The reigning premiers will travel to Geelong on Sunday to take on the competition leaders in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the round.
The Cats will be relishing the chance to add another big scalp to their belts, while the Eagles have the opportunity to rebound from an unexpected loss to Port Adelaide last week.
West Coast’s record in Geelong is nothing short of woeful, having lost their past five matches in Cat territory by an average margin of ten goals. Their last win there came under John Worsfold in 2006 which, combined with a draw in 2003, are the only two occasions the Eagles haven’t lost in Geelong this century.
On the Game of Codes podcast, we asked Roar AFL Expert Ryan Buckland if Sunday’s clash could be considered the battle of the competition’s best midfields. Listen to the discussion in the player below to hear Buckland debate what it means to have the “best” midfield in the AFL – and why that won’t be the defining factor in this game.
Listen to the discussion:
Geelong’s star-studded midfield boasts the likes of Tim Kelly, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan and Luke Dahlhaus, with support from players like Gary Ablett who can rotate around the ground. It’s mixed news on the injury front for the Cats, with Brandan Parfitt ruled out for the match while Charlie Constable and Zach Tuohy are set to return.
For the Eagles, there’s no shortage of talent among a midfield comprising Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff, Elliot Yeo and Chris Masten, with electrifying forward Jack Petruccelle also able to play out of the centre. But the group will need to lift against the Cats after losing the contested possession count in every game so far in 2019.
West Coast will be without defender Tom Barrass, who suffered a stress-related foot injury against Port Adelaide.
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User
Roar Rookie
What does Rawlings birth state have to do with anything? That's ridiculous. And if your amazing Claremont product was such high quality Sydney would tandem with Sinclair would they not? Vardy was traded in to be a ruckman/fwd, he is currently out of form so is definitely the problem not the ruck stocks. Notice how good Hickey played today?
Klompy
Guest
Vardy is not the problem. Rawlings is not from WA. He could made sure that the club were going to have good Ruckmen young ones to fill and be the ruckmen for the Eagles. Vardy is a forward and not a ruckman. People have said this before. The name of the ruckman the Eagles could of drafted from Claremont his name escapes me went to Sydney Swans the same year Dean Cox went to Sydney as ruck Coach. He now being coach in Sydney when he still could be coached along with Tim English he in WA.
User
Roar Rookie
And these ruck where going to help in what way considering list demographic? And do you not actually think that the recruiting department isn’t in contact with English? Again ruck stocks are not the issue beyond vardy’s form, and Brady Rawlings and co are definitely more experienced in the management of the list so have no need to admit what is not an issue. The issues that have transpired in the two losses are not ruck based in any way beyond as I’ve said vardy’s form. Also you’re being dismissive of what Venables will develop into as he was who we took over English.
Klompy
Guest
There is the Problem. The Eagles know that Lycett would go back to SA soon. They had a chance to get tow up and Coming young Ruckmen in the draft. One to fill in for Nick Nait and the other to help out Lycett. They had a chance to draft Tim English but he went to Western Bulldogs. As well a young Ruckman from Claremont but went to Sydney Swans. We also lost Dean Cox our ruck coach to the swans as well. We do not have a ruckman helping out the forwards now and the opposition is taking and advance of the Eagles having no Ruckman pushing back to help the forwards. There is a problem but the Club has missed is chance to have two very good ruckmen to help out. I wish the club would admit to it that they have made a mistake and now paying for it big time.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I wish Nic Nat all the best but he turns 29 next week and worried his body isn’t up to the rigours of footy the way he plays.
User
Roar Rookie
Made sense list wise not to match what port had offered, Lycett is a very good ruck but not worth $700000+ per season especially when that would of put him in the contract range of Yeo, Shuey and gaff. Vardy's form has been the problem in wce ruck Dept not Lycett leaving as a free agent. Considering post bye we happen to get a bloke called natanui back and have plenty of talls who can second ruck until that point as Hickey aerobic capacity has always been massive, the ruck isn't actually a problem, analysis of those wait for it 2 losses will show what the problems have been, mainly disruption of ball movement and the lowest fwd 50 entries in the league meaning the 1st or 3nd lead option of our fwds are not being taken given opposition a huge time frame to push big numbers back.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They've certainly proven themselves...each of them. The 'taking the field bit', I had already stated. I do acknowledge that you don't dispute their quality. That's the main point. You can add Wells to Collingwood too.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It's pretty tricky to answer with high half forwards, high backs, defensive wings etc all forming part of a "midfield " . Pies still have to fit another inside mid back into the side in Brayden Sier and defensive wing Chris Mayne to return. Meanwhile Daniel Wells is starting to fire in the twos. Where can he fit in though in his last season?
Cat
Roar Guru
Part of being the best is actually taking the field and proving it.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo's is still the best...just haven't been on the field together in the past 3 years. The Freo midfield right now with Blakely, Stephen Hill and Harley Bennell on the horizon...serviced by Sandi, Darcy or Lobb...now that's a knife!
Klompy
Guest
Yes Peter know the club is paying the price for it.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Shouldn't have let Lycett go then?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Collingwood's much-vaunted midfield failed three times last year against the Eagles and Geelong although injury-ridden and fence-stricken couldn't go the distance in Round 3 last year.
klompy
Guest
I think the eagles have a very good midfield with Luke Shuey, Redden Gaff, Sheed Petruccelle, and Rioli. But I think the Ruck is the biggest problem for the Eagles notw. They have missed out on two good young Ruckmen from WA when Naitanui went down. I just can not understand why they did not push for a couple of Ruckmen in the draft then. I believe thedy missed out on two very good young ruckmen one from Claremont and one from South Fremantle I think?
User
Roar Rookie
Redden is a big out this weekend.
Scott
Guest
I’d replace Masten’s name with Redden’s when referring to west coast best midfield. With Rioli pinch hitting
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Geelong has better top-end talent. Pies, more depth. Which is better? Probably the Pies...just. Cats have a far superior defence. Pies slightly better in attack. Overall, probably Cats on neutral ground but the finals are not played on neutral ground so the Pies when it counts.
Brendan
Guest
Barrack for Geelong but Collingwoods mid field is IMO the best in the game.