Hey again Cats fans. For this week only we have given our Friday Forecast column a new name and have published it on a Wednesday. This is our only Thursday match for the season, so we'll be back to publishing this match preview each Friday from next week.
OPPONENT: Adelaide
VENUE: Simonds Stadium
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, March 12, 7.10pm AEDT
BROADCAST/TELECAST: Radio – K-Rock 95.5 and Crocmedia via regional relay stations; Television/Mobile/Tablet – Fox Footy or sign up for a Cats digital membership to get access to every game of the 2015 season, including the NAB Challenge (cost is $99 for new members or $60 as an add-on for existing members).
WEATHER FORECAST: possible shower, 20 degrees
FIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR ON THURSDAY NIGHT
1. JOEL SELWOOD BACK IN ACTION
The superstar midfielder, who was named captain for a fourth season on Monday, missed the Cats' NAB Challenge opener against Gold Coast after being held back by some slight knee soreness. But he is raring to go against the Crows. The four other members of Geelong's new Player Leadership Group, Harry Taylor (vice-captain), Tom Hawkins, Andrew Mackie and Corey Enright, will also line up against Adelaide on Thursday night.
2. GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH AND JARED RIVERS
These two players will also have their first hit-outs for the season against the Crows. Horlin-Smith missed the clash with the Suns after suffering some minor hip soreness, while Rivers was sidelined by knee soreness. But both of them have been up and about on the training track in the past week. Of the players who missed the Suns game and are also going to miss the match against the Crows, Steve Johnson (foot) and Rhys Stanley (leg bone bruising) are hopeful that they'll be right to line up in the Cats' final NAB Challenge game against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on March 22.
3. BIG MEN LOOKING TO PROVE THEMSELVES
Cats big man Dawson Simpson will come up against an Adelaide rucking set-up featuring experienced star Sam Jacobs and draftee Reilly O'Brien. Crows coach Phil Walsh said on Tuesday that O'Brien would be given the chance to carry most of the rucking load for his team, with Jacobs, who jarred the medial ligament in his knee in January but has been back in full training for a number of weeks, providing the back-up. O'Brien was a solid performer in Adelaide's first NAB Challenge game against North Melbourne, finishing with 14 hit-outs and eight disposals.
4. COREY ENRIGHT
The five-time All Australian's recent revelation that this is likely to be his last season in the AFL means he will play a maximum of only nine more matches at Simonds Stadium in his career. What a great reason for Cats fans to get along and see him in action on Thursday evening. The man known as 'Boris' has a footballing resume as impressive as just about anyone in the game's history. And after running some personal bests during the pre-season, he has proven he won't be quietly winding down his career. He will be a key player in the Cats' premiership push this season.
5. QUALITY SEATING
Club members can get into NAB Challenge matches for free, so bring along your Mighty Membership card and scan in at the gate. If you want to book a seat, reserved seating is available in the Premiership Stand, Brownlow Stand and lower tier of the Hickey Stand.
