With the recent rivalry between the Cats and the Dockers gradually becoming more and more apparent in the world of AFL, Cats TV take a deeper look into Saturday night’s upcoming clash with AFL journalist Adam McNicol.
Although Steve Johnson will now be up and about this weekend, McNicol believes the infamous tagger, Ryan Crowley, has good reason to set his sights on Joel Selwood or last week’s high performer Allen Christensen if Johnson doesn’t make it to the park.
Even though Crowley’s prey might not be a certainty, his antics are.
The Cat who receives the battle against Crowley will have to be quick and well controlled. Otherwise things could turn ugly.
“What we do know is whoever Crowley goes to they’re going to have to… work really hard to get away from him and work really hard to be disciplined,” McNicol told Cats TV.
“So disciplined is a massive thing for the Cats this weekend.”
The next ominous Docker on the Cats watch list this weekend is Nathan Fyfe. According to McNicol, the headstrong midfielder is the epitome of a professional footballer who can win games on his own bat.
“He’s just about the prototype footballer, he’s tall, he’s got unbelievable athletic ability, both speed and endurance wise… he’s got brilliant ability to mark overhead and he could almost play as a key position player,” McNicol said.
Last week against Carlton, Fyfe delivered a team-high of 28 disposals, four marks and two goals, plus a massive collection of 13 clearances.
“He has an unbelievable ability to influence games, he won that for Freo against Carlton last week, no question about it. Freo could have lost by five goals if they didn’t have Nat Fyfe,” McNicol explained.
However, McNicol is confident the Cats’ shutdown king has what it takes to keep up with the Fremantle warrior.
“Cam Guthrie could follow and play that kind of run-with-role against Fyfe, but also try and push forward and kick a couple of goals on him,” McNicol said.
Following last year’s semi final win and their coach’s slogan of playing anywhere at anytime, the Dockers will have no qualms of revisiting the Cats on their home turf.
Although, McNicol ensures there’ll be a strong sent of vengeance coming from the Cats stables on Saturday night.
“(Ross Lyon) will bring his team and they’ll have no fear about playing here but the Cats will be very determined to turn this back into a fortress…”
“They don’t want to lose to Freo here again.”
Saturday night at 7:40, the Cats and the Dockers will battle it out at Simonds Stadium for Round 20.
