TonyK
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoBrisbane V Geelong Game Preview
April 30th 2008 07:47
The year so far
Geelong
Geelong is so far undefeated in 2008 but hasn’t been in the best form. They are yet to play a solid 4 quarters which is worrying. Have had two lucky wins the past two weeks, just getting past Fremantle and Sydney. Their forward line is relying heavily on its smalls and midfielders with Mooney in poor form and Hawkins playing up the ground.
Brisbane
Has been unlucky is its games so far this year. Should have won more then they have but have been impressive against Port Adelaide and Melbourne. The port game showed that the lions are still a class outfit and one you can’t afford to relax against. Their defense boasts no big names, but they do the job every week.
Who is missing
Geelong
Brad Ottens – The cats need a quality ruckman desperately. It showed against Fremantle where Sandilands dominated. Ottens would have been very handy to combat Luenberger and Charman.
Matthew Egan – AA defender is still 8 weeks away. Kept Brown quiet last time he played them, and he will be sorely missed.
Tom Harley – Picked up a Glute injury last week against fremantle. Can play both tall and small. If he doesn’t come up Geelong will miss him heaps, as they need to find another option for Brown or Bradshaw.
Brisbane
Josh Drummond- They need his run and carry from defense, especially against Geelong. Since he has missed Brisbane at times look a bit confused when running with the ball. He certainly straightens them out.
Nigel Lappin – A chance to come back into the team this week and they will need him. Quality player and user of the ball. If he comes back it is more quality service into the Brisbane forward line. At times disposal was poor to Brown last week, and you can be sure when Lappin is in the team that won’t happen.
Possible Changes
Geelong
Out:
Tom Harley – He is likely to miss a week with his glute injury.
IN:
Max Rooke- Next best defender to come in. Tom Lonergan is also a chance to come in, however Rooke seems more likely.
Brisbane
Key Matchups
Luenberger/Charman V Blake/Mumford
Looms as a match winning matchup. If Luen and Chars can get the ball to the likes of Black/Power then Brisbane will be impossible to stop. Geelong have shown a weakness so far against quality ruck work.
Brown V Taylor
Was impressive against Brown in the preseason so should get the first shot. Brown has been in poor form and a good game isn’t to far away. Taylor got taught a football lesson b Pavlich last week, so we will see how his confidence is.
Bradshaw V Scarlett
Bradshaw is in stunning form kicking 4 goals in every game for a month. Scarlo is Scarlo so a ripper match up is on hand.
Black V Ling
Black is in Brownlow form and ling has been solid so far. Vital to shut black down if Geelong are going to win.
Merret V Hawkins
Merret will have to get on his skates because Hawkins loves to run up the ground. Two big gorillas going head to head. Should be a gem.
Patful V Mooney
Patful seems likely to take mooney with his athleticism. Moons hasn’t been in the best form infront of goals and will be looking for a big one.
Gameplan
Geelong
Geelong will want to play hard accountable football. When Brisbane have the ball they need to get numbers back to help Taylor and Scarlett. Milburn will be vital in this and should zone off his man. When Geelong have the ball they will look to run Brisbane of their feet with quick movement of the ball up the corridor and get the ball to Mooney/Hawkins before Brisbane get their men back. A 3rd man up will be used in the ruck. Must be careful of Joel Corey who generally will be the player to do it.
Brisbane
Will look to get the ball quick to Brown and Bradshaw. I think they will spread their forwards out to make it harder for the likes of Milburn and Mackie to get back and Help Taylor and Scarlett. We will see two tall forwards and a crumber with the rest pushing well up the ground, to give the players some space to work into. They will try and play SJ and Gamble well away from the corridor because they love getting to the fall of the Ball in the marking contests.
