henderson to injury. Coming into the side at a pivotal time is Jed Bews, Josh Caddy, Jimmy Bartel and Daniel Menzel.
The Demons have made three changes at the selection table, omitting Clayton Oliver, Viv Michie and Alex Neal-Bullen, bringing in Jeff Garlett, James Harmes and Christian Salem.
Prediction
If the hometown favourites are the real deal, they’ll notch up a big win in front of the Geelong faithful, but a Demons side featuring hard-nosed stars such as Jack Viney and Nathan Jones will certainly not make it easy, especially now that the grand old flag has had a bit of pride restored.
Still, at such a crunch time, you’d expect the Cats to be too strong.
Geelong by 29.
Join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) for all the action.
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