In 2015, the Cats are thrilled to be partnering with fantasy experts footyprophet.com to bring you all the insight you need about AFL Fantasy and the Cats’ fantasy value. Stay tuned for a wealth of information from the experts as they help you to fantasy glory.
FORM & HISTORY
In the 1992 finals series, Geelong played West Coast twice, they lost twice. One of those games was the Grand Final. Those games started a rivalry between the two clubs. Geelong faced West Coast once more in the 1994 Grand Final, and were beaten to the tune of 80 points. The two sides didn't meet again in a finals series until the 2011 Preliminary Final. The stakes were high and Geelong exacted a small amount of revenge for what transpired in the past.
The rivalry is now all but forgotten, the match on Sunday afternoon will be a battle fought on the wide open wings of Domain Stadium by two young teams. If recent history determines the winner, Geelong will win by ten goals but if form is the key, the Eagles have them covered.
Provided Joel and Scott Selwood both play on Sunday afternoon, the Selwood brothers (all four of them) will move to fourth spot in VFL/AFL history for most games by a family of brothers. They will move ahead of Geelong's own Nankervis brothers.
THE LEAD UP
Sitting second on the ladder, the Eagles have lost but two games in 2015. Their forwards are firing, Josh Kennedy ($480,000 FWD) is leading the Coleman Medal race, and their young midfield is starting to gel. West Coast will miss young gun, Elliott Yeo ($479,000 DEF/MID) who has been suspended for one match.
Geelong have managed to even up the win-loss ledger following their win against Carlton and welcomed back from injury are senior players, Andrew Mackie ($433,000 DEF), Tom Hawkins ($339,000 FWD) and James Kelly (445,000 DEF/MID) last week.
KEY MATCH-UP
How Geelong handle the West Coast small forwards will go a long way to determining who will win in round nine. Josh Hill ($385,000 FWD) has 18 goals for the season while Jamie Cripps ($438,000 FWD) has 16, they have been able to shut down the opposition’s most aggressive defender and hit the scoreboard in the process. Jackson Thurlow ($388,000 DEF/MID) and Corey Enright ($486,000 DEF) will have to find a way to balance defense and attack against these potent forwards.
Who Joel Selwood ($529,000 MID) matches up against will be intriguing. In recent weeks Selwood has had his influence curtailed by taggers, most recently Ed Curnow and Ben McGlynn. If West Coast choose to tag the Geelong captain it could be his brother, Scott ($448,000 MID) who gets the job. If not, perhaps Joel lines up alongside reigning Brownlow Medallist, Matt Priddis ($586,000 MID). Either way the fans are in for a spectacular battle.
BOOM OR BUST
Steve Motlop
Steve Motlop ($477,000 FWD/MID) had two shadows last Friday night against Carlton, one his own and the other Dennis Armfield. He was held goalless by Armfield and kept to just 12 possessions. Although coach Chris Scott said post match that Steve Motlop, “played an important part in [the] team performance” the same can't be said for his performance for our AFL Fantasy sides. After a poor game, dropping $25,000 and with a breakeven of 117, Motlop could come at a bargain price in the coming weeks, but round nine for him is boom or bust.
Andrew Mackie
Andrew Mackie ($433,000 DEF) had a big impact after starting as the substitute in Geelong's Friday night win over Carlton. In little over a quarter, the defender had 13 disposals and took six marks. Given that this was in only his second game for the season after struggling to overcome a quad complaint, we can expect to see rapid improvement from him. He's unlikely to start in the green vest this week and will enjoy the wide open spaces of Domain Stadium.
FOOTY PROPHET'S FANTASY FIVE
1. Joel Selwood ($529,000 MID)
2. Tom Hawkins ($399,000 FWD)
3. Steve Johnson ($455,000 MID)
4. Mathew Stokes ($426,000 MID)
5. Mark Blicavs ($495,000 RUCK, MID)
