As we head into the 2016 finals series Cats Media will take a look at the storylines that make up the game and what it could mean for the result.
First time up
Sam Menegola and Tom Ruggles are two Cats playing in their first AFL final
No less than seven Cats will be potentially lining up in their first ever final on Friday night against the Hawks. Of those Cats who played in round 23, Rhys Stanley, Jake Kolodjashnij, Zac Smith, Josh Cowan, Sam Menegola and Tom Ruggles have never played in an AFL final. Add to that Nakia Cockatoo who will be in the selectors minds for a spot in the side and that is a whole lot of excitement and nerves for those players. Lincoln McCarthy doesn’t make this list but he has the one final to his name. For the Hawks, Ryan Burton, Jack Fitzpatrick, Marc Pittonet and James Sicily are those without AFL finals experience.
Lazarus rises
Josh Cowan may have thought playing in a final was impossible at stages
Ask any Cats fan or sports science expert in 2013 or 2014 whether they thought Daniel Menzel or Josh Cowan would be playing finals football in 2016 and you may have got a strange look. But internally at the Cats, even at the most desperate and low points for the two players across the period of 2011 to 2015, the faith remained that both had the attitude and ability to make a difference. But it may have even been beyond the Cats best case scenario that BOTH would be playing in the qualifying final of 2016. Menzel and Cowan are both unique talents and personalities who will look to use the finals series to not only reward themselves but the fans and the club who supported them the whole way.
Depth charge
Nakia Cockatoo and Shane Kersten are two Cats who could be called upon
The biggest difference for this finals series compared to those since 2011 may be the depth the Cats currently possess. The Cats used 33 players across the home and away rounds in 2016. Tomorrow night may see Cory Gregson as the only player who won’t be available for selection the played AFL football this season. This extended squad to pick from provides the Cats with a multitude of options coming up against different oppositions at different grounds. But it also provides the Cats with 10 players who have shown they are good enough to cut the mustard at the highest level but will be watching on from the sidelines.
Sink or swim
Jimmy Bartel loves wet conditions
The rains are here. Expect to hear that muttered a few times at the MCG on Friday night. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast up to 50mm of rain for Melbourne tomorrow including heavy showers predicted from 3pm onwards. So what does this mean for the game? Well the MCG is a marvel of water draining capabilities. Whilst it may seem like a lot of rain, our national treasure will have no problems draining it out to the Yarra and keeping a fairly good surface for playing. But it will be slippery and hard to read. So will that help the Cats who have reversed their contested ball winning ability this year from previous seasons against a Hawthorn side that ranks 18th for contest possession differential? Or perhaps the Hawks fleet of foot forwards will prefer the ball hitting the ground more often than not? But perhaps the person with the biggest smile on their face will be Jimmy Bartel. As Wayne Carey said this week, Bartel is the modern game’s greatest wet weather player. Not a bad compliment about our mudlark.
The rock of Gee-bralter
Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan have been resolute in defence this year
Now for all the talk about Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood’s one-two combo in the middle or Tom Hawkins’ contested marking ability up forward, the most reliable part of the Cats team this year has been the backline. Statistically we had second best average score against in the AFL and only twice in 2016 did the Cats have over 100 points kicked against them. Andrew Mackie, Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor have a combined nine premiership medals between them and are ably assisted by youngsters Jake Kolodjashnij and Tom Ruggles. The wildcard is Lachie Henderson who has had a career best season down back for the Cats but as we saw in round 22 he can also float forward. If Henderson plays Friday night and in what role will be fascinating.
