The VFL Cats head up the highway for an important clash with Box Hill on Sunday, as the ladder continues to tighten up with just six games to go before VFL finals.
Geelong returned to the winners list last week with a strong win over Sandringham, controlling the game for three quarters before withstanding a late surge by the Zebras to record a 15 point victory.
The Cats have won nine of their last 10 games, sitting in third position on the VFL ladder with a healthy percentage.
Box Hill by comparison are coming off a loss to Port Melbourne last week, sitting in sixth position on the ladder and just one win behind Geelong.
4️⃣ changes have been made for our clash against Box Hill 👊
— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) July 5, 2024
Team Selection 📖: https://t.co/a8T9IY8B9n#WeAreGeelong | @bendigobank pic.twitter.com/xOioN9OXYj
Match Details
Geelong v Box Hill
2.05pm Sunday 7 July
Box Hill City Oval, Box Hill
Ladder
Geelong: 3rd (9-3)
Box Hill: 6th (8-4)
Points For
Geelong – 1084
Box Hill - 1048
Points Against
Geelong – 828
Box Hill – 835
What it Means
The Cats will look to record back to back wins, following their win over Sandringham last week.
Geelong are just one win behind Werribee in top spot on the ladder, with just six games remaining.
The run home includes four games against teams sitting 10th or lower on the VFL ladder, so a win this week can set Geelong up for a favourable stretch heading into the finals.
Last Time We Met
Geelong and Box Hill faced off earlier this season in round two, with the Hawks staging a big final quarter comeback to record a 34 point victory.
The Cats controlled the game up until three quarter time, leading by 12 points at the final break before Box Hill piled on eight goals to one in the last term to runaway with the win.
Lawson Humphries topped the stat sheet with 24 disposals, Mitch Hardie won a team high six clearances while Tobyn Murray and Shannon Neale combined for seven goals.
The VFL Cats went on a nine game winning streak following this clash, setting up a fascinating match this weekend.
Team Selection
In: Jhye Clark, Mark O’Connor, Oscar Murdoch, Joe Furphy
Out: Shaun Mannagh, Rhys Stanley, Jed Bews, Will Sheahan
Key Players
Ted Clohesy will be one to watch for Geelong supporters on Sunday, with the tough midfield/forward putting together an incredibly consistent season while spending more time through the midfield.
The emerging star has picked up over 20 disposals in each of his last nine matches, while also averaging seven tackles and a goal per game.
Mitch Hardie was strong again last week picking up 33 disposals, with the on-baller currently sitting third in the rebel Coaches MVP Award through 14 rounds.
Broadcast
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons are also live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.