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AFL ROUND 6 2006: MELBOURNE DEMONS V
GEELONG CATS; RICCARDI, KING, KINGSLEY RETURN; MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM
LIST By Ben Jensen THIS WEEK Geelong return to the MCG for a replay with Melbourne, who the Cats soundly defeated in last year's finals series (SEE EARLIER REPORT). Melbourne, like Geelong have two wins and three losses, started off poorly but have won their last two matches, against Sydney and the Kangaroos. In contrast the Cats have now lost three in a row, and will be desperately seeking to square the ledger. Geelong coach Mark Thompson expects Kent Kingsley to resume this week, while Tom Harley should play in the VFL next week. Henry Playfair, who was named to play in the VFL today, may also return. James Kelly has struggled to return from a broken shoulder blade suffered during the NAB Cup win, and is a chance to miss depending on form other other midfielders in the VFL. But Captain Steven King will be up to a month away. TIP? CATS BY 13 POINTS
PETER RICCARDI RETURNS |
MELBOURNE V GEELONG 7:40 PM FRIDAY 5 MAY 2006 TELSTRA DOME TV: CHANNEL NINE
CAN JOSH HUNT RECAPTURE THE FORM OF LAST YEAR'S FINAL AGAINST MELBOURNE? |
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GEELONG IN: Kingsley, King, Riccardi B: Milburn, Scarlett, Hunt
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MELBOURNE IN: McLean, Dunn B: Bate, Carroll, Whelan |
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LAST TIME ROUND 6 2005 GEELONG: 5.4, 12.5, 16.8, 18.8 (116) (EASILY)
DEFEATED
GEELONG, lead by Cameron 'MOOOOOOOOOONS!' Mooney, today thrashed a Melbourne side by nine goals on a cold and otherwise miserable afternoon in front of 65,000 punters at the MCG. The win was never really in doubt after the first ten minutes of play, the Demons looking nowhere near as potent as the previous two clashes this season. The Cats face the Swans at either the SCG or Telstra Stadium - the decision won't be made until Sunday night as the NRL (National Rugby League) has first dibs over Telstra Stadium. The Cats kicked the first two goals of the game and in typical fashion should have had more - but they did steady and held a handy three goal lead at quarter time. In an intriguing and instantly successful coaching maneuver, the Cats started the game with an on ball brigade of Steven King, Cameron Mooney, Jarad Rooke and Darren 'Dasher' Milburn. This rotation was quickly chopped and change but the use of Mooney on the ball was once again a cunning move from coach Mark 'Bomber' Thompson. Mooney stayed on the ball for most of the first half, relieving skipper Steven King in the ruck when required. His goal, winning the ball outright from a boundary throw-in and running into open goal, inspired his teammates shortly before quarter time.
Gary Ablett Junior was one of Geelong's best few. He had a hand in many goals and kicked three himself, along with fellow on-baller and 2001 draftee James Kelly. His roving goal late in the second quarter effectively had the fat lady singing, extending his side's lead to over thirty points for the first time in the match. After a seven goal to four quarter, Geelong took a six goal lead into half time. Absent this time last year was James Kelly. Today, he kicked the opening goal and two others, but more importantly was a marking target all over the ground. After a promising start to the season, Kelly broke his leg against West Coast at Subiaco in Round 14 last season. He's played all twenty-three games this season and is back to his best at the right time of the year. The third quarter was all Geelong. The heavens may have opened but that did not mean the Cats' skill would be diminished; in fact it became more apparent. In wet and slippery and downright miserable (at least for the Melbourne supporters) conditions the Cats kicked four goals three behinds while the Dees could only manage two behinds. The final quarter was dangerous for the Cats as all they could do was get injured. Fortunately this didn't occur although a push and shove session in their forward line midway through could easily have developed into a melee. Geelong kicked the first two goals while Melbourne eventually bagged three more in 'junk time', the Cats ending up deserved fifty-five point winners. |
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VFL ROUND 5 - SATURDAY 6 MAY 13:00 (GEELONG) BENDIGO BANK CATS B Callan Spencer Sheringham |
FRANKSTON B Ongarello Benbow B. Barry
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