The Cats head to Hobart this Saturday for a clash with North Melbourne, looking to bounce back after last week’s loss to the Bulldogs.  

Geelong sit in sixth position, but remain just four points off second place on a jampacked ladder with just five home and away season games left.  

The Cats will be hoping to kickstart their run home with a win this weekend against the Kangaroos, with games against Adelaide (GMHBA Stadium), Fremantle (Optus Stadium), St Kilda (Marvel Stadium) and West Coast (GMHBA Stadium) remaining after this week.  

North Melbourne remain in 17th position on the ladder, but their form has been significantly better in recent weeks taking it right up to a number at the top of the ladder.  

Since their bye, the Kangaroos have won two of their last seven games, while losing one game by more than three goals despite playing teams like Carlton, Collingwood and Melbourne.  

Ladder   

Geelong: 6th (11-7)  
  
North Melbourne: 17th (2-16) 

Points For  

Geelong – 1638 
  
North Melbourne - 1278 

Points Against  

Geelong – 1533 
  
North Melbourne - 1957 

Controlling the Football 

In recent weeks North Melbourne has been able to possess the football more, winning the disposal count in five of their last seven matches.  

They average 50 more disposals than their opposition in those five games, which also includes their two wins for the season, by comparison they only won the possession count in two of their opening eight games this year.  

Uncontested possessions have been a big factor in their gameplan, so Geelong will need to get their hands on the football first to get the match on their terms early.  

Winning the Clearance Battle 

The Kangaroos have some impressive young midfielders, like Luke Davies-Uniacke, George Wardlaw and Harry Sheezel who have helped them to gain ascendancy through the midfield over the past two months.  

North Melbourne has won the clearance count in five of their last seven games, including their most recent encounter with Carlton who are widely regarded as one of the competition’s best midfields.  

The Cats finished last week’s clash with the Bulldogs level in clearance numbers but allowed the Dogs midfielders to get busy around stoppages including Ed Richards (nine clearances), Marcus Bontempelli (eight) and Tom Liberatore (Seven).  

Restricting Harry Sheezel 

One of the most talented young players in the league, Harry Sheezel has been in scintillating form since moving from half back to the midfield.  

Sheezel is averaging 30 disposals per game this year, and has been dangerous up forward kicking 10 goals in his last eight matches.  

The young gun is coming off a 35 disposal and two goal performance against Carlton last week, so the Cats will need to keep an eye on him this Saturday.