1. You don’t have to watch the Hawks unfurl their premiership flag
It’s our home game, so there’ll be no nonsense of that sort!
2. The game has changed
We might have lost our last four matches against the Hawks, but they’ve lost some key players to injury and retirement (think Brian Lake, David Hale, Jarryd Roughead and Liam Shiels) while we’ve added some quality talent to our team. We think the game has changed in our favour.
WATCH: The Game Has Changed promo video
3. The atmosphere should be brilliant
Some very large crowds have packed into the MCG for our recent Easter Monday clashes with the Hawks. More than 76,000 turned up in 2013, then 80,222 was the attendance in 2014. Last season the crowd topped 73,000, so expect another huge attendance this time around.
4. Joel Selwood is ready to roll
Our fearless skipper was grounded by a foot injury during the early part of the pre-season. But the surgery he had to fix the problem has done the trick. After a dominant display in the VFL practice match against Richmond, Selwood looks to have timed his run towards round one to perfection.
5. Our backline is back in form
Our defenders had a shaky first outing under new backline coach Matthew Scarlett, conceding 131 points, including 11 goals in the third quarter, against Collingwood in our NAB Challenge opener. But they tightened things up after that, conceding just 24 points against Essendon in Shepparton and then holding Fremantle to 84 points at Domain Stadium.
6. But we should see some attacking football
Cats coach Chris Scott has conducted a number of media interviews in recent days and he has been talking up the style of footy his team is aiming to play this season. “I think there is a genuine appetite – amongst the coaches in particular – to heed the advice of Gill McLachlan which is to keep playing attacking, attractive football,” Scott said on MMM on Monday morning. He backed up those comments on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 program on Monday night, saying there is an “obligation” for the players and coaches to put on a good show.
7. Cameron Guthrie is primed to put on another great show
Guthrie was outstanding in our most recent meeting with the Hawks, a Saturday night clash at the MCG in round 20 last season. That night he not only tallied 30 disposals, he also kicked three great goals. However, the Hawks prevailed by 36 points.
RECAP: The match report from our most recent game against Hawthorn
8. Our new-look rucking set-up is set to fire
The ruck has been a troublesome position for the Cats in recent times, but Zac Smith has made a massive difference to that area since joining Geelong from Gold Coast during last year’s trade period. Smith was a sensational performer during the NAB Challenge, figuring among our best players in each of our matches. He looks set to form a very potent combination with Rhys Stanley, Mark Blicavs and Nathan Vardy.
9. Patrick Dangerfield is playing for the Cats
You didn’t really think we’d forgotten him, did you? We are bursting at the seams to see Paddy play his first premiership season game in the hoops. And if his performances during the pre-season are any guide, he’ll most certainly hit the ground running.
10. The Selwood-Dangerfield midfield combination
Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield have hardly been able to train together, let alone play a game together, since Paddy made his big move to the Cats. But we’re certain that they’ll find plenty of ways to form a dynamic duo against the Hawks.
