Round 19 - 7:40PM, Saturday, August 2 @ Etihad Stadium
The 2014 season has been the most evenly contested in the AFL era, with 10 clubs still in genuine contention for a place in the finals. Geelong is one of three sides with equal number of premiership points at the top of the ladder and they have just four more wins than the team sitting 10th. The weeks rest during the split round has given every side a chance to reflect on the season to date and regroup for a charge at the finals. The Cats find themselves sharing top spot without playing their best football. They have struggled all year to put together a complete, four quarter performance and have been exposed by the competition’s best sides. However, Geelong remain in contention for a top two spot because they have consistently found ways to win close matches. In contrast, the Kangaroos have been consistently inconsistent. 2013 was a year of near misses for North Melbourne, losing 10 games by less than three goals. This year they have continued to tease the football public with glimpses of greatness. Two weeks after dominating the reigning premiers, North Melbourne jeopardised their place in the eight with an insipid performance against Carlton. The Kangaroos are capable of violent fluctuations in form, but they are yet to lose consecutive games this season. Geelong have also avoided losing back-to-back matches and will retain the record exclusively if they issue North Melbourne their second defeat in as many weeks.
KEY MATCH-UP
MATHEW STOKES vs BRENT HARVEY
Mathew Stokes was the most improved player in the AFL last year, averaging 26.4 disposals per game as a permanent onballer, compared to 15.5 as a forward in 2012. Not only did he display a remarkable ability to win the ball, he reached elite levels for disposal effectiveness and decision making. Stokes finished the season as the 5th best midfielder for total score involvements and was 4th in the AFL for possession retention. His form this year has confirmed that 2013 was not just a rejuvenation, but a complete reinvention. Stokes is averaging more than 26 possessions again this year, placing him in the top 20 across the league and second behind Steve Johnson at Geelong. He has collected 20 or more disposal in every game this year, with the exception of the loss to Gold Coast in round 14 in which he was injured early in the match. Stokes missed the next month of football but returned with 28 possessions against the Giants and appears set to continue his ball winning ways.
Brent Harvey is a football freak, defying the ageing process and delivering consistent, high quality performances. In his 19th season Harvey remains the number one ball winner for the Kangaroos, averaging 26.1 possessions per game. Like Stokes, he is a beautiful ball user and regularly contributes to the scoreboard. He was the top ranked player last year for retaining possession, especially when kicking into forward the 50. Harvey found a teammate with 67% of is forward 50 entries, 9% more than any other player. The Kangaroos unpredictable form has drawn criticism throughout the season and Harvey as not been immune, labelled a selfish, one-way footballer. Every player, even ones with the intimidating record of Brent Harvey, will have their doubters. While the defensive aspects of his game may not be elite, his ability to punish opposing team with his outside run in undoubtable. The emerging North Melbourne midfield are a contested bunch and largely one paced. Harvey is the perfect complement to their inside grunt and at 36 years of age he is still capable of carving up the Cats if left unguarded.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Geelong 16.15 (111)
Nth Melbourne 13.13 (91)
North Melbourne were the pioneers of Friday night football and a fitting opponent for the first ever Friday night match at Kardinia Park. They kicked the first and last goal of the opening term, but conceded five majors to home side in between. The Cats kicked another five in the second quarter to take a 35 point lead into half time. The Kangaroos lessened the deficit over the third term, but back-to-back goals from man of the match Jimmy Bartel at the start of the final quarter gave the Cats a 41 point lead. North Melbourne finished the match strongly and scored the next four goals to make the margin a flattering 20 points. Veteran Brent Harvey led the visitors with 33 possessions, while Jimmy Bartel accumulated 32 along with his scoreboard contribution.
DID YOU KNOW?
Brent Harvey sits 5th on the all-time games record with 379 appearances in 16 seasons. Most impressively, if he continues his current form 2014 will be the 10th consecutive year he has averaged more than 20 possessions per match.
