Guys can we get some good analysis on the game GF etc matchups, must do's, must not be interesting on everyone's take ?.
The cats a the media darlings this week even with all fans fairy tale this fairy tale that.Keep hearing tigers Chasos style v cats build up play that is wrong we can win different ways winning the centre bounce and clearances to been massive last 2 weeks.Pressure and our intensity is the key cats don't like it has to be red hot for 4 qtrs.Need to take our chances to and be ruthless.Lions didn't expose them with there speed we need to.Our smalls need to get involved in this game cats don't match up on quality smalls like Bolton and Rioli and hopefully George can get involved.They need to bring the heat on there back 6 to.The ruck battle will be interesting Nank and Stanley I'll back Nank to run Stanley around the ground.
Both sides are significantly stronger than last time we met.
Changes since Round 17:Richmond (4 changes)
IN: Prestia, Broad, Edwards, Astbury.
OUT: Ross, Soldo, Markov, Aarts.
Geelong (5 changes)
IN: Stanley, Ablett, Selwood, Rohan, Simpson.
OUT: Jarvis, Fogarty, Ratugolea, Atkins, Close.
A quick team 'match-ups' put together:(Assuming no changes to both sides from the Prelims)
B: Vlastuin Balta Grimes
Dahlhaus Hawkins Rohan
HB: Houli Broad Baker
Ablett Blicavs Miers
C: McIntosh Prestia Pickett
Duncan Dangerfield Menegola
HF: Bolton Martin Castagna
Stewart Kolodjashnij O'Connor
F: Rioli Lynch Riewoldt
Bews Taylor Henderson
R: Nankervis Cotchin Edwards
Stanley Selwood Parfitt
I/C: Lambert Short Graham Astbury
Guthrie Tuohy Simpson Henry
We match up well on Geelong with various options to change if things aren't working or to find an advantageous mismatch.
We've got the choice of playing either Astbury or Balta on Hawkins. In recent weeks, Balta takes the No.1 forward while Astbury plays the 2nd ruck role.
Geelong don't really have a 'traditional' CHF. They use mobile tall-ish utilities like Blicavs, Menegola or Ratugolea (when he's played against us) to play that higher hit up role. Broad usually plays on this type.
When Dangerfield moves or even starts forward then we may have to change things around. Astbury onto Hawkins if we use Balta on Danger. Or there's Grimes, Floss or Broad. Having two defenders on the bench (one tall, one small) gives us flexibility.
Duncan is a talisman for them IMO. Geelong's version of Steele Sidebottom. You just can't allow him to run around freely as he will cut you up if he gets plenty of uncontested ball. Need someone who will make him accountable. I went with Kmac.
Dusty usually gets Stewart when we he plays forward but Geelong are talking this time about using Kolodjashnij.
The key of course is in the midfield. Both sides will rotate a long list of names heavily through there. Geelong like Port usually need/want to dominate the clearances. Matching them in the guts in terms of contested footy and clearances will go a long way to us getting over the line. We've been able to do this our past two finals wins against the Saints and Port. Obviously we also need to bring our A-grade pressure and tackling game as Geelong like to control the ball from defence to forward of centre. Collingwood and Brisbane didn't turn up to play and applied little or no pressure which allowed the Cats to slice through them.
Ruck wise I think we will use Balta in there for his athleticism against Stanley & Blicavs as well as Nank & Astbury. Lynch to take the ruck at forward stoppages.
