WE’RE NOT INTIMIDATED BY LIONS: LING
Mark Heenan and AAP 14 September 2004

APPROACHING its first preliminary final since 1995, Geelong midfielder Cameron Ling says Geelong will not be overawed about the prospect of facing the all- conquering Brisbane Lions this weekend at the MCG.

After finally breaking a ten-game losing streak against the Lions, with a twenty-seven point victory on a wet and soggy Skilled Stadium in Round 13, Ling believes the playing group knows it is capable of playing off in a Grand Final.

“It is very important as far as confidence, probably last year more so, we had played well against them (Brisbane), but we could not beat them,” the 23-year-old said at Geelong’s indoor training session at Skilled Stadium today.

“This year we played well against them and we beat them, so we now know we can do it, they’re a very good team but the boys have got the confidence that if we play to our best, we’re able to beat them,” he says.

While much has been spoken about the young Cats’ ability to excel in the inclement conditions in the pre-match build up, the Geelong vice-captain is not fazed by the prospect of playing the Lions on a wet MCG.

“It is looking that way (with regards weather outlook), we’ve obviously had a fair bit of practice in the wet this year, but what ever the conditions are, we will be confident either way,”

Before conceding 5-last quarter goals in last Saturday’s night semi-final clash against Essendon, Geelong certainly demonstrated signs why they can be a finals force, with the likes of it’s young brigade Ablett and Bartel rising to the occasion.

In his second game back from suspension, Bartel was clearly outstanding in his side’s win, with 33 possessions, while Ablett will be hoping for more of the same against the Lions defenders, after his 23 disposals against the Bombers.

Ling, who polled the most votes in last year’s Brownlow medal for the Cats, and finished 2nd in the club’s Best and Fairest, is likely to start on Voss, Black or possibly Nigel Lappin.

The 23-year-old is by no means afraid of the challenge of lining up on a big-name player, after collecting 25 possessions when the sides last met.

“They’re quality players you play against quality players every week, I don’t approach too many games differently, I know what I have got to do I look at them during the week (and assess) their strengths and weaknesses,”

“You can’t ever get overawed by who you are playing against because then they have basically got you beaten mentally, before you even step foot on the ground” Ling said.