TonyK
CibbuanoRound four preview: Adelaide v Geelong
April 17th 2009 17:31
VENUE and TIME: AAMI Stadium, Saturday 18 April, 7.40pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 27, Adelaide 14, Geelong 13
LAST TIME: Geelong 18.16 (124) def Adelaide 8.8 (56), Round 14, 2008 at AAMI Stadium.
RECENT HISTORY: Geelong has won its past three clashes against Adelaide with two of those wins coming at AAMI Stadium.
FORM: Adelaide opened their season with a shock four-point win over Collingwood but were then brought back to earth by St Kilda at AAMI Stadium before recording a valuable 24-point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. Geelong is just one of three unbeaten teams after recording wins over Hawthorn, Richmond and Collingwood. The Magpies challenged last year’s grand finalists early before the Cats broke the game open in a stunning second term in which they piled on eight unanswered goals.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Crows welcome back key defender Nathan Bock who had his club-imposed suspension lifted but they will be without Scott Stevens who suffered concussion after a collision with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin. Nick Gill will miss at least two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over the Dockers while Trent Hentschel (knee) is about three weeks away from being considered for selection. Midfielder Chris Knights (fractured eye socket) will also miss at least three weeks. For Geelong, skipper Tom Harley and ruckman Brad Ottens will miss one to three weeks with knee injuries while youngster Mitch Brown (broken leg) and defenders Matthew Egan (foot) and Josh Hunt (knee) are out for the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Robert Shirley vs. Gary Ablett
Ablett continued his stellar start to the season, racking up a game-high 37 possessions and booting one goal in the 27-point win over the Magpies.
The classy Geelong midfielder has been instrumental in the Cats’ three wins this season and looms as the main man Adelaide must contain if they are going to record an upset win.
If the Crows are going to be any chance of containing Geelong’s multi-pronged attack which is the fourth most potent in the competition they must shut-down Ablett’s creative run.
Shirley has clearly been brought into the side to tag Ablett and will need to watch him closely as the 24-year-old is capable of turning a game on its head in a short space of time - highlighted by his three goals in a stunning three-minute burst against the Crows during the NAB Cup.
Paul Chapman vs. Andrew McLeod
In Adelaide’s last win over Geelong in round 13, 2006, McLeod starred with 27 possessions, 11 marks and one goal.
McLeod is damaging with his ability to set up his side’s attacking forays forward with his creative run and clean use of the football.
Geelong will want to limit his influence on the contest and will most likely put Chapman on him, who collected 35 possessions and booted four goals in the win over the Pies, while rugged utility Max Rooke is another option for coach Mark Thompson.
The Cats will need to look for Chapman at every available opportunity when going forward as it will force McLeod to be accountable and thus negate his influence as an attacking defencer.
Andrew Mackie vs. Jason Porplyzia
Porplyzia was influential in the win over Fremantle, booting four goals - two of which came in the final term when Fremantle threatened to run over the top of the Crows.
The 25-year-old will need to fire again on Saturday night if Adelaide is going to come away with the four premiership points.
Mackie has struggled so far this season but he is a mobile defender that is good overhead - the perfect match-up for Porplyzia.
If Porplyzia is going to be any chance of having an impact he will need his teammates to deliver the football cleanly inside 50 otherwise the Crows will be punished on the rebound by Matthew Scarlett, Mackie and co.
Cameron Ling vs. Scott Thompson
Thompson was among his side’s best in the win over the Dockers with 22 possessions and four inside 50s.
The former Demon was second at the Crows for inside 50’s last season - shutting down the drive he provides through the middle will be a key for the Cats.
Expect Ling, who is widely regarded as the best tagger in the competition, to be given the task of tagging Thompson.
Don’t be surprised if Ling, who is good overhead and a reliable kick in front of goal, pushes forward and tries to drag Thompson out of the middle where he is at his most damaging.
VERDICT: Geelong will play outside Victoria for the first time this season but travelling will be no problem for Mark Thompson’s men who have won 42 of their past 46 home-and-away matches. Adelaide is a disciplined, well-drilled side and they will undoubtedly give a good account of themselves on Saturday night. The Crows’ younger brigade was instrumental in the win the over the Dockers but they will struggle to match the bigger bodied Cats who should make it four wins from as many matches with their class and depth through midfield set to be the difference. Cats by 32 points.
ADELAIDE v GEELONG
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Jared Petrenko, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Michael Doughty, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Brent Reilly, Taylor Walker, Nathan van Berlo
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Bernie Vince
Foll: Ivan Maric, Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Robert Shirley, Brad Symes, Richard Douglas, Patrick Dangerfield
Emg: Brad Moran, Jonathon Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky
In: Bock, Shirley
Out: Nick Gill (hamstring), Scott Stevens (concussion)
GEELONG
B: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Shane Mumford, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski, Shannon Byrnes
Emg: Tom Lonergan, Ryan Gamble, David Johnson
In: Mumford
Out: Trent West
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 27, Adelaide 14, Geelong 13
LAST TIME: Geelong 18.16 (124) def Adelaide 8.8 (56), Round 14, 2008 at AAMI Stadium.
