TonyK
CibbuanoRound eighteen preview: Geelong v Adelaide
July 31st 2009 15:58
VENUE and TIME: Skilled Stadium, Saturday 1 August, 2.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 28, Geelong 14, Adelaide 14
LAST TIME: Geelong 21.8 (134) def Adelaide 13.8 (86), Round 4 2009 at AAMI Stadium
RECENT HISTORY: Geelong has won its past four matches against Adelaide.
FORM: Geelong bounced back from back-to-back losses to St Kilda and Brisbane with wins over Melbourne and Hawthorn. The Cats (15-2) trailed by 28 points early in the final term against the Hawks but lifted themselves off the canvas and got up by one point thanks to a behind from James Bartel after the siren. Adelaide responded to the 57-point loss to St Kilda with a 70-point demolition of Port Adelaide in Showdown XXVII last Sunday. The Crows are in fifth spot with an 11-6 win-loss record.
MEDICAL ROOM: Geelong welcomes back skipper Tom Harley and classy forward Steve Johnson from knee and hip injuries but key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor will miss one to two weeks with groin injuries. James Kelly will miss another two matches with a hamstring injury while Brad Ottens will make his return from a knee injury via the VFL. Ryan Gamble (hamstring) and Nathan Djerrkura (corked thigh) remain unavailable while Matthew Egan (foot), Josh Hunt (knee) and Mitch Brown (leg) are out for the season. For the Crows, veteran midfielder Tyson Edwards returns from a hamstring injury but youngster Brodie Martin (knee) won‘t play again this year. David Mackay (hamstring) and Shaun McKernan (broken arm) are at least two weeks away from resuming.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Robert Shirley vs. Joel Selwood
Selwood was simply inspirational in the win over the Hawks, helping himself to a game-high 42 possessions, 10 marks, 11 tackles and one goal.
The 2007 NAB Rising Star winner is an integral part of the Geelong midfield with his ability to win the contested football and use it cleanly by hand to find his teammates in space.
If the Crows are going to have any hope of containing a Cats side that has the most potent attack in the AFL they will need to shut-down their running game - a key part of doing that is limiting the influence of Selwood at the stoppages.
Shirley has claimed some big scalps during his 146-game career and will most likely be given the task of tagging Selwood in what shapes as being a crucial match-up.
The Adelaide veteran doesn’t have the ability to hurt Selwood going the other way therefore he will need to apply relentless pressure all day otherwise the Cats young gun will continually win the football at close quarters and hurt the Crows with his superb skills.
Cameron Ling vs. Scott Thompson
Thompson has been one of his side’s most consistent players this season, averaging 27 disposals per game.
The former Demon is highly effective in close and provides plenty of drive through the middle - he leads the Crows for clearances and is third for inside 50’s.
Limiting influence on the contest will be a key for Geelong if they are going to starve Adelaide’s multi-pronged attack of quality supply
Thompson faces a tough afternoon at the office with Ling who is regarded as the best tagger in the AFL to be his direct opponent.
Not only will Ling make Thompson earn every possession but he will also try and hurt him going the other way - the Geelong midfielder has averaged 22 possessions per game this year and he is also capable of pushing forward and kicking goals.
It is vital for the Crows that Thompson works hard going both ways.
Graham Johncock vs. Steve Johnson
Johnson was instrumental in his side’s 48-point win over Adelaide in round four with 21 disposals and three goals.
The Geelong forward may be lacking match fitness but he still looms as a danger man given he is such a classy player.
Johncock usually gets the job on the opposition’s most dangerous mid-sized forward and will be given the unenviable task of lining up on Johnson on Saturday.
In last weekend’s win over Hawthorn the Cats were guilty of butchering the football going forward on several occasions - they will need to be cleaner with their delivery inside 50 against Adelaide otherwise they will be punished on the rebound by the likes of Johncock who has averaged just under 21 touches per game in ‘09.
