After two consecutive losses the VFL Cats will be looking to get their 2013 season back on track when they travel to Windy Hill to take on rival stand alone AFL club Essendon.
While it was rumoured a number of big names might return to the VFL Cats this weekend, it has proved to be a relatively quiet week at the selection table.
The revolving door in the medical room has unfortunately continued to swing in full flight with the Cats welcoming back Jed Bews (general soreness) and Billie Smedts (ankle) but losing Joshua Cowan (hamstring) and Joel Hamling (ankle) until after the upcoming bye. Nathan Vardy has been rewarded for his good form at second tier level with a promotion to the AFL side.
While the Cats have not been assisted by an influx of AFL listed players, they look set to welcome back key VFL listed players Jack Hollmer, Jaxson Barham and Piers Flanagan from injury, while Andrew Banjanin and Jai Sheahan look set to return after playing representative football last weekend.
Both Sheahan and Banjanin made a significant contribution in helping the Geelong Football League defeat the Goulburn Valley Football League and assume the undisputed position of the ‘No.1’ Football League’ in country Victoria.
2012 Gippsland Power Best and Fairest Ryley Hall will make his VFL debut as the Cats 23rd player this weekend. Hall has been a standout player this season with the emerging Grovedale Tigers and will add another dimension to the Cats defence.
It will be the first home and away match between the two clubs since Essendon were last part of the VFL competition in 2002.
The following year the Bombers aligned with the Bendigo Football Club to form the Bendigo Bombers – an arrangement that continued until 2012.
After announcing the launch of their own VFL side the Bombers then went about putting together one of the strongest VFL lists in the competition.
It features a mix of former AFL players such as Matthew Bate (Melbourne) and Joshua Toy (Gold Coast Suns) and experienced VFL listed players Ben Duscher (Bendigo), Trent Shinners (Bendigo), Josh Freezer (Bendigo), Micheal Sikora (Sandringham Zebras), David Fahey (Coburg Tigers) and former Geelong VFL captain and 2007 premiership player Matthew Firman.
So far, it has been something of a ‘mixed bag’ for the Hayden Skipworth coached Bombers in 2013.
They have only recorded two wins but have been competitive in every match they have played and their five losses have all been by small margins.
As the new team continue to gel and get use to playing with one another, the Bombers are seen as one of the sides that could storm home in the second half of the season.
This week they have named a side that is laden with household names such as Scott Gumbleton, Tayte Pears, Alwyn Davey, Travis Colyer and emerging AFL talent such as Joe Daniher, Jackson Merrett and Martin Gleeson.
While the excitement continues to build around the first night match at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night, a ‘Cats Convey’ is expected to visit Windy Hill and warm up by supporting the VFL Cats before heading down the highway for the big night!
The match kicks off at 1.00pm. $5.00 entry for all 2013 Geelong Cats members.
You can also participate in the Cats live VFL chat with VFL writer Nathan Kettle by clicking here - VFL Live Chat
Bendigo Bank Cats – Round 8 Selected Side
B: Jed Bews, Ryan Bathie, Robert Condy
HB: Piers Flanagan, Matthew Sully, Cameron Eardley
C: Billie Smedts, Troy Selwood, Jordan Murdoch
HF: Brad Hartman, Joshua Walker, Jack Hollmer
F: Mark Corrigan, Shane Kersten, Jaxson Barham
R: Dawson Simpson, Jesse Stringer, Dominic Gleeson
I/C: Ben Raidme, Dane McFarlane, Daniel Gibbs, Andrew Banjanin, Tom Maas, Daniel Measures, Mitch Herbison, Jai Sheahan, Ryley Hall (23rd Player)
