The Cats have all to play for this week but face a side that has well and truly had their measure in recent times.
Cats Media has identified three points of interest to follow throughout Geelong’s Saturday afternoon match-up with Collingwood at the MCG.
The Bogeypies
Just what is it about the Pies that troubles Geelong so much?
Collingwood has taken the scalp of the Cats in its past three consecutive meetings and six of the past eight dating back to 2012.
The Pies have not made the finals since 2013, while the Cats have every year excluding 2015. Based on that alone, it’s fair to suggest Geelong should have come out on top more than it has but the Magpie Army continue to sing their song.
Like previous encounters, this is another match the Cats will start as favourites and have everything to play for. Currently sitting in third place, a win here sets up next week’s clash with Greater Western Sydney as a playoff for a home qualifying final. A loss and that dream is gone.
As for Collingwood? Obliterating the Cats’ hopes of a home final in week one seems as good a motivation as any.
Would you without the Wood's?
In the past two meetings between these two sides, Levi Greenwood has blanketed Joel Selwood and, on both occasions, the Magpies have claimed the win.
The Geelong skipper was held to just 18 disposals in round nine, 2016 while he was held to 17 earlier this year in a shock round six loss.
Given neither Selwood or Greenwood are playing, none of that matters. Or does it?
Consider this: Nathan Buckley has proven, measurable success against the Cats when one of their top-two players makes little impact. With Joel Selwood already out of the equation, that leaves Geelong one elite midfielder short – so why not remove the one left behind?
Few teams have really placed a hard tag on Patrick Dangerfield this season, as the old-fashioned tagging role slowly fades into insignificance. But paying close attention to Geelong’s undisputed star certainly wouldn’t hurt, especially when his right-hand man is absent.
The other option, of course, would be to tag the returning Mitch Duncan, who himself has elevated his standing to that of an elite midfielder in 2017. Getting at Dangerfield and/or Duncan while leaving others to feel the pinch might be Buckley’s best bet.
There will be far less fireworks without Joel Selwood and Levi Greenwood squaring off for a third bout. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Scott Selwood 150
Scott Selwood plays with minimum fuss and fanfare, which is why you are to be excused for not knowing he plays game 150 this weekend.
The former West Coast vice captain arrived at Simonds Stadium in late 2015 via restricted agency, having battled through multiple injury-plagued seasons in the west.
In just 14 games with the Cats, he has shown glimpses of why he was the Eagles’ 2012 best and fairest winner while giving the Geelong midfield a hard-nosed, more dynamic look.
Able to stop the opposition’s best midfielder or win the ball in his own right, the 27-year-old walks from the ground after every game with nothing left in the tank… and with the most tackles of anyone out there. In fact, Selwood leads the AFL in tackles and averages 11.6 per game.
Having debuted in 2008, it’s been a long road to make it this far for Scott Selwood – the guy who gives his all and still has much more to give.
Scott Selwood notches up game 150 this weekend. (Photo: AFL Photos)
