It was the Cats we love to see on Saturday night and here is what we learnt thanks to Deakin University.

So Silky

When the Cats team was announced on Thursday night, the word “surprise” was repeatedly used to sum up the decision to include Sam Simpson for Tom Atkins. But those on the inside at the Cats know exactly what Simpson brings to the side. After missing since round 12 with a hamstring injury, Simpson was recalled on the back of a solitary scratch match hit out and it didn’t take long for the man they call “Silky” to again have an impact. His smooth moving was on show as he repeatedly side-stepped opponents and delivered the ball to his teammates. His final stats included 16 disposals at 75% efficiency, eight contested possesions, four tackles, four score involvements and two inside 50s. Simpson’s class and toughness are a rare combination in football and the 2019 VFL best and fairest winner will be an important contributor in the Cats quest to knock over Brisbane on Saturday night.

The GABBAtoir

The nickname “the GABBAtoir” is a moniker used to describe the inhospitable experience opposing teams face when the Brisbane Lions are at their dominant best as they have been at many times over the last couple of decades. But the Cats are staking their own case to utilise the foreboding nickname. The Cats in 2020 have won all four games at the GABBA with an average winning margin of 57 points. But looking back further, the Cats have only lost three games at the venue since 2006 with two of those loses being by one and five points respectively. Despite its dimensions almost being the antithesis of the Cats home ground, GMHBA Stadium, the Cats have become adept at controlling the wide wings.

Happy Hendo is here

If Lachie Henderson had his way, he’d probably be trekking the Inca Trail or checking out glaciers in Norway at the moment. That would have been the case had the Cats not recalled him to the rookie list and the coronavirus pandemic making the thought of international tourist travel fanciful. But the defender has relished his second chance with the Cats. Since coming into the side in round eight in Perth, Henderson hasn’t missed a game and is enjoying his most impactful and consistent season with the club. His two finals games this year have seen him register 37 disposals, 22 marks, 7 rebound 50s, 8 spoils and have only two goals kicked against him. His combination with Harry Taylor and the rest of the Cats defence is working a treat and it will require a similar performance from the number 25 this week to counter the Lions explosive forward line. 

Thank you, Trav

Normally we reserve the What We Learnt article for our thoughts on Cats players out of the weekend’s game. But for this week we are going to pick one from the opposition, albeit one that didn’t play against us on Saturday night. On Sunday, two-time premiership hero Travis Varcoe called an end to his 230-game career across the Cats and Pies. Considering the weight that came from being handed the club’s most revered guernsey upon arriving in Geelong from South Australia as a 17-year-old, Varcoe lived up to the number in every sense of the word. Whilst his sublime skills and goal-sense were part of his make-up, the greatest compliment to Varcoe is that he will be remembered for his first and last goals for the Cats in the 2011 grand final. The first was all his speed and skill on display as he burst into the 50 and kicked truly. The second was one of the most underrated grand final moments of all time. Varcoe’s full length of the ground running and finishing is enough to give you a stitch from just watching. What it showed was the team-first attitude and desire to get the best out of himself that made him much loved by the Geelong and Collingwood players, coaches and fans. Well done Trav and thank you.