CATS TO DO IT FOR 'SANDO'
Mark Heenan of AAP 8 September 2005

Veteran Geelong defender Brenton Sanderson will use missing out on last year's AFL finals series with a heart condition as extra motivation for Friday night's knockout semi-final against Sydney at the SCG.

The 31-year-old Sanderson, who announced prior to Geelong's final home match against Richmond that he would retire at season's end, has played 198 games in the blue and white hoops after brief stints with Adelaide and Collingwood.

"This time last year I got diagnosed with my heart condition, so (I'm) really trying to savour this moment," Sanderson said.

"Announcing my retirement you just think every game or the next game could be your last, so I'm really trying to make the most of this finals campaign.

"When you start out you think that you play in the finals every season and you have a long career ahead, but when you get to my age you really try and grab these opportunities with both hands."

Once the season is over, Sanderson plans to visit New York and check on the progress of former Geelong teammate Ben Graham who has recently won the punter's job for the NY Jets in the NFL.

"A visit to New York is one of the first things I'm going to do and check out Benny and the Jets, I hear he's going pretty well," he said.

Of more immediate concern for the Cats is how to continue their late-season momentum charge, as they enter Friday's night clash on the back of a three-game winning streak.

Geelong is almost at full-strength and while feisty forward Chapman remains unlikely to return (hamstring), midfielder Corey Enright has made himself available after recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained against St Kilda in round 19.

Sanderson expects ruthless decisions to be made by the selection committee when the side is announced on Thursday night.

"There are always players unlucky to miss out this time of the year, Geelong is no different, there's half-dozen players who are going to be really stiff this week if they miss out," Sanderson said.

"It's really competitive, it's really tough to keep your spot in the side.

"You've got to play well every week, and we had a really consistent effort from the 22 players that all played well last week."