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AFL ROUND 19 2006: GEELONG V ST KILDA;
ABLETT, MOONEY, KOSCHITZKE RETURN; MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM LIST (FINAL
SQUAD) By Ben Jensen GEELONG face new day rivals St Kilda at Telstra Dome in what is a virtual elimination final. While the Cats pretty much have to win all four remaining games to make the finals, the Saints, although two games ahead of the Cats and equal fourth overall in terms of wins with 11, are looking shaky. Returning from injury and suspension respectively are Gary Ablett and Cameron Mooney. Jarad Rooke and Kent Kingsley, earlier named on an expanded interchange bench, remain emergencies, as does James Kelly, who was ommitted. The other change is the suspended Jimmy Bartel. GEELONG ST KILDA Cameron Mooney can consider himself fortunate to return. Just minutes after the win over the Lions last weekend, Mark Thompson was already playing mind games, saying he (Mooney) wouldn't replace Mark Blake. But, he didn't need to drop Blake after Bartel's suspension and Kelly's ommission. Bartel was initially suspended for three matches after the incident with Lion Troy Selwood was assessed as reckless contact, and a level three offence. Bartel's player advocate successfully argued he should only be found guilty of negligent contact, therefore only a one week suspension. GEELONG will almost certainly take the punt on injured star Gary Ablett for Sunday's crucial Telstra Dome clash against St Kilda. Ablett injured the AC joint in his shoulder in the Cats' round 17 loss to the Kangaroos in Canberra 10 days ago. But with the Cats' finals hopes still alive provided they can win their last four games, Geelong is considering taking the risk on its match-winner to play the Saints. Geelong coach Mark Thompson said he had been impressed with Ablett's progress, despite an early diagnosis predicting he would be sidelined for either two or three games. Ablett, 22, is believed to have trained indoors at
Skilled Stadium today. "He has improved again the last couple of
days," Thompson said at Geelong training today.
Although suspended onballer Jimmy Bartel won't play the Saints, Thompson was pleased the club took the risk on having his two-game rough conduct suspension, on the Brisbane Lions' Troy Selwood, halved from two matches to one. "Every time you go to the tribunal after you challenge the match review panels interpretation, you take a risk," Thompson said. "We risked (the tribunal increasing the ban to) three weeks and got it down to one, so it's a good win for the club." Geelong also hinted at playing a three-pronged tall forward line against an undermanned St Kilda outfit, which lost tall defender Matt Maguire to a broken leg last Friday night. At one stage against the Lions the Cats played ruckmen Brad Ottens and Steven King inside the 50-metre arc, along with the 198cm Henry Playfair. "With Maguire out, it's an option we certainly have," Thompson said. "Cam (Mooney) has had a pretty good year at centre-half forward and I was thrilled for Henry Playfair the way he played last week. "We've been waiting for that all year and he really did lead up to the ball, mark the ball with confidence and play like a person we know he is capable of. Brad has been pretty good for us at full-forward. And there is no doubt that will happen again this week." Geelong has won three of its past four matches against St Kilda, the most recent being the 18 point win at the Telstra Dome in Round 7. TIP? GEELONG BY 8 POINTS |
AFL ROUND 19 - SUNDAY 13 AUGUST 14:10 AEST GEELONG V ST KILDA TELSTRA DOME TV: CHANNEL 9 - Melbourne
(4pm), Adelaide (4pm), Perth (3pm), Sydney (tba), Brisbane (tba)
VFL ROUND 18 - SUNDAY 6 AUGUST 14:00
ST KILDA - THE STREAK (10 DVD BOX SET)
"It was a ten game streak that broke club records, established a new power side in the AFL and set St Kilda on the way to a new and exciting chapter in the history of this mighty side.."
(Sydney) ABC630 1400-1700 (Brisbane) ABC936 1400-1700 (Canberra) ABC103.9fm 1400-1700 (Hobart) ABC936 1200-1800 (Darwin) ABC105.7 1235-1730
Sports Delivered/AFL Video are the official distributor of AFL videos (including DVDs)
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IN: Mooney, G.Ablett B: Harley, Scarlett, J.Hunt
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ST KILDA IN: R.Clarke, X.Clarke, Koschitzke, Rix B: Voss, Hudghton, X.Clarke |
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LAST TIME ROUND 7 2006, TELSTRA DOME- CATS GET SEASON BACK ON TRACK WITH WIN OVER SAINTS
GEELONG: 2.4, 6.5, 10.7, 12.10 (82) DEFEATED GOALS
GEELONG defeated St Kilda by three goals at Telstra Dome tonight in front of 48,313 fans. In a stunning turnaround of the previous month's form, losing four games in a row, the Cats outplayed the Saints and lead for most of the game, surviving a spirited comeback in the final quarter as St Kilda battled to win in Robert Harvey's club record 324th game. The Cats had first use of the ball most of the night, courtesy of Captain Steven King and Brad Ottens' ruck work. Combined with the skills of Paul Chapman, James Kelly, and Kane Tenace and Joel Corey, it meant Geelong controlled the tempo of the game from beginning to end. Paul Chapman was Geelong's best. He not only had plenty of the ball but used it well, kicking three goals and having a hand in others. His lookalike, David Johnson, earned his keep in defence, but also ran down the ground at will. Tenace's second half, in particular his final quarter, helped win the game - indeed, his goal, Geelong's first of the final quarter after the Saints cut the lead to just two goals, was the sealer. Tom Harley played his first game of the season. He did not have much game time but got through the game unscathed. Partner in crime Matthew Scarlett had a good game, as did all defenders, including Darren Milburn, Matt Egan. Cameron Ling had a much improved game. His record was blemished after missing an absolute sitter that should have sealed the game - but the rest of his game was good. Jarad Rooke stuck on Robert Harvey all day, matching him in possessions with thirteen each. Fresh from the VFL after being dropped after the round four loss against the Western Bulldogs, Steve Johnson kicked three goals and satisfied coach Mark Thompson. St Kilda big man (thug?) Aaron Hamill attempted to 'iron out' Johnson, but came off second best - having to leave the field early in the first quarter, never to return. Johnson continued on. Thomson said of Johnson: "He was having injections to stay out on the field, where during that one collision they (St Kilda) unfortunately lost one. I thought it was two brave teams going at each other. Gary Ablett was well held by St Kilda's Steven Baker, and did not score a goal. Kent Kingsley was once more very disappointing, also not kicking a goal. Other forwards who had an off night were Henry Playfair and Charlie Gardiner. Peter Riccardi, who admittedly played mostly on the ball, seems to have lost the ability and/or confidence to go for goal when outside fifty. (It's actually quite amazing we won!) |
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VFL ROUND 18 - SUNDAY 6 AUGUST 14:00 GEELONG B Callan S. Hunt Slade
LAST TIME ROUND 8 - SUNDAY 28 MAY 13:00 GEELONG 2.2 12.7 15.8 18.9 (117) DEFEATED
GOALS: |
SANDRINGHAM B Biddlecombe Nicholson Warnock
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