Andrew Mackie vs. Jason Porplyzia
Porplyzia has been his side’s most productive forward this season with 37 goals and the Crows will need him to fire if they are going to have any chance of securing a valuable win away from home.
Despite standing at just 179cm, Porplyzia is very good overhead.
Mackie has the ability to match the classy Adelaide forward in the air and also when the football hits the deck, so you would expect him to be given first crack at Porplyzia.
In the clash between these two sides earlier in the year the Crows had eight more entries inside 50 than Geelong yet they finished the match with eight fewer scoring shots.
They will need to use the football a lot better on Saturday otherwise the likes of Mackie who has averaged 21 disposals per game this year will continually set up Geelong’s attacking forays forward from the defensive half.
VERDICT: Geelong has been far from its best in recent times and while their defence is a little vulnerable their midfield is intact and is one of, if not the best in the competition. Adelaide faces a tricky run home and needs to keep on winning to have any hope of securing a top-four finish but they will struggle to win enough of the football against the likes of Gary Ablett, Joel Corey, Bartel and Selwood to have any hope of kicking a winning score. Cats by 33 points.
GEELONG v ADELAIDE
GEELONG
B: Darren Milburn, Tom Harley, Corey Enright
HB: David Wojcinski, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Travis Varcoe, Cameron Mooney, Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Max Rooke
Foll: Shane Mumford, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Mathew Stokes, Shannon Byrnes, Kane Tenace, Simon Hogan
Emg: Tom Gillies, Mark Blake, Jeremy Laidler
In: Johnson, Harley
Out: Matthew Scarlett (groin), Harry Taylor (groin)
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty
HB: Simon Goodwin, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson, Brent Reilly
HF: Chris Knights, Scott Stevens, Patrick Dangerfield
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Brett Burton
Foll: Ivan Maric, Bernie Vince, Robert Shirley
I/C: Tyson Edwards, Brad Symes, Andy Otten, James Sellar
Emg: Taylor Walker, Jared Petrenko, Tony Armstrong
In: Edwards
Out: Brodie Martin (knee)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 28, Geelong 14, Adelaide 14
LAST TIME: Geelong 21.8 (134) def Adelaide 13.8 (86), Round 4 2009 at AAMI Stadium
RECENT HISTORY: Geelong has won its past four matches against Adelaide.
FORM: Geelong bounced back from back-to-back losses to St Kilda and Brisbane with wins over Melbourne and Hawthorn. The Cats (15-2) trailed by 28 points early in the final term against the Hawks but lifted themselves off the canvas and got up by one point thanks to a behind from James Bartel after the siren. Adelaide responded to the 57-point loss to St Kilda with a 70-point demolition of Port Adelaide in Showdown XXVII last Sunday. The Crows are in fifth spot with an 11-6 win-loss record.
MEDICAL ROOM: Geelong welcomes back skipper Tom Harley and classy forward Steve Johnson from knee and hip injuries but key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor will miss one to two weeks with groin injuries. James Kelly will miss another two matches with a hamstring injury while Brad Ottens will make his return from a knee injury via the VFL. Ryan Gamble (hamstring) and Nathan Djerrkura (corked thigh) remain unavailable while Matthew Egan (foot), Josh Hunt (knee) and Mitch Brown (leg) are out for the season. For the Crows, veteran midfielder Tyson Edwards returns from a hamstring injury but youngster Brodie Martin (knee) won‘t play again this year. David Mackay (hamstring) and Shaun McKernan (broken arm) are at least two weeks away from resuming.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Robert Shirley vs. Joel Selwood
Selwood was simply inspirational in the win over the Hawks, helping himself to a game-high 42 possessions, 10 marks, 11 tackles and one goal.
The 2007 NAB Rising Star winner is an integral part of the Geelong midfield with his ability to win the contested football and use it cleanly by hand to find his teammates in space.
