Note: this is the second part of a VFLW/VFL double-header.
B: 57. N. Hind, 36. M. Hartley, 14. J. Ridley
HB: 77. H. Hocking, 49. M. Dea, 30. B. Zerk-Thatcher
C: 20. J. Merrett, 59. A. Heppell, 39. T. Mynott
HF: 33. J. Laverde, 17. J. Stewart, 34. J. Long
F: 51. A. Boyse, 22. M. Leuenberger, 15. J. Green
R: 38. S. Draper, 37. D. Clarke, 19. K. Mutch
Int: 76. L. Collins, 68. N. Dixon, 24. J. Houlahan, 60. B. Laguda, 79. J. McQueen, 70. J. Sheahan, 65. E. Sibbald, 55. D. Younan
23P: 50. D. Hanna
In: M. Dea, L. Collins, D. Hanna, J. McQueen, N. Dixon, J. Stewart, B. Laguda
B: 15. M. Hayball, 30. T. House, 51. J. Tsitas
HB: 39. Z. Guthrie, 7. H. Taylor, 21. J. Murdoch
C: 18. C. Constable, 64. T. Atkins, 31. J. Cunico
HF: 32. G. Miers, 12. W. Buzza, 37. S. Simpson
F: 41. J. Jones, 20. R. Gardner, 9. Z. Smith
R: 45. R. Abbott, 33. G. Horlin-Smith, 40. J. Thurlow
Int: 63. S. Dobson, 79. P. Dowling, 62. C. Floyd, 66. A. Grace, 53. J. Keras, 55. L. Kiel, 78. J. McLachlan, 75. C. Mitchell
23P: 76. T. Lang
In: H. Taylor, J. Thurlow, J. Jones, J. Cunico, R. Abbott, P. Dowling
Geelong (3rd, 11-4) has won eight of its last nine games following last week’s 52-point triumph over ladder-leader Richmond. / Essendon (9th, 7-8) fell outside the top eight after Round 18 thanks to its fifth straight loss – by five points against Port Melbourne.
KEY QUESTION
Can the Cats avenge a hard-fought loss in Round 7? Geelong boasts some of the best credentials of any top-eight team, having defeated fellow contenders the Tigers, Casey Demons, Williamstown, Port Melbourne and Footscray. Since the Cats lost to Essendon in Round 7 they’ve won eight games to the Bombers’ three and will fancy their chances of adding another scalp to their collection.
KEY STAT
Essendon’s control in contests was a key to its Round 7 win, beating Geelong 170-149 in contested possessions and 46-33 in clearances – offsetting a 201-174 loss to the Cats in uncontested possessions. Perhaps worryingly for the Bombers, they average seven fewer contested possessions per game since that match while Geelong averages 10 more uncontested possessions.
I’ll be there tonight. Planning a full Laverde watch, hoping he’s going to have a blinder.
It’s a great ground to watch footy, Sth Geelong train station is just around the corner, so anyone with nothing on tonight, get down here and watch the boys.
If anyone wants a feed, get into Geelong early and head to The Chicken Project. Thank me later.
Radio 3DJR is on centre wing overlooking the wide entry into the stand, if there are any budding special comments crew coming. Fifth row from the back.
Well my night started on a high. Walking around the ground and bumped into past champion Hugh Mitchell. Had a nice chat, lovely man. Described himself as a plodder. 200+ games and a best and fairest during a dynasty is hardly a plodder. Humble champ.
If you can, I would appreciate it if you could give the House kid a bit of an appraisal during the course of the game. I am acquainted with his father, who is Gnowangerup landed gentry. Just wondered what sort of a player he is. Cheers.