The final two games of Round 14 feature a vital game between the dominant Cats, who have lost only one game this year, and the improving Port Adelaide, out to secure a finals berth, as well as a rematch between the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood.
Since their Round 4 loss to Greater Western Sydney by four points, Geelong has taken all before them, winning eight games straight. So they are they due for a slip-up, or can they continue that form all the way to the finals and beyond?
There is no doubt that they are a super team with an extraordinary amount of talent. They also have a strong list with depth across all areas. It is hard to see how they can be beaten unless they suffer a number of game-ending injuries that upsets their balance against a fired-up opponent.
Both Port Adelaide and Geelong will be close to full strength and the match will be played at Adelaide Oval in front of a partisan Power crowd. The opportunity to regain their place in the eight should be an extremely motivating for Port Adelaide, as a win would secure their playoff place on Saturday night, possibly as high as seventh.
A good start in the first quarter would see the crowd on side and provide them with extra momentum.
On the other hand, Geelong will be keen to celebrate the multiple game milestones that should fall on the night.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Harry Taylor will become the 17th Geelong player to reach 250 games, and Cameron Guthrie will become the 78th Cat to play 150.
Lachie Henderson – if he passes a fitness test – will play his 50th game for Geelong, having played 15 for Brisbane and 102 for Carlton previously.
In addition, Tom Hawkins will join current team-mates Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor in the Geelong top 20 game-players of all time when he draws level with two great former captains of the club, Reg Hickey and Michael Turner.
The Sunday game at Marvel Stadium between the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood will be the second meeting of these two sides this season.
In their April encounter in Round 4 at the MCG, the Bulldogs put in a huge third quarter to lead Collingwood at the final break but were overpowered in the last term to lose by 14 points.
In that game Jaidyn Stephenson kicked two goals, but his ban for the next ten weeks for gambling will see him sidelined until the finals and his speed around the forward line will be sorely missed.
Will it be enough to tip the tables in favour of the Bulldogs? Will the Collingwood players feel let down enough for the edge to be taken off their game, or if Dale Morris is able to return from injury to play for the Bulldogs, will that give his team-mates a lift?
If so, that may just be enough to change the result of this game, which I expect to be close.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Well GD can’t disagree with anything but yes it is Ok that the Cats keep winning.
Brendan
Guest
Harry Taylor what a star.Apparently played juniors with WC Josh Kennedy would have been a good side.Harry another mature age WA recruit for the Cats.Favourite memory him patting his head in the 09 flag after marking late in the last quarter.
Grand-Dag
Guest
Firstly - well done to Harry Taylor - another wonderful son of the West showing the Vics how to play footy. Secondly - I suppose it is OK to 'Wear your nark on your sleeve' - so here goes - it is far better for the competition for Geelong to win and sit on the top with heaps of wins rather than let the ratbag teams into the eight. Thirdly - Collingwood are only just going OK - dodgy losses, unconvincing wins and senior players well down on their best (Grundy excluded), spasmodic team cohesion and Eddie trying to resuscitate the Grand Final Footy Show all point to a fall from the top four. Their next six games will tell a story, all 50/50 prospects and just getting over the line in the last quarter does not auger well for September.