If the Crows are going to have any hope of containing a Cats side that has the most potent attack in the AFL they will need to shut-down their running game - a key part of doing that is limiting the influence of Selwood at the stoppages.
Shirley has claimed some big scalps during his 146-game career and will most likely be given the task of tagging Selwood in what shapes as being a crucial match-up.
The Adelaide veteran doesn’t have the ability to hurt Selwood going the other way therefore he will need to apply relentless pressure all day otherwise the Cats young gun will continually win the football at close quarters and hurt the Crows with his superb skills.
Cameron Ling vs. Scott Thompson
Thompson has been one of his side’s most consistent players this season, averaging 27 disposals per game.
The former Demon is highly effective in close and provides plenty of drive through the middle - he leads the Crows for clearances and is third for inside 50’s.
Limiting influence on the contest will be a key for Geelong if they are going to starve Adelaide’s multi-pronged attack of quality supply
Thompson faces a tough afternoon at the office with Ling who is regarded as the best tagger in the AFL to be his direct opponent.
Not only will Ling make Thompson earn every possession but he will also try and hurt him going the other way - the Geelong midfielder has averaged 22 possessions per game this year and he is also capable of pushing forward and kicking goals.
It is vital for the Crows that Thompson works hard going both ways.
Graham Johncock vs. Steve Johnson
Johnson was instrumental in his side’s 48-point win over Adelaide in round four with 21 disposals and three goals.
The Geelong forward may be lacking match fitness but he still looms as a danger man given he is such a classy player.
Johncock usually gets the job on the opposition’s most dangerous mid-sized forward and will be given the unenviable task of lining up on Johnson on Saturday.
In last weekend’s win over Hawthorn the Cats were guilty of butchering the football going forward on several occasions - they will need to be cleaner with their delivery inside 50 against Adelaide otherwise they will be punished on the rebound by the likes of Johncock who has averaged just under 21 touches per game in ‘09.
Andrew Mackie vs. Jason Porplyzia
Porplyzia has been his side’s most productive forward this season with 37 goals and the Crows will need him to fire if they are going to have any chance of securing a valuable win away from home.
Despite standing at just 179cm, Porplyzia is very good overhead.
Mackie has the ability to match the classy Adelaide forward in the air and also when the football hits the deck, so you would expect him to be given first crack at Porplyzia.
In the clash between these two sides earlier in the year the Crows had eight more entries inside 50 than Geelong yet they finished the match with eight fewer scoring shots.
They will need to use the football a lot better on Saturday otherwise the likes of Mackie who has averaged 21 disposals per game this year will continually set up Geelong’s attacking forays forward from the defensive half.
VERDICT: Geelong has been far from its best in recent times and while their defence is a little vulnerable their midfield is intact and is one of, if not the best in the competition. Adelaide faces a tricky run home and needs to keep on winning to have any hope of securing a top-four finish but they will struggle to win enough of the football against the likes of Gary Ablett, Joel Corey, Bartel and Selwood to have any hope of kicking a winning score. Cats by 33 points.
GEELONG v ADELAIDE
GEELONG
B: Darren Milburn, Tom Harley, Corey Enright
HB: David Wojcinski, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Travis Varcoe, Cameron Mooney, Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Max Rooke
Foll: Shane Mumford, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Mathew Stokes, Shannon Byrnes, Kane Tenace, Simon Hogan
Emg: Tom Gillies, Mark Blake, Jeremy Laidler
In: Johnson, Harley
Out: Matthew Scarlett (groin), Harry Taylor (groin)
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty
HB: Simon Goodwin, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson, Brent Reilly
HF: Chris Knights, Scott Stevens, Patrick Dangerfield
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Brett Burton
Foll: Ivan Maric, Bernie Vince, Robert Shirley
I/C: Tyson Edwards, Brad Symes, Andy Otten, James Sellar
Emg: Taylor Walker, Jared Petrenko, Tony Armstrong
In: Edwards
Out: Brodie Martin (knee)
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