CATS SEEK REVENGE OVER SAINTS
Mark Heenan and AAP 28 July 2004

AS GEELONG bids for a top-four spot, Cats' Coach Mark Thompson expects St.Kilda’s poor record away from Telstra Dome not to play a major factor for Sunday’s blockbuster match at Skilled Stadium. “They (St,Kilda) played a lot at Telstra Dome, when they were in good form and they lost a few players and lost a few games and that happens to a lot of clubs,” Thompson said at training today.

Having beaten the Cats in this year’s Wizard Cup pre-season final, followed by a 61-point win in Round 1, Geelong will feel comfortable knowing the Saints have not won at Skilled Stadium since Round 10, 1999.

In front of a sellout crowd, Thompson realises it’s a terrific opportunity for his side to beat a quality team and add to it’s 5-game winning streak at Skilled Stadium this season. “There won’t be a spare seat in this place, it’s been booked out for a while and I think the whole city is looking forward to seeing St.Kilda come to Geelong, both teams are in good form, and the crowd will be a factor.”

Following last Friday’s night convincing 35-point win over Essendon, the fact remains St.Kilda has only won 2 out of their 6 games outside the Telstra Dome this season.

Thompson, agrees fate could be out of Geelong’s hands, in terms of gaining a top-four spot, meaning it will have to rely on other sides above them to lose, to get a shot at a double chance. “(It) again depends on how often other teams lose, so certainly winning all games (will be) an advantage,” he said.

The matchups of Scarlett and Harley on St.Kilda’s forwards Gehrig and Riewoldt, is just as likely to attract more attention, than the game itself. “It's great they (Gehrig and Riewoldt) kicked 15 goals last week and our boys have been very good stopping players from kicking goals, so it's going (to play) a big part into the outcome of the game. You have got four quality players, playing on each other, football is looking forward to a good weekend,”

Peter Riccardi is expected to miss another week with a hamstring strain, while Corey Enright could be a surprise inclusion after Brenton Sanderson injured his knee, in last Sunday’s 57-point victory over Carlton. “He’s (Enright) a very good chance he played two (games) in the reserves now, we are going to lose Sanderson, Riccardi I think he will be a test, but more probably not a chance to play."