2nd Preliminary Final- Geelong versus West Coast

[Media Park]

One spot in the Grand Final is up for grabs in this one, Geelong, having had a week off, will come in warm favourites against the West Coast Eagles, who last night played out a very high quality and entertaining final against a gallant Carlton.

The big question for the Eagles will be about which players will be fit, after their gruelling encounter, however they will be buoyed by their lesser lights, an example of which is Mark Nicoski, who certainly step it up a notch in these big games. Scott Selwood, the underrated tagger, after a supreme job on the 2011 Brownlow Medallist, Chris Judd, will be up to the task of taking down one of the Cats Rolls Royce midfielders, however I doubt John Worsfold will indulge in nostaligia just to see the brothers Selwood lock up.

For the Cats, as always, it will start in the middle, the quandary that may well see Vardy become the next Mark Blake (missing out on the Grand Final) because of the impressive output of Trent West is a delightful situation to be in, his continued form at the bounce will be a key, as will the inherent need for Podsiadly and Johnson to kick straight.

Josh Kennedy as always looms as a key for the Eagles up forward, the best match for him would have to be Harry Taylor, and that will be an important duel, very difficult to split.
If LeCras is stood by Josh Hunt, the Cats fans had better hope for long, high balls, where Hunt should out-muscle LeCras, but if it comes to ground and LeCras can use his speed and deft snaps, then a game breaker he may be.

Cameron Ling has been the odd man out lately, having lost a lot of pace over the last couple of years, he is struggling to keep up with the quicker midfielders that he once owned in his tagging role, but he still has some currency, as a defensive half forward, who has the ability to find the middle of the two big sticks when it counts. The player opposed to Ling cannot be fooled that he is "too old, too slow" to have an impact.

The midfield battle will be a good one, providing all parties are fit, Daniel Kerr is a Rolls Royce, Matt Priddis is nearly there, and Scott Selwood is the new Cameron Ling in the middle, whilst Enright, Kelly, Bartel, and Selwood, are among the games elite.

Both sides have young guns aplenty, and the injured Daniel Menzel aside, all have shown that they can handle the intensity of finals football, Gaff and Shuey for the Eagles, Christensen and Duncan for the Cats.

This will be a ripper!

[Wedgie]

Going to be weird going to an afternoon Prelim as I've been to so many night Prelims in recent years. Also not going to be quite the atmosphere its been in past years.
Hopefully not a repeat of the last final between West Coast and Geelong I went to!

[Jim05]

Geelong easily, would think the battered Eagles wont get anywhere near Geelong. Could end up very ugly

[nolongerthere]

Josh Kennedy might required xrays of his face, could have facial fractures, he got hit fairly hard in a marking contest, from memory by a team mate.

[woodublieve12]

hope geelong win by 67 goal!!!!

[Rik E Boy]

Cameron Ling has been the odd man out lately, having lost a lot of pace over the last couple of years, he is struggling to keep up with the quicker midfielders that he once owned in his tagging role, but he still has some currency, as a defensive half forward, who has the ability to find the middle of the two big sticks when it counts. The player opposed to Ling cannot be fooled that he is "too old, too slow" to have an impact.

You've got to be kidding me. Ling owned Mitchell last week.

regards,

REB

[The Sleeping Giant]

Josh Kennedy might required xrays of his face, could have facial fractures, he got hit fairly hard in a marking contest, from memory by a team mate.

He will play. Fractured cheekbones are just an inconvenience at this time of year.

[Interceptor]

Josh Kennedy might required xrays of his face, could have facial fractures, he got hit fairly hard in a marking contest, from memory by a team mate.

He will play. Fractured cheekbones are just an inconvenience at this time of year.

Different code, but Darren Lockyer suffered a fractured cheekbone last night, had surgery (with 3 plates inserted) after the game and is rated a 50/50 chance of playing next week

[The Sleeping Giant]

Leo Barry played the 2005 finals series with a fractured cheekbone. Was another Swan as well, but can't remember who.

[Wedgie]

Gotta love the Sunday Mail, looking forward to the key matchup of Andy Otten v Dean Cox this Saturday arvo.

[Dirko]

Geelong easy. Last nights game would see WCE with some sore & weary blokes.....

[NO-MERCY]

I feel the same way, Geelong are the favourites for the flag & will smash the Eagles.

[Media Park]

Cameron Ling has been the odd man out lately, having lost a lot of pace over the last couple of years, he is struggling to keep up with the quicker midfielders that he once owned in his tagging role, but he still has some currency, as a defensive half forward, who has the ability to find the middle of the two big sticks when it counts. The player opposed to Ling cannot be fooled that he is "too old, too slow" to have an impact.

You've got to be kidding me. Ling owned Mitchell last week.

regards,

REB

Mitchell aint quick... If Ling tries to run with Kerr, it will get ugly.

[Rik E Boy]

Don't know if Ling will run with Kerr but I don't reckon it would get ugly (Ling was voted the sexiest man in the AFL a few years ago if you remember). Kerr is a gun but I wouldn't say he's the quickest going around either. Injury has seen to that. Ling could get the job done if required.

Parky o ye of little faith!

regards,

REB

[catchit]

Geelong should smash us BUT you never know..If we get our hands on it out of the middle its game on.. Cox and the big nic nat down to kerr priddis shuey..who am I kidding, we have it in the bag...

[Rik E Boy]

We owe these bastards. We aren't playing the WA state of origin team this time around. The Eagles play the press so talk about a perfect tune up for the Grand Final. Cats by five goals.

regards,

REB

[catchit]

Yep you do owe us, but we own the cats and all the pressure is on the cats not to be owned again... COME ON YOU EAGLES

[catchit]

Yep you do owe us, but we own the cats and all the pressure is on the cats not to be owned again... COME ON YOU EAGLES
Stupid phone....

[Rik E Boy]

Yep you do owe us, but we own the cats and all the pressure is on the cats not to be owned again... COME ON YOU EAGLES
Stupid phone....

Hawthorn owned us too........COME ON YOU CATTERS!

regards,

REB

[valleys07]

Hawthorn owned us too........COME ON YOU CATTERS!

The group did make a promise to each other after the 08 GF that they would never lose to the Hawks again......does this group have the same despise towards west coast?

The cats are a better side on paper and should win, but west coast will take some belief from their victory in WA earlier in the year.

IMO cats by 3-4 goals