Preview: Cats v Dons
Check out what's in store before the Cats wrestle the Bombers on Friday night. Full preview here.
GEELONG CATS vs ESSENDON BOMBERS
Round 15 - 7:50PM, Friday June 27 @ Etihad Stadium
Essendon have suffered the scrutiny of a sports loving nation over the last eighteen months, with stories of deals and deadlines just the latest instalment in an enduring off-field drama. The upcoming friday night fixture has its fair share of intrigue, but focus will be out on the ground and inside the coaches box. It will be the first time Mark “Bomber” Thompson takes on the Cats as senior coach, a position he had enormous success with at Geelong and one he reluctantly assumed following the suspension of James Hird. Friday will also see Paul Chapman don the red sash to take on his old team.
Chappy played 251 games in the blue and white hoops and was the heart and should of the team he won three premierships with. A big game player and finals specialist, Chapman will be fighting to keep the Bomber’s finals hopes alive. Essendon sit just one game out of the eight on the back of a stirring win over the Adelaide Crows. The Cats were soundly beaten by the Suns on the Gold Coast and sacrificed their position in the top four. Still level on points with fourth-placed Fremantle, Geelong must avoid back to back losses if they are to stay in touch of the current ladder leaders. The personal history intwined in the match-up only raises the stakes and sets the scene for a contest worthy of Friday night billing, football’s main event.
KEY MATCH-UP
James Kelly vs Paul Chapman
James Kelly has become the latest ageing onballer to adopt a new role in a regenerating Geelong team. Just as Jimmy Bartel did last year and Joel Corey the year before, Kelly has played significant portions of games on a half back flank. He has achieved a good balance of attack and defence with an average of 4.7 tackles and 2.7 rebound 50s, ranking fourth at the club in both statistics. Kelly still collects more than 23 disposals per game and plays a key role in midfield, particularly when the contest is at its most fierce. He provides excellent leadership for Geelong’s young onball brigade and his move to the back line has allowed them experience in the middle of the ground.
Paul Chapman also shares his time between the midfield and the flanks, but has almost a decades experience playing multiple roles. The former Cat spent all of his early career as a mid-sized forward and steadily developed the endurance to contribute in the centre.
With an ability to kick goals from beyond 50m and a snap to rival any player in the competition, Chapman was always a scoring threat. The Bombers have struggled all season to kick a winning score and have utilised their new recruit almost exclusively in the attacking half. He has proved a valuable addition, averaging more than 20 disposals and a goal per game. Chapman is a classy finisher who relishes the big occasion. As a team mate for more than 10 years, James Kelly knows of his class and competitiveness and will be prepared for a tough defensive task on Friday night.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Geelong 17.11 (113)
Essendon 11.19 (85)
The last meeting between Geelong and Essendon was a heavy weight title fight in front of a capacity crowd. Six rounds into the season there were only two undefeated teams in the competition. By the end of round seven there would only be one. With top spot up for grabs, both teams brought enormous intensity to the contest. Three points separated the teams at quarter time, before the Bombers broke out to a three goal lead with 10 minutes of dominance. The Cats turned the tide and kicked 10 of the next 11 goals to reach three quarter time with a 27 point lead. The final term was a far more even contest, but the Bombers never threatened to clinch victory. Steve Johnson was best afield, collecting 36 disposals in the Cats’ 28 point win. Two stars unable to play this Friday were also among the best. Essendon skipper Jobe Watson had 30 touches and Geelong’s Mathew Stokes contributed 24 possessions and three goals.
DID YOU KNOW?
Geelong have won eight of their past nine games against Essendon with an average winning margin of 57 points. Their last loss to the Bombers, in round 15 2011, was the first of Chris Scott’s senior coaching career. The Cats won their first 13 games in Scott’s debut season and would go on to win the premiership. Former senior coach Mark Thompson and assistant Brendan McCartney had helped build the successful Geelong team and were able to bring their unbeaten run to end from the Bombers coaching box.