Is this the week?

It’s the third week in a row we’ve used the new ball on the Cats’ ruck structure, and after Saturday it’s likely we’ll get reward for our effort.

Zac Smith has been unsighted at AFL level across the first two rounds of the season, but after a 25 disposal, 48 hit-out performance in the most recent VFL practice match, he’s right back in the frame.

The Cats sit 14^th in the competition for total and average clearances while Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs have combined for just 41 hit-outs across the opening two rounds.

At times last week, Geelong opted to go without a ruckman against North Melbourne and instead use the extra player at ground level. It was certainly an innovative tactic, but more so highlighted the Cats’ willingness to disregard the ruck contest all together.

That’s all well and good against a second-game ruckman in Braydon Preuss, but that won’t fly against the AFL’s no.1 in Max Gawn.

So again we ask, can you play Smith, Stanley and Blicavs in the same team in 2017?

“I think we can based on what we did last year, in what was a pretty successful home and away season,” Chris Scott told the media on Wednesday.

“They virtually played every week together. I don’t think that would be an experiment for us.” 

Check back next week for the answer. Or the week after.

Will we see Zac Smith join Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley against Demon Max Gawn? (AFL Photos)

So you’ve lost Lewis and Hogan…

What do the Demons lose with the suspensions of Jordan Lewis and Jesse Hogan?

The obvious answer, in the case of Lewis, is leadership and an average 24 disposals per game. With Hogan, it’s kicking a winning score without the average nine marks, 1.5 goals per game and overall structure your best key forward provides you.

But what do the Demons gain? Unpredictability.

We saw it last week with North Melbourne losing Jarrad Waite and responding via 12 individual goal kickers, three of which kicked two or more. 

You can’t ignore the Hogan-sized hole inside forward 50, but the Dees do at least boast improved midfield depth. Melbourne has also all but shaken their ‘easy beat’ tag of the last decade, with the football public sharing the opinion it’s their time to make finals.

Yes, the Demons may have the backs to the wall thanks to the ill discipline of their two stars, but beware the wounded dog.

Melbourne key forward Jesse Hogan will miss Saturday's clash with Geelong through suspension. (AFL Photos) 

Here's your chance

What an unlucky break for George Horlin-Smith. Pun intended — unfortunately.

In the very same final quarter contest, the Cats’ midfielder won a free kick and suffered a compound fracture of his thumb. The fact he then had the composure to step up and kick the match-winning goal is now even more impressive, but the reality is the 24-year-old finds himself out of the side just as he was beginning to cement himself within it.

And so the opportunity presents itself to another midfielder, with Sam Menegola hard to look past.

From round 18 onwards last year, Menegola did not look out of place at AFL level, averaging 24 disposals across his eight games. The emergence of Horlin-Smith has arguably kept the West Australian out of the team, but given he collected 35 disposals in the most recent VFL practice match, he is a live option for the Cats.

Of course, none of that could matter if the match committee and medical staff render Cameron Guthrie fit to play.

George Horlin-Smith has undergone surgery to repair a compound fracture in his thumb. (AFL Photos)