RECENT HISTORY: Geelong has won its past three clashes against Adelaide with two of those wins coming at AAMI Stadium.
FORM: Adelaide opened their season with a shock four-point win over Collingwood but were then brought back to earth by St Kilda at AAMI Stadium before recording a valuable 24-point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. Geelong is just one of three unbeaten teams after recording wins over Hawthorn, Richmond and Collingwood. The Magpies challenged last year’s grand finalists early before the Cats broke the game open in a stunning second term in which they piled on eight unanswered goals.
MEDICAL ROOM: The Crows welcome back key defender Nathan Bock who had his club-imposed suspension lifted but they will be without Scott Stevens who suffered concussion after a collision with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin. Nick Gill will miss at least two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over the Dockers while Trent Hentschel (knee) is about three weeks away from being considered for selection. Midfielder Chris Knights (fractured eye socket) will also miss at least three weeks. For Geelong, skipper Tom Harley and ruckman Brad Ottens will miss one to three weeks with knee injuries while youngster Mitch Brown (broken leg) and defenders Matthew Egan (foot) and Josh Hunt (knee) are out for the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Robert Shirley vs. Gary Ablett
Ablett continued his stellar start to the season, racking up a game-high 37 possessions and booting one goal in the 27-point win over the Magpies.
The classy Geelong midfielder has been instrumental in the Cats’ three wins this season and looms as the main man Adelaide must contain if they are going to record an upset win.
If the Crows are going to be any chance of containing Geelong’s multi-pronged attack which is the fourth most potent in the competition they must shut-down Ablett’s creative run.
Shirley has clearly been brought into the side to tag Ablett and will need to watch him closely as the 24-year-old is capable of turning a game on its head in a short space of time - highlighted by his three goals in a stunning three-minute burst against the Crows during the NAB Cup.
Paul Chapman vs. Andrew McLeod
In Adelaide’s last win over Geelong in round 13, 2006, McLeod starred with 27 possessions, 11 marks and one goal.
McLeod is damaging with his ability to set up his side’s attacking forays forward with his creative run and clean use of the football.
Geelong will want to limit his influence on the contest and will most likely put Chapman on him, who collected 35 possessions and booted four goals in the win over the Pies, while rugged utility Max Rooke is another option for coach Mark Thompson.
The Cats will need to look for Chapman at every available opportunity when going forward as it will force McLeod to be accountable and thus negate his influence as an attacking defencer.
Andrew Mackie vs. Jason Porplyzia
Porplyzia was influential in the win over Fremantle, booting four goals - two of which came in the final term when Fremantle threatened to run over the top of the Crows.
The 25-year-old will need to fire again on Saturday night if Adelaide is going to come away with the four premiership points.
Mackie has struggled so far this season but he is a mobile defender that is good overhead - the perfect match-up for Porplyzia.
If Porplyzia is going to be any chance of having an impact he will need his teammates to deliver the football cleanly inside 50 otherwise the Crows will be punished on the rebound by Matthew Scarlett, Mackie and co.
Cameron Ling vs. Scott Thompson
Thompson was among his side’s best in the win over the Dockers with 22 possessions and four inside 50s.
The former Demon was second at the Crows for inside 50’s last season - shutting down the drive he provides through the middle will be a key for the Cats.
Expect Ling, who is widely regarded as the best tagger in the competition, to be given the task of tagging Thompson.
Don’t be surprised if Ling, who is good overhead and a reliable kick in front of goal, pushes forward and tries to drag Thompson out of the middle where he is at his most damaging.
VERDICT: Geelong will play outside Victoria for the first time this season but travelling will be no problem for Mark Thompson’s men who have won 42 of their past 46 home-and-away matches. Adelaide is a disciplined, well-drilled side and they will undoubtedly give a good account of themselves on Saturday night. The Crows’ younger brigade was instrumental in the win the over the Dockers but they will struggle to match the bigger bodied Cats who should make it four wins from as many matches with their class and depth through midfield set to be the difference. Cats by 32 points.
ADELAIDE v GEELONG
ADELAIDE
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Jared Petrenko, Nathan Bock, Andrew McLeod
C: Michael Doughty, Scott Thompson, David Mackay
HF: Brent Reilly, Taylor Walker, Nathan van Berlo
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Bernie Vince
Foll: Ivan Maric, Simon Goodwin, Tyson Edwards
I/C: Robert Shirley, Brad Symes, Richard Douglas, Patrick Dangerfield
Emg: Brad Moran, Jonathon Griffin, Jarrhan Jacky
In: Bock, Shirley
Out: Nick Gill (hamstring), Scott Stevens (concussion)
GEELONG
B: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Shane Mumford, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski, Shannon Byrnes
Emg: Tom Lonergan, Ryan Gamble, David Johnson
In: Mumford
Out: Trent West
| 19 |
| Vote |
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