The opening match of Round 9 sees the Geelong Cats host the reigning premiers Western Bulldogs for their first match of the year Kardinia Park. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm AEST on Friday.
The test for both sides is neutral, as they will need to prove just how genuine they are in a very even competition.
In what some pundits are touting as ‘match of the round’, Geelong will play at home in front of a new grandstand – another stage of the redevelopment with a blockbuster crowd expected.
Geelong have lost three out the past four and will need a big response this week after a lacklustre performance against Essendon.
The Western Bulldogs have been going in second-gear all season, and though they sit inside the top eight, a loss here could see them bundled out by the end of the round.
There are changes for both sides, with two ins for the Cats and five for the Dogs.
– Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood return to the side as Rhy Stanley (knee) and George Horlin-Smth are out (omitted).
Selwood is likely to get a tagging job, much like he did last year, in order to support his brother, Joel, and Patrick Dangerfield after a sluggish game last week.
The Dogs welcome experience with back skipper Bob Murphy, Travis Cloke, Dale Morris, Mitch Wallis, and Tory Dickson.
Wallis plays his first game for the club since his sickening leg injury against St Kilda in July last year.
At their expense, the Dogs lose Matt Boyd (shoulder), Tom Liberatore, Fletcher Roberts, Zaine Cordy and Toby McLean (all omitted).
It’s a stark message by coach Luke Beveridge to the group with Liberatore being dropped.
Tackle counts have been the talking point for Geelong all week sitting in 16th in the rankings, as well as kicks per game (17th), however, they are still scoring well with a high handball count (4th) and hitting the scoreboard (3rd).
Likewise, for the Dogs, their talking points have been mostly based around a lack of ruckman (17th in hitouts), scoreboard accuracy (45%), but pride themselves on their tackle pressure (1st) and also in a running style game (3rd in handballs, 4th in disposals per game).
The Cats are known to use their ground as a fortress, and even more so against the Bulldogs, having won seven of eight matches there last season, and records before that.
Though geographically the Bulldogs are the next closest team in proximity to Kardinia Park, they don’t make use of that advantage compared to other teams.
The Bulldogs have not won at the ground since 2003 – 14 years ago. The Cats also lead the ledger in head-to-head records 100-55, and in more recent times, 13 of the past 14 matches.
But let’s not forget the ‘KFC Kickin’ for Chicken’ promotion that will be sure to set the crowd alight in the last quarter if a Bulldogs player has a set shot that goes out on the full.
Prediction
Cats by 15. They have had a big week of preparation and it’s now-or-never to show something significant to the AFL that they mean business this year.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm AEST Friday.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
To me Geelong is the only "real" team in Victoria because they are the only team that sought to maintain their traditional home ground. The other clubs have no real identity or relationship to the communities they supposedly represent. And Geelong are all the better off for it because they make more from 30k turning up in Geelong than 80k at the MCG. Imagine Collingwood playing 7 or 8 games at a similarly redeveloped Victoria Park. How fantastic.
Cat
Roar Guru
I can't wait to see how it will be once the final stage (Stage 5) is finished with the Ford stand and Ablett Terrace replaced. The issue is parking and vline are failing to keep up with increased capacity.
Hunter
Guest
Great game and what a stadium Kardinia park has developed into! The cats are going to be hard to beat down there for the remainder of the year.
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
I will let it slide this one time. But it is a first and final warning! ?
Mungbean
Guest
Actually, GEELONG haven't been throwing Gatorade this season or maybe even last as well. I think they made a stand that it was past it's due course, (not because they had new change rooms) and nipped in in the bud a while ago. (Like Selwood said, about respecting the cleaners who have to clean the mess up.) now that's a team with values! I could be wrong but I think even the commentators hadn't picked up on that one. I do love my Cats! Even though I'm watching from Japan! Go Cats!
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
Thanks @AdelaideDocker!
Cat
Roar Guru
While we disagree on how to 'fix' Brisbane, I'd love to see the Lion back contending. I was at the game so didn't get to see the post game interviews, I'll have to go look for it.
me too
Roar Rookie
Great game, Have to hand it to the Bullies - all their Friday nights have been good viewing. Well done Cats - too good, have the wood on the doggies but needed to bring their A game.
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
Joke's on me. The typo included 'fully'.
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
Cheers @Rick!
Freo As
Guest
Had constant problems trying to post and seeing others posts for like the whole last quarter.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Bulldogs deserve to be on the wrong end of some decisions.
Paul D
Roar Guru
We are Geelong...well done the Cats. You're probably my other favourite team along with Richmond, would love my Lions to have the culture your place has. Maybe it will after we go through a 44 year drought! Got to endure it to appreciate it. Just a really good game of football to watch. momentum shifts make for compelling viewing. Selwood there with a great post game interview too, gee he's mentally tough. Would have been a great test cricket captain if his talents lay elsewhere. murphy I think is on a bit of a victory lap mentally judging from that airy interview after a tough loss. Geelong willed themselves back into this game, the sort of performance that brings fans back through the gates and reminds them why they support the club. Top marks for the Cats, reminding everyone again that they have the best culture of anyone. Watching the song and the boys not allowed to do the gatorade shower on the rookie in the new rooms. Shoving him into the circle dry and shouting at him just made him feel uncomfortable. Obviously the Gatorade is the secret ingredient Paddy 3 votes 2,1 who cares, won't matter
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Dogs have such horrible offence. Ugly, scrappy team to watch. I said in the prediction thread they struggle to score more than 80 points against all but bottom feeder teams, the match is in Geelong, therefore the Bulldogs won't win. That was the case tonight. Another great prediction by me.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Will do — always good chatting. I may be a sore loser, but I'm a very gracious winner. :)
Scott Pryde
Expert
What's the problem?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call dude, you definitely picked a great game to commentate!
Freo As
Guest
Fix your engine Roar.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
That was a phenomenal game, and a great performance from your mob. Have a fantastic weekend, Rick. Hope to chat with you again sometime this round!
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining The Roar tonight. 36 disposals and 4 goals for Dangerfield, 28 touches to Caleb Daniel while the Dogs had 5 multiple goalkickers. Mitch Duncan and Joel Selwood had 17 tackles each. Huge. Stay tuned for the post-match wrap up.