The 9th placed VFL Cats (8 wins, 9 losses, 113.05) will have to record a resounding victory against the 10th placed Essendon (7 wins, 1 draw, 9 losses, 94.56%) and then hope that their ‘bayside allies” – the Frankston Dolphins (4 wins, 2 draws, 11 losses, 80.81%) - can hand the 8th placed Werribee Tigers (9 wins, 8 losses, 117.10%) their 4th consecutive loss on Sunday afternoon at Frankston Park.
The Bendigo Bank Cats have been given a boost at the selection table with the inclusion of AFL omissions Jed Bews and Billie Smedts and the return of promising first year key position player James Toohey from a hamstring injury. The talented trio are amongst 16 AFL listed players the Cats have named for the Friday night blockbuster.
VFL listed players Chris Lynch (Bell Park) and Kieren Paliouras (St Joseph’s) have also been added to the 27-man squad, while St Joseph’s livewire Brant Haintz will play his third match as the 23rd player after impressing in his first two matches at state level.
While the VFL Bombers are unable to make the finals, a win would see them take home by bragging rights by finishing above the Cats on the final VFL standings.
The Bombers, who are coached by former Adelaide and Essendon midfielder Hayden Skipworth, have named a strong squad that includes 12 AFL listed players.
Amongst the AFL contingent are experienced campaigners Tom Bellchambers, Leroy Jetta, Jake Melksham, Cory Dell’Olio and Kyle Hardingham and a group of exciting youngsters including Jackson Merrett, Elliot Kavanagh, Martin Gleeson, Sean Gregory, Jason Ashby and Shaun Edwards.
With both the Geelong and Essendon senior sides confirmed to take part in AFL finals, the match may be the last opportunity for a host of players at both clubs to stake a claim for selection.
The match kicks off at 7.30pm with the Polly Farmer Gates (off Moorabool St) opening at 6.30pm. Food and beverage outlets will be open on the Hickey Stand concourse.
For all Cats fans that cannot get to Simonds Stadium on Friday night, the match will be tweeted live, so follow @GeelongVFL on Twitter for all the action including live scores, stats updates and photos.
2014 Admission Details
Adults: $10.00
Concession: $5.00
2014 Essendon Members: $5.00
Children U/15: Free
2014 Geelong Cats Members: FREE
Bendigo Bank Cats – Round 20 Selected Side
B: Jed Bews, Jake Kolodjashnij, Nick Bourke
HB: Jackson Sheringham, Joel Hamling, Billie Smedts
C: Jarrad Jansen, Brad Hartman, Darcy Lang
HF: Lincoln McCarthy, Josh Walker, Michael Luxford
F: Dominic Gleeson (c), Mitch Brown, James Toohey
R: Andrew Banjanin, Jesse Stringer, Jordan Schroder
I/C: Matthew Sully, Jack Hollmer, Kieren Paliouras, Tom Maas, Mitch Herbison, Cameron Tudor, Chris Lynch, Dane McFarlane, Brant Haintz (23rd Player).