Prediction
Brisbane have been in great form and the injury toll is starting to mount on Geelong. This will be Geelong’s best test of character. Lethal knows what Geelong will be going through and will play on that, while bomber will be pushing the players to be selfless in their game and give their defense a hand. If its sunny then I can see Brisbane getting up in a close one. However Showers are predicted for Skilled Stadium which will see Geelong get up by 2 goals
Geelong
Geelong is so far undefeated in 2008 but hasn’t been in the best form. They are yet to play a solid 4 quarters which is worrying. Have had two lucky wins the past two weeks, just getting past Fremantle and Sydney. Their forward line is relying heavily on its smalls and midfielders with Mooney in poor form and Hawkins playing up the ground.
Brisbane
Has been unlucky is its games so far this year. Should have won more then they have but have been impressive against Port Adelaide and Melbourne. The port game showed that the lions are still a class outfit and one you can’t afford to relax against. Their defense boasts no big names, but they do the job every week.
Who is missing
Geelong
Brad Ottens – The cats need a quality ruckman desperately. It showed against Fremantle where Sandilands dominated. Ottens would have been very handy to combat Luenberger and Charman.
Matthew Egan – AA defender is still 8 weeks away. Kept Brown quiet last time he played them, and he will be sorely missed.
Tom Harley – Picked up a Glute injury last week against fremantle. Can play both tall and small. If he doesn’t come up Geelong will miss him heaps, as they need to find another option for Brown or Bradshaw.
Brisbane
Josh Drummond- They need his run and carry from defense, especially against Geelong. Since he has missed Brisbane at times look a bit confused when running with the ball. He certainly straightens them out.
Nigel Lappin – A chance to come back into the team this week and they will need him. Quality player and user of the ball. If he comes back it is more quality service into the Brisbane forward line. At times disposal was poor to Brown last week, and you can be sure when Lappin is in the team that won’t happen.
Possible Changes
Geelong
Out:
Tom Harley – He is likely to miss a week with his glute injury.
IN:
Max Rooke- Next best defender to come in. Tom Lonergan is also a chance to come in, however Rooke seems more likely.
Brisbane
Key Matchups
Luenberger/Charman V Blake/Mumford
Looms as a match winning matchup. If Luen and Chars can get the ball to the likes of Black/Power then Brisbane will be impossible to stop. Geelong have shown a weakness so far against quality ruck work.
Brown V Taylor
Was impressive against Brown in the preseason so should get the first shot. Brown has been in poor form and a good game isn’t to far away. Taylor got taught a football lesson b Pavlich last week, so we will see how his confidence is.
Bradshaw V Scarlett
Bradshaw is in stunning form kicking 4 goals in every game for a month. Scarlo is Scarlo so a ripper match up is on hand.
Black V Ling
Black is in Brownlow form and ling has been solid so far. Vital to shut black down if Geelong are going to win.
Merret V Hawkins
Merret will have to get on his skates because Hawkins loves to run up the ground. Two big gorillas going head to head. Should be a gem.
Patful V Mooney
Patful seems likely to take mooney with his athleticism. Moons hasn’t been in the best form infront of goals and will be looking for a big one.
Gameplan
Geelong
Geelong will want to play hard accountable football. When Brisbane have the ball they need to get numbers back to help Taylor and Scarlett. Milburn will be vital in this and should zone off his man. When Geelong have the ball they will look to run Brisbane of their feet with quick movement of the ball up the corridor and get the ball to Mooney/Hawkins before Brisbane get their men back. A 3rd man up will be used in the ruck. Must be careful of Joel Corey who generally will be the player to do it.
Brisbane
Will look to get the ball quick to Brown and Bradshaw. I think they will spread their forwards out to make it harder for the likes of Milburn and Mackie to get back and Help Taylor and Scarlett. We will see two tall forwards and a crumber with the rest pushing well up the ground, to give the players some space to work into. They will try and play SJ and Gamble well away from the corridor because they love getting to the fall of the Ball in the marking contests.
Prediction
Brisbane have been in great form and the injury toll is starting to mount on Geelong. This will be Geelong’s best test of character. Lethal knows what Geelong will be going through and will play on that, while bomber will be pushing the players to be selfless in their game and give their defense a hand. If its sunny then I can see Brisbane getting up in a close one. However Showers are predicted for Skilled Stadium which will see Geelong get up by 2 goals
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