As it stands on the eve of Round 17 Geelong currently sits two points outside of the top eight, but will only need to wait a matter of hours to see whether they’re back in if the result falls the right way this Sunday at GMHBA Stadium.
The Cats take on North Melbourne and a win will see them leapfrog either Adelaide or Essendon, currently 7th and 8th respectively, depending on who wins the 3.20 clash at Marvel Stadium.
Both the Crows and the Bombers are locked on 8 wins, with Geelong seven wins and a draw, meaning that if the Cats can take down the Roos who have won just twice at GMHBA Stadium in the last 16 years, they’ll be back in the eight with seven matches to go.
Sunday’s fixture kicks off a favourable home run for the reigning premiers who have 5 of their last eight at Kardinia Park, and travel interstate just the one time: to the Gabba in Round 19.
The run home also includes games at the MCG and Marvel against finals contenders Collingwood and St.Kilda respectively.
The Cats also face the Bombers, Brisbane, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, all of whom sit above them on the ladder going into Round 17, with a date with the 11th placed Dockers on the schedule as well.
Zach Tuohy, who will break Jim Stynes’ record this week for the most games played by an Irish player said that as much as the Cats like playing in Geelong, they’re not relying on the home-heavy run.
“Playing in Geelong is obviously something we love we’ve got a pretty good record down here,” he said.
“For me personally as a player, obviously travelling is more difficult, home advantage is an advantage in every sport in the world and there must be a reason for it, so it is nice to have games here in Geelong, but we’re not really relying on that, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be able to get teams down here where historically they’ve struggled.”
The Run Home
North Melbourne, GMHBA, Sunday July 9, 1.10pm
Essendon, GMHBA, Saturday July 15, 7.25pm
Brisbane, GABBA, Saturday, July 22, 4.35pm
Fremantle, GMHBA, Saturday, July 29, 1.45pm
Port Adelaide, GMHBA, Saturday, August 5, 7.25pm
Collingwood, MCG, Friday, August 11, 7.50pm
St.Kilda, Marvel, Saturday, August 19, 7.25pm
Western Bulldogs, GMHBA, TBC
