AFL 2009 - Round 7 - Geelong Cats Vs Sydney Swans

Geelong play hosts to Sydney this week at Skilled Stadium in their round 7 clash.

This match looms as a danger game for the cats with Gary Ablett to possibly miss with a groin injury sustained in last week's game against Melbourne at the MCG. Should Ablett not play, the load will fall upon Joel Corey and Joel Selwood's shoulders with either Paul Chapman or JimmyBartel joining the duo.

Selwood would be looking forward to playing alongside one of his most admired opponents in Brett Kirk.

As usual the danger will come from Adam Bloody Goodes who always seems to play well.

Will Scarlett go to Big Bad Barry Hall? Will Kirk tag Selwood. These appear to be the most mouth watering match-ups on paper.

Last week the Cats nearly kicked themselves out of the game with a 15 goal 21 behind scoreline. If that game was against quality opposition the result would not have been so one-sided.

Hopefully The Big Hairy Cat Cameron Mooney will bring his kicking boots and put through some of those shots from 30-40m out. Tom "Tomahawk" Hawkins also needs to be more confident in front of goal. With Sydney shutting down the game and the weather likely to play a part, there doesn't look like they will get as many chances on goal as in previous weeks. This means that all opportunities need to be taken.

It would also be nice if Steve Johnson could stay inside the forward 50, rather than wafting upfield as he has been doing lately. We get much more value out of him around the goal-square.

Shannon Byrnes needs to lift and would be well advised to take every opportunity that comes his way. Same with Travis Varcoe.

The back 6 lead by Scarlett should be able to keep the Sydney forwards quiet, perhaps even keeping them to 10 goals or less.

In the end this game depends on which Geelong side turns up: The ruthless mob that tears teams apart at the slightest sign of weakness, or the lazy rabble that gets 2-3 goals up and then takes a rest. With St Kilda sitting pretty with percentage hovering around the 200pt mark I certainly hope it's the former.

And we're back!

After a long break, we are back.

The mid-year break, combined with work commitments threw us for a loop.

So far this year we've had the Cats hold out a fast-Finishing Hawthorn lead by Buddy Franklin.

Once Matthew Scarlett was rested in the 4th quarter things fell apart for the Geelong Cats.

Surely the best full-back in the league.

Round two resulted in a disappointing result for the Cats.

Most expected Richmond to get a hiding, but few recall that Geelong don't play their best football at Kardinia Park, nor do they bury teams that should be an easy beat.

Round three was the grudge match versus Collingwood, one of two teams to score a win against the Cats in season 2008.

While the Magpies pulled away early, they lacked the class to go with the Cats for 4 quartersand ended up being brushed aside easily. You can almost feel the pain of Mick Malthouse, Eddie McGuire and Joffa. How sweet it is.

Round four's match against Adelaide Crows was meant to be a danger game for the Cats, but while the crows pushed the away side, they never headed them. If Sherrins were made of asbestos Gary Ablett would have a terminal case of Mesothelioma.

Round five saw the Cats return to Skilled Stadium for the match against Brisbane Lions. Freezing temperatures, hail, and blustery winds didn't help to draw the crowds to Kardinia Park, with only 15,000 loyal fans turning out to see the Cats thump the hapless Lions. Sherrin needs to retain some Mesothelioma attorneys as Garry Ablett racked up another 42 possessions, while also kicking one of the goals of the year from the boundary in the final quarter.

Not to be outdone, Max Rooke bounced one in fromthe opposite pocket. Cameron Mooney and Tom Hawkins also put in strong showings.